Upgrades for Ambassadors at IC Sydney - not available when using PP BOGO

[Fifa]

A friend recently joined the Ambassador program on my recommendation.
She has made a booking at the IC Sydney using a Priority Privilege BOGO voucher and was told the hotel no longer gives upgrades to Ambassadors when using these vouchers :shock:

I wonder what they will offer RAs?

What a shame the IC are devaluing the product like this. Over the past few years I have spent many enjoyable nights in a club eastern harbour view room at the hotel but I certainly wont be renewing my Ambassador membership next year!

As I am now HHonors Diamond and Hilton treat their elite members very well, I will also be hard pressed to renew my PP membership.

 

[markis10]

Upgrades are available for any rate other than rewards nights, I would be calling the ambassador service line or seeking the help of then insider on FT, SYD IC are pretty good with upgrades, i had no issue with a PP cert in Jan. I have an AMB cert booked for Sydney later this month that has already been upgraded to Club at IC, given the upgrades for AMB are only do e at checkin it should not be an issue.

 

[Fifa]

Hi Markis

My friend spoke to the IC Sydney Guest Relations Manager today and she confirmed the changes have been in place for about one month. Bookings made before that will have the upgrade honoured.
I made a booking in Feb for later this month which showed the upgrade, but I have since cancelled and booked at the Hilton as it was a lot cheaper.
I have also posted this change on the FT thread and my friend has sent an email to the Ambassador service centre and is awaiting a reply.

 

[markis10]

Hi Markis

My friend spoke to the IC Sydney Guest Relations Manager today and she confirmed the changes have been in place for about one month. Bookings made before that will have the upgrade honoured.
I made a booking in Feb for later this month which showed the upgrade, but I have since cancelled and booked at the Hilton as it was a lot cheaper.
I have also posted this change on the FT thread and my friend has sent an email to the Ambassador service centre and is awaiting a reply.

Very sad if that is the case, given the upgrades are not really costing the hotel anything, but this change might cost them a lot! Might do a dummy booking and see if it's the case!

 

[markis10]

Just saw the response on FT by IC Sydney and have responded in turn as I struck this with the IC Mel two years ago and was lucky enough to have a senior IHG contact in corporate on speed dial to clear it up. Hope they reconsider because I won't be going back and using my PP vouchers there.

 

[Fifa]

Just saw the response on FT by IC Sydney and have responded in turn as I struck this with the IC Mel two years ago and was lucky enough to have a senior IHG contact in corporate on speed dial to clear it up. Hope they reconsider because I won't be going back and using my PP vouchers there.

Thanks for responding to the IC Sydney rep on FT.
I hope we get a positive resolution in the near future.

 

[serfty]

Look like the hotel has started pro-actively warning customers about this removal of a benefit: (posted on FT)

Originally Posted by pyxis
Hi everyone, wow, there really is a discussion relating to everything-travel on FT! I have a PP membership, and am also a Royal Ambassador. I have 2 upcoming reservations with the IC Sydney, and I have just received an email advising me that no upgrades will be provided as both bookings were made using a PP cert. (25% & BOGO) (Stays are on different occasions - not consecutive) Has anyone else had a similar experience? I received a great upgrade in Fiji using a BOGO cert....

 

[serfty]

... I wouldn't give them ideas ...

 

[markis10]

I wouldn't give them ideas ...

Agree, mind you anyone reading this from IC would find it easy to work out who got RA from a source thats against the terms of the program!

 

[tinkybelle]

Agree, mind you anyone reading this from IC would find it easy to work out who got RA from a source thats against the terms of the program!

I do not understand that comment
what is RA against the terms of the program??

 

[markis10]

I do not understand that comment
what is RA against the terms of the program??

The terms of a RA referral, which state it cannot be sold/bartered etc, if IHG could workout who became an RA from such a transaction, it's only been in the last year or two that you have to our the referrers details on the cert!

 

[tinkybelle]

ah thanks
got it
so do you just give yours away? of so i would like it please!

 

[markis10]

ah thanks
got it
so do you just give yours away? of so i would like it please!

Yes I do just give it away, this year it was an incentive gift for those AFF members who signed up for the Global Corporate Challenge.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....rate-challenge-2012-a-37387-2.html#post587057