InterContinental Hotels: Priority Club & Inter-Continental Ambassador - Technical IC check-in question

Hey Folks,

First of all, thanks for the great resource that the IC board is. The people here are simply awesome!^

I had a quick technical question. Most other hotel chains seem to say on the final page that you need the credit card with which the reservation was booked, but I can't seem to find that when booking through ich.com. It mentions the T&C's, but I can't really find any.

My question is, what is really required to check in at an IC, both in the US and internationally? The credit card with which the reservation was purchased, I assume? What about a passport/photo ID?

Thanks

Welcome!

It's not an issue at all with IC's. If you have an advanced purchase, they might take the payment straight away from the credit card you used to book - but not always. The credit card is only used to guarantee the booking ie if you don't cancel or show up - they'll take the first night - or all of it for advanced purchase. Otherwise you show up and hand over any credit card you feel like.

Thanks very much! ^ Any info on technically needing a photo ID or not?:)

I book with one credit card and show up and change it to my primary mileage earning card when I check in. I just present my PC card at checkin and I'm asked what credit card I want to use. Never been asked for the original credit card.

My passport details are in my PC profile and I haven't been asked for them or any other photo ID for the last couple of years. Some hotels do maintain old info in their local systems and I've occasionally noticed my old passport number appearing on some checkin sheets.

They usually want to authorise a credit card at check-in to cover any outstanding nightly rate and "extras". They don't usually mind what credit card you give them as long as it authorises!

Occasionally I am asked for photo-id but it is far from the norm. It really depends on individual hotels - the IC chain as a whole doesn't appear to have a ruling on it.

I have often provided a different credit card at check-in than the one I originally made the reservation with, and have not encountered any problem; however, I almost always never stay on advanced-purchase rates.

As for ID/Passport requested at check-in, it seems that the majority of the time (probably > 80%), my passport is requested on international stays.

That is right as with all chains I frequent they do not care which cc I present.
Funnily enough I noticed today it was different with HIX FRA. On the res page it said explicitly that you had to pay with the same cc you garanteed with. Weird!

My experience is they always ask for a credit card at check-in. As Squirrel99uk has noted, any cc will do as long as it works.

As for picture ID, I am almost ALWAYS asked for picture ID. In fact I can't remember the last time I wasn't. With a name like choptliva, I don't expect otherwise....

Internationally, they seem to want to take photocopies of passports too. :(

Thanks for all the great responses! Seems like experiences are all over the place!:D

Here is a bit of a follow-up question: It seems like some of you are never asked for picture ID, while others are always asked. Let's say you are at an international property, have your CC and passport information in the profile, but don't bring ID. What will they do, since it is not explicitly stated in the rules (or so it seems to me)? Would prefer to wait to express why, but no worries, it is nothing deleterious.:D

Thanks again!

Actually I was under the impression (I may be totally wrong here) that in many jurisdictions it's required by law. But like sheep, I just did what they asked. Hmmmm, I wonder...

Here is a bit of a follow-up question: It seems like some of you are never asked for picture ID, while others are always asked. Let's say you are at an international property, have your CC and passport information in the profile, but don't bring ID. What will they do, since it is not explicitly stated in the rules (or so it seems to me)? Would prefer to wait to express why, but no worries, it is nothing deleterious.:D


Is your question in reality if somebody else can use your IC RA status and check into the hotel as you?

Is your question in reality if somebody else can use your IC RA status and check into the hotel as you?

Yes, I think the same as holtju2. They had to check, if you are the person, who had checked in. I know also the situation, that they want to see the credit card for the reservation. If this matches (name and number), often then they don´t need an ID from you.

Is your question in reality if somebody else can use your IC RA status and check into the hotel as you?

Surprisingly, no, this is not the situation. Thanks for all the feedback, though, and any other help would be appreciated!:p