lsquare

I'm fairly new to Accor. I've been a hotel free agent for a long time, but recently settle down on Hilton and Marriott. I have stayed at Ibis before, but I booked them via OTA. I'm assuming if I book via OTA, then I don't earn any points or elite status just like with the other chains? If the price is the same, then I'm better off booking with Accor?

hotel_user

You may get the 5% or 10% members discount when booking direct .....

If you just stay at Ibis, there is a card that will give you "gold" status and an additional ( ? ) discount

Goldorak

Yes, no points and perks when booked through OTA, with a few exceptions (Amex travel)

nock

We often book Fairmont using visa lhr or amex travel. It is usually the same price as accor website PLUS $50 F&B, $70 breakfast credit (inclusive of in room dining) AND regular le club benefits (upgrade, points, etc). In addition we pay with discounted gift cards (usually 20% bonus offer twice per year).

Dav77

Have you experienced to get Accor points with all the reservations made by Amex travel or just by Amex FHR ?

Dav77

Same question for you, concerning Amex travel / Amex FHR

thanks

Goldorak

Amex travel works, but make sure you book a public rate, as Amex also proposes Booking.com rates which are not eligible. I don’t know what is Amex FHR, sorry.

Jasper2009

Amex FHR = American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts
-> special rate for Platinum and Centurion cardholders that includes added perks at ~800 upscale and luxury hotels around the world

Standard benefits are:

- complimentary breakfast for two daily
- complimentary upgrade based on availability
- early check-in based on availability and late check-out
- ~$100 amenity per stay such as a food and berverage or resort credit

Same/similar added perks are often also available at the same properties via multiple channels incl. Virtuoso, Signature, Travel Leaders Select etc.

And yes, all these "consortia rates" qualify for points accruel, stay/night credit and status benefits apply.

Kobetraveller

Very interesting.

Recently I have been in Accor Hotels which have had Luxury Escapes guests and have seen quite a few Accor hotels available via this OTA booking channel.

I never thought to ask if these bookings qualify for accrual of elite nights and Points.

Does anyone happen to know if they do or do not ? Am not planning to book with Luxury Escapes but am curious given the information above from @Jasper2009

Jasper2009

Excellent question!

I have no experience with "Luxury Escapes", so I don't know for sure.

Generally speaking, only the following rates are considered "qualifying rates":

- all published rates offered directly by the hotel / GDS rates
- consortia rates (incl. Amex FHR)
- corporate rates
- *some* group contract rates

I don't see any reference on their website to being part of a consortium and I highly doubt they book published rates. Instead I'd assume they book wholesale / bulk purchase rates and then create their own packages, in which case all bookings would be non-qualifying unless they have negotiated some special rate directly with the chains.

So my best guess would be "probably non-qualifying, but no harm in double-checking".

nock

Amex benefits ($100 credit, free breakfast, upgrades) only apply for stays greater than or equal to 2 nights. If booking 1 night, Visa LHR is a better deal.

I don't know "Luxury Retreats".

I have been denied the Accor free welcome drink as a platinum when booking consortia. Not sure this is official policy, but they are definitely aware of my status on check in. Also, in my experience, consortia reservations invariably do not have my Accor Le Club number associated with them so be sure to let them know (best to do so before you arrive for check-in so you can be considered for upgrades/early check-in).

Kobetraveller

I have never used Luxury Escapes but have been struck by the number of Accor Hotels which have signed up with them.

I will try to find out for sure if they offer elite nights and Points by checking with one of the hotels.

Anyway, I just opened the Luxury Escapes App and see Fairmont Singapore and Jaipur, Banyan Tree Bangkok, Novotel Bali Nusa Dua as well as a Movenpick in Bali (not yet LC).

Recently I have seen Sofitel Krabi, MGallery Avista Grande, a couple of other Novotel Resorts and have heard that Sofitel Kuala Lumpur has signed up.

Anyway, all this is irrelevant for maintaining status if their rates are not eligible.

Their packages sometimes/often look very competitive when the various inclusions are taken into account.

I will try to put a screenshot from the App here.

Kobetraveller

Oh, dear .... I should have simply called a hotel before posting the above and my earlier question kindly answered by Jasper2009

I just called Sofitel Kuala Lumpur and spoke to the person who handles Loyalty matters ... she was able to inform me very clearly that Luxury Escapes rates definitely are not eligible for LC elite nights/points.

MSPeconomist

The two night requirement AFAIK applies to AmEx Collection rates, not FHR. I'm not convinced that the former is eligible for points and elite night credits as these seem to be prepaid rates.

nock

You may be right about the 2 night requirement for FHR. Are all Amex Collection rates prepaid? I'm seeing some that are 24-48 hour flexible cancellation rates.