Free ALL Gold Status for QF Silver or above - also Points Club Plus

[kangarooflyer88]

Does anyone have any details of who to contact about this? Or do i just shrug and let the Gold go through to the keeper like @Port Power?

That would likely be Accor+.

Between you and me there ain't much difference between Silver and Gold and I say that as someone who has had Silver, Gold and now Platinum. Yes sometimes you get lucky and snag a late check out but I find that an exception not the rule here in Australia (in Asia yes we are talking about proper late checkouts like 3 PM). Golds sometimes get a slightly better welcome gift too but again not a whole lot to write home about. The real benefits, (in my book) start at the Platinum level where you get free breakfast at most Accor properties in Asia Pacific. Also the upgrades and welcome gifts can be considerably better (i.e. bottle of wine).

One thing that is worth noting about Accor+ and the Accor program in general is you only get real benefits out of it if you stay with Accor often. In my case (a PhD student in Sydney) I'm staying with Accor about 60 nights every year between conferences, staycations and proper vacations. Some of the deals on Accor+ are quite tempting. For instance, 2 weeks ago I stayed at the ibis Sydney Darling Harbour for $107/night. I got 8% cash back from Cashrewards plus some Qantas and Accor points for my trouble. In addition, as a Platinum I got free breakfast for myself and my partner and was upgraded to a nice corner room facing the Harbour (which allowed me to observe the Orb at Vivid). If you look around enough you'll find bargains where the price of the room is cheap (i.e. $100 or less) the location is great, and the perks (particularly if you have Platinum status) make it such that you end up ahead on the transaction.

-RooFlyer88

 

[Lynda2475]

True gold is hit and miss, but im almost always have had an upgrade and in some cases a bottle of wine even though that is supposed to be a Platinum Perk.

I find a lot of the Accor brands like Novotel usually include breakfast in their room rate anyway (but as an IHG Diamond I benefit from free breaky at their properties regularly).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Frustratingly Accor refused to continue my go,d membership after just two months… my Accor Plus had been upgraded to gold, but when it expired they took away gold! Several emails back and forth and they couldn’t find the promotion, said there was no promo with qantas (i sent screenshots) and that was it… ‘case closed’.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I find a lot of the Accor brands like Novotel usually include breakfast in their room rate anyway (but as an IHG Diamond I benefit from free breaky at their properties regularly).

I'd say roughly half of Accor properties would offer the free brekky in their rate. For instance, looking at Accor hotels for this Sunday night in the Sydney CBD (i.e. distance < 2 km) I see that 12 out of the 24 offer that rate. What I will also note is that the deeply discounted hotels (i.e. Red Hot Rooms) tend to not have breakfast included for obvious reasons. So if you're like me and enjoy staying at these $100-$150/night hotels, chances are you'll really make use of that Platinum free breakfast perk. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm shameless in where I stay - sometimes it's an ibis or even an ibis budget, other times if the (point) price is right I'll stay at a Kimpton or Grand Sheraton.

 

[33kft]

Frustratingly Accor refused to continue my go,d membership after just two months…

The best part for me was when I complained and Accor Plus told me if I just paid the renewal ($399) I'd get my Gold back. So every single QFF member Silver and above got Gold for free for 12 months, I paid Accor+ $399 and lost mine way earlier than I'd have had the free status if I hadn't paid them a dime, but it will only cost me $399 to get it back?

Oh yeah, sign me up..... I did end up signing back up though but only because I managed to take advantage of a friends + family offer so I got it for $199, which I've dollar cost averaged against the original $399 and at least I'm ahead.

Oh, and yeah they did renew my gold.

 

[Daver6]

Accors help/support desk and truly painful to deal with. I find I get there eventually with them but the amount of time I need to invest make it seem like it's not worth it.

I think gold with most hotel chains isn't much of a benefit about silver. The only exception is HH where gold gets you continental breakfast (often waived to a full breakfast).

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I think gold with most hotel chains isn't much of a benefit about silver. The only exception is HH where gold gets you continental breakfast (often waived to a full breakfast).

For some hotels with Hilton yes you can get breakfast. At many other properties though, you will be given a food & beverage credit of around $18 USD/night/person which at most hotels won't get you much more than a bagel and coffee. I should also point out that aside from the 5th night free (on points redemptions) there is very little benefit to holding Gold or Silver status with Hilton. Late check-outs? Not gonna happen! Upgraded room? Have you stayed at a Hilton recently?! There isn't much you can "upgrade" to as an elite, particularly at properties like DoubleTree or Garden Inn. Where I do see benefit in other programs like Marriott as a Gold is the late check-out and upgrade perks. At most Marriott properties it is no problem getting a 2 PM late check out as a Gold. And aside from the bottom end Marriott properties (i.e. Courtyard, Residence Inn, TownePlace etc.) there are differences in upgrades and you can actually tell when you get a better room.

The point of all this being that unlike airline frequent flyer status, the benefits are limited and often not recognized at many properties. Whereas I can be certain when I fly Qantas or OneWorld that I'll have lounge access or extra bags as a QF Gold, being a Gold elite in any of these hotel programs is very hit or miss. Lovely when you are recognized, but that recognition isn't always there even if you earned it the hard way staying dozens upon dozens of nights at their property.

 

[Daver6]

For some hotels with Hilton yes you can get breakfast. At many other properties though, you will be given a food & beverage credit of around $18 USD/night/person which at most hotels won't get you much more than a bagel and coffee. I should also point out that aside from the 5th night free (on points redemptions) there is very little benefit to holding Gold or Silver status with Hilton. Late check-outs? Not gonna happen! Upgraded room? Have you stayed at a Hilton recently?! There isn't much you can "upgrade" to as an elite, particularly at properties like DoubleTree or Garden Inn. Where I do see benefit in other programs like Marriott as a Gold is the late check-out and upgrade perks. At most Marriott properties it is no problem getting a 2 PM late check out as a Gold. And aside from the bottom end Marriott properties (i.e. Courtyard, Residence Inn, TownePlace etc.) there are differences in upgrades and you can actually tell when you get a better room.

I think credit is a US (or maybe North America thing). Certainly not applicable in Australia/Asia.

Not had issues with getting a later checkout as HH gold. You really should qualify your sweeping statements as being in your experience rather than implying that it holds true for all golds.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I think credit is a US (or maybe North America thing). Certainly not applicable in Australia/Asia.

This has been my experience in North America (Canada & USA). You are correct in your position that the free breakfast is still available outside this region, as Hilton recently clarified that this perk is here to stay. This does change my valuation of Hilton Gold slightly in the sense that now if I stay outside North America I can be sure to get a free breakfast.

Not had issues with getting a later checkout as HH gold.

My late checkout experiences are based on the handful of times I've stayed at Hilton properties in North America and Australia. None of the location I stayed at offered more than a 1 PM late checkout with most offering a noon checkout (including Darwin). Perhaps I have not stayed at enough Hilton properties to say definitively, although I will point out that home-grown chains like Accor have an upper hand in this region in the sense that there are more options at various price ranges, and they do tend to treat their elites fairly well (even if the Accor points are boring).

-RooFlyer88

 

[Seat0B]

I just renewed my A+ (was expiring 30th June, I missed the early bird 30% discount in May as for some reason the offer went to SPAM)

Wow, I never got that offer, spam or otherwise....

 

[CaptainCurtis]

Wow, I never got that offer, spam or otherwise....

Neither did I, renewal due in a week

 

[Seat0B]

Neither did I, renewal due in a week

yep same as mine, I just did it a couple of days ago to be sure it is sorted this FY. In the past they have always offered me some kind of sweetener eg a $20 discount, sometimes an extra free night, or a cheap partner membership. This year, it was all straight down the line - do you want to renew or not? Will it will cost $399, take it or leave it. I sort of get value from it, but if I don't travel much for work, then it isn't really worth it. I feel like the member rates are not as good a discount as they used to be. And most times I don't dine with them (many better options in most locations), so the meal discount is also not very attractive any more. I will have to do the numbers and will probably let it go next year as I inch closer and closer to retiring.

 

[Lynda2475]

For some hotels with Hilton yes you can get breakfast.

Stayed Hilton Noumea as a Gold and got Free Full Buffet Breakfast for 2

 

[MEL_Traveller]

This has been my experience in North America (Canada & USA). You are correct in your position that the free breakfast is still available outside this region, as Hilton recently clarified that this perk is here to stay. This does change my valuation of Hilton Gold slightly in the sense that now if I stay outside North America I can be sure to get a free breakfast.

My late checkout experiences are based on the handful of times I've stayed at Hilton properties in North America and Australia. None of the location I stayed at offered more than a 1 PM late checkout with most offering a noon checkout (including Darwin). Perhaps I have not stayed at enough Hilton properties to say definitively, although I will point out that home-grown chains like Accor have an upper hand in this region in the sense that there are more options at various price ranges, and they do tend to treat their elites fairly well (even if the Accor points are boring).

-RooFlyer88

Fortunately in Australia these days 12 or 1 pm is considered a ‘super late’ check out

We’ve been gradually creeping backwards across the whole industry… some are now 10am standard for departure

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Fortunately in Australia these days 12 or 1 pm is considered a ‘super late’ check out

The funny part there being that noon is standard checkout time at many hotels in the Americas with 11 AM being the earliest. Indeed the last hotel I stayed at in Ballina had the 10 AM "standard" checkout. What I will say is that some chains do a better job at honour late check outs perks than others (i.e. IHG and Marriott come to mind. In particular, the Kimpton Sydney had no issues providing a 2 PM late check out as did the Sydney Grand Sheraton on recent stays). With Accor even as a coveted Platinum, I'm lucky if I get a noon check out these days in Australia. Then again, with Accor being a Japanese brand, maybe we should only expect more in countries like Japan or Korea.

We’ve been gradually creeping backwards across the whole industry… some are now 10am standard for departure

It's certainly an Australia only thing I'm seeing. Elsewhere 10 AM would be considered absolutely bonkers even at a Motel 6. What I will however, say is that hotels love using COVID as an excuse for everything. Lack of housekeeping? COVID. No hotel shuttle from the airport? COVID. No breakfast? COVID. Eventually the hotels will smarten up when people stop staying at their properties due to there being a recession.

-RooFlyer88

 

[SYD]

The funny part there being that noon is standard checkout time at many hotels in the Americas with 11 AM being the earliest. Indeed the last hotel I stayed at in Ballina had the 10 AM "standard" checkout. What I will say is that some chains do a better job at honour late check outs perks than others (i.e. IHG and Marriott come to mind. In particular, the Kimpton Sydney had no issues providing a 2 PM late check out as did the Sydney Grand Sheraton on recent stays). With Accor even as a coveted Platinum, I'm lucky if I get a noon check out these days in Australia. Then again, with Accor being a Japanese brand, maybe we should only expect more in countries like Japan or Korea.

It's certainly an Australia only thing I'm seeing. Elsewhere 10 AM would be considered absolutely bonkers even at a Motel 6. What I will however, say is that hotels love using COVID as an excuse for everything. Lack of housekeeping? COVID. No hotel shuttle from the airport? COVID. No breakfast? COVID. Eventually the hotels will smarten up when people stop staying at their properties due to there being a recession.

-RooFlyer88

10am is pretty much standard worldwide for AirBnB!

When travelling (around the world) and staying at hotels, I’ll assume checkout time of 10 or 11 unless specified elsewhere. Is usually no drama to push that to 1pm or later.

I was surprised to get a 4pm late check out at an Accor property in Jakarta the other day without blinking an eye. We could have had later but the room was booked for the night. God knows how they new the new arrivees were coming after 4pm (or probably they had another room up their sleeve to juggle).

 

[jase05]

Then again, with Accor being a Japanese brand, maybe we should only expect more in countries like Japan or Korea.

You might want to tell the French that Accor is a Japanese brand

As to late checkouts I’ve never had a problem anywhere getting 12pm as a minimum with most offering a 2pm checkout without asking

 

[kangarooflyer88]

10am is pretty much standard worldwide for AirBnB!

Yes but who stays at an AirBnb? Certainly not serious travellers!

When travelling (around the world) and staying at hotels, I’ll assume checkout time of 10 or 11 unless specified elsewhere. Is usually no drama to push that to 1pm or later.

11 I can understand but 10 seems crazy and it's a downward spiral eventually it'll be 9 or 8! Only a matter of time!

I was surprised to get a 4pm late check out at an Accor property in Jakarta the other day without blinking an eye. We could have had later but the room was booked for the night. God knows how they new the new arrivees were coming after 4pm (or probably they had another room up their sleeve to juggle).

That's because the property is in Asia and Accor service at Asian properties is a cut above the Australian standards.

You might want to tell the French that Accor is a Japanese brand

I consider Accor an Asian brand since all the benefits of holding status accrue to those staying at Asia-Pacific properties (i.e. free breakfast for Platinum elites, a decent welcome amenity, etc.). I've stayed at Accor properties in Europe and I'm lucky if they'll remember to give me the drink voucher!

As to late checkouts I’ve never had a problem anywhere getting 12pm as a minimum with most offering a 2pm checkout without asking

Depends where in Australia you stay I suppose

 

[oz_mark]

I consider Accor an Asian brand since all the benefits of holding status accrue to those staying at Asia-Pacific properties (i.e. free breakfast for Platinum elites, a decent welcome amenity, etc.). I've stayed at Accor properties in Europe and I'm lucky if they'll remember to give me the drink voucher!

It's still a French brand, and if you have issues to take up with ALL, you'll end up dealing with Paris. The APAC regional office is in Singapore, which is still not in Japan.

I've never had much issue getting a late checkout - but if they are heavily booked for the night of the day you check out, they might not be able to do much.

 

[drron]

My late checkout experiences are based on the handful of times I've stayed at Hilton properties in North America and Australia. None of the location I stayed at offered more than a 1 PM late checkout with most offering a noon checkout (including Darwin). Perhaps I have not stayed at enough Hilton properties to say definitively, although I will point out that home-grown chains like Accor have an upper hand in this region in the sense that there are more options at various price ranges, and they do tend to treat their elites fairly well (even if the Accor points are boring).

-RooFlyer88

Though in September last year in my only Stay as a silver member that year was given a 2pm checkout at the HGI Heathrow terminal 2-3.