Priority Privilege Club fails with its promises

[woodborer]

I still think either offer benefits or don't. I don't agree with offering things that cancel each other out so you simply perceive your getting a lot more when in fact its just a ploy.

Welcome to marketing 101. ($100 voucher is fine, you just need to know the best way to extract value from it)

 

[Jama]

Of course. But I would prefer to get benefits that a real benefits and not have to calculate everything out to make it worth something. I got $50 value out of the voucher this last weekends stay, would be starting to reach its max though without eating even less and drinking for the sake of getting more value.

Was kind of cancelled out though when there were NO benefits and the public holiday and everything cost double what was expected. I didn't plan that well and got caught out.

 

[anat0l]

Even in a group the saving depends on spend. The more you spend the less you actually save so you need to closely control what everyone eats to get the most out of the voucher.

The dining benefit works out that you save almost the same absolute cash amount, no matter how many people are dining (except for when dining alone).

 

[QF WP]

Im interested in the mythical Foundation Membership. They tell you about your wonderful new level that you wouldn't want to lose by not renewing. But, the benefits stated sound absolutely no different to what the pp membership offers everyone. I have supposedly had it for 2 years but no reference to it in the welcome letter or anywhere else. It is bothersome to have them selling a Foundation Member level when there is absolutely nothing in writing and no mention of this mythical enhancement in the T&C's. And it is unknown to any hotel in the chain.

This is PP's written description of what Foundation Membership is. Try and contain yourself. A foundation membership is a membership level based on the benefits you receive as part of your membership.

That sounds like what the PP Manager was trying to sell me to get me back in the fold - thus the reason for asking for the benefits in writing. Looks like they are smoke and mirrors. Make it sound important and those DYKWIA's will flock like sheep to take up membership.

 

[Jama]

The dining benefit works out that you save almost the same absolute cash amount, no matter how many people are dining (except for when dining alone).

That makes sense. I hadn't really ever taken much note. But thought the sliding scale dropped off a bit quick and has a significant impact when you have kids. So much for a bigger saving in reward for bigger spend. Normally when I shop the more I spend the bigger the discount I ask for.

 

[Austman]

Its still not worth $100

Not $100. But it depends on how you use it.

I find it's good for either:

Dining alone. It pretty much covers a good meal with drinks, where the PP would only give 25% off the food portion. So it could be worth $75 perhaps.

Lunch for 2. It pretty much covers a single course lunch for 2 with a bottle of house wine, where the PP would only give 50% off the food. So it could be worth $70 perhaps.

It's a bit the same with the Breakfast for Two certificate. It's really Breakfast for One because the PP discount gets you 50% anyway.

 

[thatsthatmattressman]

I wish we could get this multicountry thing sorted out. I did call (and yes I take it with a grain of salt) 2 months ago and the PP rep was quite thorough in saying that to take advantage of the card in other countries you must in fact buy the 'local' version of the card. The User Interface after logging in makes it look like this is not the case; when you read the T's and C's though it suggests you would have to contact each property outside AU, NZ, Vanuatu and Fiji to see if they will accept. But again, I am certain many of us have had success in using it in Singapore and other places I just don't want to 'try' it and show up and get denied use of the card; I get enough blank faces in Australia when I use it for dining unless the manager is on duty ;-)

13. The benefits stated these terms and conditions are only available in participating hotels in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Vanuatu.
14. When traveling outside Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Vanuatu, member must inquire with the respective InterContinental Hotels Group hotel if any Priority Privilege benefits are available.

The PP home page only shows countries where all the hotels play the game, booked Singapore, China and Thailand before no issues.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I wish we could get this multicountry thing sorted out.

I agree. I know the T&Cs appear very clear, but anecdotal evidence suggests otherwise.

I emailed the POM IHG hotels and asked if they accept PP and didn't even receive a reply and PNG is Australias closest neighbour! Hence Airways tends to get my business and it's a far nicer hotel!

 

[woodborer]

Other countries version of the PP program use the same booking codes, so you might get away with it.

 

[woodborer]

What's the go with the 2 for 1 certs and HG rewards earning? Looked at a couple of options tonight, and the booking engine told me tha 0 points would ne earned. All other rates still appeared to earn points...

 

[Austman]

What's the go with the 2 for 1 certs and HG rewards earning? Looked at a couple of options tonight, and the booking engine told me tha 0 points would ne earned. All other rates still appeared to earn points...

I've always (sometimes after an enquiry) received full PC stay earnings (nights and points) when using PP BOGOs. I can't see why that would/should change now that it's IHG Rewards.

 

[Quickstatus]

Bought an internet prepaid deluxe room at Crowne Plaza 1 week ago at the cheapest rate including breakfast and sighed up to IHG for the first time at the same time. At checkin, i was upgraded to the top floor executive club suite with free breakfast, afternoon canapes, paper and internet. This is a 2 level suite upstairs bedroom with full size ensuite the size of most hotel rooms and downstairs lounge and dining areas.

I was a bit bemused as I was travelling solo.