Get instantly upgraded to IHG Diamond status
Oct 16, 22, 12:03 pm
#91
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: AMS+IAH
Programs: Lufthansa: Senator || IHG: Diamond Royal Ambassador Inner Circle || Plutonium Status
Posts: 2,732
It is only that someone from guest relations reached out to me 4 days in advance per email noting that as an appreciated guest the advise was to get in before 08,30 to be sure of getting a table.
Why?
Citing weekend high occupancy:
Guests normally book a rate with breakfast = hotel can anticipate crowds in advance
Now Diamonds book a stay without breakfast,
let reception know only at day of checkin that they want breakfast for the next day = hotel knows only 24H in advance the strain on breakfast room occupancy => crowds appear and not enough tables free
hence the hotel's need to warn their preferred guests
(or even better they should instate reservering slots for breakfast in general)
Last edited by HadesNL; Oct 16, 22 at 12:12 pm
Oct 16, 22, 10:19 pm
#92
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: UA1k3.00mm;AAex-EXP;Hy Glob;Acc Plt;HH Dia;Onyx Plt;Mar LT Tit;IHG DiAm;RR P;RRA G;BW D;Hcom G
Posts: 2,674
The problem now is: why should people get a diamond if they can't stay for 40 nights and unlock the first lounge pass choice? I knew plenty of people who spend less than 20 nights a year, with a majority of them being at HIX properties and having Spire status which will grant them lounge access in Crowne Plaza and Hualuxe properties.
Oct 17, 22, 12:58 am
#94
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: UA1k3.00mm;AAex-EXP;Hy Glob;Acc Plt;HH Dia;Onyx Plt;Mar LT Tit;IHG DiAm;RR P;RRA G;BW D;Hcom G
Posts: 2,674
Free breakfast for some is the only meal of the day. You are lucky you (or your employer) could afford to eat outside for bf even though your hotel offers it for free. I might be able to afford that but I appear to have a genetic condition which has prevented that from ever happening even one time.
I hope you got stay credit for the full 45 days.
You are lucky you (or your employer) could afford to eat outside for bf even though your hotel offers it for free. I might be able to afford that but I appear to have a genetic condition which has prevented that from ever happening even one time.I hope you got stay credit for the full 45 days.
Oct 17, 22, 1:49 am
#95
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Sheen, London
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,082
Last saturday at the Indigo The Hague, the breakfast room couldn't cope with a full hotel with every guest coming at breakfast at 9 at once.
It is only that someone from guest relations reached out to me 4 days in advance per email noting that as an appreciated guest the advise was to get in before 08,30 to be sure of getting a table.
Why?
Citing weekend high occupancy:
Guests normally book a rate with breakfast = hotel can anticipate crowds in advance
Now Diamonds book a stay without breakfast,
let reception know only at day of checkin that they want breakfast for the next day = hotel knows only 24H in advance the strain on breakfast room occupancy => crowds appear and not enough tables free
hence the hotel's need to warn their preferred guests
(or even better they should instate reservering slots for breakfast in general)
It is only that someone from guest relations reached out to me 4 days in advance per email noting that as an appreciated guest the advise was to get in before 08,30 to be sure of getting a table.
Why?
Citing weekend high occupancy:
Guests normally book a rate with breakfast = hotel can anticipate crowds in advance
Now Diamonds book a stay without breakfast,
let reception know only at day of checkin that they want breakfast for the next day = hotel knows only 24H in advance the strain on breakfast room occupancy => crowds appear and not enough tables free
hence the hotel's need to warn their preferred guests
(or even better they should instate reservering slots for breakfast in general)
I agree Indigos tend to have small restaurants so booking an approximate time would be useful on busy mornings. But they should be flexible about it, on the understanding that if you are a lot later than your approximate time slot you may have to wait until there's a free table. (This has been my experience at Indigos so far.)
Oct 17, 22, 3:55 am
#96
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 13,856
The issue appears to be a busy hotel with paying customers not a diamonds availing themselves of their benefit.
Other hotels have had traffic light signs indicating busy times.
I don't think any hotel restaurent could cope with a large number people all appearing at the same time
It's an issue that's existed for years.
Other hotels have had traffic light signs indicating busy times.
I don't think any hotel restaurent could cope with a large number people all appearing at the same time
It's an issue that's existed for years.
Oct 17, 22, 10:49 pm
#99
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: QR/SQ/VA Gold, QF Silver, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Bonvoy/HH Silver
Posts: 1,565
Oct 18, 22, 3:00 am
#100
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: NSW
Programs: QF P1 + LTG VA Plat, AA nothing, HH Diamond, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 752
Oct 18, 22, 3:11 am
#101
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: 7,230
Given free breakfast is included for everyone free at every Express by Holiday Inn worldwide (it is a chain benefit/ selling point) this is nothing out of the ordinary and what you were entitled too not via status but by staying at this particular brand.
Oct 18, 22, 3:55 am
#102
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 586
Oct 18, 22, 6:43 am
#103
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: UA1k3.00mm;AAex-EXP;Hy Glob;Acc Plt;HH Dia;Onyx Plt;Mar LT Tit;IHG DiAm;RR P;RRA G;BW D;Hcom G
Posts: 2,674
I'm at 62 nights and should hit 70 by the end of next month (95% from award stays). I'm used to it with Hyatt having Diamond (then Globalist) challenges/matches/taste of promotions after 10 stays every year for about a decade (it stopped about two years ago). I've qualified the normal way for more than 20 years. I didn't begrudge those Hyatt Diamond/Globalist lites, especially since they didn't get suite upgrades or milestone bonuses like free nights (if I recall correctly). It would make me laugh when they would complain about not getting the suite upgrades.I also signed up for the instant Diamond and will renew Ambassador at the end of February, so I will be a triple clad Diamond. haha
So far, my account hasn't been frozen (for signing up for the instant Diamond), which is good bc I'm expecting 150k more points to add soon to my 520k from the sign up bonus from getting the Chase IHG Business Visa Card.
Oct 18, 22, 7:03 am
#104
Formerly known as newbie elite
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: YUL
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,824
Oct 18, 22, 7:07 am
#105
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: CMH, West Coast
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, oneworld emerald
Posts: 2,730
I also don't understand the preoccupation with free hotel breakfast. If I'm traveling, part of the reason is to get better food and coffee in a better city. Coffee is exciting in Seattle or Portland. Breakfast is exciting in SF or LA. Nothing is exciting about Crowne Plaza bacon and "coffee."
