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Global Hotel Alliance unveils loyalty program

Old Feb 28, 2019, 5:53 pm
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Global Hotel Alliance unveils loyalty program

Old Jan 30, 2011, 5:06 am
  #16  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CPH (Swedish side)
Programs: PC Platinum, Club Carlson Gold, GHA Black, A-Club Platinum, Hilton Silver, SPG Gold, Rica Gold, EBB
Posts: 194
Has anyone had a stay using their status to try out the local experiences yet?

Would be very interesting to hear.
micke100 is offline  
Old Mar 23, 2011, 1:09 pm
  #17  
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Frankfurt
Programs: LH SEN , UA 1K, SPG Platinum, HH Diamond, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Silver, GHA Black
Posts: 429
To receive the benefits do I have to book at GHA website or at one of the Hotel websites? Do I receive the benefits if book on a third party platform like expedia?

Thanks
UA 100K is offline  
Old Apr 20, 2011, 8:56 am
  #18  
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Frankfurt
Programs: LH SEN , UA 1K, SPG Platinum, HH Diamond, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Silver, GHA Black
Posts: 429
Local Experience

I tried to book my local experience today at the Kempinski Soma Bay. They wanted another 920 extra!!!!!! what a joke.
UA 100K is offline  
Old Apr 20, 2011, 12:34 pm
  #19  
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 32
Clarification please

Originally Posted by UA 100K
I tried to book my local experience today at the Kempinski Soma Bay. They wanted another €920 extra!!!!!! what a joke.
Greetings FF's,

UA 100K, I mean no disrespect, but HONESTLY, does a local experience (any level) costs THAT much (close to USD 1,500). I think it is ONLY fair that you elaborate and clarify your post by giving the details. On first reading, your staement looks VERY questionable & incredulous. BTW, I don't really think the GHA is an attractive program, other than the EARLY check-In and LATE Check-out time allowances and possible room Updgrades.

I hope you will take time to post fuller details.

Cheers
AirCrew is offline  
Old Apr 20, 2011, 2:21 pm
  #20  
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Frankfurt
Programs: LH SEN , UA 1K, SPG Platinum, HH Diamond, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Silver, GHA Black
Posts: 429
Originally Posted by AirCrew
Greetings FF's,

UA 100K, I mean no disrespect, but HONESTLY, does a local experience (any level) costs THAT much (close to USD 1,500). I think it is ONLY fair that you elaborate and clarify your post by giving the details. On first reading, your staement looks VERY questionable & incredulous. BTW, I don't really think the GHA is an attractive program, other than the EARLY check-In and LATE Check-out time allowances and possible room Updgrades.

I hope you will take time to post fuller details.

Cheers
This is the only black local experience offered by the hotel:

Level: Black
Hotel Information: Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay
Hurghada, Egypt
Cost to Member: 920 EUR

Description:
We would like to make your stay amazing with a unique and unforgettable hot air balloon adventure, drifting peacefully over the west Bank of Luxor, where you can see most of the monuments of Thebes. Get your cameras ready and enjoy the unique opportunity to view the magnificent panorama of Luxor town from a unique angle. For an unbeatable view of Luxor and the Nile River, take a flight in a Hot Air Balloon over the West Bank. Enjoy the sites of the West Bank from the air, away from the daytime crowds.

Terms and Conditions
After booking a Local Experience, you will receive a redemption voucher electronically. When redeeming your Local Experience, please provide your redemption voucher or voucher number during check-in at the hotel front desk. This Local Experience is valid from 06/14/2010 to 06/16/2011 inclusive and must be booked in conjunction with a reservation at the associated hotel. This Local Experience must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance. This Local Experience is for 2 persons only. Access to this Local Experience may be subject to availability and last-minute changes. The transport required to redeem this Local Experience will be arranged by the hotel. You would need to leave the hotel at around 00:05 am. As the roads to Luxor are officially closed during the night a police convoy will escort you. There may be associated costs at the guest's charge when redeeming this Local Experience (e.g. transport, event tickets, admission fees).
UA 100K is offline  
Old Apr 21, 2011, 12:31 pm
  #21  
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 32
Apology to UA 100K

Please see below edited reply.

Last edited by AirCrew; Apr 21, 2011 at 12:38 pm
AirCrew is offline  
Old Apr 21, 2011, 12:36 pm
  #22  
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 32
Apology to UA 100K

Dear UA 100K,

Firstly, Thank You for replying and giving in-depth details.

Secondly, please accept my personal APOLOGY for doubting your post. You are infact, ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

Today, I spoke with GHA (via USA 800 number) and they confirmed that there may well be extra (I would say, excessive) charges due to extra Security, required Police escorts etc. etc, above what the hotel pay for this exclusive tour. If indeed this is a valid and justified cost, taking this "High Security risk" trip, is both dangerous and unwise. You are obvioulsy well travelled, and I assume, well versed with global tourist/business threats. Several Red flags pop-up regards this trip. That does not mitigate this programs (GHA) Smoke and Mirror rewards (some are now proven to be worthless and, actually, cost the beneficiary huge amounts of money. I think it is possibly the worst in the industry. I know most (although, not all) of our travelling executives dislike it.

Again UA 100K, I'm sorry I found your original post incredulous and you are well vindicated. I can imagine you must have been dissapointed as, at first read, the hot air ballon trip would have been highly memorable. However, who are the biggest predaters, the Croc's in the river (should there be an incident with the hot air ballon going into the Nile), or, the Sharks behind this rewards program?

All the best.







Originally Posted by UA 100K
This is the only black local experience offered by the hotel:

Level: Black
Hotel Information: Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay
Hurghada, Egypt
Cost to Member: 920 EUR

As the roads to Luxor are officially closed during the night a police convoy will escort you. There may be associated costs at the guest's charge when redeeming this Local Experience (e.g. transport, event tickets, admission fees).
AirCrew is offline  
Old Apr 26, 2011, 1:24 pm
  #23  
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Frankfurt
Programs: LH SEN , UA 1K, SPG Platinum, HH Diamond, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Silver, GHA Black
Posts: 429
Originally Posted by AirCrew
Dear UA 100K,

Firstly, Thank You for replying and giving in-depth details.

Secondly, please accept my personal APOLOGY for doubting your post. You are infact, ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

Today, I spoke with GHA (via USA 800 number) and they confirmed that there may well be extra (I would say, excessive) charges due to extra Security, required Police escorts etc. etc, above what the hotel pay for this exclusive tour. If indeed this is a valid and justified cost, taking this "High Security risk" trip, is both dangerous and unwise. You are obvioulsy well travelled, and I assume, well versed with global tourist/business threats. Several Red flags pop-up regards this trip. That does not mitigate this programs (GHA) Smoke and Mirror rewards (some are now proven to be worthless and, actually, cost the beneficiary huge amounts of money. I think it is possibly the worst in the industry. I know most (although, not all) of our travelling executives dislike it.

Again UA 100K, I'm sorry I found your original post incredulous and you are well vindicated. I can imagine you must have been dissapointed as, at first read, the hot air ballon trip would have been highly memorable. However, who are the biggest predaters, the Croc's in the river (should there be an incident with the hot air ballon going into the Nile), or, the Sharks behind this rewards program?

All the best.
no problem. Not really happy so far about the program. will see if i get a double upgrade to the Laguna Rooms (with Lounge Access).

It looks that I wont renew my Black Status with them this year and will focus on Starwood, Hyatt and Shangri-La. Overall their programs are much better
UA 100K is offline  
Old May 13, 2011, 8:04 am
  #24  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: Migros Cumulus Platinum Hero
Posts: 1,628
GHA Blac Level @ Anantara hotels

Greetings from the Anantara Hua Hin. Black level benefits here:
  • Free pick-up from the Hyatt Hua Hin
  • Access to the lagoon pool and free drinks from 4 PM - 5 PM (after asking several times)
  • 2 categories upgrade
That's all, no more.

Free Internet in the room was refused. Get only Internet access in the lobby area/library (which probably everyone gets)

The local amenity was two pieces of soap and some fruits in my room.

A local black level experience does not exist in this hotel (neither do the Anamara hotels in Bangkok offer such an experience). On the other side, the hotel offers three different gold level experiences.

The lowest room category was not bookable on the hotel's website. Obviously only bookable at the travel agent's websites. What I booked on Orbitz was obviously the cheapest rate (i.e. a standard room), got upgrade only to superior sea view, not to a lagoon room.

The value of the black level is questionable to me. The benefits in the Hyatt as a diamond member seem to be higher than here.

To summarize: I am - one more - not too much impressed about the GHA black level.

Last edited by Zurich Flyer; May 13, 2011 at 8:17 am
Zurich Flyer is offline  
Old May 17, 2011, 6:09 am
  #25  
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 3
I was previously a SPG member but the benefits of the member tiers were less attractive than GHA. At least I get free internet at the basic GHA level. As points are relatively unimportant to me, the range of benefits are much more important.

Not to mention I can achieve Platinum (Tier 2) on GHA with half the stay (10 nights) compared to SPG Gold (Tier 2) (25 nights). GHA Black (Tier 3) can be achieved with 30 nights, 5 nights more than SPG Gold.

So far all the benefits mentioned at each Tier has been honoured in all GHA hotels I have been staying in. While the Local Experience offered by GHA is interesting, to me it's just icing on the cake. Personally prefer the benefits such as free internet, free room upgrade, early check in and late checkout.

As I am not a frequent traveller, SPG requires too many nights for me to achieve any tangible Tier upgrade compared to GHA.

I've booked rooms through their respective hotel websites, not through GHA, and all the nights have been fully accounted for, even those that were under special promotions (Stay 4 nights pay 3. Got 4 nights.)
Bakagomi is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2011, 2:55 am
  #26  
mxr
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: HKG, TXL
Programs: CX DM
Posts: 566
Hey, has anyone else experienced difficulties with crediting nights on the GHA? I've just recently checked after having spent three more nights in a panpacific (booked over Panpacifics Website) and the nights do not show on the GHA member website.
While I was checking (for the first time since I registered to the program) I noticed that my previous nights this year in both marco polo hotels and pan pacific hotels have not credited at all.
Sent an email to GHA a few days ago already, no answer whatsoever yet!!!

What also seems to be funny: booking any GHA member hotel over the GHA website seems to be always a lot more expensive than on the actual hotels website!
mxr is offline  
Old Aug 30, 2011, 5:26 pm
  #27  
 
Join Date: May 1998
Location: australia
Posts: 5,753
I was sent a Black card last week - I had a 3 day stay at the Parkroyal Sydney over New Year and that is my only history with GHA. There doesn't seem to be any way to register this card on the website -it allows you to apply for new membership but not sign on using an existing card as far as I can tell.
3544quebec is offline  
Old Sep 26, 2011, 8:59 pm
  #28  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PHL, NYC, DC
Posts: 9,707
Been OMNI now GHA black for 2 years and I get nothing, no cards, half the time I need to chase for the points and black level amenity.
global happy traveller is offline  
Old Sep 28, 2011, 12:20 pm
  #29  
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Heading to Costco for more popcorn...
Programs: UA 1K 2MM Flier, SPG Plt, Hilton Dia
Posts: 8,461
Originally Posted by global_happy_traveller
Been OMNI now GHA black for 2 years and I get nothing, no cards, half the time I need to chase for the points and black level amenity.
Except for it usually taking a few extra days for my stay credits to post, I've had the opposite experience (also Black tier). To be fair, the only GGA properties I've been staying with YTD are Omni. So far I've always received an upgrade and always receive my welcome amenity; one property recently called me in advance to inquire what I'd like for my amenity. When they went through a couple of systems conversions earlier this year I was having some problems with stays getting counted/posted and the system switching me randomly between airline points & free night credits, but my Loyalty Ambassador was able to get that resolved for me. I reach out to her whenever I need anything, whether it's at her property or elsewhere.
cawhite is offline  
Old Oct 4, 2011, 11:30 pm
  #30  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold>>>Silver>>>Blue, Finnair Silver, Royal Caribbean Diamond
Posts: 5,126
Is lounge access one of the benefits they give (do they even have lounges at their hotels?)?
aster is offline  

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