kcaluwae

It's not clear to me who's entitled to the elite benefit of the "welcome drink".
The website states:

So as a silver member you get a drink at Novotel and Suite Novotel but once your elite tier increases to Gold/Platinum you no longer get it... ? Makes no sense to me.

And then, to confuse me even more. I received my silver membership card quite recently and noticed that the welcome letter states:

So, only in Sofitel hotels?

Goldorak

Indeed, confusing.
Already discussed here (from post #28) :
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/accor...mercure-2.html

enzo0511

well, to clarify, it is indeed very badly advertised

it is written as if it gives the impression that only silver members get a welcome drink

but in fact:

- silver members get a welcome drink
- gold/plat members get a vip treatment which is supposed to include a beverage (like a bottle of champagne or wine, depending on location)

so finally as a gold or plat, you end up with a drink, but not at the bar, simply in your room with a nice card signed by GM or #2

PeterT1953

As a platinum member for a few years, I have never NOT had a welcome drink voucher for the bar at accor hotels, and that includes Ibis.

SouthOxon

What astounds me is that is is very literally 'a welcome drink'; one not two, so if you check in with your wife....

PeterT1953

Very occasionally I have been offered one drink when in a double room, but it has always been corrected without fuss.

Its a pretty good benefit from what is a free loyalty scheme.

davrossuk

I stayed at the ibis Gatwick twice with my wife. The first time I was given a voucher for 2 drinks (any drinks). The next time, a few weeks later, I had to ask and was given a voucher for 1 soft drink. Nice to see some consistency.

Maybe I did something to upset them on the first stay.

nicolas75

You showed your Platinum card

Andoreasu

Yes, there's a total lack of consistency be it for the drink, or anything else. At some Novotels/Sofitels you can go for the champagne, at other locations it's just a cocktail (for instance Pullman St Pancras). It's also annoying that some properties (Mercure Arc de Triomphe for ex) only gives one voucher for one person even if you're two persons. Once they refused to give me the voucher on grounds that I had a privilege room which already included soft drinks from the minibar, that was really ridiculous

Goldorak

LOL

nicolas75

No voucher Sir, you already have tap water in your room

bibbju

I'm currently staying at the Novotel Times Square in NYC. My Platinum status dropped to Gold only 5 days ago but my welcome letter from the hotel must have been done earlier as they still refer to me as Platinum.

I was surprised not to be given a drinks voucher when I checked in earlier but was too tired to be bothered asking. However, a member of staff just delivered the following to my room: welcome letter, code for the high speed wifi (standard speed is free, high speed is payable), a voucher for free breakfast in the restaurant (usually charged at $25), a selection of mini cakes and a large glass bottle of Evian. A pleasant surprise especially the breakfast.

I don't appear to have a room upgrade but I am on a high floor so maybe that's the upgrade? Or maybe not. The hotel seems to be extremely busy.

Staff all very pleasant so no complaints other than NYC is damn chilly right now!

gilbertaue

WOW!

Would be wonderful if this was a start to something new! (I guess the hotel doesnt have a lounge).

Goldorak

This is not new. I had such a voucher the last time I stayed there (january 2014) and you could use it either at breakfast or lunch/dinner.

gilbertaue

Seems like something we are all waiting for to be offered at all Accor properties.