Originally Posted by
BrightlyBob
As a plain ol’ Spire I’ve never yet received free lounge access at any IC I’ve stayed at but in my travels around the U.K. Crowne Plazas I’ve found lounge access has no real consistent rule. My experiences so far this year are:
1. Given to Spires as a matter of course: Birmingham
2. Given to Spires as a welcome amenity option: Liverpool Airport & Solihull
3. Given to Spires only as a room upgrade to club level room: Nottingham
4. No free access to club lounge: Stratford-Upon-Avon
Nice to know about Birmingham. It used to be hit and miss.
The Nottingham version is annoying, unless there's something very special about their club rooms. Some ICs used to play that game
The old CP at Heathrow came up with the whackiest scheme. I once asked why no club and they told me "because you had it last time": the idea was that they'd upgrade on alternate visits. I kid you not. No idea how long that lasted: haven't been back for years.