IHG vs Accor in Europe + Asia

[KingHuang]

Hey guys,

Just seeking which hotel status to go for between the 2 if mainly focusing on Europe and Asia travel? Currently have Accor gold plus and IHG platinum, however might just reduce it down to 1 potentially and go for diamond.

Anyone have both and can share their experience?

 

[Traveler999]

I had the same decision to make for 2025 travel to Europe and went for IHG Diamond, buying the 5000 elite point packages with refundable bookings are your friend here. Mostly for the breakfasts, higher points earn and it’s also the top status level rather than Accor Platinum having Accor Diamond above it.

Main reason I did not select Accor for Europe is lack of breakfasts. I am travelling at the Crown plaza/Intercontinental/ Novotel/Pullman level rather than the Ibis and Accor has a huge amount of European hotels at the cheaper level

Having said that I now have both IHG Diamond and Accor Platinum. Virtually all my bookings are with IHG and mostly InterContinental’s as I have lounge access and the 4pm guaranteed checkout with ambassador membership works really well when leaving cities late for the next destination.
If Accor had free breakfast for Platinum then some of my stays might have changed but overall I am happy to keep IHG Diamond for Europe/world and Accor in the Asia/Pacific.

One small thing. It is my first year as an Accor platinum and the 2x suite upgrades are fantastic as you can apply them when searching for rooms and some amazing results come up saving well over $1000 for the two days of upgrades. The Fairmont’s also tend to also show Gold lounge access with the upgrades for much cheaper than I would otherwise pay.

 

[markis10]

The difference between Plat and Diamond on All is hard to see given the effort required, AllPlat can be easily bought for low cost. IHG Plat also seems to be a sweet spot, coupled with the lounge pass at 40 nights.
Accor plus RHR and the plat room availability guarantee can be very handy.

 

[RooFlyer]

I recently did two weeks in Germany Austria and France ( just one stay of two nights) as an Accor plat and frankly wasn’t terribly impressed with plat benefits. This surprised me, being close to their home as it were.

If it was purely in France, it might have been better.

 

[markis10]

I recently did two weeks in Germany Austria and France ( just one stay of two nights) as an Accor plat and frankly wasn’t terribly impressed with plat benefits. This surprised me, being close to their home as it were.

If it was purely in France, it might have been better.

Accor are worse in France by reputation, you’re lucky to get one welcome drink and an apple. I’ve been top tier in most hotel programs and there is not a worldwide standout, Accor works for me of late because their coverage is extensive in Australia and Asia. IHG used to be favored before dynamic awards and the demise of point breaks.

 

[SYD]

The advantage of Accor in Europe (as well as Oz/Asia) is the huge qty of properties. So it’s easy to earn some pts/nights.

Welcome drinks are generally in the app these days (note book two person occupancy if the price is the same ).

 

[jase05]

I recently did two weeks in Germany Austria and France ( just one stay of two nights) as an Accor plat and frankly wasn’t terribly impressed with plat benefits. This surprised me, being close to their home as it were.

If it was purely in France, it might have been better.

Yeah, it’s a strange one. We get excellent recognition and benefits at most Accor properties in Europe as a Diamond member but I’m generally not impressed with the overall quality available. A real lack of quality and up market hotels across most of Europe. Some gems out there but a stack of generic Ibis, Mercure’s and Novotels which don’t really interest me greatly and of course there are parts of Europe where Accor doesn’t even have a footprint.

 

[KingHuang]

I had the same decision to make for 2025 travel to Europe and went for IHG Diamond, buying the 5000 elite point packages with refundable bookings are your friend here. Mostly for the breakfasts, higher points earn and it’s also the top status level rather than Accor Platinum having Accor Diamond above it.

Main reason I did not select Accor for Europe is lack of breakfasts. I am travelling at the Crown plaza/Intercontinental/ Novotel/Pullman level rather than the Ibis and Accor has a huge amount of European hotels at the cheaper level

Having said that I now have both IHG Diamond and Accor Platinum. Virtually all my bookings are with IHG and mostly InterContinental’s as I have lounge access and the 4pm guaranteed checkout with ambassador membership works really well when leaving cities late for the next destination.
If Accor had free breakfast for Platinum then some of my stays might have changed but overall I am happy to keep IHG Diamond for Europe/world and Accor in the Asia/Pacific.

One small thing. It is my first year as an Accor platinum and the 2x suite upgrades are fantastic as you can apply them when searching for rooms and some amazing results come up saving well over $1000 for the two days of upgrades. The Fairmont’s also tend to also show Gold lounge access with the upgrades for much cheaper than I would otherwise pay.

looks like most of the feedback is to stay IHG in Europe - world being the rest of the world excluding Asia/Aus where Accor is better off?

Do the lounges across both ALL and IHG provide similar features, service, benefits?

 

[markis10]

Do the lounges across both ALL and IHG provide similar features, service, benefits?

Lounges vary considerably across the same brand let alone chains, eg the old rooftop lounge at the IC Sydney vs the old atrium lounge at the IC Adelaide vs IC Rialto Melbourne. You could quite easily spend a day in Sydney (albeit a rainy one) in the lounge relaxing with the odd coffee and enjoying the view, Adelaide lacked the view but had good food like Sydney, while Melbourne lacks both. Sydney and Adelaide have change locales and I haven’t been there since.

 

[KingHuang]

Lounges vary considerably across the same brand let alone chains, eg the old rooftop lounge at the IC Sydney vs the old atrium lounge at the IC Adelaide vs IC Rialto Melbourne. You could quite easily spend a day in Sydney (albeit a rainy one) in the lounge relaxing with the odd coffee and enjoying the view, Adelaide lacked the view but had good food like Sydney, while Melbourne lacks both. Sydney and Adelaide have change locales and I haven’t been there since.

Sorry must seem silly! Hotel lounges are similar to airport lounges where you don’t pay for anything inside? That seems like really good value!