IHG Program Update March 2022
Jun 25, 2022, 4:33 pm
#766
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Brighton, UK
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 510
Another data point for diamond treatment.
Holiday Inn London Shepperton. Rewards night. 2 adults 1 child. Welcome points posted automatically about 4am the day of arrival.
Free breakfast offered without prompting but was told it only applied to me and nobody else in the room, despite the official IHG voucher you now get for this clearly stating it's for the member plus one guest - which was handed to me as I was told it only for 1. However, she said she'd grant it for the two of us (child free anyway and in HI as 10 years old) just this once.
That's two holiday inns, one crowne plaza and a kimpton in the UK all honouring the new benefit, albeit it with some odd interpretations of very clear rules on it.
I'm very pleased with the new diamond benefits and think these odd interpretations of the breakfast will iron itself out as staff become more used it.
Holiday Inn London Shepperton. Rewards night. 2 adults 1 child. Welcome points posted automatically about 4am the day of arrival.
Free breakfast offered without prompting but was told it only applied to me and nobody else in the room, despite the official IHG voucher you now get for this clearly stating it's for the member plus one guest - which was handed to me as I was told it only for 1. However, she said she'd grant it for the two of us (child free anyway and in HI as 10 years old) just this once.
That's two holiday inns, one crowne plaza and a kimpton in the UK all honouring the new benefit, albeit it with some odd interpretations of very clear rules on it.
I'm very pleased with the new diamond benefits and think these odd interpretations of the breakfast will iron itself out as staff become more used it.
**update We had been told when checking in that breakfast ended at 10.00 so got up earlier than we we would have, only to find it ended at 11.00. The breakfast greeter was the most unsmiley person ever, looked totally miserable, and people had to wait whilst tables were cleared to get in. Breakfast buffet not over nice.
Last edited by Keefy-boy; Jun 26, 2022 at 3:02 am
Jun 25, 2022, 10:52 pm
#767
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE, BA silver
Posts: 2,906
Crowne Plaza Budapest: upgraded to junior suite (booked standard room) but without club access, breakfast was included in rate but was told it was available as a diamond benefit. I was told that before the recent changes they were offering club access to diamonds.
Holiday Inn Salzburg: no upgrade, was offered free breakfast, a few hiccups with implementation but no problem in the end. This hotels feels more like an old HIE.
Holiday Inn Nuremberg: upgraded to great renovated one-bedroom suite, offered breakfast at check-in and also got points, one of the better HI I've stayed at.
In all cases breakfast was offered for two people without having to ask.
Holiday Inn Salzburg: no upgrade, was offered free breakfast, a few hiccups with implementation but no problem in the end. This hotels feels more like an old HIE.
Holiday Inn Nuremberg: upgraded to great renovated one-bedroom suite, offered breakfast at check-in and also got points, one of the better HI I've stayed at.
In all cases breakfast was offered for two people without having to ask.
Jun 26, 2022, 3:20 pm
#768
Join Date: May 2022
Programs: IHG Rewards
Posts: 70
Crowne Plaza Budapest: upgraded to junior suite (booked standard room) but without club access, breakfast was included in rate but was told it was available as a diamond benefit. I was told that before the recent changes they were offering club access to diamonds.
Holiday Inn Salzburg: no upgrade, was offered free breakfast, a few hiccups with implementation but no problem in the end. This hotels feels more like an old HIE.
Holiday Inn Nuremberg: upgraded to great renovated one-bedroom suite, offered breakfast at check-in and also got points, one of the better HI I've stayed at.
In all cases breakfast was offered for two people without having to ask.
Holiday Inn Salzburg: no upgrade, was offered free breakfast, a few hiccups with implementation but no problem in the end. This hotels feels more like an old HIE.
Holiday Inn Nuremberg: upgraded to great renovated one-bedroom suite, offered breakfast at check-in and also got points, one of the better HI I've stayed at.
In all cases breakfast was offered for two people without having to ask.
Jun 28, 2022, 4:20 am
#769
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE, BA silver
Posts: 2,906
Jun 28, 2022, 4:37 am
#770
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Brighton, UK
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 510
Bit annoyed, I've a 3 day stay at CP Marlow UK this week, booked a non-refundable breakfast inclusive rate almost a year ago not foreseeing that we could have had free breakfasts!
Jun 28, 2022, 7:13 am
#771
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, IHG Diamond, National Exec Elite
Posts: 394
Currently staying at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Chicago. Given a coupon for breakfast for 2 each day. As I am eating, I asked for a bill so I could charge a tip to my room. The server indicated a tip was already included. I asked if it was a decent tip and he indicated he felt so. Glad to hear IHG thought of this.
Jun 28, 2022, 8:20 am
#772
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Europe/SEA
Programs: TK E+, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Dusit Gold
Posts: 1,714
Currently staying at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Chicago. Given a coupon for breakfast for 2 each day. As I am eating, I asked for a bill so I could charge a tip to my room. The server indicated a tip was already included. I asked if it was a decent tip and he indicated he felt so. Glad to hear IHG thought of this.
Jun 28, 2022, 8:31 am
#773
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORF
Programs: Amex Plat, AA, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Choice Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 3,749
Kimpton Palomar in Philadelphia also honored the free breakfast for two on my stay from June 24 to June 26. Coupons received indicated tip was included. Two breakfasts for two were $90 total and were quite good. Even had I gone to the bagel shop a couple of blocks away, I would have probably spent close to $30 for the two breakfasts.
Jun 28, 2022, 4:45 pm
#774
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 123
Can I just clarify a stupid question?
Is it fully expected that Holiday Inns within Europe provide Breakfast to Diamond Elite on Reward Stays specifically? Or is this at their discretion? I just don't want to push the point if I am not actually entitled to it ! Thanks
Is it fully expected that Holiday Inns within Europe provide Breakfast to Diamond Elite on Reward Stays specifically? Or is this at their discretion? I just don't want to push the point if I am not actually entitled to it ! Thanks
Jun 28, 2022, 4:47 pm
#775
Join Date: May 2022
Programs: IHG Rewards
Posts: 70
Is that point stay also getting free breakfast for Diamond Elite?
Jun 28, 2022, 5:30 pm
#776
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TPE / HSZ
Programs: CX GO (=SPH), IHG Diamond Amb, Hertz 5*, Accor, Hilton, National
Posts: 6,437
Jun 28, 2022, 7:16 pm
#777
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kobe, Japan
Programs: Bonvoy Platinum, IHG Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 1,531
ANA Crowne Plaza Matsuyama.
Arrived at 11:30 expecting to just drop my bag. They said fine, and then said the room was ready and I could check in then, which was nice.
Got a few "thank you for being Platinum" mentions. Checkout 2pm was offered. Choice of 600 points or drink coupon good for house wine, beer, nonalcohol. Cocktails for Diamonds ONLY. The bar was closed until July 1st, so I was told to use it in the restaurants or lobby lounge. That night I tried to use it at 9:35pm at one of the restaurants and they said they had already called last order at 9:30. Ended up with a beer the next day in the lobby after checking out.
They didn't mention an upgrade, but when I asked they said they had already given me one. I had booked a single room for ¥6,000 and they gave me double corner room that goes for about ¥9,000. Paid full price ¥2,400 for breakfast. It was okay, but nowhere near Marriott level (which is over ¥3,000).
Arrived at 11:30 expecting to just drop my bag. They said fine, and then said the room was ready and I could check in then, which was nice.
Got a few "thank you for being Platinum" mentions. Checkout 2pm was offered. Choice of 600 points or drink coupon good for house wine, beer, nonalcohol. Cocktails for Diamonds ONLY. The bar was closed until July 1st, so I was told to use it in the restaurants or lobby lounge. That night I tried to use it at 9:35pm at one of the restaurants and they said they had already called last order at 9:30. Ended up with a beer the next day in the lobby after checking out.
They didn't mention an upgrade, but when I asked they said they had already given me one. I had booked a single room for ¥6,000 and they gave me double corner room that goes for about ¥9,000. Paid full price ¥2,400 for breakfast. It was okay, but nowhere near Marriott level (which is over ¥3,000).
Jun 28, 2022, 7:50 pm
#778
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
Programs: NEXUS/Global Entry, Delta, United, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, and Hertz
Posts: 18,038
Did you remember to use the secret password?
Jun 28, 2022, 8:20 pm
#779
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: san jose,calif
Programs: AA explat,Adm Club,Priority Club, and all nonsense in my comic book mind.
Posts: 746
Intercontinental, Madrid
I stayed right after the new program kicked in--it was an award night. at checkin, I was told that breakfast was not included, I said nicely: with the changes I am not sure. The response was: actually I am not sure either, after a short conversation (in Spanish of course)...she said you get your choice of drink, points or breakfast.
The hotel is older but very well maintained, and they have a nice central courtyard dining area.
The hotel is older but very well maintained, and they have a nice central courtyard dining area.
Jun 28, 2022, 8:33 pm
#780
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: san jose,calif
Programs: AA explat,Adm Club,Priority Club, and all nonsense in my comic book mind.
Posts: 746
question about award nights...
I cant find the info: are they considered qualifying nights for status?