Priority Privilege worth it?

[markis10]

thanks.
how did u get 30 BOGOs?

The monthly specials mean you don't need a cert, probably explains why I still have one of two left after 11 months, helped by hotels not collecting the certs when they should.

 

[Cyberon]

The monthly specials mean you don't need a cert, probably explains why I still have one of two left after 11 months, helped by hotels not collecting the certs when they should.

cool. do you have the link for the monthly specials? cheers

 

[markis10]

cool. do you have the link for the monthly specials? cheers

A new one came out last night that covers off May and June

Priority Privilege Accommodation Offers May - June 2012

 

[Cyberon]

A new one came out last night that covers off May and June

Priority Privilege Accommodation Offers May - June 2012

Thanks. is there a similar link for China/HK/USA/UK hotels? I had a look at their respective sites and couldn't find anything. cheers

 

[markis10]

Thanks. is there a similar link for China/HK/USA/UK hotels? I had a look at their respective sites and couldn't find anything. cheers

No, its only south pacific that has the accomodaiton offers

 

[cdp88]

My membership of 2 years has just expired and I received a call from the Priority Privilege call centre asking me to renew. From reading this forum it seems that the sales reps tell you all sorts of stories in order to get you to renew, some of which may not be true. In my case I was told that in addition to the online PP BOGO inventory you can actually call the hotel directly and they may make further rooms available. So once the PP BOGO limit is reached they may decide to offer more rooms. If I had any trouble making a booking I could call the PP call centre and if they couldn't help me out they would allow me to refund my membership. I asked for this in writing and was told "it's all in the membership pack." That immediately made me suspicious as people tend to sweet talk you before you hand over your money and once you hand it over deny that they made any generous offers of refunding in full if you're not satisfied.

He also told me that you can now hold onto the BOGOs and are not required to surrender them to the hotel and that you can combine 2-3 BOGOs. I already knew about occasional offers of use BOGO don't surrender and some hotels appeared to let you book 2x BOGO consecutively in the past.

I said I'd let them know but I am not planning to renew as we're not travelling much these days and, as I told the rep, the hotels seem to not release the better rooms for PP BOGO and only allow you to book base level rooms. As we travel for leisure I want a larger room, a view and/or club access so I'm not that keen on the base grade room. He didn't really address that issue as I suspect hotels don't like their expensive rooms being let out at half price.

What is the experience of other people on the forum? Are any of these claims true?

 

[Ricardo]

My membership of 2 years has just expired and I received a call from the Priority Privilege call centre asking me to renew. From reading this forum it seems that the sales reps tell you all sorts of stories in order to get you to renew, some of which may not be true. In my case I was told that in addition to the online PP BOGO inventory you can actually call the hotel directly and they may make further rooms available. So once the PP BOGO limit is reached they may decide to offer more rooms. If I had any trouble making a booking I could call the PP call centre and if they couldn't help me out they would allow me to refund my membership. I asked for this in writing and was told "it's all in the membership pack." That immediately made me suspicious as people tend to sweet talk you before you hand over your money and once you hand it over deny that they made any generous offers of refunding in full if you're not satisfied.

He also told me that you can now hold onto the BOGOs and are not required to surrender them to the hotel and that you can combine 2-3 BOGOs. I already knew about occasional offers of use BOGO don't surrender and some hotels appeared to let you book 2x BOGO consecutively in the past.

I said I'd let them know but I am not planning to renew as we're not travelling much these days and, as I told the rep, the hotels seem to not release the better rooms for PP BOGO and only allow you to book base level rooms. As we travel for leisure I want a larger room, a view and/or club access so I'm not that keen on the base grade room. He didn't really address that issue as I suspect hotels don't like their expensive rooms being let out at half price.

What is the experience of other people on the forum? Are any of these claims true?

Mostly hype and overpromises and under delivering in my opinion. I had a similar call last year to renew after one year, made me a 'gold status member' and apparently got a cheaper room rate, when the pack arrived it was same as last year with an extra $100 dining voucher but in my view the hype wasn't matched by the pack contents. So I rang as soon as I got my pack and suggested that what was promised was not exactly delivered. Got a supervisor who said he would 'mail out another $50 hotel dining or hotel voucher, so I thought ok thats fine. Problem was the promised extra voucher never arrived. So I sent an email of complaint to PP about Oct last year, still waiting for a reply. So I am going to wait and see what I'm offered this year and it better be accurate and a good offer, if the BOGO's were not such good value I would have waved this program goodbye. Some of the hotels also have set times they dont take the dining and accom benefits, such as mothers/fathers days, some school holidays and public holidays which makes it unviable for families. And with the HI surfers no longer and the CP near Broadbeach looking tired, (and the CP Chch now demolished) I dont have that many local options any more.

 

[oz_mark]

What is the experience of other people on the forum? Are any of these claims true?

I am certainly aware they spin the stories, and are a bit economical with the truth.

Experience with the BOGO's varies with hotels. Some are quite diligent at collecting the vouchers, while some are less so.

Similar with which room types are available. I've seen only the base rooms, but I've also seen where only the suites are available on BOGO's, so there is certainly no rule that appears to be applied across the board.

Lat year the promised me extra vouchers, which never arrived. When I followed up, I got the bit about their records indicating that they had been sent to me.

If it wasn't such a worthwhile program for me, I would have given it up years ago!

 

[PaulT]

People

Buyer definitely be aware. My membership runs out at the end of November 2012. Last week I tried to book at room at Newcastle, Terrigal or Lovedale only to be told I could not use my '2 for 1' ceretificate because there were no more of these rooms available. The only hotel available was Norwest (Sydney). I live in Sydney why would I spend 2 nights there. They're happy to take your money but when it comes to recouping the so called members benefits they are not so accomodating. My advice, don't bother wasting your money! It's nothing more than a donation to the hotel chain and the customer service is rubbish. They won't be getting any renewal donation from me.

 

[markis10]

People

Buyer definitely be aware. My membership runs out at the end of November 2012. Last week I tried to book at room at Newcastle, Terrigal or Lovedale only to be told I could not use my '2 for 1' ceretificate because there were no more of these rooms available. The only hotel available was Norwest (Sydney). I live in Sydney why would I spend 2 nights there. They're happy to take your money but when it comes to recouping the so called members benefits they are not so accomodating. My advice, don't bother wasting your money! It's nothing more than a donation to the hotel chain and the customer service is rubbish. They won't be getting any renewal donation from me.

I see availability at Newcastle for the last weekend in Nov, did you try online booking?

[h=2]PP 2 Nights for Price of 1[/h] Non-Transferable Certificate: Priority Privilege members with a valid membership card and "Stay 2 nights for the price of 1" certificate can purchase 1st night at Best Flexible Rate and receive the subsequent second night free. 7 Day advance booking is required. Membership ID card and certificate is required at check-in. Transferable Certificate : Bearers of the transferable "Stay 2 nights for the price of 1" certificate can purchase 1st night at Best Flexible Rate and receive subsequent second night free. 7 Day advance booking is required. Only certificate is required at check-in, no membership ID card required.
We’re so confident in our prices that we’re standing by them with our Best Price Guarantee. Find our rooms for a lower price elsewhere and your first night is free.



1 QUEEN CITY VIEW NONSMOKING
View Description

$ 112.50 AUD

 

[oz_mark]

Non-Transferable Certificate:

One good thing, is that the Non-transferable certs appear on the way out, and the certs for 2 for 1, and 25% of best flex will be transferable,

 

[PaulT]

Thanks Markis10.

I tried online then rang their reservations only to be told the same. Funny though, I've just received a telephone call from Priority Privilege after sending them an email saying they have a room available. Amazing! Will not change my mind though. Just shows a lack of custmer service when you have to go through the trouble of complaining instead of just ringing up and booking.

 

[Rallygirl]

I was thinking of booking at the IC Melbourne in November. In other people's experience, does the IC Melbourne honour the Ambassador's free upgrade if booking with the PP rates?

 

[fall502]

I was thinking of booking at the IC Melbourne in November. In other people's experience, does the IC Melbourne honour the Ambassador's free upgrade if booking with the PP rates?

Stayed here on quite a few occassions this year using PP rates and always upgraded.

 

[exp1k]

I have a question:
If I book 5 rooms for 2 nights, can I use one 2-for-1 certificate and get 2-for-1 for all 5 rooms?

 

[Rallygirl]

Stayed here on quite a few occassions this year using PP rates and always upgraded.

Thanks obireng.
i was hoping for that, but have just read the PP rates for IC Melb are for Dec/Jan with nothing in Nov, so I think I won't join PP until the next time I may use it.

 

[markis10]

I have a question:
If I book 5 rooms for 2 nights, can I use one 2-for-1 certificate and get 2-for-1 for all 5 rooms?

Its one room per cert, or one room per no cert required offer.

 

[whatmeworry]

Can you combine PP bookings with rebate sites lie MrRebates and Ebate? I have done some dummy bookings with PP url's altered so I can see the PP rate and it appears the rebate site codes are showing. Personally I probably don't travel enough to make use of PP to get back the joining fee back, however for some getting a rebate back on top of discounted nights and PC points would make it good value.

Priority Privilege – check discounted room rates on priorityclub.com without PP membership | Point Hacks

 

[markis10]

Can you combine PP bookings with rebate sites lie MrRebates and Ebate? I have done some dummy bookings with PP url's altered so I can see the PP rate and it appears the rebate site codes are showing. Personally I probably don't travel enough to make use of PP to get back the joining fee back, however for some getting a rebate back on top of discounted nights and PC points would make it good value.

Priority Privilege – check discounted room rates on priorityclub.com without PP membership | Point Hacks

The two BOO certs take care of the fee, and yes, MRRebates works with PP, as does the Amb BOGO.

 

[kamchatsky]

I am trying to work out whether to get PP or not. I am currently not subscribed to PP. I was going to stay at CP Hunter Valley for 3 nights at Easter long weekend, but given I need to pay for my own Breaky, lunch, dinner, I thought of subscribe PP to get the vouchers. Can anyone provide any experience on BOGO and also restaurant discount at CP HV? Also do those vouchers/certs have restrictions of not able to use it over Easter holidays?

Finally, can anyone check whether BOGO rooms are available at the Easter long weekend for CP HV? Thanks.