Reader Question: IHG Diamond-Problems With Getting Breakfast Benefit?

A LoyaltyLobby reader sent us a question regarding the new IHG One Rewards Diamond breakfast benefit that you can choose as one of the Welcome Amenity options.

Readers are encouraged to send us questions, comments, or opinions by email, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. We’ll try to cover them here several times a week.

You can access IHG’s page for elite benefits here.

Email From The Reader:

I’m a diamond member with IHG and has been either Diamond/Platinum/Spire elite member for almost 20 years now.

I was happy to hear that IHG decided to match the industry in offering breakfast to top tiers at their hotel and wanted to take advantage of this offer.

I’m currently staying at the Crowne Plaza Reading East hotel and, unfortunately, the management are standing on their back feet in denying me the benefit of a free breakfast.

I booked 2 rooms, one for me and my wife and a second room for my 2 kids (age 8 and 5).

Upon arrival to the hotel and checking in, the reception manager told me that I’m entitled only to breakfast for me and my wife but not for the kids.

I rang IHG customer relations and the lady confirmed that the benefit is per room, I.e. my kids are also entitled for breakfast.

The guy at reception bent backwards by claiming that this isn’t the case as the benefit is limited to 1 member and his companion only, regardless how many rooms he books.

He called IHG service himself and this time the person answering sides with him and confirmed that I’m only entitled to breakfast for me and my guest but not on the second room.

I filed a complaint and asked a supervisor to check what is the correct policy, but as things stand now, we are not able to take advantage of the free breakfast benefit.

I would like to know what is your experience with this issue and if you could make your readers aware of this policy, to save them the aggravation and humiliation.

The hotel was correct here. The breakfast benefit only applies to the room the member occupies (not an unlimited number) and for the member + 1 (maximum two).

Our IHG One Rewards Launch Coverage:

Here’s what IHG tells about its Diamond member breakfast benefit:

Welcome Amenity: The Welcome Amenity for Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite Members varies by brand and region. In Greater China, Silver Elite and Gold Elite Members are also offered a choice of Welcome Amenity.

The choice of amenity is only offered on Qualified Stays and is non-transferrable

Diamond Elite Members’ Welcome Amenity choice also includes Free Breakfast at full-service and select-service brands (REGENT, InterContinental, Hualuxe, Hotel Indigo, voco, Crowne Plaza, Even, Holiday Inn, and Kimpton)

Available for Member and one guest registered to the same room for each night of stay

Includes one main menu item with unlimited non-alcoholic beverages or full buffet with unlimited non-alcoholic beverages per person

Alcoholic beverages and certain specialty drinks excluded

Not available for In-Room dining or at specialty restaurants

Members using Digital Check-in may only receive Points as a Welcome Amenity

The only program that I have been an active participant and which covers breakfast for up to two adults and two children is World of Hyatt for its Globalist members.

Elite benefits are not usually extended to more than one room, although some hotels may sometimes be more flexible on this issue.

Conclusion

Understanding the benefits associated with status is essential, so there are no false expectations.

This breakfast benefit that other programs have had for years was only extended to IHG One Rewards Diamond members last month as their welcome amenity choice.

If you book multiple rooms as a Diamond member and want everyone to have breakfast, remember to include that option during the booking process, except for one room (welcome amenity choice).

This same issue often arises when you book multiple rooms at a hotel with a club lounge. The club lounge benefit (complimentary) only applies to the room the member occupies, not others.