IHG Connects Loyalty Members With Phone Sex Hotline
Jennifer Billock October 23, 2015
Who ya gonna call? If you’re an InterContinental Hotels Group rewards member, probably not who you think.
In today’s awards for most ridiculous mistake by a brand, InterContinental Hotels Group gets first place. The company accidentally printed a phone sex operator’s phone number instead of its customer service line on its reward program’s Spire Elite membership cards.
For a limited time (until IHG can fix the cards and issue new ones), members will be greeted by this chipper message when calling the number:
“Welcome to America’s hottest talk line! Ladies, to talk to interesting and exciting guys free, press 1 now. Guys, hot ladies are waiting to talk to you. Press 2 to connect!”
Members reportedly received the cards about a month ago. When one cardholder called to bring the misprint to the company’s attention, IHG allegedly said it was aware of the issue but did not alert members — although a representative from the company told Consumerist an email was sent to Spire Elite members in September and new ID cards are being issued.
This fiasco could have been an honest mistake; the wrong number is only two numbers off from the correct number, listing 1-800 instead of 1-844. For the record, anyone who actually wants to check on their reservation or rewards program status should call 1-844-774-7300.
[Photos: iStock, Consumerist]
I would definitely complain! They don't tell you what number the guys who want to talk to the interesting and exciting guys are supposed to press!
^^^ well, maybe this was their idea at recovery for that!
No offence, but I think this is a really meh membership card..