Receiving ACLUB Platinum Benefits

[YosemiteP]

Hi All
I was recently comped ACLUB Platinum status. Just wanted to ask of other peoples experiences in receiving the stated Platinum benefits when staying at Sofitel Hotels.
Most importantly do you routinely receive
"- Room upgrade at check-in (depending on availability and upon request)"
and also I am sure the gf would enjoy the
"- One Accor Thalassa Institute beauty & treatment product offered when staying at a Sofitel Accor Thalassa hotel"
Please let me know of your experiences.
Thanks

 

[jamesatfish]

Hi All
I was recently comped ACLUB Platinum status. Just wanted to ask of other peoples experiences in receiving the stated Platinum benefits when staying at Sofitel Hotels.

I've had mixed experiences with AClub Platinum status (and indeed AClub in general) - sometimes they get it right and other times you need to fight for it.

With my last Sofitel stay about a month ago none of the AClub Platinum benefits were given (room upgrade, amenities upon arrival, late checkout etc etc) despite having my AClub number in the booking and presenting the card at check-in. About a week prior to arrival I had upgraded from a standard to superior room (as in I called to change to and pay for a better room than originally booked), and when checking in and requesting the Platinum room upgrade benefit I was told I had already been upgraded - it wasn't until getting to the room that I realised the 'upgrade' was just my own paid room change.

At checkout I mentioned this and they did credit the additional room cost to treat the upgrade as a free Platinum benefit, but I did have to fight for it.

On other occasions the recognition has been much better - a welcome basket of fruit / snacks in the room upon arrival, free bottled water replaced nightly etc, but since Sofitel Privilege turned into AClub Platinum I've found you need to be more vigilant to ensure you're getting the benefits you are entitled to.

As for the free spa treatment - I've not stayed at whichever Sofitel that benefit applies to (somewhere in Asia I think) so I can't comment on that one.

 

[markis10]

A Club is not at all hotels, for instance Sofitel brisbane does not recognise it, which I find a little surprising.

 

[Rick93]

I recently stayed at the Menzies in Sydney. Got a $99. room special, as per recent promo.

Checked in, flashed A - Club Plat. card......

Got told, we will be upgraded to a " Queen Room ".

It was our 2oth. engagement anniversary night.... I thought, beauty, nice big bed ( uh ummmm )

When we opened the room door, I just laughed !! It was too good to be true.

It was one of the smallest rooms I've had recently ( Sofitel, Pullman,
Novotel )

The bed was a plain double, as far as I was concerned.

Upgrade my foot !!!

Oh, they had two bottles of ' Fiji ' spring water on the bed.... at $7.50 each !!!

The TV was more the size of a PC monitor.

In my experience, the A- Club Plat. card doesn't mean much. It's only real purpose, is to double your points.... and that's only for ' participating hotels ' and after you've made several follow up phone calls.

GORDO

 

[2muchplastic]

I've definitely had a real mixed bag. Some give the benefits without asking, some give when asked, some give very reluctantly and others just plain don't care.

Pullman Sydney Olympic Park - couple of visits with nothing, but then one visit (after posting a review on Tripadvisor!) got a very nice suite upgrade.
Novotel Sydney Olympic Park - upgraded both visits (and you're not supposed to be in a Novotel!)
Pullman Reef Cairns - Nada. I'd booked 3 rooms, and they "couldn't move them"
Sofitel Hyland Shanghai - 70/30 success rate. Some room upgrades to Club level, free drinks voucher most times. They were the ones most snotty about giving the room upgrades though (Oh, we shouldn't allow it on your rate....)
Sofitel Saigon - Almost perfect success rate. Only one visit out of 6 where I didn't get a Club floor upgrade. Free drink voucher and gift (some cakes/desserts in the room) every time.