IHG Communication: "Member booking update."
Nov 19, 2016, 3:01 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: UA*G(1K), PC Diamond Amb, Marriott Titanium, Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,671
IHG Communication: "Member booking update."
Just got this from IHG:
What are they talking about? I thought you already had to book directly through them in order to take advantage of any benefits "that come with an IHG® Rewards Club membership." Why? Because they changed that a couple of years back.
Did I miss something?
HTB.
We’ve made a change. Effective 1 January 2017, members must book directly through IHG® (IHG.com, IHG® App, IHG® brand sites, corporate travel sites, Central Reservations, or Hotel direct) and not through other travel booking sites in order to take full advantage of the benefits that come with an IHG® Rewards Club membership. Why? We want to give you the best travel experience—from start to finish—every time. And we can only do that when you book with us directly.
Did I miss something?
HTB.
Nov 19, 2016, 3:10 am
#3
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
quote email
Dear SCUBACCR,
We’ve made a change. Effective 1 January 2017, members must book directly through IHG® (IHG.com, IHG® App, IHG® brand sites, corporate travel sites, Central Reservations, or Hotel direct) and not through other travel booking sites in order to take full advantage of the benefits that come with an IHG® Rewards Club membership. Why? We want to give you the best travel experience—from start to finish—every time. And we can only do that when you book with us directly.
Take a look at what you can get through booking directly with IHG®:
• Your Rate* – a special rate that’s just for members
• Points that you can earn, track and redeem for rewarding experiences
• Personalised rewards and offers to help you make the most of every stay
• Reward Nights with no blackout dates
• Complimentary upgrades are always a nice surprise
Check out the full list of benefits that you’re guaranteed when you book directly with us.
IHG Corporate don't earn the commisson from hotels when rooms are booked through other non-direct avenues. This is all about directing bookings of @Rewards members so IHG corporate get more commssion and income
Email text statement includes "members must book directly through IHG® "
To me that means Directly, and
a)Not an OTA
b)Not via Arline inclusive Holiday/Hotel Room package (eg BA)
c)Not through a CASHBACK website that routes back through IHG sites <== That is a change from what is the case today
Dear SCUBACCR,
We’ve made a change. Effective 1 January 2017, members must book directly through IHG® (IHG.com, IHG® App, IHG® brand sites, corporate travel sites, Central Reservations, or Hotel direct) and not through other travel booking sites in order to take full advantage of the benefits that come with an IHG® Rewards Club membership. Why? We want to give you the best travel experience—from start to finish—every time. And we can only do that when you book with us directly.
Take a look at what you can get through booking directly with IHG®:
• Your Rate* – a special rate that’s just for members
• Points that you can earn, track and redeem for rewarding experiences
• Personalised rewards and offers to help you make the most of every stay
• Reward Nights with no blackout dates
• Complimentary upgrades are always a nice surprise
Check out the full list of benefits that you’re guaranteed when you book directly with us.
IHG Corporate don't earn the commisson from hotels when rooms are booked through other non-direct avenues. This is all about directing bookings of @Rewards members so IHG corporate get more commssion and income
Email text statement includes "members must book directly through IHG® "
To me that means Directly, and
a)Not an OTA
b)Not via Arline inclusive Holiday/Hotel Room package (eg BA)
c)Not through a CASHBACK website that routes back through IHG sites <== That is a change from what is the case today
Nov 19, 2016, 3:20 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Oslo
Programs: SAS EBG, IHG Spire Amb, CCG
Posts: 591
quote email
Dear SCUBACCR,
We’ve made a change. Effective 1 January 2017, members must book directly through IHG® (IHG.com, IHG® App, IHG® brand sites, corporate travel sites, Central Reservations, or Hotel direct) and not through other travel booking sites in order to take full advantage of the benefits that come with an IHG® Rewards Club membership. Why? We want to give you the best travel experience—from start to finish—every time. And we can only do that when you book with us directly.
Take a look at what you can get through booking directly with IHG®:
• Your Rate* – a special rate that’s just for members
• Points that you can earn, track and redeem for rewarding experiences
• Personalised rewards and offers to help you make the most of every stay
• Reward Nights with no blackout dates
• Complimentary upgrades are always a nice surprise
Check out the full list of benefits that you’re guaranteed when you book directly with us.
IHG Corporate don't earn the commisson from hotels when rooms are booked through other non-direct avenues. This is all about directing bookings of @Rewards members so IHG corporate get more commssion and income
Email text statement includes "members must book directly through IHG® "
To me that means Directly, and
a)Not an OTA
b)Not via Arline inclusive Holiday/Hotel Room package (eg BA)
c)Not through a CASHBACK website that routes back through IHG sites <== That is a change from what is the case today
Dear SCUBACCR,
We’ve made a change. Effective 1 January 2017, members must book directly through IHG® (IHG.com, IHG® App, IHG® brand sites, corporate travel sites, Central Reservations, or Hotel direct) and not through other travel booking sites in order to take full advantage of the benefits that come with an IHG® Rewards Club membership. Why? We want to give you the best travel experience—from start to finish—every time. And we can only do that when you book with us directly.
Take a look at what you can get through booking directly with IHG®:
• Your Rate* – a special rate that’s just for members
• Points that you can earn, track and redeem for rewarding experiences
• Personalised rewards and offers to help you make the most of every stay
• Reward Nights with no blackout dates
• Complimentary upgrades are always a nice surprise
Check out the full list of benefits that you’re guaranteed when you book directly with us.
IHG Corporate don't earn the commisson from hotels when rooms are booked through other non-direct avenues. This is all about directing bookings of @Rewards members so IHG corporate get more commssion and income
Email text statement includes "members must book directly through IHG® "
To me that means Directly, and
a)Not an OTA
b)Not via Arline inclusive Holiday/Hotel Room package (eg BA)
c)Not through a CASHBACK website that routes back through IHG sites <== That is a change from what is the case today
I don't read it as disqualifying cash back, but it looks like FHR and Virtuoso no longer gives IHG benefits.
Nov 19, 2016, 3:54 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Cologne
Programs: FB Plat, IHG RA Spire, TK Elite+, HH Diamond, LH SEN, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 972
Nov 19, 2016, 4:03 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Isle of Anglesey
Programs: DL Silver, NZ, VS, HH, IHG Gold, Marriott, Hertz 5*
Posts: 217
So far, Your Rate is better than anything I've found on other websites.
I wonder if that is going to change. We can get a better rate elsewhere, but won't get some of the goodies that come with Elite status.
I wonder if that is going to change. We can get a better rate elsewhere, but won't get some of the goodies that come with Elite status.
Nov 19, 2016, 4:05 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Ottawa
Programs: IC/AMB - Diamond Elite, AC E50K, AA, AM-Onyx, HH-Diamond, BW, Choice - Gold
Posts: 1,736
Do Cashback sites and travel loyalty programs such as AirMiles, etc, that give travel loyalty points for booking through their portal, not insert an IATA number in the reservation to claim their commissions?
I recall seeing this when booking through Ebates and AirMiles in the past.
If so, IHG will be able to distinguish whether it came through a third party site.
I have not yet received this email, but, it does not bode well for many.
Since Ambassador and RA are also part of the IHG Rewards program (per the T&Cs), this might preclude getting upgrades, benefits, IHG Rewards points, qualifying nights for status and promotions and/or welcome amenities, if booked through a third party.
mxm135
I recall seeing this when booking through Ebates and AirMiles in the past.
If so, IHG will be able to distinguish whether it came through a third party site.
I have not yet received this email, but, it does not bode well for many.
Since Ambassador and RA are also part of the IHG Rewards program (per the T&Cs), this might preclude getting upgrades, benefits, IHG Rewards points, qualifying nights for status and promotions and/or welcome amenities, if booked through a third party.
mxm135
Nov 19, 2016, 5:29 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 1,386
I wonder if that also means bookings through regular travel agents, or through other avenues like Citi Prestige card (4th night free) also cease to receive club benefits and points?
Nov 19, 2016, 7:04 am
#11
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
Although in any case corporate rates are usually coded/flagged as "non-commissionable" so OTA get nothing anyway, although IHG Corporate still counted as non-qual if booked via OTA as against IHG.COM etc or an authorised corporate agent
Quote...
"We’ve made a change. Effective 1 January 2017, members must book directly through IHG® (IHG.com, IHG® App, IHG® brand sites, corporate travel sites, Central Reservations, or Hotel direct) "
Nov 19, 2016, 7:33 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Nov 19, 2016, 7:35 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA, U2+, SK, AF/KL, IHG, Hilton, others gathering dust...
Posts: 2,552
I would think this is aimed at trying to cut the share of business they get through booking.com and Expedia, but there will be collateral damage for those booking via some other third party routes.
Not entirely unexpected, but a disappointment nonetheless to lose this. I've found it quite useful to still get Amabssador benefits whether I book direct or not (and I do both, depending on the situation, which is not always price-related).
Not entirely unexpected, but a disappointment nonetheless to lose this. I've found it quite useful to still get Amabssador benefits whether I book direct or not (and I do both, depending on the situation, which is not always price-related).
Nov 19, 2016, 7:38 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Princeton, NJ; Lviv Ukraine
Programs: UA 3.6MM, AF/KL Lifetime Plat, BA Gold, AA 1MM, IC Spire RA, Kimpton IC, Marriott Plat, et alia
Posts: 2,732
If you can get a better rate elsewhere, can't you use the "best price guarantee" on ihg.com ... first night is free if you find a lower rate elsewhere? Or is there something disqualifying about the source of your better rates ... like Priceline, etc., which have already not been giving IHG benefits or points (though sometimes you get them, YMMV).