Just thought I'd report here on my experience today at the Langham Hotel in Auckland.

I joined the 1865 programme last week as a Voyager member (top tier without getting some kind of special invite), by virtue of being a BAEC Gold member.

The Langham Auckland has three very similar room categories:

Superior (floors 1-4)
Deluxe (floors 5-8)
Executive (floors 9-10 and club lounge access)

All the rooms seem to be the same, aside from the floor level and club lounge access which comes with the executive room.

I stayed in a deluxe room last week and made a new booking for today in a deluxe room. I was hoping that I may receive an upgrade and receive an executive room with club lounge access.

The first stay I didn't get lucky (no executive room availabilty at checkin). It was a busy weekend, fine.

The next stay for one night on a Sunday did have availability. At checkin I asked for the upgrade. I was told this benefit didn't exist. After the checkin person got the brochure out to show me the benefit didn't exist and I pointed out the line which specifically shows it - then after speaking to the duty manager I was eventually given the executive room. But, I was told that I wouldn't have club lounge access - seemingly the only benefit of the executive room.

Rather disappointing. There's no mention anywhere on the website or in 1865 Ts and Cs that you'll be stripped of the benefits of any room you may get ugpraded to. And there doesn't seem to be any way to book an 'executive' room without club lounge access. So, they have a special room type with no benefits that they only offer to their most valued loyal customers.

I suspect people may book the deluxe room in the hope of receiving an upgrade to executive room. So - don't! It's a waste of money and my experience suggests you probably won't even get the slightly higher floor room without a fight.

After complaining, they have said they will ask 1865 to include in their programme details that the room benefits will be taken away if you receive an upgrade because they understand it's confusing at the moment! I also have club lounge access for today, after later complaining and requesting it to come with my room - it certainly wasn't proactively offered.

In conclusion, I'm not exactly enamoured with this programme in my brief experience this week. I struggle to see what benefits are really earned from staying here regularly.

Otherwise - the hotel is a perfectly pleasant place to stay!