IHG Hotels that recognise status

[markis10]

I've often thought about purchasing A status, but just havn't got around to it.

Its probably a lot better value now that you have 4 hotels to use in in Australia compared to the 2 we had 12 months ago, the BOCO cert pays for the cost. Its always been somewhat ironic that PC PLat does not count for much at IC's but to be granted RA status you need to have spent 50+ nights at all brands including at least three separate IC stays, so your activity at the other brands does count rather than pure IC activity.

 

[Commuter]

It depends on the hotel, but yes, PC Plat often means nothing to an IC. It's Ambassador / Royal Ambassador that they care about. I think that PC Plat members should still get a room upgrade at IC, but that nothing else applies.

I see. I guess I wouldn't be able to tell which IC gives PC Plats what, because I'm a Plat Amb (so I don't know what got me the benefit).

I've often thought about purchasing A status, but just havn't got around to it.

Ambassador is cheap, especially at the current AUD/USD exchange rate.
I've had far more benefits from Amb than what I paid for it. BOGO certificate is pretty good value for a start.

I'm thinking of trying for RA next year. My loyalty to any particular hotel group is pretty weak (I divide my stays between Starwood, independents, Hyatt and ICHG, although it was predominantly Starwood).

 

[oz_mark]

I stayed at IC Sydney last weekend, but being an Ambassador, it is hard to know what was related to that and what was related to PC Status. However:

1) I did get an upgrade
2) I had a choice of welcome amenity (took the bottle of red)

...and since I stayed Fri/Sat a BOGO meant I got the (expensive) Saturday night at no charge.

The thing with Ambassador, one weekend stay (more than) covers the cost of membership.

 

[markh]

ANA Intercontinental Tokyo 29/10/09 - 02/11/09.
Booked King Club Intercontinental.

Upgraded to King Junior Suite. Received welcome note from GM & Loyalty Director.

Best thing was the bumping into the Wallabies in the lifts !! Looked like they had the top floor (37th?) dedicated to them.. Tried to accidently get out on that floor but was rounded up by someone getting in the lift ...

 

[QF WP]

Just checked ito the HI Darling Harbour - probably my last stay as a platinum member. Haven't been here for at least 6 months.

Booked: Best Flex Queen Bed Superior ($139)
Received: Alina at Front Desk advised me that I had been upgraded to a refurbed King Suite (second top floor) with free Internet. Excellent :idea:
Welcome Amenities: 2 free bottles of water

 

[Mal]

PC Plat: 4 nights each stay.

Holiday Inn Istanbul-Sisli

Booked - Award nights (15K/night - good value).

Was upgraded to Club floor, although there is no lounge. Fruit platter provided.

Overall impression is that this is a very nice and recently refurbished hotel.(even the lifts have a 2009 date)

Crowne Plaza Athens City Centre

Booked - standard room.

Was upgraded to Exec Floor, although lounge access is not provided when upgraded. Fruit platter and bottle of mineral water provided. Vouchers for one comp drink at bar per night.

Overall impression of this hotel is good. The Heineken beer on tap at the bar didn't taste right (perhaps old or pipes not properly cleaned???) , but bottled beer was fine.

 

[MDC]

CP Darling Harbour Sydney

No recognition other than a PC sticker on the room key folder that says "Platinum Member".

 

[QF WP]

It seems that with the tough economic times, that the Australian properties are reducing the bottle of wine or fruit platter in-room amenities and increasing the "upgraded you to higher status room"...YMMV

 

[MDC]

They must be really cutting back! Received a welcome letter Monday evening. At the bottom of the letter they have a blurb about having complimentary drinks for priority club members on Tuesday from 6-7PM. I go down to the bar at 6:15 to be told that drinks were cancelled.

 

[Mal]

They must be really cutting back! Received a welcome letter Monday evening. At the bottom of the letter they have a blurb about having complimentary drinks for priority club members on Tuesday from 6-7PM. I go down to the bar at 6:15 to be told that drinks were cancelled.

I'm assuming Brisbane? Permanently cancelled - or just cancelled that day?

 

[MDC]

I'm assuming Brisbane? Permanently cancelled - or just cancelled that day?

Sydney. Not sure if it's permanent or just this week. I'm back here next week so I'll know more then.

 

[Mal]

Sydney. Not sure if it's permanent or just this week. I'm back here next week so I'll know more then.

Ok, thanks. Thought Brisbane HI was the only hotel to have "PC Drinks nights". Let us know. Free drinks at a hotel bar are always a good perk.

 

[MDC]

Ok, thanks. Thought Brisbane HI was the only hotel to have "PC Drinks nights". Let us know. Free drinks at a hotel bar are always a good perk.

I think the drinks nights are fairly common in Aus. I've also been to PC drinks nights at HI Darwin, CP Darwin and CP Canberra. They're also all on Tuesday nights between 6-7.

 

[QF WP]

Dave Noble, serfty and I have had drinks at HI in Melbourne on a number of occasions previously. Now I haven't been there in almost a year, so don't know if they are still doing them.

 

[esquire]

I think the drinks nights are fairly common in Aus. I've also been to PC drinks nights at HI Darwin, CP Darwin and CP Canberra. They're also all on Tuesday nights between 6-7.

CP Canberra not longer meantions the drinks night anymore... have been there a few times recently and was there last night (Tues) and nothing - not even a room upgrade - sold out apparently-I phoned the manager to see what he woud offer in lieu to a (their words on the intro letter) "highly valued platinum member" - and got the "subject to availability line" but kept pushing and got free internet begrudingly

It's about time PC offers in lieu of to high status members like the HH & GP hotel programs do when benfits are not available.

 

[MDC]

In the middle of another 4 night stay at the CP Darling Harbour.

Again no recognition - not even a welcome letter. No invite to the PC drinks so I'm guessing that they have stopped it.

I probably won't stay here again. These two stays were a second chance for this hotel. Last time I stayed here the valet crashed my car and it took 7 months for them to pay up.

 

[millesm]

My last stay at CP Darling Harbour was in Nov 09 and I didn't get an invite to drinks either.

HI The Rocks used to have them on Wed nights but stopped them in late 08 when the manager changed, while CP Darling Harbour kept them up in 09 as I had them a few times.

 

[markis10]

IC Rialto - Booked classic king - upgraded to turrent suite, bottle of wine welcome.
IC Sydney - Booked City View - upgraded to club city view on high floor, bottle of wine.
IC Burswood - Booked Club King - upgraded to River Suite, no welcome gift.
HI Townsville - Booked standard king - upgraded to high floor king deluxe, bottle of wine. Like the new decor!
HI Surfers - No upgrade but scored a points stay over Xmas/New Year so I am not complaining.

 

[MDC]

IC Rialto - Booked classic king - upgraded to turrent suite, bottle of wine welcome.
IC Sydney - Booked City View - upgraded to club city view on high floor, bottle of wine.
IC Burswood - Booked Club King - upgraded to River Suite, no welcome gift.
HI Townsville - Booked standard king - upgraded to high floor king deluxe, bottle of wine. Like the new decor!
HI Surfers - No upgrade but scored a points stay over Xmas/New Year so I am not complaining.

The renovated rooms at HI Townsville are much better than the 1980's era wicker furniture and peach coloured tiles they used to be! I just wish they'd do something about the roof top pool. Even in winter it's too hot to swim in.

 

[markis10]

The renovated rooms at HI Townsville are much better than the 1980's era wicker furniture and peach coloured tiles they used to be! I just wish they'd do something about the roof top pool. Even in winter it's too hot to swim in.

I took a dip two days ago at 6PM after a day of 40 degree heat, it was quite nice, but it certainly could do with a shade sail!