I don't understand why to criticize someone for demanding benefits which the hotel chain itself has decided to give to their most loyal customers. If one doesn't need any benefits, it's a fair play but don't judge others.

Exactly! Thank you, Goldorak, again for an excellent review. Always happy to read them. Actually, I became a bit more excited to stay at this property now. Looks very nice, except the room decor.

I fully agree with this. Fidelity programs are made to push people to buy more. Some customers are going as far as doing "mileage runs". That's perfectly understandable and I'm not judging it.

I'm also fully aware that some hotels are not playing fair. But, I prefer being in a serene mood, rather than being suspicious on everybody and everything, for myself before anything, but also because your counterpart can feel it.

I know, by now, that having a casual chat with the customer relations manager (or hotel director) is much more productive than flashing the plat card at reception. If the conversation is honest and true, you can be sure that a remark is put in the systems, and you may have a good surprise in your room or at check-out. At least, it works for me.

Of course, "upgrade" is part of the perks, but, it is not a right, as well as early check-in or late check-out.

Anyway, fidelity programs are like politicians. It's just a bag of promises which fades with time.

But it shouldn't be. And we are here to exchange experiences.

So I think what got everyone slightly riled is your comment of "is it sooooo important".

Probably not to the average Joe, but the fact that we are on here, and we know that our voices are being heard here (no need to discuss the ifs and buts), makes it even more a reason to make it important.

"But it shouldn't be" : exactly. But, see what's happening. Rules are changed unilaterally, points get devaluated, embargo period are extended, etc etc. (not specifically talking about Accor)

"everyone" : hum

Anyway, you are right, we are here to share our experiences.

My point is : you can get much more by being understanding and soft. The rare times I got aggressive (long time ago), I only got what the texts "entitled" me. Nothing more.

Last year, I got from Accor : cakes (not birthday), plates of biscuit, city tour voucher (Asia), museum voucher (north Africa), broadband wifi (middle east), 40USD worth souvenir (north Africa), upgrade from double to junior suite (Asia), dinner waiver (Europe), etc.
I never ask, I never expect, I scarcely complain. I just have a talk with the right person.

I'm not boasting. It's just to show that you can have unexpected surprises and therefore a very pleasant stay with a different mindset.
Those voluntary gestures are ego-boosting, compared to a "simple" upgrade (which I get often anyway).

(no intention to judge anyone ... nor will to be judged )

You don't know me and I can guarantee you that I'm not that kind of person. I am certainly not suspicious or agressive and I need a large dose of problems or issues to become upset. I never judge people or companies because problem occur but on how they handle problems. If you read all the reviews I made on Accor hotels on this forum, you will see that I have a lot (a great majority) of very good to excellent stays or stays that have started badly but which turned to be excellent due to a very good handling of the problems I faced. I just don't like incompetence and bad faith, and unfortunately, I have to face this from time to time.

It is certainly very nice to have a chat with the appropriate people at the hotel you are staying (I like that too and never miss an occasion to do so), but I'm sorry to say that the Elite customer experience should not depend on that. There are plenty of occasions where I don't have time or the occasion to meet with the management of the hotel or they might simply not be available. And, very often I check-in late at the hotel (e.g. 11 pm), because I arrive by a late flight, and the staff present at that time is of course limited and the formalities should be straightforward without having to argue on anything. I have to say that I have more problematic stays in hotels where I check-in late. May be it is because less experienced staff are doing the night shift ?

It's not a right. I have no problem at all to not be upgraded if the hotel is full/upper room category not available. But there is no reason to not grant those benefits to your most loyal customers if available, as per the program rules.

It shouldn't be. Program rules can change over time, but at a given instant, they are known and hotels must comply with.

This is fair and I'm sure nobody has this intention here

Grateful if this thread could revert back to the Sofitel Warsaw discussions

starflyergold
Le Club Accorhotels forum moderator

When being InterContinental Spire Royal Ambassador, early check-in at 8am, late check-out at 4pm, free minibar, upgrade to a suite or executive room, free on-demand movie, welcome amenities are guaranteed benefits.

Ah, Spire ! (to be pronounced with a French accent)
If I am correct, it should apply to all Royal Ambassadors, even if you are "only" Platinum :-)

Do not book suites at the Victoria before they get renovated - I'd roll my eyes at you as well should you demand an upgrade to a room designed for Alexis Colby. The renovated rooms are cutting-edge though!

While this is my home town, you won't see my staying at the hotel often, but I can be found there quite often for drinks or lunch - PM me if any of you'd be coming round!

I just did another one night stay in this hotel. I had a great stay without the "inconveniences" at check-in I mentioned in my previous review. I had booked a luxury/king room (renovated) and was upgraded (without asking) in a Prestige suite (non renovated), and was thanked for my loyalty ^
it's a pity that the suites are still not all renovated, but the room was pleasant facing the main square and so was happy with it. Other differences compared to my previous review:
- no welcome letter
- drink voucher was valid for Champagne (last time was limited to Prosecco)
- the VIP treatment in room was a plate with good cakes/macarons (last time it was fresh fruits)

on the "negative" side, the only thing I have to report is something that left me speechless during the turndown service : this service was done quite late (8:30 pm) and the housekeeping person knocked at my door 2 min after I was back in my room after dinner. The suite has a separate toilet/washroom near the room entrance. She did the usual service (slippers, preparing the beds, replacing wet towels, closing curtains etc). Earlier in the afternoon, I had an espresso in my room and the dirty cup/spoon was of course still there on the table. She took the cup and spoon, went to the washroom near the entrance. I heard some water noise and she came back 30 sec later and put the cup/spoon back on the shelf with the other clean (?) cups and glasses and said good night and left the room . I had use a small towel in this washroom earlier in the afternoon and she replaced it by a clean one, so I suppose she used the old one to dry the cup and spoon.
So if you wonder how they clean the dishes in your room, now you know the answer
I really hesitated between the stupefaction and laughing out loud ! I hope I will receive the satisfaction survey to report that, otherwise I will tell management next time I go there (in a couple of days).

So, a good stay in a very recommendable hotel.

Irish coffee is made with whisky
Polish coffee is made with (dirty) towel

This is actually very common, though dirty towel is optional.

I am pretty sure you have been drinking Diet Coke with similarly cleaned glasses in your beloved IC Suites

LOL 😁😁😁
I am sure too !

I hate to break it to you, this is pretty much SOP for hotels (the less we know the better )