Other Hotel Programs - A-Club question

Hi

Has anyone ever been successful in claiming either a stay or points (or both) with A-club at Sofitel hotels when the booking has been made through a third party (eg Expedia, travel agent etc)?
I have an upcoming stay that I booked through a third party website (rate not substantially cheaper) and I am now slightly concerned that I won't even get a non-point earning stay credited to my a-club account.

Thanks
Flyr

All my stays (except one) have been booked through our Corp TA, and no issues so far.

Our corporate rates are normally cheaper than the cheapest available through the accor website too.

There are not very many A-Club threads, so I thought I would ask in the context of this one: I am A-Club Platinum and will be staying later this month at the Sofitel The Grand in Amsterdam. Will that hotel be a nice experience? Have any other gold or plats received upgrades there? Any pointers would be appreciated.

I stayed there a few years back. Very grand old building, lovely lobby. Some rooms have a nice canal view. The rooms were a bit granny traditional and slightly dated with floral wall paper but that may have changed. The hotel is very centrally located if a bit near the red light area. I didn't have status at the time so cant speak to upgrades.

I got a nice upgrade at the Grand back when I had a Sofitel Privilege card. So I would expect an even nicer upgrade with Platinum. It's a great hotel and I'm sure you will be happy.

In answer to my original question - I got this response from A-club today:

"Consequently, you cannot benefit from conditions related to your Card if your bookings and payments are made through a travel agency"

Not a particularly satisfactory answer A-Club!!!

Anyone had the same issue and managed to have it resolved in their favour?

Flyr

Anyone had the same issue and managed to have it resolved in their favour?

Flyr

Am just going to try and submit a 3rd party invoice to them for points credit.

In answer to my original question - I got this response from A-club today:

"Consequently, you cannot benefit from conditions related to your Card if your bookings and payments are made through a travel agency"
.....

Ah, the difference there to my situation is that my Corp TA books but I pay. That would explain a few things!

how's the upgrade experience for a-club gold/platinum members?

how's the upgrade experience for a-club gold/platinum members?

For me it's been good, but not everyone here is happy.

Any good or bad experiences at the Sofitel Gatwick as a Platinum member? I have booked a "superior" room at the hotel's "Smart Rate" (cancel until 3 days before). I am presuming that I will at least be upgraded to a "luxury" (club floor) room.

Any good or bad experiences at the Sofitel Gatwick as a Platinum member? I have booked a "superior" room at the hotel's "Smart Rate" (cancel until 3 days before). I am presuming that I will at least be upgraded to a "luxury" (club floor) room.

I saw another post that said they had a good experience there. Just make sure that the staff knows you are Platinum and kindly request an upgrade at check in.

A-Club Platinum upgrades are normally just one level upgrades and only upon request. Currently there are lots of complimentary Platinum members in the system (from the old Sofitel card) and Accor is not exactly generous when rewarding their Platinum members (those of us who actually earned the level and spent thousands on their rooms). The problem with especially Sofitel room categories is that the upgrade might make only a minuscule difference and room categories are called differently at almost every hotel. Totaly confusing! Just returned from 2 weeks at the Sofitel New York and the upgrade just involved a higher floor.

Don't get me wrong, nothing against the complimentary Platinum card for some members, but A-club has to offer more for their loyal customers. A much better system would be automatic 2 level upgrades at the time of booking for Platinum.

A-Club Platinum upgrades are normally just one level upgrades and only upon request.

Not true in my experience. The only time I get one-level upgrades are at hotels that don't really have suites available. Like the Sofitel LYS where I always get upgraded to an executive room, usually without asking.

Other Sofitels I often do get a 2 or 3 level upgrade. In any case, an executive room at a Sofitel is just what I want.