American Express Membership Rewards - UK Amex Platinum - Sofitel Privilege is now A|Club - any benefits?

Now that Sofitel Privilege no longer exists does anyone know if there will be any Platinum benefits in the new Accor A|Club?

Don't know the answer, but was about to post exactly the same question :) Let me know if you find it out.

As an aside, I think Amex is slightly confused when it comes to their loyalty programs - I signed up in July and still haven't received anything from them other the stuff I chased up on the phone three times. First they said it would take 4 weeks, then 6, then 8, and that I would have to be patient. Funnily, their website mentions 4 weeks, and of course still lists Sofitel as well, and it doesn't mention that the Hilton membership is one year only either.

So I've given up on most of the stuff I don't need, but Hertz and Starwood is pretty nice...

It seems not. I've signed up for AClub at Platinum level and, despite being top tier, benefits seem negligible except for the 4pm guaranteed check-out. However, you never know when a 4pm check-out will come in handy so I won't chop the card!

Was that through Amex, or just "regular" membership?

I have Sofitel Gold through Centurion. I got an email that I'm not an A|Club Platinum. I was worried that they might make me an A|Club Gold.

Was that through Amex, or just "regular" membership?

Through Amex.

How did you do that?

Years ago, without asking, I was sent a Sofitel Privilege card with a covering letter saying this was because I was an Amex Plat holder. This was at the highest level (Gold?). The card was renewed each year even though I never used it, and I have now been offered A Club Platinum as its replacement.

I think Sofitel only offered Silver status to new holders of the Amex Plat card in the UK, so I don't know why existing members were given Gold or why I have been allowed to retain it. They sent me a new card in the mail every year so they were incurring costs even though I never spent a penny with them!

There is a thread in the "Other hotel programs" forum concerning the new A|Club : http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=839813

I know, but I haven't seen anything in that thread that covered what would now happen to the "Sofitel" membership Amex UK is still advertising on their website.

I know, but I haven't seen anything in that thread that covered what would now happen to the "Sofitel" membership Amex UK is still advertising on their website.

I got my Sofitel Privilege Gold card as Centurion cardholder.
A few days ago, I received post from Sofitel inviting me to join the A|Club online at Platinum level (see other thread).

The A|Club started this month only, I suppose Amex didn't update the information yet.

I too got an invitation (and I'm not Cent, apparently I got it through the Sofitel program) and it invited me to join AClub as Platinum. So I enrolled, followed all the procedures, and it automatically gave me --- flourish! -- "Classic," the lowest, totally non-status level.

I emailed them back questioning this, we'll see if it changes.

I too got an invitation (and I'm not Cent, apparently I got it through the Sofitel program) and it invited me to join AClub as Platinum. So I enrolled, followed all the procedures, and it automatically gave me --- flourish! -- "Classic," the lowest, totally non-status level.

I emailed them back questioning this, we'll see if it changes.

Somebody asked by mail (see "Other hotel programs" thread) and the answer was :
<< Your A|Club status would be upgraded manually to 'Platinum Status' within 20 working days once you received the letter. >> :rolleyes:

I don't know on which planet marketing people at Accor live :confused:. Making existing and new customers angry or confused is a good idea when starting a new program.

I too got an invitation (and I'm not Cent, apparently I got it through the Sofitel program) and it invited me to join AClub as Platinum. So I enrolled, followed all the procedures, and it automatically gave me --- flourish! -- "Classic," the lowest, totally non-status level.

I emailed them back questioning this, we'll see if it changes.Worse, I tried to make a reservation using the A/Club number and got the message that my A/Club number doesn't exist!

I tried again using the Privilege Gold number, and bingo. :D

I'm just glad that I don't have any stays coming up with them in the near future. Tried enrolling in July, never heard anything from Amex (probably because the program was winding down), and I'm not signed up at all now. Can't enroll with the new program either, as Amex haven't updated their documentation yet.

Anyway, I'll give them time to sort out that mess over the coming months and then I'll try again to sign up, this time straight into A|Club - by then we'll hopefully know whether Amex continues the perks with that program.

by then we'll hopefully know whether Amex continues the perks with that program.

I think to call the benefits of AClub 'perks' would be stretching the dictionary definition of the word a bit far! The only reason I would stay there, even as Plat, is the 4pm guaranteed check-out - assuming I had a late flight back.

I think to call the benefits of AClub 'perks' would be stretching the dictionary definition of the word a bit far! The only reason I would stay there, even as Plat, is the 4pm guaranteed check-out - assuming I had a late flight back.

You can also get the 4pm check-out benefit by other means, for example Platinum (and I think Gold) Flying Blue members get this benefit. Maybe other airlines too now that they seem to be expanding their partnerships with other airlines.

To be honest, I haven't really looked into what A|Club would give you - I don't even know what tier Amex would get you into (probably the lowest). I also don't know what you had with Sofitel, as I was never able to sign up with them... So until Amex somehow announces something, I'm not really that interested anyway.

I'd much rather have them announce a different partnership with ICH, like they apparently already have in Australia.

From e-mail just received - in dreadful pale grey - why? :mad: don't they want us to read their messages?:

... your A|Club card will be sent out before the end of October ...

From now on, you may use the A|Club Classic membership number you were automatically assigned upon enrollment, to make your reservations and to benefit from all the advantages related to your card.

If you have asked for the replacement of your Sofitel Privilege, Accor Favorite Guest or Accor Mouvango card, your points will be transferred to your new A|Club account in October.
The A|Club card corresponding to your new status will be send to you by the end of October.

The Sofitel Privilege members will be granted the exclusive status they are entitled to.

I had an Sofitel Privilege card because of the AMEX Paltinum benefits. After moving to A|Club I now have a A|Club Platinum level.

I had an Sofitel Privilege card because of the AMEX Paltinum benefits. After moving to A|Club I now have a A|Club Platinum level.

I'm holding a AMEX Plat but had the Sofitel Card before the Amex, now I got AClub Gold, because of what? Never stayed with them?! I've stayd a view timeswith Mercure and it was always sad that I couldn't get something out of my stays. That will change now but it would nice to get the Platinum one. (fits with my Amex:D)

How can I get the match to Platinum? Call them and tell them that I have a AMEX Plat or what??

Markus

How can I get the match to Platinum? Call them and tell them that I have a AMEX Plat or what??


I only asked for transfer from the old Sofitel account on their website. But I opened my Sofitel account with the AMEX CS.

My A CLUB platinum (plastic) card dropped though the letterbox this morning, valid to 11/2009.

The wrapper says that is valid for one year, presumably counting from 11/08 :p. I wonder if my AmEx status will renew it automatically.

No mention of A|Club on the Amex Plat website...

Participating Partners :
Hilton HHonors®
Starwood Preferred Guest
goldpoints plus™ from Radisson SAS

No mention of A|Club on the Amex Plat website...Interesting. I got mine from AmEx - OK, it was Sofitel Gold which was replaced by A|Club. I haven't used it yet.

Answer from Amex UK on that one:
Thank you for your e-mail. Regarding your friend receiving an Aclub card we can only assume that Sofitel have honoured any applications that were in the process of being issued when they decided to withdrawn the benefit to Platinum Card holders. The membership is now closed and will not be reopened. American Express are looking into enhanced benefits and will of course update you accordingly
I hope this clarifies the situation

Although she didn't quite understand what I meant (as in - existing members receiving an A|Club card, not members that were still being processed), I guess that means that Amex had nothing to do with it, and Accor did that on their own.

I also think it might mean that it won't be renewed until the criteria are met, and that I won't be getting one because I wasn't a member already at the time of the switchover.

Not a huge loss, but still annoying.

I never got my card, although I replied to the e-mail and, later, got the e-mail saying it was on its way but would be delayed. However, if Roger just got his then perhaps mine will still arrive. Not that I will stay in a Sofitel anyway!