InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) offers discounts (as do most travel providers) to travel agents and/or travel industry professionals. These rates are usually deeply discounted but often not available with other lodging providers.
IHG Rewards Club made these rates eligible (unlike with all other hotel programs that I know) for stay credits and points three years ago.
You can access IHG’s web page for Travel Consult Discount rate here (note that the booking link on IHG’s page no longer woks – you can use this one instead).
READ MORE: IHG Rewards Club Rate & Bonus Points And Miles Promotions
The discount that is offered varies from hotel to hotel and maxes at 40% off. The lowest discount that I have seen is 9%.
Note that the ID requirements are strict. You should not book this rate unless you have the required credentials.
You must book the rate minimum of one day in advance. The cancellation and/or prepay requirements are set by hotels. You should always check them before making the booking.
Here are the rate displays for weekend night in Berlin:
Conclusion
I have used this rate offer several times over the past year and have always received the benefits of my Royal Ambassador or IHG Rewards Club Spire Elite status along with the points/stay credits. I have been carded few times but not always. You should not book it unless you have the required documentations to use it.
The travel agent rates that are offered by Marriott and Fairmont are lot lower but not qualifying under their loyalty programs. I do like the fact that this IHG Travel Consult Rate is qualifying under the terms and conditions of the IHG Rewards Club.
The rate plan is not going away but IHG did some changes to the booking engine on its website that broke quite a few pages including this travel agent one.
Here are the short terms and conditions of this rate plan:
*Note: You must present a valid IATAN Card or Photo ID with a Letter of Authorization on agency letterhead that you are entitled to the discount upon check-in
Is it allowed for me to book this rate when I’m not eligible personally, but I am travelling with a person who is? (I’d prefer to book this through my account so we can enjoy the status benefits, as opposed to creating a new account without status for the travel agent).
From my experience the travel ID has to match the name on the reservation, but its ultimately up to the individual property and their rules regarding the situation.
With other hotel chains the reservation has to be made by the travel professional.
Made by the travel professional certainly is not enough. The travel professional must be traveling as well.
I would say that there is no downsize doing the way you are suggesting. The worst come worst scenario is that you can ask them to change the name name of the reservation under your friend’s name when you are checking in.
Thanks! I’ll give it a go
Please note that the “book now and save” portion of you save x EUR is not correct for TA rates. Many hotels in Berlin don’t offer a TA discount but still show the “book now and save” portion since this also includes the “YOUR RATE CLUB” by IHG.
But thanks for the working TA link again, the old one in fact isn’t working for months and I’ve tried to find a new one working, not even IHG rewards knew how to book it.
The booking engine update broke many links they had up including this TA one.
Its a great rate that I use often as a travel professional. I like that you earn points and status is recognized on your stay.
The only downside is that the rates are not eligible to earn for bonus promos like Accelerate and similar programs.
They have certainly counted towards mine!
You are lucky as I always try to get the promo points when they don’t post. They always point to this clause in the terms of each of the promo: Bonus points are not issued for Non-Qualifying Room Rates or Non-Qualifying Stays. “Non-Qualifying Room Rates” or “Non-Qualifying Stay” include the following: any stay at a Kimpton Hotel, net wholesale individual and group rate, certain package rates, employee discount rate, friends and family rate, crew rate, special discounted contract rates, seasonal worker/crew rate, 50% travel club discount rate, travel industry discount rate, distressed passenger rate, IHG® Rewards Club Reward Nights/Airline Hotel Reward rate, rates booked through third party web sites, complimentary hotel Stays and any other rates not defined as a Qualifying Room Rate at IHG’s sole discretion.
https://www.ihg.com/content/us/en/offers/q2accelerate2017/terms?promoCode=61349&offerId=Q3053&cm_mmc=OFMAM-6C-US-EN-Search-PaidMedia-Brand-MBQ217&cmpid=DFA:877798:151513112:0&glat=DISP&
If they don’t post automatically and you need manual adjustment, yes…..
Got a question about this ID? Is it some ID issued by IHG?
IATA ID is plastic card that IATA accredited TAs can request. There are other valid docs for this rate that you can see on the IHGs site.
does Airline staff can be applied this rate?
There is separate rate plan that is valid for airline employees.
Checked it now for Bali, surprised to see that IC price under this rate is much HIGHER than a normal rate: 240 USD vs 144 USD.
Other hotel are indeed discounted however.