"Thank you for being a gold member"

[Mattg]

Whenever I stay at an IHG hotel, I'm consistently thanked for being a gold member when checking in. (I'm sure other chains also thank their loyal members at check-in.)

Now, I guess deep down I appreciate the gesture and status recognition. But surely I'm not the only person that finds this a little awkward. What am I supposed to say in reply - "you're welcome"? Or perhaps "oh, my absolute pleasure, I just love IHG hotels!"?

Seriously though, is there a correct way to respond to this?

 

[Hvr]

I just say 'thank you' and leave it at that. If I'm at a property I visit regularly they also give me the welcome back combined with the status spiel.

Then when they ask if there is anything else I'd like during check in I ask for late check out depending on my flight time. They immediately enter my request into the system and usually say 'that's all done, your check out time is 1400/1500 hours'.

 

[RooFlyer]

I just give a smile, maybe a nod. I think its over-done.

At the Mercure in Sydney, I was thanked for 'my loyalty' when I checked in at the breakfast counter, both mornings! That was just silly.

 

[JohnK]

I just say thanks too as @Hvr does.

Occasionally I may also ask what benefits are available at the property. Like Holiday Inn Sukhumvit grants Platinums executive lounge access.

 

[eric2011]

Same as Hvr and JohnK. Just say Thank you. Not "Big noting" myself here but its usually said as they tell me about my upgrade (as Spire elite ambassador)

 

[thatsthatmattressman]

It does make me feel awkward as well (I know they are just doing their job and if they don't do this at Marriott there are financial penalties you can ask for depending on the brand!!!). I too say thank you. On the flip side I use it to say - in case agent starts going on about member benefits - 'yes I am well acquainted with the loyalty program as you know' ..if not you can get a 2 minute 'did you know you get this and that and this and that'.

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

Whenever I stay at an IHG hotel, I'm consistently thanked for being a gold member when checking in. (I'm sure other chains also thank their loyal members at check-in.)

Now, I guess deep down I appreciate the gesture and status recognition. But surely I'm not the only person that finds this a little awkward. What am I supposed to say in reply - "you're welcome"? Or perhaps "oh, my absolute pleasure, I just love IHG hotels!"?

Seriously though, is there a correct way to respond to this?

"Thanks"

 

[Mattg]

Is there any other situation where it's normal to reply with a "thank you" when somebody has just thanked you?

"Thank you for thanking me." It's all sounding very Canadian.

 

[kermatu]

"No worries" works for me.

 

[serfty]

"No worries" works for me.

Same here ... followed by a status benefit based request/confirmation .... (if useful).

 

[thatsthatmattressman]

‘Blame Canada’ haha (I am Canadian by the way so sorry excuse me and thank you very very much)

Is there any other situation where it's normal to reply with a "thank you" when somebody has just thanked you?

"Thank you for thanking me." It's all sounding very Canadian.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Don't respond at all is my advice.

I get something similar with Marriott and I never respond. I've observed that many others do this as well.

 

[jasecao]

I never got a thank you being Spire Elite at my recent stay at Crowne Plaza Auckland, didn't even get a room upgrade as they were booked out....

 

[Mattg]

Well they really got carried away at the Holiday Inn Express at Dubai Airport. I was thanked at the start of the check-in process, then again at the end. And when I checked out this morning, I was thanked once more and asked whether I had already been thanked for being a Gold member by the person who checked me in. They must have some KPI for it.

 

[TomVexille]

I get thanked when I stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Adelaide, but they phrase is as part of the welcome amenity (300 points) being deposited into my account. Which seems less awkward than your experiences

 

[jasecao]

Crowne Plaza Melbourne - thanked for being Spire Elite during check in and also during check out and was upgraded to a new refurbished suite, pity i was only there for a night.