No Upgrades Allowed on Point Stays: Official Word from IHG

[Cyberon]

"Hotel Room Upgrades benefit for Platinum Members does not extend to Reward Night reservations."

Priority Club Rewards | Priority Club Terms and Conditions

A pity really, as it does mean that reward stays are treated as second rate.

Fortunately though, there are many IHG properties that do offer upgrades.

 

[straitman]

"Hotel Room Upgrades benefit for Platinum Members does not extend to Reward Night reservations."

Priority Club Rewards | Priority Club Terms and Conditions

A pity really, as it does mean that reward stays are treated as second rate.

Fortunately though, there are many IHG properties that do offer upgrades.

There are many IHG that never seem to give upgrades no matter what :!:




Sent from AFF Mobile Edition

 

[Austman]

And if booked using a Priority Privilege 2-for-1 or 25% off certificate rate, no upgrades need be given either. According to Ambassador Services.

 

[Rick93]

Certainly, they write their own ticket ...

Doesn't Point 16 conflict with Point 21 ? ( point - oh, the pun !! )

 

[oz_mark]

"Hotel Room Upgrades benefit for Platinum Members does not extend to Reward Night reservations."

Priority Club Rewards | Priority Club Terms and Conditions

A pity really, as it does mean that reward stays are treated as second rate.

Fortunately though, there are many IHG properties that do offer upgrades.

Hotels are 'allowed' to offer upgrades, it's just that there is no entitlement to an upgrade.

 

[docjames]

Must be a new directive, had upgrade on 2:1 voucher in Fiji late last year.

Points night couldn't (?wouldnt) be upgraded so paid the difference (ended up ~$70 for one night iirc).


Sent from AFF Mobile Edition

 

[oz_mark]

Must be a new directive, had upgrade on 2:1 voucher in Fiji late last year.

I think it's a property specific thing...

 

[Austman]

I think it's a property specific thing...

Backed up, by Ambassador Services.

 

[serfty]

The T&C's are specific - there is no entitlement to upgrades based on IHG PC status when staying on awards - or any other status based benefit for that matter.

It does not mean a hotel may not deign fit to grant an upgrade to a member with status when staying on an award.

Really, as far as IHG goes, it's a case of "expect nothing" and you won't be disappointed. (A bit like Le Club Accor really).
[edit]

Well, it seems that are some changes afoot and some benefits will indeed be guaranteed, see later posts.​

[/edit]

 

[Austman]

Thanks serfty! But Ambassador status is not the same as PC status. And a PP certificate is not "any other status based benefit".

 

[dajop]

Really, as far as IHG goes, it's a case of "expect nothing" and you won't be disappointed. (A bit like Le Club Accor really).

Yep, I subscribe to this theory too for the disloyalty programs of both chains. One of the neat things about Hilton and SPG is the award stay is treated no differently to paid stays - and for many that's where the benefits are most compelling (as they are invariably leisure stays).

 

[Cyberon]

Yep, I subscribe to this theory too for the disloyalty programs of both chains. One of the neat things about Hilton and SPG is the award stay is treated no differently to paid stays - and for many that's where the benefits are most compelling (as they are invariably leisure stays).

I've just cancelled an IHG booking and moved to Hilton because of this attitude from a certain IHG property

 

[kpc]

In my experience with IHG hotels, I have often received some sort of benefit on my Award stays....room upgrade, lounge access, late checkout etc....PC plat is very easy to obtain, and PC pts can be "bought" cheaply, allowing one to book a room cheaply....

 

[markis10]

.PC plat is very easy to obtain, and PC pts can be "bought" cheaply, allowing one to book a room cheaply....

Not for much longer, effective 1st Jan only base points from stays count towards status.

 

[Austman]

To be precise, "Ambassador", "Royal" or otherwise, is an "Intercontental" status only, although it does confer PC platinum.

Ambassador gives PC gold.

But the point I was trying to make is that it's not just point stays where upgrades can be denied. Now it's some paid stays too.

 

[serfty]

Thanks serfty! But Ambassador status is not the same as PC status. And a PP certificate is not "any other status based benefit".

I did specify: "based on IHG PC status".

The T&C's are specific - there is no entitlement to upgrades based on IHG PC status when staying on awards - or any other status based benefit for that matter. ...

To be precise, "Ambassador", "Royal" or otherwise, is an "Intercontinental" status, although it does confer PC [-]platinum[/-]Gold. This thread is about PC Platinum and there being no defined elite benefits on award stays. What may or may not happen at an Intercontinental Hotel is irrelevant.

As for "Priority Privilege" - that's just a marketing scheme.

So, in relation the thread title, I am 100% correct.

 

[oz_mark]

Not for much longer, effective 1st Jan only base points from stays count towards status.

Seems to be a few changes rolling through - including improved benefits in China : Benefits Upgrade for Members | Priority Club Rewards

 

[kpc]

Not for much longer, effective 1st Jan only base points from stays count towards status.

According to the link on FT below, only strong rumour at present (altho. suggested on PCR website in Chinese apparently)...

Starting 2013.1.1, only qualifying points count towards elite status - FlyerTalk Forums

If this is the case, they better ramp up benefits for PC plat members, including for award stays!!*** I'm PC Plat again next year, which if the changes come in, will probably be my last after being PC Plat for 5 out of the last 6 years. PS I can see why changes are supposedly being introduced as I requalified PC Plat with only one long stay at CP Santiago last month!

*** Spoke too soon!

Seems to be a few changes rolling through - including improved benefits in China : Benefits Upgrade for Members | Priority Club Rewards

● Platinum Member:
-Welcome drink
-Free upgrade to next room category
-30% off difference in room rates to upgrade to Club Floor or suites (Club Lounge access when upgrading to Club Floor)
-In-room amenity
-Free in-room Internet access (available from 1 January 2013)

 

[serfty]

Note the T&C's for the Upgraded benefits link: "The room upgrade does not apply to member’s reward night stays."

 

[Austman]

And it's only for China (so far!). But I did see, a couple of days ago, on a IHG website where the PC/Ambassador T&Cs had a global section and then regional variations. But I can't find that now ...