Accor A|Club

[oz_mark]

Got some info today from Advantage Plus about the new Accor loyalty program called A|Club. Not a lot of info but

- Earn at more than 2000 hotels worldwide
- 2000 points gets a hotel voucher (not sure how this works, talks about using them as part payment or saving them for full payment if you have a few)
- Ability to convert to Airline FF programs (Qantas, Singapore, Thai, Lufthansa, US Airways, Dlta, Air France, KLM)
- Totally web-based
- Points last a lifetime


Adv Plus members get silver status at next renewal, which ordinarily rquires 10 nights or earning 2500 points. (IF Adv Plus members join A|Club before their next renewal they don't get silver, or the ability to earn points on Adv Plus rates, which seems cough)

 

[serfty]

Hmmm, I gave Adv+ the @rse in May this year after 10 years of membership.

It had turned into a "discount" scheme where the discounts were not much different from that available without an annual membership. Up until 2006 it was really worthwhile.

As far as Hotels stays go, basically you paid for a night with your annual renewal.

I did not find the dining facet really useful - I may have used it once in the last three years of membership.

So it would be interesting to see what A|Club may offer.

 

[oz_mark]

Hmmm, I gave Adv+ the @rse in May this year after 10 years of membership.

It had turned into a "discount" scheme where the discounts were not much different from that available without an annual membership. Up until 2006 it was really worthwhile.

As far as Hotels stays go, basically you paid for a night with your annual renewal.

I did not find the dining facet really useful - I may have used it once in the last three years of membership.

So it would be interesting to see what A|Club may offer.

I was planning on letting my adv+ run out, as I don't use it so much, but the A|club wasinteresting - Accor have hotels in lots of places.

 

[oz_mark]

The website is now available.

Introduction to A|Club loyalty program

Found this offer as I was looking around

Join Now and earn 500 A|Club points. Offer code BONUS500

 

[Flashback]

Good find..... it's about time they had a free loyalty program.

 

[oz_mark]

Some things I have gleaned from the site.

Earning:
A|Club Members earn A|Club points as follows:
- 1 eligible euro spent = 2 A|Club points at Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery Novotel, Mercure and Suitehotel brand hotels.
- 1 eligible euro spent = 1 A|Club point at ibis and all seasons brand hotels.
- 1 eligible euro spent = 2 A|Club points at Accor Thalassa institutes if the Member stays at a Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Mercure and Suitehotel brand hotel.
- 1 eligible euro spent = 1 A|Club point at Accor Thalassa institutes if the Member stays at ibis and all seasons brand hotel


Levels:
Silver
Requirements: spend at least 10 eligible nights, or earn 2,500 A|Club points, at participating hotels over a 12 month (365 day) period.

Benefits
50% additional points
At Sofitel
-A welcome drink upon arrival (for one or two people, to be consumed at the hotel bar or restaurant during the stay).
-A welcome gift.


Gold:
Requirements: spend at least 30 eligible nights, or earn 10,000 A|Club points, at participating hotels over a 12 month (365 day) period.

Benefits
75% additional points
At Sofitel, MGallery and Pullman
-A welcome drink upon arrival (for one or two people, to be consumed at the hotel bar or restaurant during the stay).
-A welcome gift.
-Option for 4.00 pm checkout
-Upgrade to next higher room (must ask on arrival)

Platinum
Requirements: spend at least 60 eligible nights, or earn 25,000 A|Club points, at participating hotels over a 12 month (365 day) period.

Benefits
100% additional points

At Sofitel, MGallery and Pullman
-A welcome drink upon arrival (for one or two people, to be consumed at the hotel bar or restaurant during the stay).
-A welcome gift.
-Option for 4.00 pm checkout
-Upgrade to next higher room (must ask on arrival)

Spending Points
2,000 points gets a 40Euro voucher usable at hotels.

Can convert to FF points. In th case of QF 4,000 A|Club transfers to 4,000 QF.

For AirFrance-KLM, BA, Delta, Lufthansa, Singapore, Thai and US Airways 4000 converts to 2,000 FF points


(Interesting points:

Qualification is on a rolling 365 day period
Looks like all points are created equal for the purposes of qualifications)

 

[Flashback]

"Must ask on arrival" ...... interesting

 

[munitalP]

Hmmm, I gave Adv+ the @rse in May this year after 10 years of membership.

It had turned into a "discount" scheme where the discounts were not much different from that available without an annual membership. Up until 2006 it was really worthwhile.

.

Similar story Serfy - I gave A+ the flick last year after not finding any useful reasons for keeping it. The "free" night - well lets face it, the membership well and truley covers that. The thing I guess that done my head in was the 50% discount - based on RACK rates - BS, I proved to the Novotel at Homebush one afternoon that the 50% discount was more expensive than WOTIF (or was it last minute?) and pointed out it was a disgrace. The following year, I noticed that in the Terms it did say that they would beat any advertised price - little compensation though... :evil:

Dining discounts sometimes made up for it though, but it is infrequent that I eat at the same hotel I'm staying if taking customers out...

I dont think the new scheme interests me - even though I am a regular at Novotel hotels...

Mr!

 

[htchapman]

Any consideration given to past stays? If anyone has any experience signing up and getting put up a membership level or two it would be great to hear...

Its my first year Adv+ and I use the meal discount for all breakfast and probably more than half dinners...and had about 50 nights since Feb.

 

[oz_mark]

Any consideration given to past stays? If anyone has any experience signing up and getting put up a membership level or two it would be great to hear...

Its my first year Adv+ and I use the meal discount for all breakfast and probably more than half dinners...and had about 50 nights since Feb.

The program only officially launched today, so there is probably not much experience from anyone. However, from the FAQ, a very to the point answer:

I just joined A|Club, but stayed at a participating hotel shortly prior to enrollment. Can I get credit for that stay?
No

(and maybe more problematic is that Adv+ rates don't seem to be 'eligible' until your next renewal, which seems bizarre to me)

 

[Vlad2567]

Similar story Serfy - I gave A+ the flick last year after not finding any useful reasons for keeping it. The "free" night - well lets face it, the membership well and truley covers that. The thing I guess that done my head in was the 50% discount - based on RACK rates - BS, I proved to the Novotel at Homebush one afternoon that the 50% discount was more expensive than WOTIF (or was it last minute?) and pointed out it was a disgrace. The following year, I noticed that in the Terms it did say that they would beat any advertised price - little compensation though

... :evil:

I've been with Advantage Plus now for 7 years and have found their website in the last 6 - 12 months to be very beneficial as the special rates for members are significantly cheaper now. The old 50% off rack disappeared about 2 years ago.

I called their help desk with some queries about this new A\Club and they were helpful. Mind you, my card is up for renewal in October, so I don't have to wait for the 12 months.

 

[serfty]

... :evil:

I've been with Advantage Plus now for 7 years and have found their website in the last 6 - 12 months to be very beneficial as the special rates for members are significantly cheaper now. The old 50% off rack disappeared about 2 years ago. ...

G'day Vlad2567, welcome to AFF.

Yes the 50% did disappear; being replaced with a 15% off best 'unrestricted' rate - the catch was for me that Hot Deals were often cheaper! (but they are no longer eligible for Adv+ discount). This was not the case through most of my period of membership.

I last used my membership in November last year - it expired in May and I did not renew in spite of 3 or 4 calls from persistent sales staff.

 

[munitalP]

...in spite of 3 or 4 calls from persistent sales staff.

very understated Serfy!

Mr!

 

[Bennopia]

One thing not metioned above is that you earn double points until 31st December 2008. While I am an Adv+ member I could not be bothered waiting for the A|Club Silver card to come through because this means that at the end of this week I'll be a Silver and by the end of next month will have Gold status.

The other thing not mentioned is that the Sofitel Privilege card (with associated points earned) will automatically be converted over to A|Club at sometime in the near future. This is mentioned on the Sofitel Privilege card website.

 

[benhadi]

I have a Sofitel Privilege Card - received a notice in the mail asking me to sign up for the A-card and they'll upgrade me to gold.

Free upgrades and 75% bonus points!

 

[oz_mark]

Promocode: BONUS500 will get you 500 points when you sign up. Also, looks like all points are created equal as my 500 points counts towards getting silver!

 

[Bennopia]

I have a Sofitel Privilege Card - received a notice in the mail asking me to sign up for the A-card and they'll upgrade me to gold.

Free upgrades and 75% bonus points!

Hmmm...I didn't receive such a letter. I feel neglected, in particular since my company usually places me in standard rooms! I can't wait until I can get that room upgrade.

 

[oz_mark]

I have a Sofitel Privilege Card - received a notice in the mail asking me to sign up for the A-card and they'll upgrade me to gold.

Free upgrades and 75% bonus points!

Got an email today offering me gold.

 

[Febs]

I have a Sofitel Privilege Card - received a notice in the mail asking me to sign up for the A-card and they'll upgrade me to gold.

Free upgrades and 75% bonus points!

Ditto. Never even used my Sofitel Privilege card!

 

[oz_mark]

Ditto. Never even used my Sofitel Privilege card!

Funny you should say that