IHG Hotels that recognise status

[Dave Noble]

I was informed by the HI in Melbourne that due to standardisation of benefits being brought in Australia wide, they would no longer be offering free drinks vouchers from April

Dave

 

[oz_mark]

I was informed by the HI in Melbourne that due to standardisation of benefits being brought in Australia wide, they would no longer be offering free drinks vouchers from April

Dave

Its interesting, as it seemed to be a standard benefit. Seems they are removing it everywhere under the guise of standardisation.

 

[Dave Noble]

Its interesting, as it seemed to be a standard benefit. Seems they are removing it everywhere under the guise of standardisation.

It wasn't standard. Some hotels offered it, some didn't ; some that did offer it had separate gold and platinum vouchers where gold allowed standard drinks and platinum allowed premium ( e.g. Townsville )

In the grand scheme of ungraciousness of some customers complaining at hotels where they didn't get a free drink ( rather than accepting the free drinks when offered as being a courtesy above that which was entitled ) , they have decided to standardise

Dave

 

[oz_mark]

While not an offering that was a given under the PC program, in my experience more offered the drinks than didn't. It is fine if they want to standardise in accordance with the rules of the program, and I would not even try to guess as to what has caused the removal of this benefit.

Realistically I am not fussed one way or the other - they really need to sort out the BS that goes on with "non-qualifying stays". Personally I have only ever asked for what is stated as a benefit in the T's and C's.

 

[Dave Noble]

Realistically I am not fussed one way or the other - they really need to sort out the BS that goes on with "non-qualifying stays". Personally I have only ever asked for what is stated as a benefit in the T's and C's.

When booked on the PC website or using company agent, I have had v little problem getting points automatically credited. The only one that was a problem was with Brisbane that a couple of times listed my Entertainment Card rate as being ineligable. On those occasions I contacted PC, pointed out that in Australia there is no "30% < than flexible rate" restriction and they have credited the points. I spoke to the GM at the HI Brisvegas and he agreed that the rate was incorrectly in their system as being ineligable and promised to fix it and also provided some compensation for my next stay

Dave

 

[oz_mark]

When booked on the PC website or using company agent, I have had v little problem getting points automatically credited. The only one that was a problem was with Brisbane that a couple of times listed my Entertainment Card rate as being ineligable. On those occasions I contacted PC, pointed out that in Australia there is no "30% < than flexible rate" restriction and they have credited the points. I spoke to the GM at the HI Brisvegas and he agreed that the rate was incorrectly in their system as being ineligable and promised to fix it and also provided some compensation for my next stay

All my bookings are via the website, but the two Melbourne hotels have become probematic in the last year. Up until the last stay they were generally corrected, sometimes after some arguing, sometimes fixed straight waye.

My last stay at HI Flinders Street has turned into a saga trying to get the points creditted. SO much so, that my next two stays in Melbourne will now be at the Hilton (which turned out to be cheaper as well)

 

[millesm]

Change to rules on Crowne Plaza Club access upgrades

I've been staying at the Crowne Plaza in Auckland regularly over the past 8 months and as a platinum PC member have always been upgraded to the Club level on every stay.

On my last stay in March I did not get the complimentary upgrade so asked for access, but was declined on the grounds that it is no longer automatically given from April 1 (although it was still early March).

I eventually convinced the duty manager that it was in their best interests to give me access and got it, but told that in future, I'd have to pay extra for a room on the Club Floor to get club access.

So no more cheap nights in Auckland with free Crowne Club access which is a shame. This was the main reason I chose that hotel to stay at!

 

[oz_mark]

Re: Change to rules on Crowne Plaza Club access upgrades

I've been staying at the Crowne Plaza in Auckland regularly over the past 8 months and as a platinum PC member have always been upgraded to the Club level on every stay.

On my last stay in March I did not get the complimentary upgrade so asked for access, but was declined on the grounds that it is no longer automatically given from April 1 (although it was still early March).

I eventually convinced the duty manager that it was in their best interests to give me access and got it, but told that in future, I'd have to pay extra for a room on the Club Floor to get club access.

So no more cheap nights in Auckland with free Crowne Club access which is a shame. This was the main reason I chose that hotel to stay at!

I have once been given a free upgrade to the club floor (at CP darling Harbour), but more often I get the sales speech to pay more Decline cause I don't really see the $50 (or more) value in it. Will be interesting to see what people get post April 1, but looks like they will be closely following the published stated benefits.

 

[SF&]

Re: Change to rules on Crowne Plaza Club access upgrades

I have once been given a free upgrade to the club floor (at CP darling Harbour), but more often I get the sales speech to pay more Decline cause I don't really see the $50 (or more) value in it. Will be interesting to see what people get post April 1, but looks like they will be closely following the published stated benefits.

I am plat PC member as well and I have never been upgraded to exec floor in CP Darl H but always a suite which I think a pretty nice anyway. When I go overseas always upgraded to exec floor. The hilton honors program is very good as well, I am Diamond lvl their an dalways rcve an exec floor room no matter the price or if on pts stay

 

[oz_mark]

Re: Change to rules on Crowne Plaza Club access upgrades

I am plat PC member as well and I have never been upgraded to exec floor in CP Darl H but always a suite which I think a pretty nice anyway. When I go overseas always upgraded to exec floor. The hilton honors program is very good as well, I am Diamond lvl their an dalways rcve an exec floor room no matter the price or if on pts stay

I probably should have mentioned it was once out of about ten stays. Normally I get an upgrade of some sort though

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

How about hotels that recognise PC membership?

(I recently got an upgrade to exec room on a cheap stay despite only just joining PC.)

 

[StevePER]

How about hotels that recognise PC membership?

Potts Point has free drinks every Wednesday between 6 and 7 (though it can sometimes extend later - 11pm is my record). They used to give free drink vouchers for all members as well, but they stopped doing that a while back.

Has anyone stayed at Holiday Inn Adelaide?

Steve

 

[oz_mark]

How about hotels that recognise PC membership?

(I recently got an upgrade to exec room on a cheap stay despite only just joining PC.)

Beginner's luck

 

[QF WP]

Kiwi Flyer, presumably you have also opted for a status match from Hilton, as Gold get you PC Platinum...so it won't be beginners luck for long

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Kiwi Flyer, presumably you have also opted for a status match from Hilton, as Gold get you PC Platinum...so it won't be beginners luck for long

Actually I didn't. I don't stay enough to maintain status on more than one chain (even one is a challenge to maintain). I only signed up when I made the booking so that at least I got something for the stay.

 

[oz_mark]

Actually I didn't. I don't stay enough to maintain status on more than one chain (even one is a challenge to maintain). I only signed up when I made the booking so that at least I got something for the stay.

Hotels seem to be somewhat more generous than airlines in throwing upgrades around. And it is good to get one at a chain you have no status at.

 

[StevePER]

Holiday Inn Adelaide - upgraded to a suite, but had to ask for it.

 

[NM]

CP Perth - upgrade to a King Deluxe room, half bottle or wine and fruit platter.

 

[markis10]

HI Esplanade Darwin - Upgraded to Terrace Suite which is the second best room available, nice!

HI Sydney Airport - Downgraded to Single Bed room - given room that was booked after rant!

 

[StevePER]

I've been staying at Potts Point this week (it's good to be back there - always seems to be full). I get the impression they give recognition based on stays at their hotel rather than Priority Club status.

A huge amount of their business comes from their four busiest corporate clients, with the biggest taking 60,000 room nights per year. That's a lot of rooms. My company is second, and we still can't get in there half the time.

Steve