InterContinental Hotels: Priority Club & Inter-Continental Ambassador - HI Bangkok - Limo never came to pick me up!!

I got a reward night at HI Bangkok and ordered Limousine pickup via Priority Club. Called this morning to doublecheck everything and went through the details with the Front Desk. Asked specifically for their new BMW 7-series limo which is very nice (only tried the Mercedes S-class earlier).

Landed in BKK at 00:25 and expected someone waiting for me. After 15 minutes I decided to walk through the whole length of the terminal looking for the BMW to no avail. I make a call to the HI and they tell me to wait for the Limo - they are making a call directly to the driver.

At 01:15 I am still waiting and call again. This time the front desk informs me that there is no limo at the airport and tell me to get a cab. They have somehow missed the dates and thought that I would arrive one day later than my booking (!).

Stepped into the hotel at 02:20 and I was not very happy. Got the ordinary Platinum Comp to Club floor but nothing else. Will talk to the Club floor service desk tomorrow morning to get a free ride to the airport in the Limo i ordered in the first place.

Ever been through something similar?

Nothing similar, but I'm staying at the IC Bangkok shortly, and was just interested to know how long the jorney is? I've been quoted 1500 THB in the Merc, and 1800 in the BMW...

Well, I had forgotten about this incident at the IC Bangkok last June. I had booked a limo transfer at the IC Ambassador rate and never found it at the airport. As I arrived during daytime, the staff at the limo counter told me they would call it, but that I would have to pay for it with cash instead of charging it to my room. So I had to go up one level to find an ATM while the uniformed staff insisted on keeping my baggage trolley. I was tired after a long flight, a bit upset, and sure that I would never see my baggage again. The fact that the car which came was a thoroughly standard looking car, neither a taxi nor a Mercedes-type limo did not reassure me.

Actually, everything went smoothly and I was very relieved when I finally arrived at the IC. I mentioned this incident when checking in at the Executive Lounge and was told the matter would be taken care of. In typical local fashion, this controversial issue was never raised again by the hotel staff. On the other hand, as service, the room and the lounge were perfect and I had two full days of meetings before flying to KUL and back to CDG, I soon disregarded this incident and enjoyed my stay at the IC. I would definitely come back, but would look for other ways to transfer from the airport ;). And I would definitely be much more suspicious if this happens to me in another country.

Note : the two issues may be related as the IC in Bangkok is next door to the HI and they might use the same drivers.

Arriving shortly after midnight is perilous as nobody can seem to agree what day things should be booked for. I curse UA's sked to the far East, but guess they cannot do much better unless flights from NAmerica leave earlier in the morning and get into NRT around noon instead of between 3/4pm.

Or avoid the issue by staying at the Oriental :D

I had a similar problem when I went to London over the summer this year.

But, it was non IC Group-related.

My travel itinerary included a direct pickup from LHR to my hotel. I found the right rep. at the airport, but the lady claimed I had missed my ride to the hotel. She claimed I arrived a day later!!!

I suspected her company was given my correct flight info., which departed the day before from the US. They took the departure date as my arrival date, which is insanely stupid. Since, my hotel was booked correctly, even they thought someone in their company dropped the ball.

It took a few phone calls from the lady to her supervisor to straighten things out, and I was on my way.

Nothing similar, but I'm staying at the IC Bangkok shortly, and was just interested to know how long the jorney is? I've been quoted 1500 THB in the Merc, and 1800 in the BMW...

Actually the BMW 7-series and Mercedes S-class is 1800THB and the smaller E-class is 1500THB.

The ride should be 20-25 minutes at night and up to 45 minutes during daytime due to traffic.

The fact that the car which came was a thoroughly standard looking car, neither a taxi nor a Mercedes-type limo did not reassure me.

I am pretty sure you got one of the airport limos - they are mostly Toyota Camry's and some Mercedes V-Class minibuses. 600THB one way and lousy service (got one yesterday).

Ok - talked to the Club floor reception and they will not give me a complimentary limo ride to the airport. Got the name of the manager and will try to reach him later. What is the point of making a reservation if they do not accept responsibility for actually picking me up?

Nothing similar, but I'm staying at the IC Bangkok shortly, and was just interested to know how long the jorney is? I've been quoted 1500 THB in the Merc, and 1800 in the BMW...

1800 (+18% service) is what the Pen charged us the other week. On the basis that its not a lot of money in European terms, it was well worth it. However, there are car services desks in the arrivals lounge at BKK that can get you a car for less, and a normal taxi will be far cheaper.

But there's something nice when you get off a long haul and there is a man holding a card with your name on it, then the car pulls up directly outside the arrivals terminal and you get in to be greeted by chilled mineral water and face towels ...

Nothing similar, but I'm staying at the IC Bangkok shortly, and was just interested to know how long the jorney is? I've been quoted 1500 THB in the Merc, and 1800 in the BMW...
Personally (I stayed there in Dec), I would consider the limo transfer to be bad value (bad, that is, for Thailand!). A normal meter taxi is about 200-300 THB, maybe less depending on traffic and is perfectly comfortable - its not that long a ride to the IC (its just off the end of the highway). I did a pre-pay job on arrival, as the hall is a bit chaotic, and got charged THB 700 which I thought was good value (£10), but isn't. There was a queue at the taxi rank though (and you will get hassled), so it does avoid that at least. If you do get a taxi, it is probably best to go via the tollway (THB 60) which is much, much quicker.

Before leaving the hotel I got hold of the duty manager and told him about what happened. He gave me his Business Card with the text "Complimentary upgrade to Junior Suite" on it.

Will it really work next time I check in or did he just want me out of his hotel? :)

Before leaving the hotel I got hold of the duty manager and told him about what happened. He gave me his Business Card with the text "Complimentary upgrade to Junior Suite" on it.

Will it really work next time I check in or did he just want me out of his hotel? :)


If he has a stock of pre-printed cards them it's probably the latter! :rolleyes: