ALL - Accor Live Limitless (to replace Le Club from 2020)
Jul 9, 2019, 8:53 am
#391
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MHT
Programs: UA 1k & MM, Accor/LeClub Platinum
Posts: 14
Le Club - Diamond Status
Anyone have insights as to not fully released additional benefits of reaching 2020 Diamond status (26,000 2019 Status Points). The only items released so far are:
The announcement included apparent Le Club name change to ALL (Accor Live Limitless) came out a few days ago but details scarce.
Any insiders able to add insight?
Thank you in advance!
Post script - I am clearly late to this topic and did not see this thread b4 posting - in my defense what is old news to most just came to me via email announcement from Accor in past few days
- Being able to "Gift" Gold status to another member
- Dining & Spa Certificates
- Complimentary Weekend Breakfasts
The announcement included apparent Le Club name change to ALL (Accor Live Limitless) came out a few days ago but details scarce.
Any insiders able to add insight?
Thank you in advance!
Post script - I am clearly late to this topic and did not see this thread b4 posting - in my defense what is old news to most just came to me via email announcement from Accor in past few days
Last edited by babson1; Jul 9, 2019 at 3:06 pm Reason: missed earlier thread on topic
Jul 21, 2019, 3:34 am
#393
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,842
Since the disappointing Diamond benefits announcement, I continue with some points redemptions but I have cancelled some Accor cash stays because I will not target to reach Diamond. A couple of examples regarding the results:
- Fairmont Dubai. I was booked in a suite including breakfast, but no Gold lounge access. It was a 3-night stay and for our first night we were scheduled to arrive very late so no chance to use the lounge. I asked ahead of time by e-mail if we could upgrade to Gold but only for the last 2 nights otherwise money is just wasted on the first night. Their answer was no. Also there is no room category higher than the suite so no expectation for a bigger room upgrade (besides Gold lounge access) and they refused to give one free night in a Gold room that we would not even use the lounge. It is their right to do so, but stingy nonetheless. I cancelled and booked at W The Palm instead. Got free breakfast as Marriott Ambassador benefit, no lounge but received upgrade to the Marvelous Suite which is not the entry level suite, but rather than 4th category of suites.... a jaw-dropping 184 square meters! That room sells for 6 times what I paid for, talk about generosity... compared to Fairmont who does not want to give lounge access for one night only when we won't even be there to use the lounge. Cannot regret our choice and W has found itself a new long-term client.
- Fairmont Barcelona. I had a 6-night stay booked flexible. Several weeks after I booked (and several weeks before the stay), out of nowhere they charged my credit card. I sent an e-mail and asked them to refund my card, e-mail went unanswered and I sent reminders several times until I finally changed my request and just told them that in light of the lack of reply I wanted to cancel my booking (part of the reason was the announcement of Diamond benefits too). Finally I got a response with apology, and lukewarm offer for another rate which was barely better than what was available online and I said no thank you. I booked at the nearby SOFIA Barcelona with a lower rate instead, used Hyatt Globalist suite upgrade award for upgrade into the hyper-exclusive Wish suites including Wish lounge access (Fairmont has no lounge). So I got lounge access, free Globalist breakfast, and a suite, all that for cheaper than the offer at Fairmont where I would possibly have had no suite (not sure), no breakfast (most likely), and no lounge (for sure).
Fairmont does have some great properties but in cities with competition, as much as I liked the Fairmonts for example Chengdu, Amman, and Istanbul, I will most likely reap better elite benefits by booking with competitors next time and would only come back to Fairmont in those cities if I am disappointed by what I sample elsewhere. Only the sentimental value of returning to where we had great stays in the past would make us re-book at these Fairmonts, more so than ice cold logic.
I am disapppointed that it turned out this way, but I genuinely gave a chance to Accor - it's been perhaps a couple of years since the Fairmont takeover and they were kind enough to extend Platinum status for a long time which I was thankful for. I was hopeful that the new Diamond tier would fix the weakness of the Accor program with better elite benefits but unfortunately that's not the case, and so far my recent stays confirm that leaving Accor (for the most part) was the right thing to do for my stay pattern, which I recognize different people are in different situation. I will continue to stay at some Fairmonts (or other Accor hotels) in some destinations where there is limited or no competition, but in my humble opinion Accor has put itself at a competitive disadvantage in cities with competition, for elite members that is. Someone without status anywhere can still book very nice Accor properties, the problem is when comparing with generous elite benefits elsewhere, the grass is indeed greener, no doubt about it, except in Asia where Accor benefits can compete.
Sometimes things go through cycles and it's entirely possible that in the future Accor will improve for the better and others will devalue for the worse, in such case it would be foolish to close the door forever!
- Fairmont Dubai. I was booked in a suite including breakfast, but no Gold lounge access. It was a 3-night stay and for our first night we were scheduled to arrive very late so no chance to use the lounge. I asked ahead of time by e-mail if we could upgrade to Gold but only for the last 2 nights otherwise money is just wasted on the first night. Their answer was no. Also there is no room category higher than the suite so no expectation for a bigger room upgrade (besides Gold lounge access) and they refused to give one free night in a Gold room that we would not even use the lounge. It is their right to do so, but stingy nonetheless. I cancelled and booked at W The Palm instead. Got free breakfast as Marriott Ambassador benefit, no lounge but received upgrade to the Marvelous Suite which is not the entry level suite, but rather than 4th category of suites.... a jaw-dropping 184 square meters! That room sells for 6 times what I paid for, talk about generosity... compared to Fairmont who does not want to give lounge access for one night only when we won't even be there to use the lounge. Cannot regret our choice and W has found itself a new long-term client.
- Fairmont Barcelona. I had a 6-night stay booked flexible. Several weeks after I booked (and several weeks before the stay), out of nowhere they charged my credit card. I sent an e-mail and asked them to refund my card, e-mail went unanswered and I sent reminders several times until I finally changed my request and just told them that in light of the lack of reply I wanted to cancel my booking (part of the reason was the announcement of Diamond benefits too). Finally I got a response with apology, and lukewarm offer for another rate which was barely better than what was available online and I said no thank you. I booked at the nearby SOFIA Barcelona with a lower rate instead, used Hyatt Globalist suite upgrade award for upgrade into the hyper-exclusive Wish suites including Wish lounge access (Fairmont has no lounge). So I got lounge access, free Globalist breakfast, and a suite, all that for cheaper than the offer at Fairmont where I would possibly have had no suite (not sure), no breakfast (most likely), and no lounge (for sure).
Fairmont does have some great properties but in cities with competition, as much as I liked the Fairmonts for example Chengdu, Amman, and Istanbul, I will most likely reap better elite benefits by booking with competitors next time and would only come back to Fairmont in those cities if I am disappointed by what I sample elsewhere. Only the sentimental value of returning to where we had great stays in the past would make us re-book at these Fairmonts, more so than ice cold logic.
I am disapppointed that it turned out this way, but I genuinely gave a chance to Accor - it's been perhaps a couple of years since the Fairmont takeover and they were kind enough to extend Platinum status for a long time which I was thankful for. I was hopeful that the new Diamond tier would fix the weakness of the Accor program with better elite benefits but unfortunately that's not the case, and so far my recent stays confirm that leaving Accor (for the most part) was the right thing to do for my stay pattern, which I recognize different people are in different situation. I will continue to stay at some Fairmonts (or other Accor hotels) in some destinations where there is limited or no competition, but in my humble opinion Accor has put itself at a competitive disadvantage in cities with competition, for elite members that is. Someone without status anywhere can still book very nice Accor properties, the problem is when comparing with generous elite benefits elsewhere, the grass is indeed greener, no doubt about it, except in Asia where Accor benefits can compete.
Sometimes things go through cycles and it's entirely possible that in the future Accor will improve for the better and others will devalue for the worse, in such case it would be foolish to close the door forever!
Jul 21, 2019, 2:39 pm
#394
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: BAGold; AA3MMPlat; UA1MMGold; FBGold; MarriottAmb; AccorPlat; HHGold; ICPlatAmb; HyattDiscoverist
Posts: 4,378
"Fairmont does have some great properties but in cities with competition, as much as I liked the Fairmonts for example Chengdu, Amman, and Istanbul, I will most likely reap better elite benefits by booking with competitors next time and would only come back to Fairmont in those cities if I am disappointed by what I sample elsewhere. Only the sentimental value of returning to where we had great stays in the past would make us re-book at these Fairmonts, more so than ice cold logic."
I have mixed feelings about returning to Accorized Fairmonts that I loved in prior times--even the better stays in the last year have been for me bittersweet (and the bad ones dreadful), as it just isn't what it was. As for trying Accors that I haven't been to, there are other hotels that I prefer and that are more conveniently located for my purposes in the cities like Paris, Milan, Stuttgart, Moscow and St. Petersburg that I visit frequently, and for my bucket list travel, I usually want the best and/or most iconic in town, which is usually NOT an Accor. So in the months to come, I'm likely to try the Raffles Singapore, return occasionally to the Savoy and the LHR Sofitel for their convenience, and not much else. I certainly don't think, based on what's been disclosed to date, that Diamond is worth the money or effort.
I have mixed feelings about returning to Accorized Fairmonts that I loved in prior times--even the better stays in the last year have been for me bittersweet (and the bad ones dreadful), as it just isn't what it was. As for trying Accors that I haven't been to, there are other hotels that I prefer and that are more conveniently located for my purposes in the cities like Paris, Milan, Stuttgart, Moscow and St. Petersburg that I visit frequently, and for my bucket list travel, I usually want the best and/or most iconic in town, which is usually NOT an Accor. So in the months to come, I'm likely to try the Raffles Singapore, return occasionally to the Savoy and the LHR Sofitel for their convenience, and not much else. I certainly don't think, based on what's been disclosed to date, that Diamond is worth the money or effort.
Jul 22, 2019, 7:43 am
#395
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Italy
Programs: Accor Gold, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond , Amex Platinum
Posts: 1,484
Since the disappointing Diamond benefits announcement, I continue with some points redemptions but I have cancelled some Accor cash stays because I will not target to reach Diamond. A couple of examples regarding the results:
- Fairmont Dubai. I was booked in a suite including breakfast, but no Gold lounge access. It was a 3-night stay and for our first night we were scheduled to arrive very late so no chance to use the lounge. I asked ahead of time by e-mail if we could upgrade to Gold but only for the last 2 nights otherwise money is just wasted on the first night. Their answer was no. Also there is no room category higher than the suite so no expectation for a bigger room upgrade (besides Gold lounge access) and they refused to give one free night in a Gold room that we would not even use the lounge. It is their right to do so, but stingy nonetheless. I cancelled and booked at W The Palm instead. Got free breakfast as Marriott Ambassador benefit, no lounge but received upgrade to the Marvelous Suite which is not the entry level suite, but rather than 4th category of suites.... a jaw-dropping 184 square meters! That room sells for 6 times what I paid for, talk about generosity... compared to Fairmont who does not want to give lounge access for one night only when we won't even be there to use the lounge. Cannot regret our choice and W has found itself a new long-term client.
- Fairmont Barcelona. I had a 6-night stay booked flexible. Several weeks after I booked (and several weeks before the stay), out of nowhere they charged my credit card. I sent an e-mail and asked them to refund my card, e-mail went unanswered and I sent reminders several times until I finally changed my request and just told them that in light of the lack of reply I wanted to cancel my booking (part of the reason was the announcement of Diamond benefits too). Finally I got a response with apology, and lukewarm offer for another rate which was barely better than what was available online and I said no thank you. I booked at the nearby SOFIA Barcelona with a lower rate instead, used Hyatt Globalist suite upgrade award for upgrade into the hyper-exclusive Wish suites including Wish lounge access (Fairmont has no lounge). So I got lounge access, free Globalist breakfast, and a suite, all that for cheaper than the offer at Fairmont where I would possibly have had no suite (not sure), no breakfast (most likely), and no lounge (for sure).
Fairmont does have some great properties but in cities with competition, as much as I liked the Fairmonts for example Chengdu, Amman, and Istanbul, I will most likely reap better elite benefits by booking with competitors next time and would only come back to Fairmont in those cities if I am disappointed by what I sample elsewhere. Only the sentimental value of returning to where we had great stays in the past would make us re-book at these Fairmonts, more so than ice cold logic.
I am disapppointed that it turned out this way, but I genuinely gave a chance to Accor - it's been perhaps a couple of years since the Fairmont takeover and they were kind enough to extend Platinum status for a long time which I was thankful for. I was hopeful that the new Diamond tier would fix the weakness of the Accor program with better elite benefits but unfortunately that's not the case, and so far my recent stays confirm that leaving Accor (for the most part) was the right thing to do for my stay pattern, which I recognize different people are in different situation. I will continue to stay at some Fairmonts (or other Accor hotels) in some destinations where there is limited or no competition, but in my humble opinion Accor has put itself at a competitive disadvantage in cities with competition, for elite members that is. Someone without status anywhere can still book very nice Accor properties, the problem is when comparing with generous elite benefits elsewhere, the grass is indeed greener, no doubt about it, except in Asia where Accor benefits can compete.
Sometimes things go through cycles and it's entirely possible that in the future Accor will improve for the better and others will devalue for the worse, in such case it would be foolish to close the door forever!
- Fairmont Dubai. I was booked in a suite including breakfast, but no Gold lounge access. It was a 3-night stay and for our first night we were scheduled to arrive very late so no chance to use the lounge. I asked ahead of time by e-mail if we could upgrade to Gold but only for the last 2 nights otherwise money is just wasted on the first night. Their answer was no. Also there is no room category higher than the suite so no expectation for a bigger room upgrade (besides Gold lounge access) and they refused to give one free night in a Gold room that we would not even use the lounge. It is their right to do so, but stingy nonetheless. I cancelled and booked at W The Palm instead. Got free breakfast as Marriott Ambassador benefit, no lounge but received upgrade to the Marvelous Suite which is not the entry level suite, but rather than 4th category of suites.... a jaw-dropping 184 square meters! That room sells for 6 times what I paid for, talk about generosity... compared to Fairmont who does not want to give lounge access for one night only when we won't even be there to use the lounge. Cannot regret our choice and W has found itself a new long-term client.
- Fairmont Barcelona. I had a 6-night stay booked flexible. Several weeks after I booked (and several weeks before the stay), out of nowhere they charged my credit card. I sent an e-mail and asked them to refund my card, e-mail went unanswered and I sent reminders several times until I finally changed my request and just told them that in light of the lack of reply I wanted to cancel my booking (part of the reason was the announcement of Diamond benefits too). Finally I got a response with apology, and lukewarm offer for another rate which was barely better than what was available online and I said no thank you. I booked at the nearby SOFIA Barcelona with a lower rate instead, used Hyatt Globalist suite upgrade award for upgrade into the hyper-exclusive Wish suites including Wish lounge access (Fairmont has no lounge). So I got lounge access, free Globalist breakfast, and a suite, all that for cheaper than the offer at Fairmont where I would possibly have had no suite (not sure), no breakfast (most likely), and no lounge (for sure).
Fairmont does have some great properties but in cities with competition, as much as I liked the Fairmonts for example Chengdu, Amman, and Istanbul, I will most likely reap better elite benefits by booking with competitors next time and would only come back to Fairmont in those cities if I am disappointed by what I sample elsewhere. Only the sentimental value of returning to where we had great stays in the past would make us re-book at these Fairmonts, more so than ice cold logic.
I am disapppointed that it turned out this way, but I genuinely gave a chance to Accor - it's been perhaps a couple of years since the Fairmont takeover and they were kind enough to extend Platinum status for a long time which I was thankful for. I was hopeful that the new Diamond tier would fix the weakness of the Accor program with better elite benefits but unfortunately that's not the case, and so far my recent stays confirm that leaving Accor (for the most part) was the right thing to do for my stay pattern, which I recognize different people are in different situation. I will continue to stay at some Fairmonts (or other Accor hotels) in some destinations where there is limited or no competition, but in my humble opinion Accor has put itself at a competitive disadvantage in cities with competition, for elite members that is. Someone without status anywhere can still book very nice Accor properties, the problem is when comparing with generous elite benefits elsewhere, the grass is indeed greener, no doubt about it, except in Asia where Accor benefits can compete.
Sometimes things go through cycles and it's entirely possible that in the future Accor will improve for the better and others will devalue for the worse, in such case it would be foolish to close the door forever!
I know some people are fully in love with Fairmont, and I believe they had/have very good time at their properties.
I’ve come to the conclusion that Fairmont isn’t a brand for me, on my expectations, and now I simply don’t consider their properties at all.
Jul 23, 2019, 12:12 pm
#397
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Italy
Programs: Accor Gold, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond , Amex Platinum
Posts: 1,484
“they have to give it” is something doesn’t exist often on Accor world.
Even if you are Platinum Member, suite upgrade is “upon availability/volunty/lucky/desire/etc” ...
if i consider all my stats at Sofitels during the years of platinum membership, I could say I have received suite upgrade (95% prestige - 5% opera) +\- 50% of the times.
When i have not received suite upgrade, on 80% of the times I have however received something more (free mini bar / room at best position / Voucher for free buffet dinner / etc) of my standard room reservation
i have experienced also that, most of the times, nothing happens, if I try to ask for suite upgrade, forcing the employees at check in. I don’t make it anymore since a lot of time, I simply try enjoy what I received and what I have payed for.
Of course, suite upgrade is something can change my stay, especially on leisure trip with my wife (she normally goes to sleep 2-3 hours after me / I snoore a lot during my sleep / more space / more relaxing room) ...
but it’s not a mandatory benefit to respect from Accor Properties (to be honest, there is not any hotel chain who is obliged to give free suite upgrade to top tier members) ...
Jul 23, 2019, 8:09 pm
#398
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: Dynasty Frequent Flyer (Elite Plus),Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,866
Hi Dave . I think He might be referring to the complimentry suite night upgrades starting from 2020. The suite night upgrades are not given if available on day of check In. How it works is if You book a basic room 6 months before your check in you can use you suite night upgrades to secure the suite if it is still available when you make the request after a booking is made. In some cases I can see this As great value. For example booking the Cheapest room at the Sofitel Rome for 2 or 3 nights and securing that prestige suite which often sells out Well before check In time. That would be up to 400-700 USD per night price difference.
Jul 24, 2019, 2:11 am
#400
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Italy
Programs: Accor Gold, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond , Amex Platinum
Posts: 1,484
Hi Dave . I think He might be referring to the complimentry suite night upgrades starting from 2020. The suite night upgrades are not given if available on day of check In. How it works is if You book a basic room 6 months before your check in you can use you suite night upgrades to secure the suite if it is still available when you make the request after a booking is made. In some cases I can see this As great value. For example booking the Cheapest room at the Sofitel Rome for 2 or 3 nights and securing that prestige suite which often sells out Well before check In time. That would be up to 400-700 USD per night price difference.
Jul 24, 2019, 4:10 am
#402
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Italy
Programs: Accor Gold, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond , Amex Platinum
Posts: 1,484
you make a reservation at lower category room (paying or by points) then, if there is suite availability, you can apply your suite upgrade certificate (5 nights suite upgrade certificate, at Marriott).
Jul 24, 2019, 6:05 am
#404
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: Accor ALL Diamond, AC Aeroplan 25K, Nexus/GE
Posts: 2,735
Don't get too excited. The former FPC confirmed upgrades, and it was a great benefit, upgrading a stay of up to 5 nights (or use 2 certs for 10 nights, etc). But Accor, in their typically clueless fashion, thought that offering an upgrade to a suite for a *single night* would be viewed positively. I rarely have a stay for less than 7 nights, which makes these completely useless to me.
Jul 24, 2019, 8:01 am
#405
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,842
When you do not receive a suite upgrade in Sofitels, what is your estimate of how often it's because suites are not available versus how often it's because the hotel does not have a policy of upgrading Plats to suites?