IHG Dining Rewards - Program Termination (15 Dec 2015)

[Wunala Dreaming]

Received the following response to an email from IHG Dining Rewards after trying countless times to call the Customer Care number to renew my membership (to no avail):

Dear Wunala Dreaming,

Thank you for taking the time to contact IHG Dining Rewards Service Center.

We would like to inform you that the IHG Dining Rewards program has ceased beginning Dec 15th. Hence, we no longer accept enrollment and renewal. Please know that the last membership will expire 31 December 2016. All memberships expire on the last day of the month prior to the month printed on the membership card.

Further, members will retain their elite membership status until the end of the calendar year when the membership expires. Unused vouchers upon expiration will be forfeited as per the Program's Terms and Conditions. Members can still use their accommodation and dining and beverage discount benefits through the end of their membership term at participating outlets and hotels. Active members will not lose their Free Night and will be able to use it to book a reservation prior their membership expiration.

We hope we have assisted in clarifying your query. Should you need further assistance, please feel free to contact our office directly.

Sincerely,

xx_xx_X
IHG Dining Rewards
Tel: (Australia) 1800 600 022
Tel: (New Zealand) 0800 45 45 55
Tel: (Fiji, Vanuatu & Rest of the World) +63 2 555 8125

Extremely disappointing news and to think that Dining Rewards in its current form was only introduced 1.5 years ago

 

[JohnK]

Not surprised to be honest. Poor customer service and not all benefits honoured.

 

[Nouflyer]

It was grossly inferior to Priority Privilege.

But better than nothing....

 

[cove]

Wow mine runs to 31/10/16. I used the free room night recently and we tend to eat at the smorgasbord when we are local.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Wow! How odd is that! I agree with the others, that DR was a poor cuz to PP and certainly lacked any form of enticement, but I was really believing that was because it hadn't ramped up fully. Weren't they talking up a more international involvement?

I wonder if they intend to burn this incarnation, in preparation for a program which actually entices people? But then again, the whole IHG mob don't appear interested in enticing people.

 

[Rick93]

When are they planning on telling the rest of us ??

I haven't received any notification as yet ...

 

[cove]

Rick93 I don't think they told anyone....they just pulled the offer to renew.
When we are in Sydney I just use the Intercontinental as a local diner.

 

[JohnK]

Weren't they talking up a more international involvement?

~13 months ago I was told that Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong were coming on board. There was just one addition from Singapore. One hotel. None from the other countries.

Also And when I tried to use discount 10% off at Holiday Inn Bataan they were fighting very hard to keep the very small discount.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

~13 months ago I was told that Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong were coming on board. There was just one addition from Singapore. One hotel. None from the other countries.

Also And when I tried to use discount 10% off at Holiday Inn Bataan they were fighting very hard to keep the very small discount.

So that may be the problem. Their own hotels perhaps don't want a bar of it!

 

[serfty]

I would not mind betting a CC type option is in the works. Such as what happened to the Hilton Premium(nee Diamond) club when it became McQuarie-ised ...

 

[SYD]

Bugger. I was holding off renewing until the New Year (current membership expires Feb). Nice to know that my Plat status will continue through to the end of 2016 at least.

I was able extract some reasonable value out if the program. It will be interesting to see what if anything replaces it.

 

[cove]

At the Sydney IHG the dining credit card fee is gone so I am happy with 25% off and no additional cc fee.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

At the Sydney IHG the dining credit card fee is gone so I am happy with 25% off and no additional cc fee.

OT, but I was surprised at a HI the other day when they charged 3% for Amex. I thought that was over the top given Hilton is half of that.

 

[SYD]

Received this email this morning. They used the "e" word....

Dear SYD,

Thank you for choosing to be a member of IHG® Dining Rewards this past year. We hope you’ve enjoyed the benefits your membership provides.

If you haven’t, there’s still time to enjoy your free night at over 4,800 IHG® hotels worldwide*, your dining e-voucher as well as all your other benefits.

2016 Stay Tuned... More of What You Want
As of 31 December 2015, IHG® Dining Rewards memberships are no longer renewable. Whilst the programme will remain unchanged to current members throughout 2016, we are looking at creating enhanced guest experiences based on your feedback. Stay tuned...

 

[cove]

Very good SYD but I won't be holding my breath. I hope to get about $2,000 in saving fro the current one.

 

[straitman]

Received this email this morning. They used the "e" word....

Dear SYD,

Thank you for choosing to be a member of IHG® Dining Rewards this past year. We hope you’ve enjoyed the benefits your membership provides.

If you haven’t, there’s still time to enjoy your free night at over 4,800 IHG® hotels worldwide*, your dining e-voucher as well as all your other benefits.

2016 Stay Tuned... More of What You Want
As of 31 December 2015, IHG® Dining Rewards memberships are no longer renewable. Whilst the programme will remain unchanged to current members throughout 2016, we are looking at creating enhanced guest experiences based on your feedback. Stay tuned...

'enhanced'

There is the problem.

 

[Punky]

Received this email this morning. They used the "e" word....

Would have been nice if they told people with December expiration dates.........{the actually pulled renewals earlier in the month}

 

[RichardMEL]

I know this is old now, but man it so annoyed me they did this. I had no idea it was going until after the event - I think that's slimy to do that.
As soon as I got the email I went to renew in the hopes it was still Dec 31 USA time, but no go I couldn't.

Very disappointing - and no word on a replacement yet

 

[Steady]

I wasn't aware of this and went to join up 2 weeks ago - phoning at various times of the day over a period of 2 days.... Finally I had a look here to find I was wasting my time. You would think the phone would have a message advising the program has been shut down rather than "please call back during business hours" :evil:

 

[JohnK]

Customer service/support was never their strong point.