IC San Francisco Master Thread [merged]
Feb 25, 2008, 11:40 pm
#91
Formerly known as fsa_ea
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS/1MM,AS 75k,NK GLD,AA 2MM,DL 2MM,LH FT,AY PLT,IC RA,FMT LT PLT,HYT GLB,HLT DIA,MRT GLD,HRTZ PC
Posts: 2,229
First staying Martch 15. See y'all there.
Feb 26, 2008, 2:37 am
#92
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
Thanks fsa_ea. In response to a similar question from me I was told a couple of weeks ago that the usual upgrade for an RA would be to a junior suite and the only way to be upgraded to a room with club access was to already be booked in a club access room. So, I'm booked in a Club King and expect to end up with a Club junior suite.
For the dates I looked at, the different between a standard king and a club king generally seems to be $100 on best flexible rate and, not suprisingly, around $90 on advance purchase. So, if someone wanted club access it might be marginally cheaper to buy it for $80 on the day. I won't change my booking however as I intend to use a bogo for the second night and want club access for both.
For the dates I looked at, the different between a standard king and a club king generally seems to be $100 on best flexible rate and, not suprisingly, around $90 on advance purchase. So, if someone wanted club access it might be marginally cheaper to buy it for $80 on the day. I won't change my booking however as I intend to use a bogo for the second night and want club access for both.
Appreciate the follow-up info. I've booked a Club King for the end of next month using a BOGO. The rate is $309 but that also includes the 4K PC points bonus option. I think without the bonus it runs $289. So guess I will get one of those suites. The Club appears to be one offering round-the-clock catering like Boston, with a lunch offering as well as breakfast and hors d'oeuvres in the evening.
BTW I had also sent an email asking what a RA would get in the way of an upgrade and received an email back tonight giving me a boiler plate outline of the Ambassador program, its cost and benefits, but no answer to my question. Glad you got a better one.
Last edited by Shareholder; Feb 26, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Feb 27, 2008, 8:59 am
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
Emailed original response back and received the following a few hours later:
Shareholder,
I thank you for your email and apologize for the confusion.
As a Royal Ambassador member, you will be entitled to an upgraded room type, based upon availability, at check-in. Currently, your reservation is for a beautiful King Club room. Being Royal Ambassador, you would then be entitled to a King Jr. Suite, based upon availability, at check-in. This room type would be a double upgrade from the King Club room. The King Jr. Suite is a lovely upgraded corner room with two walls of windows and a seating area that provides a view of the city and bay. You would also have access to the Club Lounge, which is located on the 6th floor of the hotel, along with the day spa, health club and indoor heated pool and sauna.
Should you have any questions or need assistance with your reservation, we can be reached at 1-800-465-4329
The staff members, here at the InterContinental San Francisco, are looking forward to your upcoming stay.
Sincerely,
So to get Club access one must book the minimal Club room. However, for a weekend stay with a BOGO, still works out to be a good deal and if you do it before the end of March, you get $50 back in the form of that Visa gift card...if you charge it to your Visa card.
Shareholder,
I thank you for your email and apologize for the confusion.
As a Royal Ambassador member, you will be entitled to an upgraded room type, based upon availability, at check-in. Currently, your reservation is for a beautiful King Club room. Being Royal Ambassador, you would then be entitled to a King Jr. Suite, based upon availability, at check-in. This room type would be a double upgrade from the King Club room. The King Jr. Suite is a lovely upgraded corner room with two walls of windows and a seating area that provides a view of the city and bay. You would also have access to the Club Lounge, which is located on the 6th floor of the hotel, along with the day spa, health club and indoor heated pool and sauna.
Should you have any questions or need assistance with your reservation, we can be reached at 1-800-465-4329
The staff members, here at the InterContinental San Francisco, are looking forward to your upcoming stay.
Sincerely,
So to get Club access one must book the minimal Club room. However, for a weekend stay with a BOGO, still works out to be a good deal and if you do it before the end of March, you get $50 back in the form of that Visa gift card...if you charge it to your Visa card.
Feb 27, 2008, 12:01 pm
#95
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: PC, BA Low Rent Elite
Posts: 320
I don't really understand where they get this "based upon availability" business from.
The glossy brochure that I have got in my box every year says on the Relaxation Page:
"Guaranteed room upgrade. Enjoy the luxury of an Executive room or a suite every time you stay."
I also don't see what the double upgrade is. A King Club room prices out more expensive than the King Jnr Suite. They seem to be saying that a King Club is a regular room with the Club fee added on for your convenience...
The glossy brochure that I have got in my box every year says on the Relaxation Page:
"Guaranteed room upgrade. Enjoy the luxury of an Executive room or a suite every time you stay."
I also don't see what the double upgrade is. A King Club room prices out more expensive than the King Jnr Suite. They seem to be saying that a King Club is a regular room with the Club fee added on for your convenience...
Feb 27, 2008, 2:41 pm
#96
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,720
If it were me there is no way I would stay at the Mark Hopkins v. the new IC. The location is inferior for downtown business or conventions (only excepting conferences at the MH or the nearby Fairmont). The standard rooms at the Mark will certainly be inferior, there is only so much lipstick that can be applied and the noise from the thin doors/hallways is not really fixable.
Feb 27, 2008, 4:35 pm
#97
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: SoCal
Programs: UA 1K 2Millon Mile Flyer, IC Diamond Royal Ambassador Inner Circle, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 479
If it were me there is no way I would stay at the Mark Hopkins v. the new IC. The location is inferior for downtown business or conventions (only excepting conferences at the MH or the nearby Fairmont). The standard rooms at the Mark will certainly be inferior, there is only so much lipstick that can be applied and the noise from the thin doors/hallways is not really fixable.
Depends on what you are looking for in the hotel. The MH is a classic, which is much different than the "steel and glass" design of the newer IC's. I don't mind the old surroundings as long as a hotel has character. Agree about the location though...
I, among others, have been a fierce critic of the MH posture on RA relations. However, I still enjoy the hotel and hope to stay there in the future. It will be interesting to see how the MH reacts now that the new IC is open. Also, I considered the club fee of $60 at the MH to be excessive for RA's. After hearing the $100 fee (which I definitely don't plan to pay) at the the new IC, perhaps my criticism was a bit harsh...
Feb 27, 2008, 5:00 pm
#98
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Australia
Programs: QFF LTG , HHD
Posts: 1,207
I don't really understand where they get this "based upon availability" business from.
The glossy brochure that I have got in my box every year says on the Relaxation Page:
"Guaranteed room upgrade. Enjoy the luxury of an Executive room or a suite every time you stay."
I also don't see what the double upgrade is. A King Club room prices out more expensive than the King Jnr Suite. They seem to be saying that a King Club is a regular room with the Club fee added on for your convenience...
The glossy brochure that I have got in my box every year says on the Relaxation Page:
"Guaranteed room upgrade. Enjoy the luxury of an Executive room or a suite every time you stay."
I also don't see what the double upgrade is. A King Club room prices out more expensive than the King Jnr Suite. They seem to be saying that a King Club is a regular room with the Club fee added on for your convenience...
Mar 7, 2008, 9:58 am
#100
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: EDI
Programs: BA Silver / Bonyoy Platinum
Posts: 1,919
Well I don't know if it opened on time or not but if it is open it must be empty! I have been watching rates for the weekend of the 11-13th April and the rates have actually dropped!
Rates on a King Club IC room seem to have dropped $20 on all booking types such as Advance/Flex and Flex+4K points.
So it is $215+Tax for a King Club IC room. Coupled with a BOGOF voucher this is going to be a very nice cheap weekend!
And with rooms starting at $135+Tax for this weekend they must have a lot of rooms to fill?
Rates on a King Club IC room seem to have dropped $20 on all booking types such as Advance/Flex and Flex+4K points.
So it is $215+Tax for a King Club IC room. Coupled with a BOGOF voucher this is going to be a very nice cheap weekend!
And with rooms starting at $135+Tax for this weekend they must have a lot of rooms to fill?
Mar 8, 2008, 4:40 am
#101
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Toronto YYZ UA-1K 1MM,QFgold
Programs: Royal Ambassador/ SPG Platinum 75/Marriott gold
Posts: 14,283
I have noticed the Mark Hokins has been so much better the last 6 months... lol perhaps they are worried.... I stay 6 times a year a both the MH and GS and after 15 years of Stays at GS I'm giving the Sheraton a try...
Mar 8, 2008, 4:14 pm
#102
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
Well I don't know if it opened on time or not but if it is open it must be empty! I have been watching rates for the weekend of the 11-13th April and the rates have actually dropped!
Rates on a King Club IC room seem to have dropped $20 on all booking types such as Advance/Flex and Flex+4K points.
So it is $215+Tax for a King Club IC room. Coupled with a BOGOF voucher this is going to be a very nice cheap weekend!
And with rooms starting at $135+Tax for this weekend they must have a lot of rooms to fill?
Rates on a King Club IC room seem to have dropped $20 on all booking types such as Advance/Flex and Flex+4K points.
So it is $215+Tax for a King Club IC room. Coupled with a BOGOF voucher this is going to be a very nice cheap weekend!
And with rooms starting at $135+Tax for this weekend they must have a lot of rooms to fill?
You can't really generalize from your single weekend. There's been no change for the weekend I will be there so like all properties, there is much variability depending upon what's going on in the city on a given weekend.
Mar 8, 2008, 4:55 pm
#103
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Australia
Programs: QFF LTG , HHD
Posts: 1,207
Mar 9, 2008, 4:12 am
#104
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: NUE
Programs: Skywards Gold, IC Ambassador, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Accor Platinum
Posts: 495
I have also noticed the prices going down - at least for the Advance Purchase rates.
Booked a King Club IC for a night in August at Best Flexible of $ 329 about
a month ago. The Advance Purchase was $ 309.
Looked again yesterday and the Advance Puchase rate went down to
$ 263.20 - thats nearly $ 50 less! The Best Flexible stayed the same!
Of course I changed my booking at once to secure the cheaper price as we will definately stay there during our summer holiday.
Booked a King Club IC for a night in August at Best Flexible of $ 329 about
a month ago. The Advance Purchase was $ 309.
Looked again yesterday and the Advance Puchase rate went down to
$ 263.20 - thats nearly $ 50 less! The Best Flexible stayed the same!
Of course I changed my booking at once to secure the cheaper price as we will definately stay there during our summer holiday.
