Originally Posted by
Goldorak
Nothing new here. Look at the T&C of the program.
In fairness, what may indeed be new is strict(-er) enforcement of the T&C.
In recent years there have been several reports of the LHR T5 Sofitel extending status benefits to guests who have booked through third party sites (as well as a few posts complaining that benefits were
not given).
If the owner of the London airport Sofitels really has instructed staff to be stricter on this, that's worth reporting here.