Lounge Access Changes?
Mar 7, 2018, 6:58 pm
#31
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BKK
Programs: TG ROP Platinum, M&M Senator, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 8,332
IHG's upgrade policy has always been clearly stated and is in the T&C's. Their definition is clearly defined and subject to availability and does not specify a '1 category' upgrade. That term is only used in the Ambassador program. Upgrades to bigger/better rooms and/or lounge access should not be expected.
As per the T&Cs: "Platinum Elite and Spire Elite Members will be offered a complimentary upgrade, as determined by the hotel, which might include rooms on higher floors, corner rooms, newly renovated rooms, or rooms with preferred views. The upgrade will be offered at time of check-in, subject to and based on availability, and will only apply to the Member's personal guest room. The hotel is not required to upgrade Members to suites or specialty rooms. Upgrade benefits will not apply to rooms booked as a Reward Night reservation, or to Holiday Inn Express hotels in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Upgrade benefits may not be available at InterContinental Residences."
As per the T&Cs: "Platinum Elite and Spire Elite Members will be offered a complimentary upgrade, as determined by the hotel, which might include rooms on higher floors, corner rooms, newly renovated rooms, or rooms with preferred views. The upgrade will be offered at time of check-in, subject to and based on availability, and will only apply to the Member's personal guest room. The hotel is not required to upgrade Members to suites or specialty rooms. Upgrade benefits will not apply to rooms booked as a Reward Night reservation, or to Holiday Inn Express hotels in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Upgrade benefits may not be available at InterContinental Residences."
Mar 8, 2018, 12:38 am
#33
Join Date: May 2012
Location: UK
Programs: PC Platinum, CC Gold Elite, VS Red
Posts: 332
Club lounge access for Spire is guaranteed in Greater China Crowne Plaza and Indigo properties, or you will be given a F&B voucher per stay if there is no Club Lounge available. Unfortunately this policy has not been extended to regions outside Greater China. And this is not written in T&C. Travelling in China, a Spire member is better to book a CP to qualify for lounges. This measure is due to competition of Hilton and Marriott in China region.
Mar 8, 2018, 3:06 am
#34
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,477
Yes they are. But the competitive scope is different. There are several reasons:
1, In North America all major hotel chains are in together for a mature market. There is no obvious leaders. But in China IHG is currently the leader with almost 300 hotels. Marriott and Hilton are trying to catch up. In this sense, Marriott and Hilton is more threatening to IHG in China than North America.
2, In North American, Executive lounge is not compulsory for CP operators and owners. There are very few Crowne Plazas have lounges. But in China, almost all CPs have Club Lounges with very few exceptions.
3, In North America, Crowne Plaza is a forgotten brand in IHG's portfolio. Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express is what IHG emphasis on. However, in China, IHG is trying to hold on to the market share with Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Express duo brand. The market intention is clear. And that is why IHG introduced Crowne Plaza repositions programme few years back.
So you end up have a wired situation. In North America, Crowne Plaza is essentially a Holiday Inn without much difference except the specialise in meeting and conventions. But in Greater China, Crowne Plaza is a lighter version of InterContinental that primarily compete with Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton, Radisson and Renaissance. Look at the current situation in China, Crowne Plaza has over 80 hotels, Marriott and JW Marriott only have 57 hotels including apartments, Hilton has about 45 hotels under Hilton brand. What is worse, Hilton are using DoubleTree brand to combat secondary market of China where CP used to dominate. There is no Club Lounge in any North America DoubleTree hotels. But in China, almost every DoubleTree hotel has a Club lounge. It is the lighter version of Hilton in China.
Crowne Plaza is approaching its saturation of growth in China, and needs to hold on to its market position. Marriott and Hilton are catching up fast. Competing in the same segment, IHG needs to make CP more competitive, thus the change of policy trying to please the top tier of IHG members in China in order to prevent a big flow towards competitors. And one of the most complained part is the free breakfast and lounge access Hilton and Marriott elite members get. So IHG responded. Regional hotel brands competition is very different between Asia and North America. Crowne Plazas pick up leftover properties in the US, but it is a leading brand in Asia. Obviously different tactics are needed.
But watch out, I think it is just a matter of time for the current Greater China policy going global at least for Crowne Plaza brand.
1, In North America all major hotel chains are in together for a mature market. There is no obvious leaders. But in China IHG is currently the leader with almost 300 hotels. Marriott and Hilton are trying to catch up. In this sense, Marriott and Hilton is more threatening to IHG in China than North America.
2, In North American, Executive lounge is not compulsory for CP operators and owners. There are very few Crowne Plazas have lounges. But in China, almost all CPs have Club Lounges with very few exceptions.
3, In North America, Crowne Plaza is a forgotten brand in IHG's portfolio. Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express is what IHG emphasis on. However, in China, IHG is trying to hold on to the market share with Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Express duo brand. The market intention is clear. And that is why IHG introduced Crowne Plaza repositions programme few years back.
So you end up have a wired situation. In North America, Crowne Plaza is essentially a Holiday Inn without much difference except the specialise in meeting and conventions. But in Greater China, Crowne Plaza is a lighter version of InterContinental that primarily compete with Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton, Radisson and Renaissance. Look at the current situation in China, Crowne Plaza has over 80 hotels, Marriott and JW Marriott only have 57 hotels including apartments, Hilton has about 45 hotels under Hilton brand. What is worse, Hilton are using DoubleTree brand to combat secondary market of China where CP used to dominate. There is no Club Lounge in any North America DoubleTree hotels. But in China, almost every DoubleTree hotel has a Club lounge. It is the lighter version of Hilton in China.
Crowne Plaza is approaching its saturation of growth in China, and needs to hold on to its market position. Marriott and Hilton are catching up fast. Competing in the same segment, IHG needs to make CP more competitive, thus the change of policy trying to please the top tier of IHG members in China in order to prevent a big flow towards competitors. And one of the most complained part is the free breakfast and lounge access Hilton and Marriott elite members get. So IHG responded. Regional hotel brands competition is very different between Asia and North America. Crowne Plazas pick up leftover properties in the US, but it is a leading brand in Asia. Obviously different tactics are needed.
But watch out, I think it is just a matter of time for the current Greater China policy going global at least for Crowne Plaza brand.