Unexpected benefit of being Plat

[Taezar]

To be honest, I don't often eat or drink in the hotel - holidays are too short for that. Today in Cairns though it was a stinker - apparent temp of 35c before lunch - so I decided to linger round the hotel for breakfast then lounge by the pool for the rest of the day.
When I paid for breakfast I got 25% off. Same thing happened when I ordered lunch. At first I thought it was because she clicked the wrong button and thought I was an Advantage Plus member, but this time a different person did it and swiped my card - ting - discount. I just ordered a pot of tea - 50% off after swiping my card. I don't know how this works with alcohol but I am guessing there might be something there too.
I am sure loads of you (ok I can instantly imagine 3 people who are going to say "well d'uh Tae") are going to tell me it is common knowledge, but it isn't on the list of benefits on the Accor site.
Is this true across all hotels? I am in a Mercure (I had to! It was the only one that met my location needs), but am curious if I am going to be able to take advantage of this in Fiji and China and well everywhere else I go.
Looking forward to your feedback.

 

[Mal]

well d'uh Tae, I have no idea...

Does seem like Advantage Plus type discount, although from memory that never applied to breakfast (solo).

Perhaps a hotel specific benefit?

 

[LiamR]

well d'uh Tae, I have no idea...

Does seem like Advantage Plus type discount, although from memory that never applied to breakfast (solo).

Perhaps a hotel specific benefit?

+1 This certainly sounds like an Accor Advantage Plus discount, I've never heard of any A|Club food discounts, espically at Mercure hotels.

Perhaps it is some sort of promotion Accor have going on at the moment? They have done something similar in the past.

 

[Taezar]

Agreed Liam and Mal. However they swiped my Accor Plat card which certainly isn't an Advantage Plus card. I got 25% off breakfast, 25% off a pizza for lunch and 50% off a pot of Earl Grey Tea. It it wasn't cold I would be lounging by the pool sipping a pina colada - only ordered to see if I got a discount on that too. I certainly hope it isn't just this hotel or just mercure.
I wonder if it is only if you PAYG vs putting it on the room till the end.

 

[Mal]

However they swiped my Accor Plat card which certainly isn't an Advantage Plus card.

Going back a step, why did they swipe your Plat card? Did you hand it over? Did they ask for it? Could just be staff that have no clue and think it's a A+ card.

 

[Taezar]

I did it because I read on the accor hotels site that points go for all $$ spent while staying in Accor hotels - unless it is a privately operated business - like some of the spas.
I want to hit 4000 points so I can transfer them to my QF account - so I thought, well every little bit helps.

 

[Mal]

I did it because I read on the accor hotels site that points go for all $$ spent while staying in Accor hotels - unless it is a privately operated business - like some of the spas.
I want to hit 4000 points so I can transfer them to my QF account - so I thought, well every little bit helps.

Aaah, ok. I suspect what is happening is:
- To get AC points, you should be charging back to your room. Points are earnt on your invoice total at settlement. (there might be other ways, but I'm not aware of them).
- The staff think your Plat card (or it could be a hotel benefit) is an A+ card and are giving you the discount based on that.

But, although I know lots about the AC program, I don't know everything ... perhaps I'm missing something.

 

[LiamR]

Aaah, ok. I suspect what is happening is:
- To get AC points, you should be charging back to your room. Points are earnt on your invoice total at settlement. (there might be other ways, but I'm not aware of them).

Not true, say you rock up to a Mercure (Aren't a guest for the night) and have dinner. You can earn A|Club points for this, they [should] swipe your card when you pay for the meal. Even services like car parking or internet earn points if you aren't staying the night.

I think your second point is right, sounds to me like they thought it was an Accor Advantage Plus card.

 

[Mal]

Not true, say you rock up to a Mercure (Aren't a guest for the night) and have dinner. You can earn A|Club points for this, they [should] swipe your card when you pay for the meal. Even services like car parking or internet earn points if you aren't staying the night.

Say what???

Thanks for that info, one point I didn't know. (not all hotel schemes operate this way, and I've never seen anything on the AC website to indicate this).

 

[Taezar]

Finally I knew something that Mal didn't! /happydance
But yes - I have checked out and still getting discount. SCORE