Scam or genuine offer from IHG?

[Hvr]

I got a phone call yesterday asking me to join a Priority Club group where you got free breakfast at Australian, NZ and Fiji IHG Hotels, two free nights after the first paid night (once only benefit) and some other benefits. All for nearly $300.

She talked a fair bit but I don't remember everything and had a meeting to attend so asked her to call me back next week.

However, she didn't know about my recent IHG stays and flatly refused to send me all the details until I actually paid.

Has anybody else got this offer? Is it genuine or a scam? I am leaning towards scam and wont consider joining until I get the information ahead of time and like what I actually see.

In fact I rarely spend consecutive nights in and Australian IHG property so I really can't see it being worthwhile for me.

 

[Mal]

Hmm. Sounds like marketing for priority privilege. The price sounds about right but I haven't seen benefits like that. Free brekkie... yes. One voucher for a 2 for 1 with a stay.

They do offer incentives to join though. Google the name and you'll find their website.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using AustFreqFly

 

[oz_mark]

I'd agree with Mal, it's for Priority Privilege, but with a degree of spin on the offer.

Don't know about two free nights after one night paid, but there are two stay one night get the second night free vouchers. Also a 25% voucher (stayed on this rate for the gathering). Various other vouchers.

 

[kpc]

Membership Benefits - Priority Privilege AUS NZ Fiji - Priority Privilege

 

[Hvr]

Thanks for the prompt responses. I'll see if it is worthwhile for me.

Their customer service leaves a lot to be desired if they wont send me the info ahead of time though.

 

[straitman]

Thanks for the prompt responses. I'll see if it is worthwhile for me.Their customer service leaves a lot to be desired if they wont send me the info ahead of time though.

All they had to do was point you to where it's available on line.

 

[Moopere]

Thanks for the prompt responses. I'll see if it is worthwhile for me.

Their customer service leaves a lot to be desired if they wont send me the info ahead of time though.

Yeah, seriously. You have to laugh.

"We'll tell you what you just bought once you pay us"

I don't think so....

 

[serfty]

All they had to do was point you to where it's available on line.

.... and then you'd have time to really work out if it was worth while.

These sales people work on a high pressure basis.

I had one guy even offer "Free" membership of SPG (in the Starwood version) - implying it would otherwise not be complimentary.

 

[SFSC]

They contacted me this week. I was already aware of PP so decided to join up because most of our stays are 2+ nights and I anticipate being able to claw back more than the joining fee with just the two BOGO stays in Australia over the year, depending on availability. If it doesn't work out, I won't renew next year.

One thing though - I was able to join using my Amex but have noticed that Visa and MC seem to be the only cards available to set in my profile for pre-payment stays. I'll call and check this when my certificates arrive.

 

[k_sheep]

I had one cold call me, promising me the world if only I would pay on the spot - kept going on and on about how it was a special and not available anywhere else. It suited me well so I signed up - only to find it was actually cheaper to buy directly on the internet. There were a few other blatant lies too - luckily the refund was quite quickly arranged when I pointed out multiple lies told to me by the salesman.

Now PC has a particularly bitter taste in my mouth - nice way to lose customers for life!

 

[tuapekastar]

Yep, had it too a couple of years ago. If it 'has to be purchased now over the phone' then it doesn't wash with me...won't do it. The guy was high pressure, then a little patronising when I did not want to do it - started calling me by my first name and stuff. I pretty much hung up on him.

 

[SFSC]

They contacted me this week. I was already aware of PP so decided to join up because most of our stays are 2+ nights and I anticipate being able to claw back more than the joining fee with just the two BOGO stays in Australia over the year, depending on availability. If it doesn't work out, I won't renew next year.

One thing though - I was able to join using my Amex but have noticed that Visa and MC seem to be the only cards available to set in my profile for pre-payment stays. I'll call and check this when my certificates arrive.

Update. I've just used my first BOGO and have already ended up in front financially and noted:

• The BOGO was only available on the flexible rate. This suited us on this occasion because at the time of booking Mrs SFSC had a jury summons for the week before our stay.
• It was not necessary to set a credit card in my profile. When booking, the PP web page was replaced by the usual PC booking engine with the PP rate shown as an available rate. It was then possible to complete the booking using my PC profile. (I was careful to check that it remained the PP BOGO rate before completing.)

I probably will renew next year but intend to do it on-line. I have heard that the initial sign-up hard sell is tame compared to the telephonic pressure to renew. Those sales commissions must be quite generous

 

[Ricardo]

Update. I've just used my first BOGO and have already ended up in front financially and noted:

• The BOGO was only available on the flexible rate. This suited us on this occasion because at the time of booking Mrs SFSC had a jury summons for the week before our stay.
• It was not necessary to set a credit card in my profile. When booking, the PP web page was replaced by the usual PC booking engine with the PP rate shown as an available rate. It was then possible to complete the booking using my PC profile. (I was careful to check that it remained the PP BOGO rate before completing.)

I probably will renew next year but intend to do it on-line. I have heard that the initial sign-up hard sell is tame compared to the telephonic pressure to renew. Those sales commissions must be quite generous

Yes they strech the truth when they call you up to renew. I was also promised the world and said I would be 'upgraded' to 'gold' status for the PP program, and a few other pork pies.

So I called them up to complain when the pack arrived and said I thought the tactics were a strech of the truth, the supervisor called me back to ask how he could fix things and offered me a further $100 dining voucher, so I agreed as this softend the blow.

Problem is that after two months and numerous calls and emails still no voucher as promised :evil:

Now I am going to burst to print to PP and ask them to refund me my $269, complain about the marketing 'hard sell' techniques and move to another program.

 

[kh01]

OK, PP have now seriously irritated me!

I once had PP membership about two years ago, and didn't renew at the time, simply because I thought the benefits were break even for me but also because at the time I was irritated by the constant high pressure phone calls to renew. I did enjoy my PP membership originally.

Well after a pleasant absence of PP calls for the past 12 months I received a call this morning. He promised the world... 2 free nights at any IHG hotel worldwide in a suite, free breakfasts, 50% off dining card, VIP rates always, etc. etc. As usual it was high pressure selling. I said I was definitely interested but he wanted $299 paid there and then. I said I couldn't make the decision right now as I wanted to check with my accounts dept. to see if they would be happy to reimburse the expense, and I asked him to email me the details. He said no he can't email info and I had to pay there and then, and when I said I needed a little time he essentially said "sorry that you've missed out on this great offer".

He told me that phoning people directly rather than emailing is the process that works for PP. I suggested that good old customer service where you worry about the customer's needs rather than your own would be a better approach! He said once again sorry that you've missed out. What a waste of 15 minutes on the phone.

This has left a very, very, bad taste.

 

[Rick93]

At least it's not as bad the taste left after paying upwards of $15,000. for an ACCOR or Wyndham time-share membership. "holidays for life..."

Yeah, right. I can't even sell mine for $2,000.

GORDO

 

[frequent-traveller]

The company is trying to get me to renew my Australian PP card on phone at the moment.
Rep said he is not from the sales team, he is IHG so maybe they got rid of the sales team,or maybe its my 5 years membership.
Its A$299 here in Aus ,its the dearest of all the PP cards available worldwide, but thats typical of everything here in Aus.
During negotiations with the sales team last year I was promised a flex rate A$99 for Holiday Inn,Surfers, to use with my 2 for one nights certificates,but that was a lie.
Never could get that rate.
I was promised by the sales team that rate because thats all I used to pay for Holiday Inn Surfers Paradise via one of the hotel booking sights.[the hotel has now been re badged,so not applicable any more]
This year the IHG salesman has promised me a flex rate or A$129 at the Crown Plaza ,Surfers Paradise, but as I have been screwed before by the PP sales team ,I phoned the CP Surfers,and guess what ,The flex rate to use with the 2 for one certs is A$159!!!
So looks like another false promise.
He has promised to roll over my expired $50 & $100 voucher,plus buffet brekky for two voucher that I did not use last year,and a 3 month money back if Im not happy.
The PP dining deal with the 50% off dining may suit some folks with expense accounts to use here in Aus, but as a typical hotel Buffet here in Aus in usually over twice the price of hotels in South East Asia whats the point.
I suggest if ya have to get a PP card, get it for the country you spend most time in.
The Aus card is only good in Aust,NZ and Fiji,so very limited.
The Vietnem PPcard is only about A$250,and includes 1 totally free night as well as the 50% off dining in Hanoi.
The Malaysia card is only approx A$160 and has a whopping big fat booklet of extras and goodies including Holiday Inn,Glenmarie,and Crowne Plaza KL,or U can choose their slightly dearer PP card which includes a totally free night at the Crowne Plaza,KL.
Do a google to get the links, you can buy your card online, although the Malaysia link is well hidden.

 

[Sprucegoose]

FT you are right to reject these lying toads...

Does the Malaysia card thing work here and in Fiji?

Good find mate

 

[k_sheep]

FT you are right to reject these lying toads...

What an insult to toads.

 

[frequent-traveller]

FT you are right to reject these lying toads...

Does the Malaysia card thing work here and in Fiji?

Good find mate

Mate I cant vouch for that,confusion reigns,you may get the 50% off your dining or may get only 10% off the dining deal,depends on the hotel,or even the cashier clerk.
If I recall a couple years back,we did use the Malaysia PP card here in Aus,and got the full 50% off the 2 dining deal.
They are tightening up,and the various cards are now very geographically limited.
Can't have Aussies getting a Malaysia card for half the price, thats just not on!!

 

[frequent-traveller]

Mate, Accor is shonk city.
Beware!
Do some Googling!