LoyaltyLobby readers tend to have excellent questions about loyalty programs and I try to answer as many as I can.
You can send questions by email, Tweeting, leaving messages to the Facebook wall or use the Ask John.
Judy’s Issue With Accor Promo Points Posting
I registered for September offer of Accor (1000/3000/40000 bonus points for 1st/2nd/3rd stay till 31.12.) and spent 3 different nights in October, 1st and 3rd was in the same hotel. I’ve got the first 2 bonus points but haven’t got the 3rd.
I wrote to the customer service and their first answer was their system was wrong and they’ll solve it manually in a few days. Now I’ve got another mail which says that the rate was was not eligible for the offer… It wasn’t reduced rate but it was the same as first stay, unrestricted free cancellation rate.
Could you advice anything regarding to this case?
Here’s what I would do. I would reply to the Accor email that says that the booked rate is not eligible by using a screenshot from the reservation email confirmation and I would circle in RED the rate type and use an arrow as well.
If that doesn’t help, I would file a consumer complaint with consumer/fair advertising ombudsman in the jurisdiction that the reader lives in against Accor.
I have not had personal need to contact Le Club Accorhotels customer support, but the emails and comments are not promising.
Albeo’s Problem Keeping IHG Rewards Club Platinum Status
I am a platinum member at IHG but I will not manage to maintain the status for 2015.So I wanted to buy Ambassador thinking I could maintain platinum till end of 2015 but they are saying that this will be till end of this year and after that gold elite.
Is there a way I could stay Platinum.I have 3 brands and 307.000 points but 11.500 Elite qualifying points and I have been platinum since 2011 and a member since 2006.
Any advise or tips how to go about this?
There are IHG affiliated credit cards in some markets that come with IHG Rewards Club Platinum status.
Other option would be to have couple of stays at hotels that offer very large Bonus Points Packages, as those points count towards the status as well.
One option is to purchase the Ambassador status, which basically pays for itself in couple of International stays, and then sign up for the dining program (read more here) that comes with status upgrade and free night cert. Buying Ambassador gets Gold in IHG Rewards Club and the Dining Club one level status upgrade Platinum.
Mark’s Question About Status Benefits On Gifted Stay
Wondering if anyone knows if the Hilton benefits of membership can only be granted if the member is actually staying and not applicable if the room is gifted to a friend. Is there rules about this in the terms and conditions!? Can someone guide me to this. Thanks
Officially, the status related benefits only apply if the status member is staying as well. In reality, however, you can often get lucky by adding the person that actually stays as the second guest. Some properties are very anal of not extending any benefits, but most will let it slip through. No guarantees.
Conclusion
I’ll try to have this Reader Question piece at least weekly if not more often. More readers can learn from these questions.
