The set up is that it is like for like rate conditions. If the base room is eg prepaid and the suite is available on prepaid then the SNU can be linked. If only the fully flexible rate is available on the suite then the base room needs to be booked on same rate to use the SNU. Like for like.

gilbertaue,

From reading along for quite some time, I realize you are one of the most knowledgable and helpful posters on all of the Accor forums.

But this is not correct. I have absolutely no chance of requalifying for Platinum. I will barely make Gold for 2020. Yet I received an email titled "Your next room will be a suite" (I'm translating this from German). And I see my two SNUs both in the ALL app as well as on the website.

So my question is a valid one. If I redeem those SNU in 2020, I will not have Plat status and hence no lounge access by virtue of status level.

The terms and conditions are so vague that I suspect we're going to see a lot of this ("Eligible rooms vary by hotel. Certain suites are always excluded [...]").

It is very disappointing to see this approach being taken by properties with a number of proper suites (i.e. not "junior" but also clearly not "presidential" or "VIP" suites).

The more Accor allows hotels to get away with this, the less valuable their newest benefit becomes.

Then there is something wrong in your system (in a positive sense).

Accor says:

I am in this situation. I have been awarded 2 SNU for current platinum status but will not requalify for 2020 (at least as of yet).

Indeed, something wrong here : people who are Plat in 2019 but who will not requalify for 2020 should not get the 2 SNUs. But, good for you guys ;)

So I got the clarification.

Nothing wrong. CURRENT 2019 Plat members (who have not requalified) will also get 2 SNU valid till end 2020.

If the suite you're upgrading into through the SNU gives lounge access, you will receive lounge access.

Same experience.
I tried to do this yesterday and was told you can only get a SNU with new bookings.
You need to cancel the old booking and rebook at the new rate.
Since my original booking was prepaid, was told I would lose that money plus have to pay the higher rate current today.

I very much hope it's just a matter of poor training / miscommunication.

Such a policy sounds utterly ridiculous and would further limit the usefulness of this benefit (which is far from generous to begin with).

I refer to my previous post. SNU calculates into like for like. Something could be done if the same rate condition apply to basic room and the suite. If the suite does not have the same condition, you'll need to top up the rate to the same rate condition.
In this case the same rate conditions possibly didn't apply and the hotel wasn't gracious enough to close an eye for rebooking (+ add fee for rate condition top up)

I obtained clarification from Accor on this and it is indeed as wkndtraveller said : you need to cancel and rebook. Call centers and hotels have received instructions to be pragmatic during this transition period, like matching rates if needed.

What an utterly ridiculous and bizarre policy!:td:

Any idea what the rationale behind that policy is?

Other than trying to inconvenience and annoy members as much as possible while doing their best to limit the usefulness of the SNUs, I can't even think of a reasonable explanation for such a policy.

It also seems to completely ignore how many/most travellers make their bookings at high-end / luxury hotels, i.e. via Amex FHR / Virtuoso / Signature / Travel Leaders Select etc. Do you happen to know how such bookings will be dealt with?

Well, I was wrong. I can't understand why Accor made is so complicated : cancel and rebook the same room only to be able to use SNU... please make it simple ! The simplest solution is most likely the right one : Entia non sunt multiplicanda sine necessitate !

The reason given is that there isn't a tool that would allow hotels to modificate existing reservations by adding SNU upgrades. I agree, Accor should develop their system further to make it more user friendly.

They did have one. The year after the FPC integration, Accor added a feature to their site to offer a final year of free night and upgrade certificates. It seemed to work fine.

It appears that Accor is trying to centralize the system by redeeming the certificate during the booking process. With the previous system, with both Fairmont and Accor for one year, the certificates were redeemed by the hotel upon check-in, so it didn't complicate the booking process. You could apply the certificate to a booking at any time, and it didn't modify the rate, but simply modified the assigned room category. That system also gave more flexibility to the guest, because you could book a stay in advance using your certificates, but if you later change your mind, you simply make a new booking and apply the certificate there. I have a suspicion with the new and far-from-improved Accor mess, once you apply your SNU to a booking, it's gone.

Leave it to Accor to design a process that is too complicated for their already-inept IT people to implement, and more hostile to the guest.