Gold status perks
 

Hi all

Quick question on the benefit of the gold status - I am guessing that is the status you must have at the time of the stay, not at the time of booking?

I am currently at the lowest status level, but could get my way up to Accor Gold via signing up for a credit card a month or so before my trip. I am thinking of making the booking over the net few weeks so just wanted to make sure that the gold perks will be there when I do stay at the hotels.

Also, the discount for Accord members for booking direct, I presume is not tiered by rank / status?

Thanks

To your first question: yes, the status at the time of your check-in is relevant.

Discount is always there for members regardless the status :D

To be honest, gold perks aren't that big deal. Room upgrade and welcome gift is a hit and miss, it depends on hotel generosity. For example, last week stay I got 2 apples, some peanuts, football keychain (cause of WC?) and hand writing card for welcome gift, though at the moment I'm staying at another Novotel, into my 4th night and still haven't seen my welcome gift. Don't they always give that to gold member though? It's nothing much but I collect the card :D

Didn't you get the drink vouchers? But as you said, room upgrades (welcome) and welcome gift (don't care much for) are hit and miss.

It is worth noting that the Gold benefits are the same as Platinum unless the property has a lounge. My experience of Gold has been mostly good - receiving room upgrades on all but a couple of occasions (or at ibis :) ) and have received some good welcome gifts. I used to be Platinum and I can honestly say that the room upgrades haven't been any less forthcoming as a Gold - I have even been upgraded up two or three levels (sometimes to a suite!) a few times as Gold. The drinks vouchers - especially at the bars of the more expensive properties - are worth quite a bit. The other thing to consider, is whether the accor points are worth anything to you as the gold earning rate is much better than classic and effectively acts as a greater rebate on your stay.

deleted my post.

I did get drink voucher, but not welcome gift/amenity. Usually it's some snacks and hand writing card, nothing much, but when I don't get it I feel like the hotel forgot about me. Sad... :D

They did not forget, they are just cheap; maybe even tired of Accor policies...

Thanks guys - I think the cheapest way for me to get gold is to pay 90 EUR on Ibis business club or something like that. So am hoping to get the room upgrades at least a few times to make it worthwhile, and maybe some leniency for late check out

The welcome gift will just be a bonus

Are there still credit card sign up options?

Amex Platinum I think has a bunch of gold status at a lot of hotel chains - they just upped the annual fee so it is even more expensive at $1,450

Accor doesn't cooperate with credit cards any longer. In my country, Amex Platinum comes with these hotel loyalty cards (and after a quick search it seems similar to other countries):

- HHonors Gold
- MeliáRewards Gold
- Radisson Rewards Gold
- Shangri-La Golden Circle Jade
- SPG Gold

I think welcome amenities are always a hit and miss across all hotel chains. Some properties do them better than the others. I don't care much for them.

It is just kind of amusing to open room and see if there is a card or not. Part of the fun :D
Currently at another accor hotel and got a printed card, not hand writing, and that is fine. Upgrades are more important of course :D