Intercontinental Hotels Loyalty program an Absolute Sham!

[Sharetrade]

Stay at a crowne plaze hotel for 5 days and spend lets say 2k - you receive 20000 point, have the same stay at the more expensive intercon Hotels and for your loyalty you are awarded 2000 points only. Stay a day or a year spend a million or a dollar and its all the same!

Who are they kidding? Its about time they listended to the consumer and woke up to the reality of a tight market. My favourite hotel changed from Hyatt to Intercon. What a downgrade with the miserable points awarded to match.

Needless to say I will be taking my business elsewhere and spreading the word.

Imagine staying for a week and on checkout not even asking how your stay was?

Youtube, twitter and Buzzup here I come.

 

[markis10]

Why is it a sham, the IC has its own loyalty program called Ambassador which provides a generous 20000 points for every 15 nights:

https://secure.ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental/en/gb/ambassador?secure=true

The earning rates are also clearly spelled out online, note if you want to credit to QF the IC does pay on points per $$$ spent in Australia, just like most hotel programs, and at the moment its 6 points per dollar after the second stay:


Qantas Airlines


At all InterContinental Hotels Group brands except InterContinental:
-Earn 600 miles per stay outside Australia.
-Earn 3 QFF points per AUD$ spent on full folio on stays inside Australia.

At InterContinental Hotels & Resorts locations worldwide:
-Earn 1,000 miles per stay.
-Earn 3 QFF points per AUD$ spent on full folio on stays inside Australia.

 

[NM]

And don't discount the real benefits of attaining Royal Ambassador status with IC. That has to be one of most rewarding hotel status level available once you get there. Free mini bar is a big benefit to some people .

But yes, earning 2000 IC points per stay is annoying when compared with the generosity of other IC chains.

 

[thewinchester]

Normally I wouldn't chime in on the negative post of a one-hit wonder like this, but I think it's needed to put things into perspective for the OP.

Firstly, can a Mod blow away the poll on this thread - it's a loaded poll, and doesn't have a 4th option (I've experienced similar, but I'm far smarter & it had no bearing on future travel plans).

You should always select a loyalty program that's most relevant to your needs.

If you frequent cities with IC/ICIHG properties and prefer to stay at them, it's obviously the program for you. If not, find another program that's more relevant.

Also like any program, you need to look at what available offers there are which you can use to maximise benefits.

I've just taken a breeze through the IC Ambassador website, and there's truckloads of offers you can use to get the most out of your stays. The fact you can get free internet access (saving anywhere from $19 upwards per day) is a benefit worth its weight in gold. Others have already mentioned other program benefits, so I won't go over these.

And if points/earning ratios are your primary need - there's also a number of maximiser offers I can see, from 10k PC bonus points when you stay at multiple IC properties over the period, and 25k PC bonus points for stays of 2 nights or more.

Without looking at all of this together, you simply can't do apples to apples comparisons between different loyalty programs and properties.

I could go on, but without knowing more about the OP's profile such as locations/countries frequented, travel frequency, etc, it's hard to give a sound rebuttal to their views. Needless to say, I think the OP is just plain wrong in their views, hasn't looked beyond raw points earning to understand program value, and quite frankly just posted here to vent anger over joining a loyalty program which may not have been right for them.

 

[MelUser]

I too worry about a first time poster maligning an organisation.

AND - as we have also seen from time to time, a first time poster that appears to praise and/advertise a product.

The word "sham" is very strong and indicates deception of some sort. Like all programs, the Intercontinental one has published rules and a legitimate program.

If someone doesn't like the earn/burn ratio they can:

(1) Not join the program; and
(2) Choose to stay elsewhere.

Let us hope that more balance can prevail.

 

[Mal]

Sham?

Let the buyer beware. If you don't like the earning scheme from the program, don't use it. There are others that are probably a lot more suitable.

Quite simple really.

 

[adrian]

Well, the points programme is a negative for me. I stay at the Intercon in Prague between 4 to 10 times in a year. Since the beginning of 2010, I have stayed there around 30 nights, and have many more nights planned - I will probably be there all of July, so 30 more nights. However, as a travel agent books my room, I have never been allocated ANY points for my stays there - it is not seen as a "qualifying stay". So, I am not eligible for any of the bonus offers either. While I do benefit from the paid-for Ambassador status, I am not really being rewarded for my loyalty, and encouraged to come back. Is probably time to stay at a different hotel in Prague....

 

[docjames]

Well, the points programme is a negative for me. I stay at the Intercon in Prague between 4 to 10 times in a year. Since the beginning of 2010, I have stayed there around 30 nights, and have many more nights planned - I will probably be there all of July, so 30 more nights. However, as a travel agent books my room, I have never been allocated ANY points for my stays there - it is not seen as a "qualifying stay". So, I am not eligible for any of the bonus offers either. While I do benefit from the paid-for Ambassador status, I am not really being rewarded for my loyalty, and encouraged to come back. Is probably time to stay at a different hotel in Prague....

So your issue is the rewards program doesnt suit your preferred (mandated) booking process. Thus choose a new booking method, have the agent choose an appropriate booking class, or move groups.

Frankly, unless the OP repsonds within a decent timeframe, this poll and posting should be deleted. There is a risk of the (intentionally distorted options on the) poll being quoted by media organisations as representative of "frequent flyers" as we have seen some websites etc quoting online sites previously.

 

[Archphoto]

Well, the points programme is a negative for me. I stay at the Intercon in Prague between 4 to 10 times in a year. Since the beginning of 2010, I have stayed there around 30 nights, and have many more nights planned - I will probably be there all of July, so 30 more nights. However, as a travel agent books my room, I have never been allocated ANY points for my stays there - it is not seen as a "qualifying stay". So, I am not eligible for any of the bonus offers either. While I do benefit from the paid-for Ambassador status, I am not really being rewarded for my loyalty, and encouraged to come back. Is probably time to stay at a different hotel in Prague....

This could be due to the travel agent getting a much better price than on offer from IHG - something which happens when you use Expedia etc. (Note IHG has a policy of Lowest Internet Rate Guarantee:
InterContinental Hotels Group | Lowest Internet Rate Guarantee)

You need to work out what is most important to you: cheaper accommodation or the points. The agent is there to work for you, so ask them to book in the relevant tier to earn you points. If they can't - book yourself online - guaranteed to earn points.

Exactly the same as chasing SCs - you want full SCs in Y class - you have to book Full Economy, not Discount Economy; Qantas states clearly their T&Cs and after my first stay at an Intercontinental booked via Expedia, I realised that if I wanted to get points, I needed to stop booking "cheaper" and start booking "full" accommodation.

 

[dajop]

Frankly, unless the OP repsonds within a decent timeframe, this poll and posting should be deleted. There is a risk of the (intentionally distorted options on the) poll being quoted by media organisations as representative of "frequent flyers" as we have seen some websites etc quoting online sites previously.

Completely disagree with the OP and with you. Unless the posts are rude, or abusive towards individuals it is a slippery slope once posts start getting deleted because one person's opinion is at odds to the majority. Leave it here along with the the posts rebuking it and offering more enlightened points of view. The poll though is unnecessary, an the options are poor , a fourth option "I have done my homework and happy with the choice provided" would give it more credibility.

 

[oz_mark]

, a fourth option "I have done my homework and happy with the choice provided" would give it more credibility.

...or even, "I tend towards it for short stays, and look elsewhere for longer stays."

I assume this was Adelaide, and one just has to accept that management of hotels can change over time. For some it is for the better, but in others, such as the OP, the newarrangements don't suit.

 

[esquire]

...or even, "I tend towards it for short stays, and look elsewhere for longer stays."

I assume this was Adelaide, and one just has to accept that management of hotels can change over time. For some it is for the better, but in others, such as the OP, the newarrangements don't suit.

Yes, I have shifted to Hilton in Adelaide now that the Hyatt is gone.

I only ever stay 1 night at select ICs because of the PC points / lack of recognition issue, but that is my choice - as I am not interested in paying a fee each year for a loyalty program (Crowne Plaza's can cost more than ICs sometimes), especially since I see the benefits of Diamond Hilton and Hyatt as being far superior. Others will probably see A/RA as better for them.

I'm just glad the hotel chains have something to keep me coming back

 

[markis10]

I only ever stay 1 night at select ICs because of the PC points / lack of recognition issue, but that is my choice - as I am not interested in paying a fee each year for a loyalty program (Crowne Plaza's can cost more than ICs sometimes), especially since I see the benefits of Diamond Hilton and Hyatt as being far superior. Others will probably see A/RA as better for them.

I have never paid a fee for AMB despite being a member for 4 years, every program has its down side but before complaining about poor value or having to pay for membership please do your research. For instance:

What: After 3 qualifying stays in an InterContinental Hotel get Ambassador Status, saving US$150. The downside of course is that during the 3 stays you wont have ambassador privileges and perks!

Where: Worldwide

Brands: InterContinental Hotels & Resorts

When: On going

How: https://secure.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/pc/1/en/ep?secure=true&_promoCode=8021

A good resource is PC Insider http://www.priorityclubinsider.com/category/bonus-points/ as well as AFF, FT has gone off the rails for its IC Forum when it comes to sharing tips etc.

Lets look at that another way - after three stays you get guaranteed upgrades and a free night certificate for a weekend stay when you buy one night (along with 5000 points). Other promotions also allow you to earn more than just 2K of points at an IC, let me show you some real world examples:

Now I hear you saying, he must have spent a fortune to get those points somehow, nope!
There is a breakdown of how the Sydney number came up, the value of being an Ambassador is clear! What may surprise you is that each stay was less than $200 a night, I had club access at all three and a River Suite in Perth, using the priority privilege program to reduce costs without losing benefits, during that month I got 25% off the rates in Sydney and Melbourne while in Perth I got a buy one night get one night free!


So 4 nights and $800 or so later I ended up with 35000 points, now some of those points were the result of having had previous nights that counted to the bonus so if I take that out I still ended up with 25000 points solely for those 4 night, which I could now spend on 5 nights at the CP Adelaide if I wish.


You can see why I like the program, ICH have a very good spread of properties where I often go so the points earn is very easy, compare their footprint to Hyatt, Starwood or Hilton for instance, and its not hard to get a free night from a single night stay. You can often get properties for as low as $35 a night when they are on pointsbreaks like the CP Adelaide is right now, that a pretty cheap reward!

 

[Sharetrade]

Each post has been much more helpful than the Hotel in Question.

Prior to checkin, a simple question "would you mind explaining to me your guest loyalty program was met with: "oh we dont have anything to do with that its handled by a separate company"

A subsequent call to IHG line I was given misinformation. On checkout I asked again... same response as check in.

Appreciate the Ambass club etc, and whilst many may believe its the job of the consumer to research the best deal and I agree, wouldnt it be nice if a Hotel took charge and made it easy for loyal guests to be rewarded. A flowing cup is always easier to take and better than blood from a stone.

ps thanks for the info for those who have responded. First time thread but competent and well travelled.

 

[markis10]

The generic customer service line for the Priority Rewards program is a good example of a call centre that gives creative answers, I would not for a moment defend anything they say! As for the hotel, I suspect they are still getting up to speed on being a IC, having said that I have had issues at more established hotels when it comes to establishing what the program offers.