BOH

What is "running a script" and what does it mean to get points?

mvoight

He did the same quiz many times, from the same ip address, for multiple accounts?
Could this have been the reason there is a problem with all of the accounts?

adrienz

Il semble que je suis l'entourage de OP...

If they had a case-by-case inquest, evidences to prove multiple accounts would be provided by IHG as requested. However, there isn't even one case.

First they came for the socialists and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up,because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me.

andrewwm

I second this.

OP, I would write a letter to a much higher level executive than the current one you are dealing with.

In the letter, I'd carefully lay out the history of how you used the accounts, including an honest accounting of what you had done and how your use of the accounts drove business to IHG.

I'd avoid any charges of discrimination, but instead say that there is a very active Chinese travel forum that is up in arms with all of the account closures, including several Royal Ambassadors, making note that they are shooting themselves in the foot in China by their actions.

I doubt the current executive that you are dealing with has a wide enough perspective on IHG's China strategy to realize what a mistake they are making by closing accounts of loyal and profitable customers in their zeal to combat fraud.

IC6A

Well said Andrew!

c0nfig

I'm one of them. My account was closed without notification 3 weeks ago. After I contacted PCR china several times,Josh send email to me 1 week ago. pls see the below email.
Dear Mr. XXXX,

As per your request, the matter regarding your terminated Priority Club Account has been forwarded to the office of Mr. Chris Zoloth, Director of Global Customer Care for IHG. Mr. Zoloth has reviewed this matter and has asked that I follow up with you on his behalf.

Should you wish to discuss this further, you may call me directly at (801) 887-7407. I am available from Monday through Friday during the hours of 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Mountain Daylight Time. In the event that I am away from my desk when you call, please leave a valid phone number and the best time when I may reach you within my stated office hours. Please be advised that due to the nature of your issue, any further attempts to communicate with IHG regarding this matter will be immediately forwarded to me for handling, and I will only be able to provide you with a response via phone call.

Please contact me directly if you wish to discuss this matter further. If I do not hear from you within one week, then I will consider the matter closed.

Sincerely,

Josh Ellerman

Assistant to Mr. Chris Zoloth, Director of Global Customer Care for InterContinental Hotels Group
Direct Line: 801-887-7407
Fax: 801-975-1846
http://www.ihg.com
[email protected]


IHG
P.O. Box 30321
Salt Lake City, UT 84130



I called Josh last Friday. He was out of office. I left message on phone and sent email to him. I have not gotten any response from him.

I don't care whether my RA account will be back or not. I won't stay IHG any more. I feel lucky I'm SPG plat and Hyatt Diamond.

uk1

I wouldn't be optimistic from the tone of the note and other people's experience eg .... although this looks "very similar" to the stories here so seem to be related.

Sorry if this is information "already known". Good luck.

vilntrav

They don't want to let anything in writing that could be incriminating to them. Interesting.

WBOTM

You could always record the phone call (provided it is legally permitted for a one-party recording from the place you are calling).

GrizShel

I've read through most of this thread and seen the multiple reports on the summary dissolution of member accounts and all of their assets (points). I'm personally convinced now that IHG'S behavior in these cases has been reprehensible. I can't remember another major travel-related business take such drastic action without a much deeper investigation which includes allowing the customer to present a defense for their actions that are under question. And then to compound their mistake, they respond to customer protests by showing no concern for the possibility that they have been mistaken in their impulsive application of the loyalty program version of the death penalty to a (now formerly) good customer. For example, if the OP's situation is as discribed, then there's no excuse in my mind for IHG not attempting to make the situation right by now. The latest response shows they are more concerned about protecting themselves legally than than seeing their customer is treated justly.

I for one now do not feel safe accumulating points in the Priority Club program. And it's going to be hard to get rid of the very bad taste this situation leaves me with.

uk1

I'm very dissapointed with ICHG's behaviour here. It is indisputable that they have the right to do what they want with respect to these accounts. It's my strongly held view that they should not exercise that right except in much more extreme and exceptional circumstances. And then they should explain carefully and listen and consider carefully. I say that because they clearly set much higher standards for their customers than they set for themselves. I'm referring to the manner in which they announced F&F and the way that they have maintained that programme. They designed it to pander and exploit base instincts - the very same instincts that they have terminated accounts for.

I'm not saying I condone the behaviour that has caused some of the terminations, but I see it as being two different issues.

karung99

This is very interesting issue here after reading what is config post, it seem ICH is trying to protect themself for not wanting anything in writing.

Wish the OP will hire a lawyer and explore if this is case of discrimination or not. Only with this kind of action will ICH listen.. very sad

synd

not sure if this has already been suggested, but what about contacting a couple of newspapers? I would think that a couple of articles on this matter would make IHG re-consider the issue.

silverfalls

The problem I see is not about suspecting accounts(Chinese or names with Chinese origin) but finding them as guilty and thus closing their accounts. even when there is no clear evidence of any wrongdoing...

IC6A

Yes indeed. It is very disturbing.

I think you are right about IHG tries to avoid give evidence or conclusion in writting by stating the member should call that VP.

If so IHG is trying to avoid legal obligations of explaining the exact situation to its customer.

I doubt IHG would start to shut down accounts in EU or USA. There are much more legal requirements for IHG to take such steps. If IHG consider member resident in EU or US involved with fruadulent IHG is obligated to inform authority investigation before they can come to conclution that members are in such state. In other hand, the members would have access to local political leaders to push legislations in terms of customer protection. The last thing IHG want is for EU government to impose laws on Frequent Flyer program and start looking into tax situation of FFP values.

So question here. Would that be IHG consider Chinese being easy-target involved with minimum damages to itself?

Just image if IHG shut down member accounts in last QUIZ-Gate. The angry USA members would form Lobby groups and make huge complain to Consumer Protections until IHG being fined heavily by US regulators with Fox news reporting minutely. The dissatisifed EU members would write to their local MEPs and use the Consumer protection lawyers in Brusselles to tax millions on IHG's PCR points asset issuing to its members.

I guess now I sensored why IHG is targeting Chinese members.