Welcome drink policy
Jun 11, 2018, 8:07 am
#16
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 5,063
Jun 11, 2018, 8:10 am
#17
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 5,063
Jun 14, 2018, 2:48 pm
#18
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: France
Programs: FB Plat for Life, UAMP, BAEC, Accor ALL Platinum, Marriott silver, Hilton, Meliá silver.
Posts: 3,120
This is what a few (rare) stingy hotels want you to believe.
Welcome drink for a double room is for both guests. This is my experience all over Europe at Ibis, Ibis Style, Novotel, Mercure, Pullman and Sofitels.
When denied a welcome drink for 2, ask which guest is not welcome. This shames them.
Mercure Salzburg receptionist was incredulous when I told her that Ibis Versailles would insist on 1 drink only for a double room. She said "how can one of you be without a drink when the other one has one". This is such a sensible attitude.
The second drink costs peanuts to the hotel. This is not about money, it is about principles and atmosphere that the hotel wants to establish.
Welcome drink for a double room is for both guests. This is my experience all over Europe at Ibis, Ibis Style, Novotel, Mercure, Pullman and Sofitels.
When denied a welcome drink for 2, ask which guest is not welcome. This shames them.
Mercure Salzburg receptionist was incredulous when I told her that Ibis Versailles would insist on 1 drink only for a double room. She said "how can one of you be without a drink when the other one has one". This is such a sensible attitude.
The second drink costs peanuts to the hotel. This is not about money, it is about principles and atmosphere that the hotel wants to establish.
Jun 14, 2018, 4:33 pm
#19
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: BNE
Programs: QF Gold, VA Gold, IHG Spire, Accor Plat, Marriot Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,281
This is what a few (rare) stingy hotels want you to believe.
Welcome drink for a double room is for both guests. This is my experience all over Europe at Ibis, Ibis Style, Novotel, Mercure, Pullman and Sofitels.
When denied a welcome drink for 2, ask which guest is not welcome. This shames them.
Mercure Salzburg receptionist was incredulous when I told her that Ibis Versailles would insist on 1 drink only for a double room. She said "how can one of you be without a drink when the other one has one". This is such a sensible attitude.
The second drink costs peanuts to the hotel. This is not about money, it is about principles and atmosphere that the hotel wants to establish.
Welcome drink for a double room is for both guests. This is my experience all over Europe at Ibis, Ibis Style, Novotel, Mercure, Pullman and Sofitels.
When denied a welcome drink for 2, ask which guest is not welcome. This shames them.
Mercure Salzburg receptionist was incredulous when I told her that Ibis Versailles would insist on 1 drink only for a double room. She said "how can one of you be without a drink when the other one has one". This is such a sensible attitude.
The second drink costs peanuts to the hotel. This is not about money, it is about principles and atmosphere that the hotel wants to establish.
”Enjoy a complimentary welcome drink. Available for you and registered guests staying in your room. Different beverages are offered, depending on the hotel brand. The voucher you receive from the hotel lists full details.”
Jun 14, 2018, 7:47 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: France
Programs: FB Plat for Life, UAMP, BAEC, Accor ALL Platinum, Marriott silver, Hilton, Meliá silver.
Posts: 3,120
The "available for you and registered guests staying in your room." is missing.... Some French hotels might use this ....
Last edited by carnarvon; Jun 20, 2018 at 9:10 am
Jun 20, 2018, 9:07 am
#21
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: France
Programs: FB Plat for Life, UAMP, BAEC, Accor ALL Platinum, Marriott silver, Hilton, Meliá silver.
Posts: 3,120
Second drink voucher for double room : everywhere but in France!!!!
I have just spoken with LCAH CS about the text in French which does not mention the other registered guests in the room and got a written answer after that.
Everything is possible with Accor and they are proving it once again.
On the phone, she said that the welcome drink for was for two in case of a double room.
However, in her written confirmation, she said that the drink for two was a worldwide policy except in France, where the hotelier has the freedom to offer a drink second drink or not.
It is so ridiculous that I am not even angry. Flabbergasted though. How can one be so stupid?
Jun 20, 2018, 9:15 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,927
Jun 20, 2018, 11:56 am
#24
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: VIE, TYO, CAX
Programs: LH-SEN
Posts: 104
However, in her written confirmation, she said that the drink for two was a worldwide policy except in France, where the hotelier has the freedom to offer a drink second drink or not.
It is so ridiculous that I am not even angry. Flabbergasted though. How can one be so stupid?
It is so ridiculous that I am not even angry. Flabbergasted though. How can one be so stupid?
Perhaps my favourite example of 'giving with one hand and taking with the other' was at the Pullman Legian Beach on Bali where, staying by myself, I was given two vouchers only to be told later at the bar that a gin and tonic required both of them - one for the gin and one for the tonic!
Jun 21, 2018, 3:13 am
#25
Join Date: May 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Plat (OWE), SK EBG (*A Gold), KQ Plat (STE+), Accor Plat
Posts: 3,157
Some hotels do it really well. Sofitel Manila gave me one voucher for single occupancy, but the bar told me to order another drink after finishing my first. And this was after they had already given me a bottle of wine and a drink with canapeés on the other nights... Kudos!
Jun 21, 2018, 5:47 am
#26
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Saint Brieuc
Programs: HHonors, Accorhotel Platinium, Nordic Choice Platinium
Posts: 967
I had really good surprises even in France : Once as we were a group of 10 peoples, we were given vouchers for all 10 of us (I booked all the 5 rooms).
Sometimes, I only got one voucher for two people in one room...
Sometimes, I only got one voucher for two people in one room...
Jun 21, 2018, 11:08 am
#27
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: Le Club Accor: Plat, HHonors Gold, Marriott/SPG: Gold, AMEX Platinum
Posts: 112
Drink vouchers for all 10 people across 5 rooms? That's impressive! Might I ask which hotel this was?
Jun 22, 2018, 12:59 am
#28
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Saint Brieuc
Programs: HHonors, Accorhotel Platinium, Nordic Choice Platinium
Posts: 967
Pullman Paris Montparnasse : 8 peoples (2 family rooms) : drink vouchers for 8
Mercure Saint-Lary Sensoria : 5 peoples(1 family room) : drink vouchers for 5
Jun 22, 2018, 6:58 am
#29
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: France
Programs: FB Plat for Life, UAMP, BAEC, Accor ALL Platinum, Marriott silver, Hilton, Meliá silver.
Posts: 3,120
I got another email form CS. Can't resist sharing part of it with you. Instead of focusing on customer dissatisfaction, they direct us to the Terms and conditions! Are they fearing a lawsuit or what?
I copy the text in French, because I am afraid that once translated it will lose the subtle message of their self-importance.
" En effet, selon les Conditions Générales d'Utilisation du programme et exclusivement en France, cette attention constitue un avantage réservé au membre dont les nom et prénom figurent sur la carte de fidélité. Néanmoins, il peut arriver que certains hôtels prennent l’initiative, de façon exceptionnelle, d’en faire bénéficier la ou les personnes accompagnant le membre pendant son séjour."
In English
" Indeed, according to the General Conditions of Use of the program and exclusively in France, this attention is a benefit reserved for the member whose name and surname appear on the loyalty card.
Nevertheless, it may happen that some hotels take the initiative, exceptionally, to benefit the person or persons accompanying the member during his stay. "
I answered among other things:
" What should be a symbolic gesture of welcome has become an insulting farce, because it is not the cost of the second drink that counts, but the gesture and the derogatory attitude of the hotel.
With regard to "this attention is a benefit for the member whose name and surname appear on the loyalty card." I would like to point out that "benefit" is misplaced in the case of a beer or a glass of wine at 3 euros.
The "welcome drink" is not a monetary benefit but a gesture of welcome.
I copy the text in French, because I am afraid that once translated it will lose the subtle message of their self-importance.
" En effet, selon les Conditions Générales d'Utilisation du programme et exclusivement en France, cette attention constitue un avantage réservé au membre dont les nom et prénom figurent sur la carte de fidélité. Néanmoins, il peut arriver que certains hôtels prennent l’initiative, de façon exceptionnelle, d’en faire bénéficier la ou les personnes accompagnant le membre pendant son séjour."
In English
" Indeed, according to the General Conditions of Use of the program and exclusively in France, this attention is a benefit reserved for the member whose name and surname appear on the loyalty card.
Nevertheless, it may happen that some hotels take the initiative, exceptionally, to benefit the person or persons accompanying the member during his stay. "
I answered among other things:
" What should be a symbolic gesture of welcome has become an insulting farce, because it is not the cost of the second drink that counts, but the gesture and the derogatory attitude of the hotel.
With regard to "this attention is a benefit for the member whose name and surname appear on the loyalty card." I would like to point out that "benefit" is misplaced in the case of a beer or a glass of wine at 3 euros.
The "welcome drink" is not a monetary benefit but a gesture of welcome.
Last edited by carnarvon; Jun 22, 2018 at 10:10 am
Jun 22, 2018, 9:15 am
#30
Join Date: May 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Plat (OWE), SK EBG (*A Gold), KQ Plat (STE+), Accor Plat
Posts: 3,157
Also when staying at the Ibis Madrid Bajaras Aeropuerto they gave me a drink voucher for one pax. I immediately asked: ”Is this for two people?” and she said ”It’s for one but I’ll extend it for two.” and amended the voucher accordingly. Why did I have to ask, I wonder...