Le Club Accorhotels improvements autumn 2013
Sep 26, 2013, 12:04 am
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,922
Indeed, the answer I got when I raised this is that anglo-american chains are stricter when it comes to enforcing minimum standards across their chains. Also worth remembering here is the Accor "asset light" strategy which means they operate the hotels but don't own the building which complicates matters.
But they are very aware this is one of their weaknesses.
But they are very aware this is one of their weaknesses.
Sep 26, 2013, 12:11 am
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,922
Keep in mind that all upgrades are subject to availability, so should be the lounge access. There is no other way to handle this, IMO.
Sep 26, 2013, 1:39 am
#33
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,784
Actually, the new improvements are great as benefits don't vary so much between brands. The Welcome drink was recently diluted to only Sofitels, but will now be offered across all brands. ^
Sep 26, 2013, 4:36 am
#34
Join Date: May 1998
Location: australia
Posts: 5,762
http://www.traveltrends.biz/ttn555-a...ll-wi-fi-plan/
So Accor announces a benefit but then cannot implement it due to not being commercially viable?
So Accor announces a benefit but then cannot implement it due to not being commercially viable?
Sep 26, 2013, 9:44 am
#35
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: Skywards Gold, Etihad Gold
Posts: 462
Often I read on various web sites that Accor is the least generous of all the Reward Programs, hence many steer clear and tend to sit in the Starwood, Marriot and IHG camp. I personally prefer The Accor Brand, albeit Novotel upwards. In Asia they are now definitely the leading hotel chain, unlike Europe where there are more Managers than foot soldiers.
If the price is right I do go for an executive room, because I prefer those extra creature comforts and a bit of pampering from time to time. I often spend time at the Novotel Bangkok during long connection times and especially enjoy their lounge. I make around 15-20,000 points a year so I sit in the Gold Category. I don’t travel enough to make Platinum and although I have no objection to Plats getting lounge access, I do object to the high number of individuals currently holding free plat cards with no stays. I hope Accor has a way of dealing with this, because if they don’t I can see some of their lounges being ruined overnight.
In relation to the Members Website I love the calculator, because at least you can now calculate how many points are required to move onto the next level. . Welcome drink may be a problem especially at Airport hotels that are often very busy and don’t have a very large sitting area. Upgrades will be interesting and this will be the key to Accor taking a lions share away from their competitors. If Accor can get their hotels to comply with these new additions, especially the European Market, I believe they are onto a real winner. I can see IHG being one of the big losers, because after all most Holiday Inns in Thailand are awful. I also welcome the early check-in and out policy for Gold´s this is a real plus for me.
Still there is plenty to report about in the coming weeks. I have got around 12 stays myself in November in Asia and 4 in Europe so will report back on my findings.
If the price is right I do go for an executive room, because I prefer those extra creature comforts and a bit of pampering from time to time. I often spend time at the Novotel Bangkok during long connection times and especially enjoy their lounge. I make around 15-20,000 points a year so I sit in the Gold Category. I don’t travel enough to make Platinum and although I have no objection to Plats getting lounge access, I do object to the high number of individuals currently holding free plat cards with no stays. I hope Accor has a way of dealing with this, because if they don’t I can see some of their lounges being ruined overnight.
In relation to the Members Website I love the calculator, because at least you can now calculate how many points are required to move onto the next level. . Welcome drink may be a problem especially at Airport hotels that are often very busy and don’t have a very large sitting area. Upgrades will be interesting and this will be the key to Accor taking a lions share away from their competitors. If Accor can get their hotels to comply with these new additions, especially the European Market, I believe they are onto a real winner. I can see IHG being one of the big losers, because after all most Holiday Inns in Thailand are awful. I also welcome the early check-in and out policy for Gold´s this is a real plus for me.
Still there is plenty to report about in the coming weeks. I have got around 12 stays myself in November in Asia and 4 in Europe so will report back on my findings.
Sep 26, 2013, 12:09 pm
#36
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,439
Often I read on various web sites that Accor is the least generous of all the Reward Programs
Having said that, their service and range of properties in Asia/Pacific is second to none though.
Sep 26, 2013, 1:27 pm
#38
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Berlin
Programs: BA Gold; Accor Plat; IHG Diamond-Amb; Meliá & HH & Marriott Gold
Posts: 5,450
Upgrade "on availability" certainly sounds better than "upon request and subject to availability and how we feel". Let's see how all this rolls out in practice...
Let's see how all this rolls out in practice...
Sep 26, 2013, 3:25 pm
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: All over
Programs: Most
Posts: 10,839
One of the "improvements" (obviously unannounced) was the further devaluation of Le Club to Iberia Avios from 1:1 to 2:1. Total devaluation in 6 months 80%. I have the old and new conversion tables here.
Sep 26, 2013, 6:16 pm
#40
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,179
One would hope that usually, there aren't too many platinum members staying at any given hotel at one time so that the lounge benefits wouldn't be restricted due to maximum capacity etc. I couldn't see any terms and conditions on this but if lounge access is denied, they should provide breakfast in lieu.
I noticed that over the last 6 months of so, the online profile now shows, in addition to the number of night stayed, the actual number of stays.
I believe that they should consider mirroring other major programmes with a number of stays qualification criteria for status levels, e.g. SPG requires 25 stays or 60 nights. If Accor did the same, it would really incentivise those who don't stay 2 months per year in hotels but who do travel frequently on short trips for business or leisure. Implementing such a change would really be the icing on the cake and put Accor up there.
I noticed that over the last 6 months of so, the online profile now shows, in addition to the number of night stayed, the actual number of stays.
I believe that they should consider mirroring other major programmes with a number of stays qualification criteria for status levels, e.g. SPG requires 25 stays or 60 nights. If Accor did the same, it would really incentivise those who don't stay 2 months per year in hotels but who do travel frequently on short trips for business or leisure. Implementing such a change would really be the icing on the cake and put Accor up there.
Sep 26, 2013, 7:20 pm
#41
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Wellington
Programs: QF OWE, NZ EP, Le Club Gold, HH Silver
Posts: 74
I have just tried to test this lounge access policy at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins and was told that they were not participating in this particular benefit.
No qualification about availability, just a flat out refusal to honour a program wide benefit.
No qualification about availability, just a flat out refusal to honour a program wide benefit.
Sep 26, 2013, 8:08 pm
#42
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,439
One of the "improvements" (obviously unannounced) was the further devaluation of Le Club to Iberia Avios from 1:1 to 2:1. Total devaluation in 6 months 80%. I have the old and new conversion tables here.
Sep 26, 2013, 8:20 pm
#43
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Perth, WA, Australia
Programs: QF Gold, VA Plat, IHG Plat Amb, LCAH Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,846
I have heard that the website, as it stands, may not be the final version of the program to be released, and there may be some changes coming through prior to the official release....
Sep 26, 2013, 8:57 pm
#44
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Marriott & SPG Plat, HH Diamond, Accor Plat, ex-Fairmont Plat, ex-Swissotel Eleva
Posts: 710
I can exclusively reveal that starting from tomorrow Accor will announce a number of improvements in the Le Club Accorhotels programme in the following areas:
- improved website for members and non members alike, the new version will be a beta version which will be rolled out and subsequently improved. Accor have specifically requested the FlyerTalk community for feedback (good and bad) which I'm sure people here will have no problem in providing
Accor have reviewed their offering for status members and are introducing some new improvements from 10 October:
- loyalty perks for the economy and mid-scale hotel segment: Hotels starting at ibis, ibis style, Mercure and Novotel will also offer perks for silver/gold/platinum members. This may include free water, upgrades, newspapers, late check outs. The offer will be reflecting the level of the hotel and the regional "flavour" and of course the Le Club status level.
- improvements at higher scale hotels: Accor will improve the perks on offer for MGallery, Pullman and Sofitel and said that they have strengthened the standard operating procedures at the higher level to ensure consistency. This is very much in response to the comments made on FT. I also understand that upgrade policy is going to be strengthened for status customers. They clearly see the Asian hotels as leading in this regard.
- Special Moments: Over the next couple of months Accor will offer special moments for holders of larger amounts of Le Club points. Some of you may have received such a targeted offer via email some time ago where they offered a week at the Sofitel So in Mauritius at a significant points discount. These offers will be rolled out for all members across the world and in more hotels.
In conversation Accor have indicated that these improvements reflect their efforts to respond to the comments and concerns of the FlyerTalk community and they are are very keen to hear feedback. They also wish to remind loyal members that with over 2700 hotels participating in the Le Club these new improvements may take a little time to come on stream completely.
Accor's Vice President for Loyalty concluded by underlining the importance of the Flyertalk community as key customers to keep the programme competitive and customer focused.
- improved website for members and non members alike, the new version will be a beta version which will be rolled out and subsequently improved. Accor have specifically requested the FlyerTalk community for feedback (good and bad) which I'm sure people here will have no problem in providing
Accor have reviewed their offering for status members and are introducing some new improvements from 10 October:
- loyalty perks for the economy and mid-scale hotel segment: Hotels starting at ibis, ibis style, Mercure and Novotel will also offer perks for silver/gold/platinum members. This may include free water, upgrades, newspapers, late check outs. The offer will be reflecting the level of the hotel and the regional "flavour" and of course the Le Club status level.
- improvements at higher scale hotels: Accor will improve the perks on offer for MGallery, Pullman and Sofitel and said that they have strengthened the standard operating procedures at the higher level to ensure consistency. This is very much in response to the comments made on FT. I also understand that upgrade policy is going to be strengthened for status customers. They clearly see the Asian hotels as leading in this regard.
- Special Moments: Over the next couple of months Accor will offer special moments for holders of larger amounts of Le Club points. Some of you may have received such a targeted offer via email some time ago where they offered a week at the Sofitel So in Mauritius at a significant points discount. These offers will be rolled out for all members across the world and in more hotels.
In conversation Accor have indicated that these improvements reflect their efforts to respond to the comments and concerns of the FlyerTalk community and they are are very keen to hear feedback. They also wish to remind loyal members that with over 2700 hotels participating in the Le Club these new improvements may take a little time to come on stream completely.
Accor's Vice President for Loyalty concluded by underlining the importance of the Flyertalk community as key customers to keep the programme competitive and customer focused.
Welcome Drinks + Club Lounge Access & Room Upgrades and late check-out at expanded properties like mid-range Novotel & Mercure are a big big ^. This is huge in my opinion. Very very competitive, so let's see the delivery of their elite perks promise at their properties now. I have a stay at Mercure in the middle of next month, so we shall see.
On another note, the conversion to airmiles seems to have changed (an improvement?) for asia-based airlines like SQ, CX, TG (5 pts = 4 miles), but when I tried to do a test conversion, it is still 2pts:1 mile. So is it an error, or the improved conversion rates have not been effected yet?
Sep 27, 2013, 5:48 am
#45
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Germany
Programs: Marriott Plat., HHonors gold, IHG Plat., Accor gold, IC Amb, Hertz #1 club, Sixt plat.
Posts: 359
Good news, indeed. Let's see how the properties handle it.
Lounge access sounds nice, I'm just not aware of many accor properties that do have a lounge. Can anyone update my knowledge, i.e. for German properties, please?
Or are we talking about the Qantas airport lounges that are run by Accor? Don't think so ..
Lounge access sounds nice, I'm just not aware of many accor properties that do have a lounge. Can anyone update my knowledge, i.e. for German properties, please?
Or are we talking about the Qantas airport lounges that are run by Accor? Don't think so ..