IHG Hotels that recognise status

[oz_mark]

IC Bangkok - status recognised and upgraded to Club room however advised club benefits no longer apply to club room upgrades as of Jan 1 (after some 'constructive criticism' they relented and club manager had a chat about improving the hotels future stance on this)

This was written into the Terms and Conditions recently (it is more than a hotel level thing)

The Club InterContinental Experience including Club Lounge access will not be given to Ambassadors as this is not a benefit that is included in Ambassador membership

https://www.ihg.com/hotels/gb/en/global/customer_care/member-tc

 

[Mrmaxwell]

This was written into the Terms and Conditions recently (it is more than a hotel level thing)

The Club InterContinental Experience including Club Lounge access will not be given to Ambassadors as this is not a benefit that is included in Ambassador membership

Club lounge might not be an Ambassador benefit directly but being upgraded one category at any IC is certainly a defined benefit and if that upgraded room so happens to be a Club Room (which is a normal room simply with club benefits at many IC locations) then one should get all benefits associated with the upgrade.

At IC BKK for instance being upgraded to a 'club room' without club benefits does nothing as both room types are the same (higher floor perhaps?)

Ambassador membership is to promote brand loyalty right?

 

[JohnK]

Holiday Inn Sukhumvit Bangkok

Platinum

Booked 1 night standard twin room
Received deluxe twin room

Also executive lounge access for evening canapes and Zeta cafe for breakfast. Manager visited us for breakfast and addressed me by first name even though we haven't met or weren't introduced. She also helped us by taking care of 5 month old daughter for 10-15 minutes.

I love this hotel. Great location and always recognises Platinum benefits. I've been instructed by wife to try and keep Platinum although this year will be difficult without a challenge.

 

[Dannyism]

Holiday Inn Sukhumvit Bangkok

Platinum

Booked 1 night standard twin room
Received deluxe twin room

Also executive lounge access for evening canapes and Zeta cafe for breakfast. Manager visited us for breakfast and addressed me by first name even though we haven't met or weren't introduced. She also helped us by taking care of 5 month old daughter for 10-15 minutes.

I love this hotel. Great location and always recognises Platinum benefits. I've been instructed by wife to try and keep Platinum although this year will be difficult without a challenge.

I have been looking for a place to stay in BKK later this year. I might check it out sounds good.

 

[samh004]

Club lounge might not be an Ambassador benefit directly but being upgraded one category at any IC is certainly a defined benefit and if that upgraded room so happens to be a Club Room (which is a normal room simply with club benefits at many IC locations) then one should get all benefits associated with the upgrade.

At IC BKK for instance being upgraded to a 'club room' without club benefits does nothing as both room types are the same (higher floor perhaps?)

Ambassador membership is to promote brand loyalty right?

I thought if there is no clear upgrade, for example from the highest standard room type to the same room but with club, then they offer a rate discount? I'm under no misconceptions that Ambassador will not earn me a club upgrade (will not or will, can't work out) but I do think the fault in the program goes further than that, as it encourages you to book the room below what you want, but only to a certain point. I'd be happy to book more expensive rooms for a suite (without club) but it's not possible.

 

[samh004]

Intercontinental Sydney
Status: Platinum Ambassador
Room Booked: King Opera House View
Room Recieved: King Deluxe Harbour Suite
Other: 600 bonus points on check-in (Platinum), fruit and house bottle of red delivered to room (Ambassador)

 

[Rick93]

I've booked a King Club Harbour Suite for June this year, using an Ambassador Certificate ( second night free - locked in at $750. for the TWO nights over a weekend )

Was sent an email from the Sydney IC, stating, that being an Ambassador Member, I would normally receive a 'one class upgrade' ...

They advise, that since there are no upgrades beyond the Harbour Suites via the Ambassador program, they will afford me a $100. food & beverage voucher ( for the two day stay - not per night ).

Yes, there HAVE BEEN experiences quoted by Members here, about getting various upgrades - right up to Australia Suite !! But the 'official line' from Sydney IC, is that upgrades cease at Harbour Suite level.

 

[GDSman]

I had a recent stay at InterCon Syd booking a King Deluxe Harbour Suite and received a $100 credit on my bill as there are 'no upgrades beyond this room type'. I was a little disappointed as I had been hoping for something special but I don't really blame them for changing policy. Perhaps they only upgrade if they are absolutely chockers and need the room...?

 

[oz_mark]

I've booked a King Club Harbour Suite for June this year, using an Ambassador Certificate ( second night free - locked in at $750. for the TWO nights over a weekend )

Was sent an email from the Sydney IC, stating, that being an Ambassador Member, I would normally receive a 'one class upgrade' ...

They advise, that since there are no upgrades beyond the Harbour Suites via the Ambassador program, they will afford me a $100. food & beverage voucher ( for the two day stay - not per night ).

Yes, there HAVE BEEN experiences quoted by Members here, about getting various upgrades - right up to Australia Suite !! But the 'official line' from Sydney IC, is that upgrades cease at Harbour Suite level.

There are explicit exclusions written into the Ambassador T&Cs excluing certain suites

The room upgrades for both Ambassadors and Royal Ambassadors excludes the following rooms/properties:
o InterContinental Hong Kong: Signature Suites (Terrace Suite, CEO Suite, Presidential Suite).
o InterContinental Grand Stamford Hong Kong: Presidential Suite
o InterContinental Park Lane: Signature Suites.
o InterContinental Sydney: Australia Suite, State Suite and Governor Suites.


etc. etc.

 

[samh004]

I've booked a King Club Harbour Suite for June this year, using an Ambassador Certificate ( second night free - locked in at $750. for the TWO nights over a weekend )

Was sent an email from the Sydney IC, stating, that being an Ambassador Member, I would normally receive a 'one class upgrade' ...

They advise, that since there are no upgrades beyond the Harbour Suites via the Ambassador program, they will afford me a $100. food & beverage voucher ( for the two day stay - not per night ).

Yes, there HAVE BEEN experiences quoted by Members here, about getting various upgrades - right up to Australia Suite !! But the 'official line' from Sydney IC, is that upgrades cease at Harbour Suite level.

I had a recent stay at InterCon Syd booking a King Deluxe Harbour Suite and received a $100 credit on my bill as there are 'no upgrades beyond this room type'. I was a little disappointed as I had been hoping for something special but I don't really blame them for changing policy. Perhaps they only upgrade if they are absolutely chockers and need the room...?

Before booking I emailed to enquire the best room to book to get another and they advised there would be no upgrade above the harbour suite, hence I didn't book it, but the room below.

For those wondering, the next 3 suites cost ~$2000, ~$4000 & ~$6000/night. So I can see why they do not upgrade to them.

 

[Rick93]

I used my AMB BOGO a few years ago, on a Friday / Saturday night stay.

PAID the Friday night for a Governor Suite, and got the Saturday night FREE !

THAT Sat. night was worth $1,800. at the time.

My HOPE was, that even though we know what the 'rules' are ........ I was really REALLY hoping I'd be upgraded to The State Suite ......... but it didn't happen.

I did check online, there were none left. But if they hadn't 'sold' them, I 'may' have been in with a chance ...

 

[fijime]

Intercontinental Pattaya
Status: Royal Ambassador
Room Booked: Pavilion
Room Recieved: Club Pavilion
Other: Mini Bar was really good - 2 bottles of Penfolds - 8 bottles (200ml) of spirits replenished each day. Club lounge was fantastic.

 

[samh004]

Crowne Plaza Adelaide
Status: Platinum Ambassador
Room Booked: King Bed Standard
Room Recieved: King Bed Deluxe?
Other: 600 bonus points on check-in (Platinum), box of chocolates

 

[eric2011]

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express - Brisbane
Status: Spire Elite Ambassador
Room Booked: Queen Standard
Room Recieved: Wardrobe with Queen bed (Queen standard)
Other: Nothing, was recognised at check in as a basic member not as a Spire. Price on check in was incorrect but both were amended when told of mistakes. Very new hotel so was expecting some little teething problems so was not too disappointed.
Will I return: 50/50

 

[OzEire]

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express - Brisbane

I had a different experience here recently.

Hotel:HIX Brisbane
Status: Plat
Room Booked: Queen Standard
Room Recieved: As far as I can tell the hotel has only one room class.
Other: Friendly service, thanked for being a loyal member, welcome letter from manager.
Will I return: yes

As Eric mentions above, this is a new hotel. Google street view has a construction site at the address. I stayed on their 5th day open. Staff were very friendly and keen to get their systems working well, with apologies for anything that was even the slightest bit wrong - in established properties such minor issues wouldn't even rate a mention. So no elite treatment but overall a good visit.

Also everyone gets breakfast buffet, I couldn't partake due to an early meeting but it looked nice enough and the dining space (behind reception in the greater lobby atrium) was clean and pleasant.

 

[eric2011]

Room Booked: Queen Standard
Room Recieved: As far as I can tell the hotel has only one room class.

Website indicates 2 room types, Queen Standard and Queen Superior. Apparently also available is 2 room family room.

 

[andye]

Hotel:HIX Tusayan
Status: Plat Amb
Room booked: 2x double queen (reward night)
Room received: 2x adjacent double queen (no obvious upgradable room type)
Amemity: Points (500 per room) given automatically

Very convenient for the Canyon. Recommended local restaurant was disappointing.

 

[Rick93]

Crowne Plaza Narita Airport Japan:
( Plat. AMB. )

Stay of 7 nights.
Three out of seven were high value, the other four as cheap as $AUD60. a night !
So I used 20k of points per night for the nights that were going to be around $AUD156. a night, and paid for the nights at $AUD60.

Even on the Reward Nights, I've been awarded 600 points per night as an "amenity bonus".

Each day, two 600 mls. bottled water.

Booked lowest room category - received upgrade ( all seven nights in same room ) to a King Deluxe Airport View room on high floor.

Now I'm travelling 'cheap' this time ....
There's a 'Seven-Eleven' style shop inside the hotel, that sells almost whatever you'll need. I've purchased breakfast, lunch and dinner there !! Paid by AMEX, and after checking my adjusted $AUD balance, I'm eating food for three meals a day for about $AUD20. !!

Got a 7 day rail pass, but that's a different story .....

Compared to paying 4-5 times more for a Tokyo IC ..... staying here was a smart choice, I feel.

 

[drron]

Gee is it worth getting status at IHG.My experiences-
booked-always cheapest king/queen.
status-nobody.
First ever stay-CP Niigata.Profuse thanks for being a member!
Received 2 waters and small fruit plate.

Second stay-HI SCL
invited to use Ambassador checkin.
Upgraded to large corner room on top floor.

Third stay-CP JNB.
Profuse greetings and told to use Ambassador checkin.
no upgrade,daily paper and waters.

 

[Tooner]

Gee is it worth getting status at IHG.My experiences-
booked-always cheapest king/queen.
status-nobody.
First ever stay-CP Niigata.Profuse thanks for being a member!
Received 2 waters and small fruit plate.

Second stay-HI SCL
invited to use Ambassador checkin.
Upgraded to large corner room on top floor.

Third stay-CP JNB.
Profuse greetings and told to use Ambassador checkin.
no upgrade,daily paper and waters.

I think the best benefit I ever received was after staying at the IC Rialto MEL something like 25 times I was given a free night in a Club room. That was very well received