No more drink coupons at IC's? Or all of IHG?
Mar 20, 2015, 1:42 pm
#16
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Somewhere in Europe
Posts: 3,362
Mar 20, 2015, 6:35 pm
#18
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: AA LifeTime PLT (2.982 MM, But 3MM+ Total), HHonors GOLD, IHG AMB
Posts: 787
I always get a drink coupon at the IC Grand Stanford HKG (my favorite hotel in Hong Kong), but my favorite drink from that hotel was removed from the menu 7 years ago, the Strawberry Fizz. But I have the ingredients written on a note in my wallet, and the bartender has been more than happy to make it for me. Absolutely delicious!
Mar 20, 2015, 8:48 pm
#20
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: London
Posts: 3,439
Here now in Singapore - got the lion but no drinks voucher. I did get a drinks voucher at the Melbourne IC earlier in the week and also one at the HK IC a few weeks ago. Nothing at Sydney IC (did get one last time we were there) or Double Bay.
Mar 21, 2015, 3:44 am
#21
Join Date: May 2012
Location: UK
Programs: PC Platinum, CC Gold Elite, VS Red
Posts: 332
Mar 21, 2015, 7:46 am
#22
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,595
I have got consistently a choice between drink coupon or points (300/500, varies...) at CP, HI, HIX lately. Haven't stayed at IC.
Every time when I have had my wife, kids, or friend sharing my room, I have asked if the drink coupon is only for me (as Platinum) or also for the second person too: "Sir, only for you as IHG member" - something which is fully OK as a rule followed, but IME very bad customer service. It would cost them only a buck or two to offer a second drink, but it has a much bigger impact on customer experience as a nice gesture if offered
Every time when I have had my wife, kids, or friend sharing my room, I have asked if the drink coupon is only for me (as Platinum) or also for the second person too: "Sir, only for you as IHG member" - something which is fully OK as a rule followed, but IME very bad customer service. It would cost them only a buck or two to offer a second drink, but it has a much bigger impact on customer experience as a nice gesture if offered
Mar 21, 2015, 9:29 am
#23
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Belgium
Programs: Gold Star Alliance,IHG Spire Ambassador, Starwood, Hilton Honor Diamond, Silver Accor, Diamond Hyatt
Posts: 68
I've just come back from IC Dusseldorf. They do not offer any voucher for drinks or points..
In IC Berlin I got one free drink for minibar in November and in Octobre was for one drink in bar.
In IC Berlin I got one free drink for minibar in November and in Octobre was for one drink in bar.
Mar 22, 2015, 4:00 am
#24
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: UA*G(1K), PC Diamond Amb, Marriott Titanium, Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,670
In mainland China, in HIX, HI and CP I always get a drink voucher. Points are not offered. I don't remember if I got anything at an IC, but I don't think I did.
HTB.
HTB.
Mar 24, 2015, 12:45 am
#25
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Bangkok, Thailand. No longer Palm Coast, FL though still exiled, again, from the Bay Area.
Programs: Only the good ones
Posts: 5,153
I just did a three night stay at the HI Silom in Bangkok and since I didn't go for the lounge UPG option (900+ THB per night which was more than 50% of the base rate I paid per night,) they gave me three drink coupons (draft beer/wine or soft drinks only,) for the Hari's Bar. I never get drink coupons at an IC since I usually get lounge access, as an RA.
Mar 24, 2015, 1:17 am
#26
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Somewhere in Europe
Posts: 3,362
I've just had a post stay feedback questionnaire for a UK HIX stay and the question "Did you receive a welcome amenity of 300 points or a free drink and snack from the bar" is still included in the questionnaire. So it would appear that there has been no change here in the UK.
Mar 24, 2015, 10:21 am
#27
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 550
I just did a three night stay at the HI Silom in Bangkok and since I didn't go for the lounge UPG option (900+ THB per night which was more than 50% of the base rate I paid per night,) they gave me three drink coupons (draft beer/wine or soft drinks only,) for the Hari's Bar. I never get drink coupons at an IC since I usually get lounge access, as an RA.
Mar 24, 2015, 10:47 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
I saw the Club manager this morning who gave me the info in the OP. I challenged her on this and she swears that this IC no longer gives out drink coupons. They still give out the item that looks like a bookmark, however the text that mentions a free drink has been removed. So if anyone checks in now, take a close look at the "voucher" and see if it still says anything about a free drink.
And she said she expects the other IC's in Asia will soon end their free drink vouchers due to an IHG directive. This is all what I was told FWIW.
And she said she expects the other IC's in Asia will soon end their free drink vouchers due to an IHG directive. This is all what I was told FWIW.
Mar 26, 2015, 12:26 pm
#29
Join Date: May 2012
Location: UK
Programs: PC Platinum, CC Gold Elite, VS Red
Posts: 332
Sounds like the standardisation of HIX breakfasts, where hotels that provided a great breakfast had to stop doing so. Scrambled egg in plastic 24 inches by 8 inches.....mmmmmmm.
Mar 26, 2015, 2:04 pm
#30
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Amsterdam, Asia, UK
Programs: IHG RA (Spire), HH Diamond, MR Platinum, SQ Gold, KLM Gold, BAEC Gold
Posts: 5,072
Unless empirical evidence , ie lack of drinks slips in future at eg Bangkok, Manila and other caring Asia IC's occurs, I am not so sure this will benefit actually dissapear in Asia.