Last edit by: jbeckett
Le Club Accorhotels is changing from 2017.
What we know so far:
Membership year:
- the membership year will change to calendar year, i.e. 1 January - 31 December
- any status achieved in 2016 will be carried forward until 31 December 2017
Points:
- there will be a distinction between reward points and the new status points
- status points can only be earned through hotel stays and related expenditure
- status points are not subject to the accelerator and will be earned at a rate of 25 points/ 10 Euro in most cases (12.5 in case of ibis and ibis styles, 10 Adagio and 5 at Adagio Access)
- Points remain valid for life, if an eligible stay is realized in the past 12 months (rolling year)
Status thresholds:
- to account for the lower earning rates of status points threshold for status have been lowered: 2,000 for silver, 7,000 for gold and 14,000 for platinum
- night requirements remain unchanged
- status is dependent on status points or nights, not both
Perks:
- no change
Redemptions:
- no change
The official website: http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/leclub/new-rules-status.shtml Accorhotels have announced that an official communication to all members will issue around 7 April.
Issues still to be resolved:
- Accor Plus membership
What we know so far:
Membership year:
- the membership year will change to calendar year, i.e. 1 January - 31 December
- any status achieved in 2016 will be carried forward until 31 December 2017
Points:
- there will be a distinction between reward points and the new status points
- status points can only be earned through hotel stays and related expenditure
- status points are not subject to the accelerator and will be earned at a rate of 25 points/ 10 Euro in most cases (12.5 in case of ibis and ibis styles, 10 Adagio and 5 at Adagio Access)
- Points remain valid for life, if an eligible stay is realized in the past 12 months (rolling year)
Status thresholds:
- to account for the lower earning rates of status points threshold for status have been lowered: 2,000 for silver, 7,000 for gold and 14,000 for platinum
- night requirements remain unchanged
- status is dependent on status points or nights, not both
Perks:
- no change
Redemptions:
- no change
The official website: http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/leclub/new-rules-status.shtml Accorhotels have announced that an official communication to all members will issue around 7 April.
Issues still to be resolved:
- Accor Plus membership
New programme details from 2017
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: SOF
Programs: A3 Gold, LCAH Gold
Posts: 35

Accor is changing program rules - http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/leclub...s-status.shtml
Seems Accor is going to limit number of gold and platinum status holders.
Seems Accor is going to limit number of gold and platinum status holders.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Usually in SAN or Central Europe.
Programs: AA:EXP/1MM. Accor/Radisson:Silver; HH:Gold; ICH:Plt Amb.
Posts: 22,251
In a way, I'm kind of glad that the qualifying year is now a fixed calendar. However, I don't see the point of becoming a Platinum. Unless one has no choice in which hotels they stay at and they stay at those hotels quite often; thus reaching Platinum level after 60 nights. Otherwise, it will now take almost 6,000 Euros worth of room night spend to qualify. I can get Hilton HHonors Diamond status with much less spend AND with much greater hotel stay benefits than LCAH Platinum, for example.
But if earning redemption points remains relatively easy (even without an elite bonus due to lower or no status), I'll survive just fine. Last year, I had 8 nights/6 stays with under $400 dollars in spend. And I earned over 12,000 points, plus received Gold status. I can see why they are making adjustments.
But if earning redemption points remains relatively easy (even without an elite bonus due to lower or no status), I'll survive just fine. Last year, I had 8 nights/6 stays with under $400 dollars in spend. And I earned over 12,000 points, plus received Gold status. I can see why they are making adjustments.

Last edited by Fanjet; Mar 30, 16 at 2:51 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Berlin
Programs: BA Silver; Accor Plat; IHG Diamond; Meliá & HH & Marriott & Radisson Gold
Posts: 5,225
I think we all can. 
Quite a few people here will be pleased to have one final opportunity to 'earn' status by accumulating points in the four categories that won't bring status points from 2017 onwards:
The new spend requirements don't seem excessive -- and it seems reasonable to expect that the FRHI properties will start participating in the first half of 2017, giving us more hotels to choose from.

Quite a few people here will be pleased to have one final opportunity to 'earn' status by accumulating points in the four categories that won't bring status points from 2017 onwards:
- Bonus points with an offer
- Status-related accelerator points
- Places by Le Club AccorHotels points
- Points earned with a partner
The new spend requirements don't seem excessive -- and it seems reasonable to expect that the FRHI properties will start participating in the first half of 2017, giving us more hotels to choose from.
Last edited by IMH; Mar 31, 16 at 6:14 am Reason: spelling
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Usually in SAN or Central Europe.
Programs: AA:EXP/1MM. Accor/Radisson:Silver; HH:Gold; ICH:Plt Amb.
Posts: 22,251
Perhaps they are making these changes now because they plan on offering more elite benefits going forward. Let's hope.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: BA Gold, A3 Gold, FB Gold, Bonvoy Titanium / LTP, Accor Plat
Posts: 12,991
LCAH as-was suited the broad range of hotels Accor has very well. A third of Accor's current hotels are ibis or ibis Styles hotels.
I guess the purchase of FRHI pushes the portfolio up-market. I wonder if the perks will be upgraded to match...
I guess the purchase of FRHI pushes the portfolio up-market. I wonder if the perks will be upgraded to match...

#6
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Berlin
Programs: BA Silver; Accor Plat; IHG Diamond; Meliá & HH & Marriott & Radisson Gold
Posts: 5,225
The qualifying spend -- less than 500 EUR a month -- would typically be incurred with the primary purpose of purchasing hotel accommodation, not of achieving status. 
My impression, based on my own experience and reports here, is that the granting of status benefits has become both more consistent and less grudging over the past year or two. Steps to reduce the number of instant Plats has helped. The planned changes should help more. I agree, though, that it's about time we saw some firmer commitments re. upgrades and the early arrival / late departure benefit.
EDITED TO ADD: Thanks for telling us about this, panlukasz. It's rather disappointing, but sadly not surprising, that someone here saw this before Accor got around to sending out emails. They could also have chosen to empower their representative here, AccorHotels Concierge, to let people know what's coming. At least we have several months' notice.

My impression, based on my own experience and reports here, is that the granting of status benefits has become both more consistent and less grudging over the past year or two. Steps to reduce the number of instant Plats has helped. The planned changes should help more. I agree, though, that it's about time we saw some firmer commitments re. upgrades and the early arrival / late departure benefit.
EDITED TO ADD: Thanks for telling us about this, panlukasz. It's rather disappointing, but sadly not surprising, that someone here saw this before Accor got around to sending out emails. They could also have chosen to empower their representative here, AccorHotels Concierge, to let people know what's coming. At least we have several months' notice.
Last edited by IMH; Mar 30, 16 at 4:49 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Usually in SAN or Central Europe.
Programs: AA:EXP/1MM. Accor/Radisson:Silver; HH:Gold; ICH:Plt Amb.
Posts: 22,251
Right now, the elite benefits associated with LCAH are fine considering the ease of reaching the threashold levels. However, one aspect of that dynamic will be changing significantly. And thus the potential for a great imbalance.
#8


Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, Flying Blue Silver, Le Club Accor Platinum, Hilton Honours Diamond, Marriot Silver
Posts: 487
The major change here will be the loss of status earning on bonus points. However bonus point generosity from Accor seems to have reduced in recent months. Last year was over generous in this respect. Earning Gold last year with a little planning was possible with a spend of under US$300 and platinum for under US$800.
A few minutes with a calculator suggests the loss of status-related accelerator points will have virtually no impact on status retention due to the reduction in trigger points. For example retaining Platinum (ignoring bonuses/Places) on the current scheme requires an approximate spend of US$5680 whilst the new scheme will require a spend of US$5600. There is however some change on ease of moving between levels.
The impact from earning Places points for status members is reducing in any case on the basis that many of the attainable badges from a members stay pattern will have now been earned and new badges seem to be extremely rare.
These changes will increase the need for Accor to provide members reliable status renewal information as the members year progresses. Calculating status renewal progress manually will no longer be a matter of current balance plus points spent in current status year less balance at start of status year.
A few minutes with a calculator suggests the loss of status-related accelerator points will have virtually no impact on status retention due to the reduction in trigger points. For example retaining Platinum (ignoring bonuses/Places) on the current scheme requires an approximate spend of US$5680 whilst the new scheme will require a spend of US$5600. There is however some change on ease of moving between levels.
The impact from earning Places points for status members is reducing in any case on the basis that many of the attainable badges from a members stay pattern will have now been earned and new badges seem to be extremely rare.
These changes will increase the need for Accor to provide members reliable status renewal information as the members year progresses. Calculating status renewal progress manually will no longer be a matter of current balance plus points spent in current status year less balance at start of status year.
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 20,484
The major change here will be the loss of status earning on bonus points. However bonus point generosity from Accor seems to have reduced in recent months. Last year was over generous in this respect. Earning Gold last year with a little planning was possible with a spend of under US$300 and platinum for under US$800.
#11
Join Date: Feb 2001
Programs: IHG Diamond, HH Diamond, BW Diamond Select, Accor Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 4,146
Really, that's one of the two major changes. That's the negative one.
The positive one is the change to calendar year. If you happen to have significant travel at varying times of year, the move to calendar year is a massive improvement. In the past, let's say you spent a month in hotels in April one year and in May the next year. Accor's status was worthless. Now, it'll stay around much longer. (Although sometimes the only "elite" benefit I've received has been a pathetic non-alcoholic welcome drink worth under a buck!) Given the same scenario, it would make sense for points to be valid until the end of the following year, not just status, otherwise we end up dumping points into airlines before they expire.
The positive one is the change to calendar year. If you happen to have significant travel at varying times of year, the move to calendar year is a massive improvement. In the past, let's say you spent a month in hotels in April one year and in May the next year. Accor's status was worthless. Now, it'll stay around much longer. (Although sometimes the only "elite" benefit I've received has been a pathetic non-alcoholic welcome drink worth under a buck!) Given the same scenario, it would make sense for points to be valid until the end of the following year, not just status, otherwise we end up dumping points into airlines before they expire.
#12
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Singapore
Programs: SPG LTP, HH D
Posts: 669
From 2017, is it points and nights for status qualification or is it either points or nights? E.g. for Platinum in 2017 do we have to earn 60 nights and 14000pts?
And is the status expiry for 2016 on 31 December 2016 or is it still 12 months from whenever in 2015 that we achieved status?
And is the status expiry for 2016 on 31 December 2016 or is it still 12 months from whenever in 2015 that we achieved status?
Last edited by dannybhoy; Mar 30, 16 at 8:46 pm Reason: Added second question
#14
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: UA1k3.00mm;AAex-EXP;Hy Glob;Acc Plt;HH Dia;Onyx Plt;Mar LT Tit;IHG DiAm;RR P;RRA G;BW D;Hcom G
Posts: 2,647
So there is added incentive to requalify this year since it's easier, but also bc the status will last longer (through 12/17), giving almost all of us anywhere from 1 month to 12 months of extra status time.

#15
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SIN
Programs: TK-G | Accor P | SQ-G | Marriott T
Posts: 3,802
how about the Accor+? Does it mean if I qualify as platinum in 2017 (Jan-Dec) does this mean my Platinum will valid until Sep 2019 as my accor+ cycle is in September.?
Does this also means what ever status we have now wil valid until Dec 2017?
Does this also means what ever status we have now wil valid until Dec 2017?