Busted, Uh... Roll of honor for busted Plats
Jan 28, 2014, 9:50 am
#121
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Somewhere in Europe
Posts: 3,362
Just to add another data point...
My experience was very similar. Last year was sent the 2014 Platinum Card as well as having the mystical IHG Rewards Club - PLT(G?) - 2014 appear on my account.
First call to IHG (yesterday) was a complete dead end. Spent almost 10 minutes (as well as being placed on hold at least 3 times) attempting to explain the situation to no avail. Was told in no uncertain circumstances that I didn't qualify for Platinum and my status was correct as Gold.
Convinced I wasn't barking up the wrong tree - tried again today and the experience couldn't have been any more night and day. Got connected to an excellent rep who clearly knew her stuff. In no less than 3 minutes reviewed my account, identified that there was a problem (mentioned it was to do with an IT reset over Christmas), and reinstated my Platinum status right there and then. Fantastic service.
To echo everyone else's advice, hang up and try again if you've been sent a 2014 Plat Card.
My experience was very similar. Last year was sent the 2014 Platinum Card as well as having the mystical IHG Rewards Club - PLT(G?) - 2014 appear on my account.
First call to IHG (yesterday) was a complete dead end. Spent almost 10 minutes (as well as being placed on hold at least 3 times) attempting to explain the situation to no avail. Was told in no uncertain circumstances that I didn't qualify for Platinum and my status was correct as Gold.
Convinced I wasn't barking up the wrong tree - tried again today and the experience couldn't have been any more night and day. Got connected to an excellent rep who clearly knew her stuff. In no less than 3 minutes reviewed my account, identified that there was a problem (mentioned it was to do with an IT reset over Christmas), and reinstated my Platinum status right there and then. Fantastic service.
To echo everyone else's advice, hang up and try again if you've been sent a 2014 Plat Card.
First call is a dead end, second call it's changed immediately.
No doubt they ask for your PC number on the first call in order to review the issue you are calling about. They then tell you no and record that you've called.
Now I wonder how many people just leave it at that?
Then when the persistent (probably a small amount of callers) call back everyone knows their stuff and it's changed immediately.
Coincidence?
It sounds like someone's realised they have made a mess of it and they are rejecting to start with then granting to the ones that keep calling?
Jan 28, 2014, 12:23 pm
#123
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
I hadn't realized I was downgraded from Plat to Gold until I saw this thread. Called today, and on the first try, agent reinstated my Plat status since she could see I was a "valued" IHG member. ^
(I had about 10 nights last year.)
(I had about 10 nights last year.)
Jan 28, 2014, 7:28 pm
#124
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LT Gold, DL SM, HY Disc, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 12,507
I got dumped back to Gold but I knew that going into the year when they changed the definition of qualifying on points. I'm surprised that I still made gold, but I guess I did have enough stays to qualify.
I was treated surprisingly well as a PLAT on award stays, but not enough to do 40 nights. I think that with promos IHG has some of the best earning rates per US$, especially when adjusting for some of their redemption rates.
I was treated surprisingly well as a PLAT on award stays, but not enough to do 40 nights. I think that with promos IHG has some of the best earning rates per US$, especially when adjusting for some of their redemption rates.
Jan 28, 2014, 7:43 pm
#125
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,741
Oddly I was fully expecting to be downgraded to Gold same way as I was downgraded from RA to AMB in Dec 2013. However, until today my status still shows as Plat AMB even though I clearly missed the Plat target to qualify by a few nights and quite a few (qualifying) points. Not complaining, but still seems inconsistent. No idea if it is related to having held RA before and the complementary "soft-landing" is to Plat AMB.
Jan 28, 2014, 10:37 pm
#126
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: a hotel room, somewhere...
Posts: 962
emailed IHG asking to put me back to platinum matching my HH Diamond. got an email the next day stating matched to Plat thru 12.14
It's already reflected in my account. not sure how much it's worth, but with *hopes* of better PB or flash sale opportunities in SE Asia this year, i figure it should get me more than the gold would have.
Jan 29, 2014, 5:12 am
#128
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Jan 29, 2014, 4:34 pm
#129
In memoriam
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MAN
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Spire, UA Silver, Dennis The Menace Fan Club
Posts: 1,457
Sounds like those who received the 2014 card are, with some effort, securing reinstatement.
Has anyone who wasn't promised 2014 Plat managed to "blag" it?
I'm still very busted!
Has anyone who wasn't promised 2014 Plat managed to "blag" it?
I'm still very busted!
Jan 30, 2014, 4:41 pm
#130
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Programs: Too many...
Posts: 536
Received my Plat card late last year and got busted in Mid-January. Spoke to CS tonight and got the system reset/crash line from the fairly helpful agent.
Now reinstated as Plat until the end of 2014 ^
Now reinstated as Plat until the end of 2014 ^
Jan 30, 2014, 5:37 pm
#131
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,934
For US based folks (sorry those not in US, I was in your boat 2 years ago) - this card is absolutely the easiest no brainer CC.
Free plat status (which since IHG is not giving away like candy maybe worth something finally)
Free night (just booked my $250/night in Japan, last year $300/night in Rome)
10% points back
Who else gives you top status for just having the card?
Free plat status (which since IHG is not giving away like candy maybe worth something finally)
Free night (just booked my $250/night in Japan, last year $300/night in Rome)
10% points back
Who else gives you top status for just having the card?
Please explain the benefits of IHG top status which truimp Hilton mid-status.
(Don't misunderstand me, I still think the IHG card is great, but IHG Plat status is of spotty value at best, since it's only a fraction of IHG hotels that give a tangible benefit for being Plat.)
Jan 31, 2014, 3:20 am
#132
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: London
Programs: Priority CLub Platinum
Posts: 104
If it's IHG hotel that you frequently use that give recognisable benefits for being Platinum then it is definitely worth fighting to keep. We mostly stay at Crowne Plazas in UK, and most of them (that we use) either upgrade us to a club room or suite, and/or give us club access.
Jan 31, 2014, 3:39 am
#133
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Who cares if it's top status? Hilton's mid status (HH Gold) is worth a lot more (free breakfast, free internet, and in some cases even lounge access though it's not an official benefit of Gold), and is also available for just having a card (either Amex Surpass or Citi Reserve).
Please explain the benefits of IHG top status which truimp Hilton mid-status.
(Don't misunderstand me, I still think the IHG card is great, but IHG Plat status is of spotty value at best, since it's only a fraction of IHG hotels that give a tangible benefit for being Plat.)
Please explain the benefits of IHG top status which truimp Hilton mid-status.
(Don't misunderstand me, I still think the IHG card is great, but IHG Plat status is of spotty value at best, since it's only a fraction of IHG hotels that give a tangible benefit for being Plat.)
Jan 31, 2014, 4:26 am
#134
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: UK
Programs: IHG Spire for what its worth
Posts: 125
I got the "PLT 2014" and the letter with the platinum card, even though I was a few thousand points short. As soon as I got this I did no more stays, so wouldn't have re-qualified by right, as I didn't need to.
I too was busted to gold, I go put back to Plat on my first phone call, I just waved the card at the phone and smiled nicely.
I too was busted to gold, I go put back to Plat on my first phone call, I just waved the card at the phone and smiled nicely.
Jan 31, 2014, 4:30 am
#135
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: UK
Programs: IHG Spire for what its worth
Posts: 125
I think they are starting to not understand how their system should work.
So I was instantly changed back to plat, but now the display showing requirements for re-qualifying has disappeared - surely it should be showing my what's needed to re-qualify for next year.....
So I was instantly changed back to plat, but now the display showing requirements for re-qualifying has disappeared - surely it should be showing my what's needed to re-qualify for next year.....