Contemplating Taj Innercircle Membership...
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 1
Contemplating Taj Innercircle Membership...
Hi all,
I am new to this forum and wish to ask a couple of questions regarding Taj Innercircle Program??
I won't beat around the bush and come straight to the point, is it worth it?? Is it really any use??
Have been to two Tajs so far, Goa and Kochi (both in India) and the experience has been splendid. So was thinking of this Innercircle the manager spoke to me about this time...
Please chip in your two pens..
I am new to this forum and wish to ask a couple of questions regarding Taj Innercircle Program??
I won't beat around the bush and come straight to the point, is it worth it?? Is it really any use??
Have been to two Tajs so far, Goa and Kochi (both in India) and the experience has been splendid. So was thinking of this Innercircle the manager spoke to me about this time...
Please chip in your two pens..
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: SoFla (formerly NYC Metro)
Programs: DL PM, UA Prem1K, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 25,694
You may find information on this thread informative. I found it to be pretty accurate. I will say that, while I have had to follow up on getting stays/points credited, only once did I have to follow up a second time--usually they respond w/in 24 hours. Perhaps this is progress?
Status....isn't really. Sometimes the fruit and flowers appears, sometimes it doesn't. Mostly it doesn't. Most of the other bennies aren't really applicable to me.
The hotels are pleasant and the staff have been exceedingly friendly and attentive. So someday, they may get their act together on the IC program, and maybe, by then, I will find myself with a lot of points.
O/H
#3
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Up in the air
Programs: SPG Plat, HH Diamond, Marriott Silver, Taj IC Silver, *Gold, OW Ruby, 9W Gold, IT Gold
Posts: 110
Hi all,
I am new to this forum and wish to ask a couple of questions regarding Taj Innercircle Program??
I won't beat around the bush and come straight to the point, is it worth it?? Is it really any use??
Have been to two Tajs so far, Goa and Kochi (both in India) and the experience has been splendid. So was thinking of this Innercircle the manager spoke to me about this time...
Please chip in your two pens..
I am new to this forum and wish to ask a couple of questions regarding Taj Innercircle Program??
I won't beat around the bush and come straight to the point, is it worth it?? Is it really any use??
Have been to two Tajs so far, Goa and Kochi (both in India) and the experience has been splendid. So was thinking of this Innercircle the manager spoke to me about this time...
Please chip in your two pens..
Would not bother with it, if you have ANY other options at all (miles with M&M etc.). To be clear, absolutely no problem with Taj. They have the most splendid service, fantastic food and all that - they just don't care about their loyalty program. Will stay with them in a heartbeat but have absolutely no expectations from the Innercircle program.
#4
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: DCA/IAD/SFO/SJC/JFK/NRT/LHR/BOS/etc
Programs: AA (EXP, 3 MM), Hyatt Globalist, Taj InnerCircle Silver, MLife Noir, former LHW-Aurelian
Posts: 362
I'm IC Gold merely from stays in the London and US (NY, SF, BOS) Taj Hotels-- haven't even experienced those in India yet. Love the properties, and agree that crediting of points is hit or miss to happen automatically (although has been much better of late, and my emails have always been quickly and graciously responded to). Have yet to redeem any points but it's fun to accumulate them, of course (that's the FT way...)
Alternatively, you might want to look at LWH (Leading Hotels of the World). Many Taj hotels are part of that 'alliance', and the benefits gained from LHW are likely better than those even from IC status.
Just my two cents, of course.
Alternatively, you might want to look at LWH (Leading Hotels of the World). Many Taj hotels are part of that 'alliance', and the benefits gained from LHW are likely better than those even from IC status.
Just my two cents, of course.
#5
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SYD
Programs: UA, QF, Marriott (Titanium)
Posts: 134
I think Inner Circle makes sense if coupled with Epicure Plus membership ... Being Delhi based, and when on corporate travel ... it is great to get 25% of in room dining spend credited back to your Epicure Plus account ... cause that is actualy money!
As regard to IC ... mostly agree with above ... Although, I have redeemed points for stays @ Hari Mahal in Jodhpur and Gateway Rawalkot in Jaisalmer!
As regard to IC ... mostly agree with above ... Although, I have redeemed points for stays @ Hari Mahal in Jodhpur and Gateway Rawalkot in Jaisalmer!
#6
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: Starwood, AA
Posts: 821
i have points that are about to expire in March 2013. what's the easiest way to keep the points alive if outside india? I'm in NY. Does F&B spend earn points if not staying at the hotel? I could have a lunch at the Pierre. Any other options? No immediate plans to go to India, but would hate to see the points go to waste.
#8
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 858
I'm not going to beat around the bush.... Taj Innercircle Membership is absolutely worthless. Points seldom post automatically, earn/burn ratio is horrible, getting absolutely nothing extra in your stay as a IC member....
It's an Indian membership... so temper your expectation....
It's an Indian membership... so temper your expectation....
#10
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 219
Taj hotels have offered super service and hospitality,on almost all the stays i have had with them.But i havent got involved with their loyalty programme,as i didnt find that good enough and have found rates much cheaper at OTA's then their own sites multiple times.
#12
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite, KQ Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Gold, Choice Gold
Posts: 675
Contemplating Taj Innercircle Membership...
Any suggestions on how to use 494 points? Had a few stays in India a few years ago and unlikely to go back soon, but want to use them before they expire.
#13
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Toronto
Programs: SPG Gold, HH Silver
Posts: 855
VERY disappointed with Taj Inner Circle "Redemption"
I have been blown away by the travesty that is the Taj Inner Circle membership program.
I tried redeeming "online" for some credit certificates and for a cash and points redemption, after earning a lot of points from a stay at Taj Exotica Maldives.
Firstly, they told me they can't send any credit certificates to anyone outside of India. Wow. They have to mail these things instead of giving an online credit? But MORE IMPORTANTLY, so non-Indian members might as well forget about this program since Taj can't even send them their rewards!
Secondly, despite wide open availability in September at the Taj Rambagh, they have told me that they can't fulfill my Points & Cash reward booking.
Thirdly, there has been about a dozen emails from them, including several that don't make any sense, and I am dealing with a new person at every juncture with a general email address.
They have surely shown me to not bother with this program whatsoever. What a shame.
I tried redeeming "online" for some credit certificates and for a cash and points redemption, after earning a lot of points from a stay at Taj Exotica Maldives.
Firstly, they told me they can't send any credit certificates to anyone outside of India. Wow. They have to mail these things instead of giving an online credit? But MORE IMPORTANTLY, so non-Indian members might as well forget about this program since Taj can't even send them their rewards!
Secondly, despite wide open availability in September at the Taj Rambagh, they have told me that they can't fulfill my Points & Cash reward booking.
Thirdly, there has been about a dozen emails from them, including several that don't make any sense, and I am dealing with a new person at every juncture with a general email address.
They have surely shown me to not bother with this program whatsoever. What a shame.