The NEW Priority Club, Ambassador and Royal Ambassador Master Thread
Apr 21, 2010, 3:45 am
#316
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Shanghai, China
Programs: KE Skypass, Asiana, Virgin, PC, HHonors, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 90
In my case, in China, I called them and they expressed it to me. Came to my door in 2 days. But you need to go through the right rep. Tried several times.
Apr 21, 2010, 9:38 am
#317
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NE England
Programs: HH Gold, PC Plat, VS Silver, Le Club Gold,
Posts: 32
Hi
Sorry to hijack this thread but I didn't want to start a new thread.
My husband has been on the phone to PC today as we are waiting to see if we are flying on Saturday from the UK to Florida but we have until 11pm tonight to cancel our reward reservation with the HI Clearwater Beach.
Anyway, whilst on the phone he was asked if he was happy with PC and he said generally yes but he had a wee moan about the general difficulty in getting upgrades despite his platinum status and 90+ stays per year.
He was told that when we arrive at the HI Clearwater we should enquire about joining Ambassador as they may treat us favourably as the property would get the $150 fee.
He also said that as we are in the HI Santa Monica later this year if we had ambassador status the hotel might collect us at the airport.
From being a long time lurker and occasional poster on this site, I was of the opinion that Ambassador is purely beneficial for IC properties.
My first thoughts were that the bloke at PC was talking rubbish, whats your thoughts?
JB
Sorry to hijack this thread but I didn't want to start a new thread.
My husband has been on the phone to PC today as we are waiting to see if we are flying on Saturday from the UK to Florida but we have until 11pm tonight to cancel our reward reservation with the HI Clearwater Beach.
Anyway, whilst on the phone he was asked if he was happy with PC and he said generally yes but he had a wee moan about the general difficulty in getting upgrades despite his platinum status and 90+ stays per year.
He was told that when we arrive at the HI Clearwater we should enquire about joining Ambassador as they may treat us favourably as the property would get the $150 fee.
He also said that as we are in the HI Santa Monica later this year if we had ambassador status the hotel might collect us at the airport.
From being a long time lurker and occasional poster on this site, I was of the opinion that Ambassador is purely beneficial for IC properties.
My first thoughts were that the bloke at PC was talking rubbish, whats your thoughts?
JB
Apr 21, 2010, 2:45 pm
#318
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: MSN
Programs: Delta Silver Elite, HiltonHonors Diamond, Priority Club Platinum Royal Ambassador
Posts: 259
It could take 3 or more weeks for the membership kit to arrive. In addition, the new weekend certificates are only valid with the "Ambassador Certificate" rate (same as best flexible rate) bookable through a special link and rooms using the certificate are subject to availability (new policy). You must also present the original certificate to get the free room night.
If your trip is in the next few weeks, you may be cutting it close.
mxm135
If your trip is in the next few weeks, you may be cutting it close.
mxm135
How exactly do I see the "Ambassador Certificate" rate?
I just pulled the trigger on joining, but not sure if the hotel I want will have "availability" for the weekend I need
Apr 21, 2010, 2:51 pm
#319
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: bay area, ca
Programs: AS 100K, AA Gold, IC Diamond AMB, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,840
Apr 21, 2010, 2:54 pm
#320
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Shanghai and Bavaria
Programs: Spire RA, 1865 Voyager, Bonvoy Titanium, FB LP, LH SEN.
Posts: 3,104
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/6c/...rateCode=IBAMB
You can also make a reservation right now, as you don't have to input the cert number at the time you make the reservation, but only hand it to the hotel when checking-in. More info here in this Masterthread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...ad-merged.html
Welcome to the Ambassador World
Apr 21, 2010, 7:30 pm
#321
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: MSN
Programs: Delta Silver Elite, HiltonHonors Diamond, Priority Club Platinum Royal Ambassador
Posts: 259
With the new cert, you need to book the Ambassador Cert rate. You can use this link or enter rate code IBAMB
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/6c/...rateCode=IBAMB
You can also make a reservation right now, as you don't have to input the cert number at the time you make the reservation, but only hand it to the hotel when checking-in. More info here in this Masterthread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...ad-merged.html
Welcome to the Ambassador World
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/6c/...rateCode=IBAMB
You can also make a reservation right now, as you don't have to input the cert number at the time you make the reservation, but only hand it to the hotel when checking-in. More info here in this Masterthread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...ad-merged.html
Welcome to the Ambassador World
Apr 21, 2010, 7:55 pm
#322
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Ottawa
Programs: IC/AMB - Diamond Elite, AC E50K, AA, AM-Onyx, HH-Diamond, BW, Choice - Gold
Posts: 1,736
Thanks for all the great info - followed the link, and it looks like the certificate rate is 100 euros more than the "best available", but still much better than full price. one last question, while I know I need to have the certificate at check-in, can I use the link to reserve, the weekend before I actually receive it?
I am surprised that the room rate is that much higher than the Best Flexible Rate (BFR). At most North American IC's, the rate is the same as the BFR. Keep in mind that you can not book a suite using the Certificate. This is one of the conditions of use for the certificate.
mxm135
Apr 21, 2010, 8:27 pm
#323
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 9
10 days
I bought my membership 2 weeks ago. Stayed at the IC in Tampa last weekend, got upgraded to a nice 2 room suite. When I got home, my welcome package was here waiting for me. Very impressed with the overall experience and will definitely look forward to other IC's.
Apr 22, 2010, 7:37 am
#324
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: MSN
Programs: Delta Silver Elite, HiltonHonors Diamond, Priority Club Platinum Royal Ambassador
Posts: 259
Yes you can reserve before you have the certificate in hand. Keep in mind that you will need to present an original certificate at check-in.
I am surprised that the room rate is that much higher than the Best Flexible Rate (BFR). At most North American IC's, the rate is the same as the BFR. Keep in mind that you can not book a suite using the Certificate. This is one of the conditions of use for the certificate.
mxm135
I am surprised that the room rate is that much higher than the Best Flexible Rate (BFR). At most North American IC's, the rate is the same as the BFR. Keep in mind that you can not book a suite using the Certificate. This is one of the conditions of use for the certificate.
mxm135
Apr 22, 2010, 7:45 am
#325
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Shanghai and Bavaria
Programs: Spire RA, 1865 Voyager, Bonvoy Titanium, FB LP, LH SEN.
Posts: 3,104
It's in Paris, so I figured it may cost more - I'm just going to book the lowest category room that has the right size bed for us, and hope for an upgrade. Then add a three night points stay - hopefully they will keep me in the same room, and allow the late checkout on the reward stay.
Would you mind telling what dates the rates vary? It would be interesting, since the "IBAMB" rate is a quite new "invention"... ThanksIC Marceau will definately let you keep the room on points, from my experience,
IC Le Grand could be a bit more stingy.
Apr 22, 2010, 9:11 am
#326
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: MSN
Programs: Delta Silver Elite, HiltonHonors Diamond, Priority Club Platinum Royal Ambassador
Posts: 259
It should be the same rate as best flex (not as advance purchase) - at least when I quickly checked some weekends it was the case Would you mind telling what dates the rates vary? It would be interesting, since the "IBAMB" rate is a quite new "invention"... Thanks
IC Marceau will definately let you keep the room on points, from my experience,
IC Le Grand could be a bit more stingy.
Would you mind telling what dates the rates vary? It would be interesting, since the "IBAMB" rate is a quite new "invention"... ThanksIC Marceau will definately let you keep the room on points, from my experience,
IC Le Grand could be a bit more stingy.
Today it's the same as the best flex (which is 180 euro less than when I looked last night)Looking at a weekend in June at Le Grand (and then the rest of the week on separate reservation)
Apr 22, 2010, 9:55 am
#327
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
For Paris, you may want to forget Ambassador and book via a Virtuoso agent instead. This is because they have a special package (at standard rates) with free club access. The club is EXCELLENT at LeGrand - you could live off the free food in there without any problems and drink enough free champagne to cause serious medical problems!
http://www.virtuoso.com/bestofeurope...lparislegrand/
Note also that Classic rooms are very small and Superior rooms are still fairly small - for a long stay, consider a higher room category than Classic.
http://www.virtuoso.com/bestofeurope...lparislegrand/
Note also that Classic rooms are very small and Superior rooms are still fairly small - for a long stay, consider a higher room category than Classic.
May 6, 2010, 2:47 am
#328
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Ambassador, spg plat
Posts: 121
For Paris, you may want to forget Ambassador and book via a Virtuoso agent instead. This is because they have a special package (at standard rates) with free club access. The club is EXCELLENT at LeGrand - you could live off the free food in there without any problems and drink enough free champagne to cause serious medical problems!
http://www.virtuoso.com/bestofeurope...lparislegrand/
Note also that Classic rooms are very small and Superior rooms are still fairly small - for a long stay, consider a higher room category than Classic.
http://www.virtuoso.com/bestofeurope...lparislegrand/
Note also that Classic rooms are very small and Superior rooms are still fairly small - for a long stay, consider a higher room category than Classic.
May 17, 2010, 9:34 am
#329
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Manchester
Programs: Hertz Gold / Hilton Diamond / Hyatt Plat / Marriott Gold / IC RA / SPG Plat
Posts: 707
May 18, 2010, 10:56 pm
#330
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: AA EXP/5 MM, BA Blue Bayou, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 5,828
Can a Virtuoso agent book the IBAMB rate?
If not- would booking a flexible rate through Virtuoso allow for use of the BOGO?
If not- would booking a flexible rate through Virtuoso allow for use of the BOGO?