IHG Hotels that recognise status

[Fifa]

CP Parramatta
(PC platinum)

Booked a King bed standard room and received a King bed superior corner on the top floor.
No gift.

 

[petcar]

Interesting post. The Crowne Plaza in Perth gave me an upgrade because they noticed that i would become Platinum during this stay.

 

[Therma]

I came back to IC Manila for a second stay in 2 weeks last Friday. They did not fail to mention that there was a better room available for extra $$$. I had to be fairly forceful to get it as a part of my Platinum membership. My PC brochure states that one of the benefits is " complimentary room upgrade (if available)" or something to the effect. I did get a fruit basket in my room, (no letter for a few hours since the room was obviously not prepaired for me) no breakfast, no club access, and had internet added to my bill (which was later removed upon my insistence). My company would not bat an eyelid about paying for any of those things, including a club room, but I feel it is obscene to spend company money on something that I would not use and something that is supposed to be provided to me by the vendor. I rarely eat breakfast, finish too late for "coughtails", and do not care how big my room is as long as it meets my standards (decent bed, towels and shower) since I usually just sleep there.

I am wondering if any of the benefits PC offer are binding or whether the hotels just do as they wish under the guise of availability and local variations. As far as I am concerned, PC is really not that much different from a FF programme, and I would be very unhappy if I was denied lounge entry or priority luggage handling. Do the hotels set their own rules as it suites them?


Off the topic, but interesting anyway: I received a letter from SQ thanking me for providing some medical assistance on a flight a couple of months ago. The letter was on flimsy stationary, but it was personally signed. Beyond thanks there was nothing else offered. I certainly did not do my good samaritan act expecting anything - there was a sick child and I spent an hour and a half calming the parents (and flight crew). On NW they at least went to First Class and brought me a bottle of bubbly. Here I just got a letter of thanks for crawling on my knees in an isle (while they were still pushing duty-free trolleys around me!) and being puked on.

 

[oz_mark]

I came back to IC Manila for a second stay in 2 weeks last Friday. They did not fail to mention that there was a better room available for extra $$$. I had to be fairly forceful to get it as a part of my Platinum membership. My PC brochure states that one of the benefits is " complimentary room upgrade (if available)" or something to the effect. I did get a fruit basket in my room, (no letter for a few hours since the room was obviously not prepaired for me) no breakfast, no club access, and had internet added to my bill (which was later removed upon my insistence). My company would not bat an eyelid about paying for any of those things, including a club room, but I feel it is obscene to spend company money on something that I would not use and something that is supposed to be provided to me by the vendor. I rarely eat breakfast, finish too late for "coughtails", and do not care how big my room is as long as it meets my standards (decent bed, towels and shower) since I usually just sleep there.

What exactly are you expecting from the membership? Of all the things you have mentioned, only a room upgrade (subject to availibility) is provided by being a platinum status. Platinum status in PC does not get you lounge access, club rooms, upgrades to suites, breakfast, free internet or any of those things. The vendor is not required to provide these if you don't pay for them.

Hotels may choose to provide this things, but there is no compulsion to

 

[Therma]

What exactly are you expecting from the membership? Of all the things you have mentioned, only a room upgrade (subject to availibility) is provided by being a platinum status. Platinum status in PC does not get you lounge access, club rooms, upgrades to suites, breakfast, free internet or any of those things. The vendor is not required to provide these if you don't pay for them.

Hotels may choose to provide this things, but there is no compulsion to

I do not pay for these things because I do not need them. On last check in the staff told me that IC MNL gives free internet to platinum members. I do not see why I have to pay for it a week later, even if 90% of my emailing is on Blackberry.

I do expect room upgrade as a matter of principle, whether I need it or not since it is what the PC website states. There are much better hotels to stay in MNL and the fact that I have now stayed 8 or 9 times in the same property in 12 months, I should have my (misguided) loyalty rewarded

 

[oz_mark]

I do not pay for these things because I do not need them. On last check in the staff told me that IC MNL gives free internet to platinum members. I do not see why I have to pay for it a week later, even if 90% of my emailing is on Blackberry.

If they give free internet, then that is a hotel choice to do that, it is not a PC offer.

I do expect room upgrade as a matter of principle, whether I need it or not since it is what the PC website states. There are much better hotels to stay in MNL and the fact that I have now stayed 8 or 9 times in the same property in 12 months, I should have my (misguided) loyalty rewarded

They only have to provide upgrades subject to availibilty, and the hotel gets to define what an upgrade is (might just be a better view, or a King Bed instead of a Queen bed). If only a suite or club room is available they are not compelled to give these.

I have written elsewhere that while platinum status is easy to obtain compared to other loyalty programs, the benefits of status are also less than what you will get in other programs such as HH, SPG and so on. So free breakfasts etc. are not part of the PC offering

 

[Therma]

They only have to provide upgrades subject to availibilty, and the hotel gets to define what an upgrade is (might just be a better view, or a King Bed instead of a Queen bed). If only a suite or club room is available they are not compelled to give these.

I have written elsewhere that while platinum status is easy to obtain compared to other loyalty programs, the benefits of status are also less than what you will get in other programs such as HH, SPG and so on. So free breakfasts etc. are not part of the PC offering

My gripe is that I am always offered to upgrade to the executive room (which is different from club room). There is not better view or bigger bedded rooms. These are always available for extra $$$, so are they now blacking out days when they can be given to platinum members? If they did not try to upsell me every time they would not invoke my wrath. To be honest I did not know these rooms (exec that are about 50% bigger than deluxe but are not club rooms) existed until my boss was upgraded to one (he has NO PC membership) while I was on a regular floor.

You are right about PC being a second rate programme ( even if you used different words to express it). Unfortunately in my region there is a shortage of Hilton properties and I do not always feel safe staying in Marriott in some of the places I go to (e.g. Karachi, Jakarta). So I guess PC is a necessary evil. Or maybe I should just stop getting points and get a life.

 

[futaris]

HI on Flinders, Melbourne
(PC Gold)

Booked a Double Bed Standard Room and received a King Bed Executive Room.
No gift. (actually got some choccies about an hour after this post)
Single Night stay on a 25% off Priority Privilege voucher.

 

[Fifa]

HI Darling Harbour
(PC Platinum)

Booked standard twin room, received standard twin room.
No gift, recognition or welcome letter/card.

This hotel could learn a lot from the fantastic staff at HI Potts Point.

 

[NM]

HI Darling Harbour
(PC Platinum)

Booked standard twin room, received standard twin room.
No gift, recognition or welcome letter/card.

This hotel could learn a lot from the fantastic staff at HI Potts Point.

I stayed there last year and was given a very nice Junior Suite upgrade.

 

[markis10]

HI Sydney Airport - given room booked, no welcome gift or amenity or recognition, last time for me there, the staff are trying hard to make the Formula One look good!

IC Burswood - again given room booked with no recognition. Requested late checkout after checking in at 11PM, told to ring in the morning by the operator of the (non)service line facility. Eventually got a generous 12 noon checkout (they were booked out next night as Rod Stuart was playing in Perth).

HI Burswood - Upgraded to King Bed room and given green jelly beans as we welcome gift :shock:

HI Flinders Melbourne - Upgraded to one of the new deluxe king rooms with LCD TV and IPod charger, given a bottle of wine as a welcome gift. Once again they are consistant in their standards and get my business, other hotels could learn form the staff working here.

In reference to HI Darling Harbour - I have often been given an upgrade and find their consistancy close to that of HI Flinders, the fact they are renovating and adding a floor might have impacted on the availability of an upgrade.

 

[QF WP]

Have to agree with you that HI Flinders but I'll go with CP Darling Harbour as being my Sydney property (due to consistency of status recognition and upgrades) - then again, I've only stayed once with HI Darling Harbour (versus probably 10 times with CP).

I know Dave Noble would agree with HI Flinders (he's there at the moment, upgrraded to Suite in a full Hotel).

 

[Mal]

Holiday Inn Express, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Previous Stays: 0
# of nights: 4
PC Platinum

Was given a room on the 2nd top floor with some harbour view (probably one of the better harbour views available from the hotel). Amenity was a pack of assorted herbal teas (although, I'm not sure if that is a PC benefit, or a benefit they give to most people).

I think this is a nice (but very basic) hotel. I mainly chose it because of the price of my last minute booking. Rooms are small and basic but are clean. I'd recommend it for leisure travel for a few nights if the price is right.

 

[QF WP]

Crowne Plaza, Canberra

Checked-in tonight and had booked a double room. As a Plat, was upgraded to top floor (6th) with same room type. Wireless access free. Bottle of red wine and note from GM in room.

 

[oz_mark]

Crowne Plaza Perth ( I get to stay in Perth Hotels nowadays!)

No upgrade, but did get 2 bottles of Gage Road Pils, and a packet of peanuts.

 

[ioki]

HI GC (gold coast)

nada, zilch, nothing.. not even a welcome letter

 

[mbeder]

HI Townsville - Room on the 16th floor - The "Executive Club" floor.

Welcome letter, complimentary 600ml bottle of Mount Franklin water, granny smith apple - with its own sash (!) and two small chocolates and a newspaper.

Also received a 2 for 1 drinks voucher for their bar (which I used) and a $17 breakfast voucher (didn't use).

 

[markis10]

Will be interesting to see who posts the first experience at one of the new Crowne PLaza's, for us Brisbane folk we can now head to the Sunshine Coast and stay at CP Pelican Waters which is the old Ramada, (they were giving apartments away on one of the game shows as prizes a few years ago). Of course the other one is CP Torquay, which was the subject of an email yesterday: Welcome to the new Crowne Plaza Torquay.
You don’t need to go far to get away from it all. Just 90 minutes from Melbourne, Torquay’s pristine beaches and relaxed atmosphere make it the perfect destination for your next escape. Come and discover why the new Crowne Plaza Torquay is The Place To Meet. From $170

 

[futaris]

The last Priority Privilege Newsletter mentioned:

New Opening Special @ 25% Off!

We are excited to advise Priority Privilege Members that Crowne Plaza Pelican Waters Golf Resort & Spa has now opened!

An Exclusive Offer for you - From only $125 per night including breakfast!

 

[markh]

HI Adelaide - no upgrade, was told hotel was fully booked for one night, checked out room and went back to reception to talk to them again and they managed to shuffle booking and upgrade me to corner suite.