PGR Program

[rfur78]

as a current PRG member i am having trouble making the Discovery side of the offer work for me with bookings etc.

was targeting the PRG for status over discovery due the the stays being a qualification, whereas discovery counted total nights: eg 10 stays or 30 nights for black

with the HSW rolling into this family i am looking into this program more closely, havent got my head around it yet.

thanks in advance

 

[NZflygirl]

You need 5 stays or 10 stays within the PGR program to reach either platinum or black with GHA and receive their benefits. If you're going to do stays in GHA and you want black then you need to aim for 30nights.

Cheaper to get the 5 or 10 stays with PGR per yr (the 1st yr hurts the most getting to black) but you'll then receive the GHA platinum/black benefits following this.
You probably end up with 2 free nights out of that with PGR. The member discount I think would get you a free night roughly then the points AND 50% off dining even if on your own. Possibly better than Accor + benefits. But you need to find hotels you like. I will say I've had a number of upgrades from Rydges which aren't published benefits but totally nice surprises.

10 stays with GHA doesn't get you black...unfortunately.


The changes in your PGR status should carry over to GHA. You'll see it when you log in. They're pretty quick at rectifying things if a stay doesn't post to GHA via the website but that has been infrequent, like twice.

 

[Jacques Vert]

From the FAQs:

Quote:

[h=3]Discovery[/h][h=4]Overview[/h]


[h=4]What benefits and recognition do I get when staying at Global Hotel Alliance partner hotels & resorts as a PGR DISCOVERY Member?[/h]
Depending upon you membership status for those members who joined after 04 August 2014 or existing members who've opted in at www.priorityguestrewards.com you will receive:

DISCOVERY TIER	GoldBase Tier Member​	PlatinumMid Tier Member​	BlackTop Tier Member​
Free bottled water	Yes	Yes	Yes
Late check-out	No	Yes - 3pm	Yes- 6pm
Free Newspaper	Yes	Yes	Yes
Earn Local Experiences	Yes	Yes	Yes
Guaranteed Availability	No	Yes - 48 hours	Yes - 24 hours
Room upgrades	No	Yes - one level	Yes - two levels
Customised room preferences	No	No	Yes
Local Market Amenity	No	Yes	Yes

Unquote.


I have only stayed at one Discovery brand, the Avani in Livingstone. As a Rydges Black member, there was initially some confusion as to what benefits I was entitled to, if any, but later offered a local experience: a complimentary high tea at the Royal Livingstone. Plus given an upgrade to their biggest suite.


Note: With stays at a Discovery hotel, you don't earn points towards free nights, rather you can qualify for a "local experience".

 

[rfur78]

so with logging into the programs via websites the PRG setup is fine but booking the GHA hotels and getting my profile to carry accross is where i am brickwalling atm.

experiences/thoughts?

 

[NZflygirl]

so with logging into the programs via websites the PRG setup is fine but booking the GHA hotels and getting my profile to carry accross is where i am brickwalling atm.

experiences/thoughts?

Just to clarify can you actually log into the GHA website? Can you see any of your previous PGR activity?

Is it just your PGR status not coming across?

I would probably contact GHA. If you can see your PGR activity on the PGR website to date then they should be reflected on the GHA site also.

There is a certain year if you signed up with PGR prior to that year you had to opt in to GHA which you can do via the PGR website which I had to do. The info is on the PGR website so check that.

 

[oz_mark]

so with logging into the programs via websites the PRG setup is fine but booking the GHA hotels and getting my profile to carry accross is where i am brickwalling atm.

experiences/thoughts?

Did you opt in to GHA?

 

[rfur78]

yes ticked off and due to my sign up date being after the 2014 cut off its there.

can you use the same login for PRG and Discovery?

 

[oz_mark]

yes ticked off and due to my sign up date being after the 2014 cut off its there.

can you use the same login for PRG and Discovery?

Should be able to - I think that is how it is set up as standard..

 

[Jacques Vert]

yes ticked off and due to my sign up date being after the 2014 cut off its there.

can you use the same login for PRG and Discovery?

Should be able to - I think that is how it is set up as standard..

Yes that's it.

Go to GHA website and sign in with your email address and Rydges password. Should show your name and status on the left about half way down the page.

 

[rfur78]

after a quick email to discovery they have confirmed my login for PGR and Discovery are the same. up and running with both and chasing black via PRG due to the lower number of stays required. Discovery count nights.

looking forward to finding some other options OS with this group. any recommendations for Bangkok?

 

[Jacques Vert]

looking forward to finding some other options OS with this group. any recommendations for Bangkok?

There's a few Anataras in Bangkok.

Just received this email which may be of interest, members get extra 10% for up to 45% off:

[FONT=wf_segoe-ui_normal]Close your eyes. Imagine your dream destination – a private island in the Indian Ocean, a tropical Thai getaway, an Arabian escape, urban energy or mountaintop seclusion. Now make that dream holiday even more extraordinary with Anantara’s Stay Longer Specials. The longer you stay, the more you save.[/FONT]
[FONT=wf_segoe-ui_normal]
[/FONT]
[FONT=wf_segoe-ui_normal]Take advantage of savings up to 35%* to enjoy more… More romance. More time together as family. More memories.

[/FONT]
[FONT=wf_segoe-ui_normal]Book now for stays until 30 September 2017. See all offer details at anantara.com/staylongerspecial, call +66 2 365 9110 or email [email protected].[/FONT]
[FONT=wf_segoe-ui_normal]
[/FONT]
PRIVILEGE members also save an extra 10% on Stay Longer*.
To access your extra savings, click here.
Not yet a member? Registering is free and easy. Sign up now.

Haven't checked the details myself so not sure if you can book via Discovery website.

Bangkok longer stays seem to start at 30% (+10%) off for 3 nights at the Riverside.

JV

PS: Also, 2 x Avani + a Kempinski

 

[rfur78]

just an update on my experience so far.

got to the 5 nights trigger so qual for silver with PGR and a shiny new card was mailed out to me quickly. interestingly though i cant seem to confirm anywhere on my online account my status with the program. the header has always been gold, does this indicate something?

the point i dont have my head around is the fact that the card is a dual branded PGR/ Discovery but my status in my discovery account still shows as gold. all my stays with PRG have loaded and it shows the correct amount, but i am still gold, at the same time being silver with PGR?!?!

long story short, just checked into a Park Royal for a three night stay and have asked the question on my silver entitlements, seeing i only show as gold to them they refused until i pulled out the dual branded PGR/discovery card. some head scratching went on and checkin told me someone would come back to me during my stay to explain how it all works.

the beauty of the PGR program is tiers are climbed by stays, not nights like Discovery making the PGR a fast track to status. the confusing point for me to date is the lack of clarity when it comes to Discovery hotels recognizing the dual branded PGR/discovery card. i will hit the 10 stay qual in the next 45 days which would trigger black with PGR so it will be interesting to see what transpires then.

 

[oz_mark]

PGR and Discovery have three levels. Gold, Platinum or Black.

None of them are called Silver

 

[rfur78]

you are right, for some reason i had in my head they called the mid tier different.

 

[SYD]

I'm trying to get my head around PGR v Discovery. I signed up to PGR during a stay at QT Canberra late last year. The program seemed interesting and there was a prospect of more QT stays (in lieu of CP Canberra). Somewhere along the line I also joined Discovery - possibly because I was already on the Pan Pac mailing list...

I have 4 night stay at PP Singapore coming up - is there any particular benefit for quoting one or other program?

 

[Jacques Vert]

Somewhere along the line I also joined Discovery - possibly because I was already on the Pan Pac mailing list...

When you join Rydges PGR you are automatically enrolled into Discovery (unless you joined before August 2014).

 

[Jacques Vert]

I have 4 night stay at PP Singapore coming up - is there any particular benefit for quoting one or other program?

Just show your card, although you may have to point out the Discovery logo.

From the T&Cs:

8. Benefits Matrix
From August 2014 new members who become a PGR member are automatically able to receive DISCOVERY membership benefits when staying at a GHA partner hotel or resort.

Stays at Event Hospitality & Entertainment Hotels Stays at GHA Hotels

Benefits	PGR Entry	PGR 2nd tier	PGR 3rd tier	GHA Entry	GHA 2nd tier	GHA 3rd tier
Qualification	0-4 stays or 10 RN	5-9 stays or 10 RN	10+ stays or 30 RN
10% off Best Flexible Rate*	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes**	Yes**	Yes**
15% off Best Flexible Rate*	No	Yes	Yes	x	x	x
Earn PGR Points*	Yes – 10 pts	Yes – 15 pts	Yes – 20 pts	x	x	x
F &B Discount	Yes – 20%	Yes – 20%	Yes – 50%	x	x	x
Free Drink	Yes	Yes	Yes	x	x	x
Free Bottled Water	x	x	x	Yes	Yes	Yes
Late Checkout	Yes	Yes	Yes – 6pm	No	Yes – 3pm	Yes – 6pm
Free Newspaper	x	x	x	Yes	Yes	Yes
Earn Local Experiences	x	x	x	Yes	Yes	Yes
Guaranteed Availability	x	x	x	No	Yes – 48hrs	Yes – 24hrs
Room upgrades	x	x	x		Yes – one level	Yes – Two level
Customised room preference	x	x	x	No	No	Yes

* = for direct online bookings via pgr.com.au or Event Hospitality & Entertainment branded website ONLY
**= for direct online bookings via gha.com ONLY

 

[SYD]

When you join Rydges PGR you are automatically enrolled into Discovery (unless you joined before August 2014).

Pretty sure I signed up separately afterwards after getting an email invite. I have separate member numbers etc...

Just show your card, although you may have to point out the Discovery logo.

From the T&Cs:

8. Benefits Matrix
From August 2014 new members who become a PGR member are automatically able to receive DISCOVERY membership benefits when staying at a GHA partner hotel or resort.

Stays at Event Hospitality & Entertainment Hotels Stays at GHA Hotels

Benefits	PGR Entry	PGR 2nd tier	PGR 3rd tier	GHA Entry	GHA 2nd tier	GHA 3rd tier
Qualification	0-4 stays or 10 RN	5-9 stays or 10 RN	10+ stays or 30 RN
10% off Best Flexible Rate*	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes**	Yes**	Yes**
15% off Best Flexible Rate*	No	Yes	Yes	x	x	x
Earn PGR Points*	Yes – 10 pts	Yes – 15 pts	Yes – 20 pts	x	x	x
F &B Discount	Yes – 20%	Yes – 20%	Yes – 50%	x	x	x
Free Drink	Yes	Yes	Yes	x	x	x
Free Bottled Water	x	x	x	Yes	Yes	Yes
Late Checkout	Yes	Yes	Yes – 6pm	No	Yes – 3pm	Yes – 6pm
Free Newspaper	x	x	x	Yes	Yes	Yes
Earn Local Experiences	x	x	x	Yes	Yes	Yes
Guaranteed Availability	x	x	x	No	Yes – 48hrs	Yes – 24hrs
Room upgrades	x	x	x		Yes – one level	Yes – Two level
Customised room preference	x	x	x	No	No	Yes

* = for direct online bookings via pgr.com.au or Event Hospitality & Entertainment branded website ONLY
**= for direct online bookings via gha.com ONLY

So you would recommend Discovery over PGR? I was leaning towards PGR on the off chance I might stay occasionally at some of these properties - at least enough to earn something useful towards a free night?

 

[Jacques Vert]

Pretty sure I signed up separately afterwards after getting an email invite. I have separate member numbers etc...

I too have separate numbers, AFAIK everyone does. Did you join PGR before or after August 2014? I see from one of your earlier posts that it was late last year so I suspect the email was in relation to the semi-auto enrollment into Discovery.

Unless you signed up with different email and passwords, I suspect you have one "linked" account. If you go to www.gha.com and sign in with your Rydges email and password, and then look at the welcome message on the left near the top of the page: if it shows your Rydges number then your accounts are linked.

So you would recommend Discovery over PGR? I was leaning towards PGR on the off chance I might stay occasionally at some of these properties - at least enough to earn something useful towards a free night?

Definitely not; I haven't put much thought into why separate accounts could be an advantage, but my initial thinking is there is none. As you have pointed out, it is generally much easier to achieve status through Rydges/PGR than Discovery as the former is based on stays rather than nights. 5 stays gets you mid-tier; 10 stays gets you top-tier (Black). If like me, your tendency is short, one or two night stays then you will reach the higher status levels far more quickly through PGR.

An example: I have been top-tier with Rydges/PGR for many years, enjoying free nights, 50% discount on meals and grog, etc. It's not as good as it used to be but still not bad. Earlier this year I had my first stay at a Discovery hotel (AVANI Livingstone). After some confusion at check-in (not sure whether the check-in lass was new or just confused by the dual-branding on my Rydges card), I approached the "guest relations team", and asked whether there were any benefits in relation to my "black" status.

The lass said she would check with the Manager: long story short - we were moved to their largest suite (double upgrade), offered a complimentary Zambesi sunset cruise (retail about $US75 each) and treated like Royalty for the remainder of our stay. I repeat, this was our first stay at a Discovery Hotel.

So if you have achieved any status through your PGR membership before you arrive in SIN, make sure you book on the Discovery website using your PGR log-in and be sure to point out your status with the guest relations team (or whatever they call themselves where you are staying).

JV

 

[SYD]

Yes, only signed up to PGR late last year (via QT) and GHA early this year (Pan Pac branded card). Needless to say - Zip status alas.

I'm unlikely to be doing a great deal of PGR or GHA stays, so it's no big deal. In the interest of Science and AFF, I might flash my freshly printed paper GHA Gold card and see what I get....