Advice and Ideas on how to get an upgrade

[MDC]

Hi everyone,

I've booked a much needed holiday to Hong Kong staying in the IC Grand Stanford. The Minister of Finance has limited the fund to only a basic room so I'm looking for creative ideas on how to upgrade my room or maximise my chances of an upgrade.

I'm currently PC Gold with 13k points until platinum.

Two ways I can think are:

1. Buying the 13k points to get me to platinum where I have a chance of getting an upgrade. Does the purchase of points count towards the status level?
2. Buying Ambassador Status. This isn't of high value to me as I rarely stay in IC hotels - mostly the other IHG brands.

I may only have one four day stay at a IHG property between now and the holiday so earning the status isn't an option. (However, I should earn the status by the end of the year.)

Any ideas and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Edit: it's a 6 nights stay, so paying for the better room is probably going to be more than paying for the status.

 

[docjames]

I also have a a stay booked at the IC GS in HK later this year.

Have you stayed there before, and if so, any possibility of posting your impressions (and then success with upgrade this time)

 

[Dave Noble]

The 2 methods to get an upgrade are to buy Ambassador status or to pay the difference. I would not be expecting an upgrade on PC status.

An upgrade at the GS is not going to be that much anyway; they have a lot of room types and a 1 category upgrade is not going to make a lot of difference really

You are not at all likely to be upgraded to a club room, if that is what you were hoping for; they do offer club access for a fee per day .

If desperate for a 1 category upgrade, then Ambassador membership would be the way to go; if you have an opportunity to use it, the free night certificate can be worth as much as the USD150 it costs to join; of course you will also receive a voucher for 5000 PC points which will help close the gap to Platinum status

If wanting a specific type of room, then book that room type and pay for it

Dave

 

[MDC]

If wanting a specific type of room, then book that room type and pay for it

Dave

Thanks Dave, I won't be counting on an upgrade. Thinking about it more, I shouldn't really be too worried as we aren't planning on staying in the room for any lengths of time other than sleeping.

 

[MDC]

I also have a a stay booked at the IC GS in HK later this year.

Have you stayed there before, and if so, any possibility of posting your impressions (and then success with upgrade this time)

Sorry, I haven't stayed there before... in fact, this trip is a first to HK for me. HK has been the one destination in Asia that I keep missing out on.

 

[gibspmuh]

I'd recommend buying Ambassador status for a stay like that (well so long as the stay is booked through the InterContinental/Priority Club website and the stay will include a weekend stay anyway). Most of the time the rate at IC GS is more than US$150 per night anyway, so you'll save money straight away even if you don't stay at another IC.

You won't get a huge upgrade, probably from City View to a Partial Harbour View, but with the 5000 points plus the other little benefits (a free pay movie, late checkout, welcome gift) that aren't earth shattering, but a nice touches anyway .

 

[Dave Noble]

I'd recommend buying Ambassador status for a stay like that (well so long as the stay is booked through the InterContinental/Priority Club website and the stay will include a weekend stay anyway). Most of the time the rate at IC GS is more than US$150 per night anyway, so you'll save money straight away even if you don't stay at another IC.

You won't get a huge upgrade, probably from City View to a Partial Harbour View, but with the 5000 points plus the other little benefits (a free pay movie, late checkout, welcome gift) that aren't earth shattering, but a nice touches anyway .

The saving would only apply on this trip as long as the trip is at least 4 weeks away since it takes a while for the Ambassador pack to turn up. If time to get the voucher, then I would agree that it would be a good option otherwise it really depends on whether he is going to get value from it imo otherwise it could be a wasted USD150

Dave

 

[markh]

I stayed at the HK Grand Stanford in March this year. Booked a King Club Harbour View Room and was upgraded to a Deluxe Club Harbour View (still not sure what the difference was.) The room and view was absolutely spectacular - much nicer than the Sheraton or the Holiday Inn Golden Mile (never stayed at the other Intercontinental in Hong Kong.)

The club room is on the Mezzanine floor overlooking the harbour. (Used to be on the top floor but that was converted to the Presidential Suite.) Breakfast is available until 10:30 (unlike most which stop at 10:00) - you have the usual continental choices with a scrambled egg & bacon selection plus a cooked-to-order egg menu.

The evening drinks and canapes are absolutely wonderful - no running out of food, no queues of people filling their plates and no shortage of seating (ie HI Golden Mile...), very civilised and VERY attentive staff.

I would recommend paying for the Ambassador status to get upgraded to a King room, and then on checkin ask how much to pay to upgrade to a club room.

 

[Evan]

I would pay for Ambassador status, i think its worth it, if you do stay at IC at all (and i know you said you usually did not) then you get an upgrade + some hotels like the IC boston i just stayed at has free internet for example.

Or just not worry and leave it as is and enjoy your holiday.
I have been upgraded at the GS InterContinental HKG and found it a great hotel, the other one is apparently better but i had no complaints at all from the GS. Its got good food and bars near by just by the water.. love it.

 

[straitman]

I can't find the thread I'm looking for so here it is.

We are staying at the HI on Flinders in Melbourne tonight. No big deal but we did not get an upgrade as a Platinum member with the excuse that there are no Suites available. We get upgraded nearly every time we stay here so it has almost become the norm.

When I log onto the Priority Club web site it has availability for me to buy a suite (for about $60 extra) that is not available. I don't mind not getting the upgrade BUT I do object to them lying to me about the lack of availability.

Rant over :!: I feel marginally better now. :evil:

 

[drron]

I can't find the thread I'm looking for so here it is.

We are staying at the HI on Flinders in Melbourne tonight. No big deal but we did not get an upgrade as a Platinum member with the excuse that there are no Suites available. We get upgraded nearly every time we stay here so it has almost become the norm.

When I log onto the Priority Club web site it has availability for me to buy a suite (for about $60 extra) that is not available. I don't mind not getting the upgrade BUT I do object to them lying to me about the lack of availability.

Rant over :!: I feel marginally better now. :evil:

Isnt this a feature of all hotel loyalty programs
Apart from pathetic treatment at the Waldorf towers what drove me to SPG was a stay at the normally good Hilton KL.No upgrade as diamond,put into a room next to the elevator(when profile says away) and then later talking to a gold HH member who checked in after me and was upgraded.I had already checked there was availability and complained but had got no where.
Still we probably shouldnt turn this into a how not to be upgraded thread.:mrgreen: