IHG Hotels that recognise status

[awilcockson]

Status: Platinum
Hotel: IC Rialto Melbourne
Booked: 1 Deluxe King
Rate: Points
Received: No upgrade, even though I emailed them beforehand to let them know I was taking my wife to Melbourne for the weekend for her birthday.
Welcome Amenities: A $20 bottle of wine and a card thanking me for choosing the hotel to celebrate my birthday.

 

[markis10]

PC appears to be segmenting the program and as a result many ICs dont recognise Platinum, different story if you are an ambassador or royal ambassador, in which case that status is not recognised at the other brands (but their equivalent status is - Gold/Plat).

 

[oz_mark]

PC appears to be segmenting the program and as a result many ICs dont recognise Platinum, different story if you are an ambassador or royal ambassador, in which case that status is not recognised at the other brands (but their equivalent status is - Gold/Plat).

While that is true, there is no requirement on the hotels to upgrade reward nights at any brand.

 

[awilcockson]

While that is true, there is no requirement on the hotels to upgrade reward nights at any brand.

Understood, which is why I sent them an email beforehand acknowledging that and asking very nicely if they could look after us if they had availability. I got an almost instant response saying that they didn't see that as a problem and a not would be put on my booking. Hence my disappointment when we got nada.

 

[awilcockson]

PC appears to be segmenting the program and as a result many ICs dont recognise Platinum, different story if you are an ambassador or royal ambassador, in which case that status is not recognised at the other brands (but their equivalent status is - Gold/Plat).

This is a bit ridiculous, not to mention being confusing. Between PC, PC and Ambassador it all starts to become a bit too much. I was actually ready to sign up for Ambassador for the guaranteed upgrades, until I luckily realised it only applies at IC properties.

 

[markis10]

This is a bit ridiculous, not to mention being confusing. Between PC, PC and Ambassador it all starts to become a bit too much. I was actually ready to sign up for Ambassador for the guaranteed upgrades, until I luckily realised it only applies at IC properties.

Ambassador does have its benefits, the BOGO does not require advance notice and often I get around $120 a night for using it at the IC Sydney, of course I get the added benefit of club access and free minibar which makes $100 look like a tip compared to my consumption. The other good thing is the points, I have had 500K this year from PC, not that points would be of interest to anyone here

 

[oz_mark]

Ambassador does have its benefits, the BOGO does not require advance notice

You're supposed to book using the rate applicable for the ambassador certificate. Now, whether or not the hotel enforces that is a separate matter.

 

[Ricardo]

Ambassador does have its benefits, the BOGO does not require advance notice and often I get around $120 a night for using it at the IC Sydney, of course I get the added benefit of club access and free minibar which makes $100 look like a tip compared to my consumption. The other good thing is the points, I have had 500K this year from PC, not that points would be of interest to anyone here

Only 'brownie' points :mrgreen:

 

[markis10]

You're supposed to book using the rate applicable for the ambassador certificate. Now, whether or not the hotel enforces that is a separate matter.

Whats the rate got to do with it (which is best flex BTW), the key is the fact it can be booked on the day rather than the 7 day notice a PP BOGO requires.

 

[Flashback]

Status: Platinum (no Ambassador)
Hotel: Crowne Plaza Perth
Booked: Standard Room
Rate: PP 25% off certificate. They were supposed to take the certificate (this wasn't a book-and-keep promo), but they didn't ask for it.
Received: Not sure what type of room, but I was "upgraded" to a higher floor room with a view of the Esplanade. (There are several floors of this hotel where the floor is a "ring" of rooms with various views, and then there are the higher floor rooms which are Esplanade-view rooms only).
When I was about to receive my room key, the receptionist saw the room I had, did a "double take", tore up the room slip and tapped away before giving me a new room slip and newly encoded key card. So not sure if the upgrade was proactive or not (it could be that it happened electronically after the check-in documents had been prepared).
Welcome Amenities: Welcome letter, two Crown Lagers. Both were delivered to my room after check-in and after I had entered the room for the first time.

Sounds like pro-active maybe, last time a friend of mine stayed there the crownies etc. were already up in the room

 

[QF WP]

Status: Platinum (no Ambassador)
Hotel: Crowne Plaza Perth
Booked: Standard Room
Rate: PP 25% off certificate. They were supposed to take the certificate (this wasn't a book-and-keep promo), but they didn't ask for it.
Received: Not sure what type of room, but I was "upgraded" to a higher floor room with a view of the Esplanade. (There are several floors of this hotel where the floor is a "ring" of rooms with various views, and then there are the higher floor rooms which are Esplanade-view rooms only).
When I was about to receive my room key, the receptionist saw the room I had, did a "double take", tore up the room slip and tapped away before giving me a new room slip and newly encoded key card. So not sure if the upgrade was proactive or not (it could be that it happened electronically after the check-in documents had been prepared).
Welcome Amenities: Welcome letter, two Crown Lagers. Both were delivered to my room after check-in and after I had entered the room for the first time.

Sounds like pro-active maybe, last time a friend of mine stayed there the crownies etc. were already up in the room

Or perhaps the fact that they had put the Crownies in the originally allocated room and had to get them re-delivered to the upgraded room

 

[Flashback]

Or perhaps the fact that they had put the Crownies in the originally allocated room and had to get them re-delivered to the upgraded room

I guess that's a possibility too:!:

 

[Flashback]

Holiday Inn MADRID
PLAZA CARLOS TRIAS BERTRAN 4 MADRID
Status: Club
Booked: Standard Room
Received: King Suite

Doing quite well in the upgrade stakes, even though just club level. In the past 3.5 weeks though, 2 of those have been in ICH group hotels, so maybe that's why.

 

[oz_mark]

Whats the rate got to do with it (which is best flex BTW), the key is the fact it can be booked on the day rather than the 7 day notice a PP BOGO requires.

Or I misunderstood what you were saying. In the past (like last year for me), you could book any rate and present the voucher on check-in. The hotel had no advance notice you had it.

 

[markis10]

Or I misunderstood what you were saying. In the past (like last year for me), you could book any rate and present the voucher on check-in. The hotel had no advance notice you had it.

No problems, it was better when it was any rate and also applicable to suites, what can I say, an enhancement!

 

[JohnK]

How did you find it John, stayed there October 2009 and was very average (I think I posted in this thread).

Considering the price paid (~AUD62/night + 5,000 PC points) I thought it was actually quite good. The room had a nice layout, nice views and was quiet with complimentary water and fruit.

If I had to pay the asking rate of ~AUD160/night then I would most likely be as disappointed as you

I was disappointed at $105/nt (sale price).

And now the room rate for January 2012 is ~AUD157 but the award rate has increased to 15,000 PC points + USD60. :shock:

 

[JohnK]

Sunday 27 March 2011

Status: Gold
Hotel: Holiday Inn Burswood, Australia

Booked: Queen Bed Urban Room
Received: Queen Bed Urban Room on 2nd floor

 

[JohnK]

Monday 28 March 2011

Status: Gold
Hotel: Holiday Inn Pattaya, Thailand

Booked: King Bed Superior Room
Received: King Bed Superior Room (20th floor)

2 bottles of water

* Stunning views of Pattaya Bay, South Pattaya, Central Pattaya and East Pattaya

 

[JohnK]

Friday 1 April 2011- Monday 4 April 2011

Status: Gold
Hotel: Holiday Inn Silom, Bangkok, Thailand

Booked: King Bed Superior Room
Received: 1 Bedroom Suite (12th floor)

2 bottles of water each day, fruit platter on arrival, chocolate plate

 

[JohnK]

Friday 8 April 2011- Sunday 10 April 2011

Status: Gold
Hotel: Holiday Inn Silom, Bangkok, Thailand

Booked: King Bed Superior Room
Received: King Bed Superior Room in new wing

2 bottles of water each day, fruit platter on arrival