I recently discovered that IBIS budget stays don't earn points or qualify for promos. If I had read the FT threads more carefully and deeply, I'd have known that. But they seem to want to hide that fact from you during the booking process (or did I miss it?). Other places they seem to imply that all Accor hotels earn points. Part of the confusion, I think is that it has the name "IBIS" in it, is listed on the IBIS website, and regular IBIS do earn points. You have to go searching to find the list of excluded hotels/brands. People familiar with other chains (Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, SPG, Carlson, IHG, etc.) might not even think to look since those chains rarely (if ever?) exclude entire brands from earning points on paid stays.

Unfortunately, I discovered this just a few hours after making a non-refundable booking, and I couldn't get anyone to take pity and change it (I tried).

After staying in an IBIS budget, I then realized that they also don't give any elite benefits, like late check-out or welcome drink. I don't see that on the Accor/IBIS website, despite searching, though it might be there. It would be about the same as booking a Motel 6 from the Hyatt website.

On top of that, the one I stayed it is far more spartan than any brand from any of the top chains, or even a Motel - don't expect a phone, desk, Kleenex, alarm clock, hand towels, or any ice. This isn't a shocker since IBIS already is pretty basic budget, and then they add the name "budget".

They can be cheap, so I cant blame anyone for booking them to save money. But I personally will just ignore them in the future.