Qantas to launch in-depth partnership with Accor ALL

[bernardblack]

It’sa few years old now, but I used to have many problems with Accor in getting status and points credited when the booking was made by my TA; ditto status not recognised on check in. Usually when I showed that it was my credit card charged, the hotel acquiesced, but overall Accor was a PITA to deal with. One of the reasons I dropped them except when it suited me.

I have found Accor to moreso than other chains require follow-up to get stays credited even when booking direct.

 

[bernardblack]

I engage with Accor via the Amex Charge free night and AccorPlus discounted dining but find a Rewards programme with no ability to arbitrage profoundly depressing.

Very much this.

And the corollary to Accor being ubiquitous here compared to Marriott/Hilton is that in the US it's the opposite (and in fact more acute: there might be a handful of Accor properties in the whole country, despite having ~15x the population).

Post automatically merged: Nov 27, 2020

The Americans* were focussing on growth elsewhere, whilst Accor snapped up lots of properties via local chain acquisitions in Australia, to corner the "chain" market in Australia. Rydges seems to by prime for the picking should one of the American chains want to expand their Australian portfolio and offer a broader range of options (although in the current environment .......)

* Hilton, Marriott, the former SPG, IHG

I seem to recall seeing chatter recently that there were preliminary talks for an Accor/IHG merger?

Both have pretty ordinary loyalty programs, although IHG's is probably marginally better. And IHG would plug the gaping US-sized hole in Accor's coverage.

 

[Muppet501st]

Looking forward to see what this partnership brings as a new QF SG, and moving up to ALL Diamond this year.
Ive done 130 nights so far this year in Accor properties- all booked thru work CT, and havent had an issue with receiving points and Diamond benefits.

 

[RichardMEL]

The earlier comment about Hilton status extension vs QF is apples and oranges imo. Hilton has a set membership (calendar) year for all members. QF's "problem" is their rolling membership anniversaries which has caused seemingly endless inequities depending on what they have done and when. Plus I think the hotel game is somewhat different in nature.

The thing that would swing me to use Accor more is if there were status benefits. VA used to (still does?) allow Hilton Diamond(I think) or IHG Plat for its Platinum members, UA gives automatic Bonvoy Gold for it's higher tier members as part of their partnership and so on. If a QF Plat or P1 received higher ALL status equivalents that provided for things like free brekky or upgrades (I do not know ALL at all so am unsure if these benefits are even offered) then that would swing the balance of power for someone like me. Accor does have a huge offering in AU/NZ with some great options but as discussed they are poor in other parts specially North America where there's a Hilton/Marriott/IHG cluster just about anywhere. Of course there will be members who do not ever go places without coverage. Specially with the APAC limited nature of this partnership.

However status benefits would, one presume, apply across all Accor properties which brings Europe into sharp focus also.

We'll just have to wait and see how it pans out I guess. I am not expecting too much but there has been some precedence set as above.

 

[Captain Halliday]

The earlier comment about Hilton status extension vs QF is apples and oranges imo. Hilton has a set membership (calendar) year for all members. QF's "problem" is their rolling membership anniversaries which has caused seemingly endless inequities depending on what they have done and when. Plus I think the hotel game is somewhat different in nature.

The thing that would swing me to use Accor more is if there were status benefits. VA used to (still does?) allow Hilton Diamond(I think) or IHG Plat for its Platinum members, UA gives automatic Bonvoy Gold for it's higher tier members as part of their partnership and so on. If a QF Plat or P1 received higher ALL status equivalents that provided for things like free brekky or upgrades (I do not know ALL at all so am unsure if these benefits are even offered) then that would swing the balance of power for someone like me. Accor does have a huge offering in AU/NZ with some great options but as discussed they are poor in other parts specially North America where there's a Hilton/Marriott/IHG cluster just about anywhere. Of course there will be members who do not ever go places without coverage. Specially with the APAC limited nature of this partnership.

However status benefits would, one presume, apply across all Accor properties which brings Europe into sharp focus also.

We'll just have to wait and see how it pans out I guess. I am not expecting too much but there has been some precedence set as above.

The free breakfast benefit for Accor Plats only applies at about a dozen of their most expensive properties in AU. It looks good on paper but is highly restricted.

Further, it only applies to weekend breakfast at overseas properties.

 

[sudoer]

If a QF Plat or P1 received higher ALL status equivalents that provided for things like free brekky or upgrades (I do not know ALL at all so am unsure if these benefits are even offered) then that would swing the balance of power for someone like me.

Free brekky is limited to the highest tier - Diamond - and only available on weekends. It's one of ALL's weakest points and the weekend limitation is a real middle finger given Diamond requires ~$17k AUD annual spend to attain.

If the tie-up entitles ALL status to QF elites, I expect QF WPs will get ALL Gold (space available upgrade to next category, early check-in OR late check-out, 'welcome gift' like a few chocs) and QF P1s will get ALL Platinum (Gold perks + Exec Lounge access where available, Suite Night Upgrades)

The free breakfast benefit for Accor Plats

Diamonds, actually. Although Plats can access breakfast in Exec Lounge where available.

 

[oz_mark]

The free breakfast benefit for Accor Plats only applies at about a dozen of their most expensive properties in AU. It looks good on paper but is highly restricted.

It applies to nearly properties in APAC for Plaintum. I have received free breakfast at ibis hotel, Sofitels and everything in between.

 

[sudoer]

It applies to nearly properties in APAC for Plaintum. I have received free breakfast at ibis hotel, Sofitels and everything in between.

Refreshing to hear of a loyalty program going beyond the stated benefits these days. I should hit ALL Plat next year given the H2 2020 rollover - looking forward to it.

I wonder whether the Qantas tie-up along with the Accor/Visa partnership announced earlier this year could lead to an ALL points earning credit card in Australia? Unlikely to be an amazing earner but could come with status perks, and hopefully reignites some interest from other hotel chains in the Australian CC market?

 

[jase05]

It applies to nearly properties in APAC for Plaintum. I have received free breakfast at ibis hotel, Sofitels and everything in between.

Yes, can confirm that also.

 

[jase05]

Refreshing to hear of a loyalty program going beyond the stated benefits these days. I should hit ALL Plat next year given the H2 2020 rollover - looking forward to it.

I think their website contradicts itself quite a bit. Contrary to what it says Plats do get free breakfasts either in the Exec Lounge or the restaurant. There is a section at the bottom where you can click on the a
Country/City and it will tell you which hotel has an Exec lounge and which ones offer breakfast.
We have had breakfasts at ibis Styles up to Sofitel.

 

[sudoer]

I think their website contradicts itself quite a bit. Contrary to what it says Plats do get free breakfasts either in the Exec Lounge or the restaurant.

Wow that's terrible UI. I stand corrected, free brekky in APAC for Plats 7 days a week.



@jase05 @oz_mark do you usually book direct or through a TA?

The line about direct channel bookings only implies TA bookings aren't eligible, but that might be referring to non APAC properties only given it also mentions the weekend limitation.

 

[jase05]

Wow that's terrible UI. I stand corrected, free brekky in APAC for Plats 7 days a week.

View attachment 234546

@jase05 @oz_mark do you usually book direct or through a TA?

The line about direct channel bookings only implies TA bookings aren't eligible, but that might be referring to non APAC properties only given it also mentions the weekend limitation.

I only book directly with them

 

[sudoer]

Velocity Exclusive ALL Offer

Velocity Exclusive ALL Offer

all.accor.com

Perhaps slightly off-topic, but interesting to see Accor are promoting the VA relationship despite the upcoming deeper and strategic partnership with Qantas. I'm guessing VA offered them a sharp deal on points purchases given no one really wants VA points right now...

 

[Bell21]

I have found Accor to moreso than other chains require follow-up to get stays credited even when booking direct.

OMG yes - their customer service has been very helpful, but it has been tedious ensuring I get credited with multiple stays, esp. in instances where the hotel directly takes over the original online booking

 

[madrooster]

OMG yes - their customer service has been very helpful, but it has been tedious ensuring I get credited with multiple stays, esp. in instances where the hotel directly takes over the original online booking

The issue is mainly because a large number of Accor properties still don't use hotel link. For the properties that don't use hotel link, when you make a reservation via the Accor website, the Accor system emails the details of the booking to the hotel. The hotel then manually inputs the reservation into their in-house system. Often the Accor member number may get missed etc. resulting in a guest not getting their status benefits and also not getting their stay credited.

On the topic of stay crediting, in properties that aren't using hotel link, the stays posting process is a manual process. Generally the front office manager is responsible for doing it.

This is not just an Accor issue - many of the independent properties that you find on booking.com, expedia etc. also operate in this way. You would be amazed at how much manual work there is when it comes to accommodation reservations.

 

[Bell21]

The issue is mainly because a large number of Accor properties still don't use hotel link. For the properties that don't use hotel link, when you make a reservation via the Accor website, the Accor system emails the details of the booking to the hotel. The hotel then manually inputs the reservation into their in-house system. Often the Accor member number may get missed etc. resulting in a guest not getting their status benefits and also not getting their stay credited.

On the topic of stay crediting, in properties that aren't using hotel link, the stays posting process is a manual process. Generally the front office manager is responsible for doing it.

This is not just an Accor issue - many of the independent properties that you find on booking.com, expedia etc. also operate in this way. You would be amazed at how much manual work there is when it comes to accommodation reservations.

That's a very informative explanation - thanks Madrooster! Yes, I would probably be amazed - I usually stay at Hilton and Marriott and find I don't have too many issues with points posting etc, but I'm finding Accor quite quirky --- of course, what makes it even more confusing is that when I get them to manually add points etc, I then sometimes need to remind them of recent promotions to ensure I get those bonuses as well (I also find the 'use points for discounts on stay' quite cute)

 

[madrooster]

That's a very informative explanation - thanks Madrooster! Yes, I would probably be amazed - I usually stay at Hilton and Marriott and find I don't have too many issues with points posting etc, but I'm finding Accor quite quirky --- of course, what makes it even more confusing is that when I get them to manually add points etc, I then sometimes need to remind them of recent promotions to ensure I get those bonuses as well (I also find the 'use points for discounts on stay' quite cute)

Hilton is MUCH better from the IT side of things - generally the majority of their properties are on the same system (likely mandated by Hilton?). Hence why you can download electronic copies of your folio from your Hilton account.

I don't stay at Marriotts enough to comment about Marriott but I believe they are somewhat similar in that there's a common system in use where possible (I find their folio formats pretty similar/identical for example).

IHG is another example - I know that in the US most of the long standing IHG properties (I'm not sure about the newly acquired brands) all use Holidex. IHG may get bashed a lot for their terrible loyalty program, but at least their IT isn't woeful like Accor. Accor as a whole is unfortunately no better than an independent property on hotels.com/booking.com/Expedia when it comes to reservations technology.

 

[bernardblack]

...
This is not just an Accor issue - many of the independent properties that you find on booking.com, expedia etc. also operate in this way. You would be amazed at how much manual work there is when it comes to accommodation reservations.

Sure, but if I'm booking an independent place through an OTA there's no expectation of earning points and/or status recognition (although Hotels.com Rewards is pretty good for at least earning redeemable value under those circumstances). Accor _markets a loyalty program_. It should work.

 

[madrooster]

Sure, but if I'm booking an independent place through an OTA there's no expectation of earning points and/or status recognition (although Hotels.com Rewards is pretty good for at least earning redeemable value under those circumstances). Accor _markets a loyalty program_. It should work.

I should clarify I'm not letting Accor off the hook for this at all. I have personally encountered these issues on a regular basis as an Accor platinum. Absolutely, it should work, like the Hilton/IHG/etc programs. I've never had to chase up a Hilton stay for example.

 

[aus_flyer]

Still waiting on this one...