The NEW Priority Club, Ambassador and Royal Ambassador Master Thread
Feb 22, 2011, 8:03 am
#451
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, IHG PL, SPG G, MR G, HH G, CC G, AMEX PL
Posts: 1,465
Mar 29, 2011, 4:30 pm
#452
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: UA MM | BA Silver
Posts: 7,194
Not sure where to put this, so I guess it can go here. I stayed at the Intercontinental Michigan Avenue (Chicago) for 3 nights. I am a plat ambassador.
I booked a King Deluxe room and was upgraded to a King Magnificent Mile Suite on the 20th floor. I received a fruit plate, water and a box of chocolates. In addition they provided free internet, which I thought was only for RA's.
I wish they had a dedicated elite check-in line/area, but overall a nice stay.
I booked a King Deluxe room and was upgraded to a King Magnificent Mile Suite on the 20th floor. I received a fruit plate, water and a box of chocolates. In addition they provided free internet, which I thought was only for RA's.
I wish they had a dedicated elite check-in line/area, but overall a nice stay.
Mar 29, 2011, 5:28 pm
#453
Join Date: May 2009
Programs: VS Silver, Kris Silver, IC Amb, HH Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 386
Not sure where to put this, so I guess it can go here. I stayed at the Intercontinental Michigan Avenue (Chicago) for 3 nights. I am a plat ambassador.
I booked a King Deluxe room and was upgraded to a King Magnificent Mile Suite on the 20th floor. I received a fruit plate, water and a box of chocolates. In addition they provided free internet, which I thought was only for RA's.
I wish they had a dedicated elite check-in line/area, but overall a nice stay.
I booked a King Deluxe room and was upgraded to a King Magnificent Mile Suite on the 20th floor. I received a fruit plate, water and a box of chocolates. In addition they provided free internet, which I thought was only for RA's.
I wish they had a dedicated elite check-in line/area, but overall a nice stay.
There are some non RA's that have posted in there in the past, would be good to get your report there too! ^
Mar 30, 2011, 2:54 am
#454
Join Date: Oct 2010
Programs: platinum intercontinental /gold marriott /spg platinum
Posts: 37
ic barcley new york
i have to admit that this hotel always offer great service and nice upgrades
Apr 2, 2011, 12:59 am
#455
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: UA MM | BA Silver
Posts: 7,194
You can post in here: royal-ambassador-experience
There are some non RA's that have posted in there in the past, would be good to get your report there too! ^
There are some non RA's that have posted in there in the past, would be good to get your report there too! ^
Apr 2, 2011, 10:01 am
#456
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: plt. Ambassdor, gold MR
Posts: 8
hmm 90 days!
Apr 21, 2011, 6:34 pm
#457
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,423
For RA's on stays, anyone know to how many people the benefits go to? I did a dummy booking at IC Chicago Ohare and found that 1 person is the same price as 4. If I show up with 4 people (adults), get UG'd, have a roll-away bed brought in, can we have 4 people show up to the lounge?
Don't think I could find this here in FT or in the T&C.
Don't think I could find this here in FT or in the T&C.
Apr 21, 2011, 7:01 pm
#458
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Ottawa
Programs: IC/AMB - Diamond Elite, AC E50K, AA, AM-Onyx, HH-Diamond, BW, Choice - Gold
Posts: 1,736
For RA's on stays, anyone know to how many people the benefits go to? I did a dummy booking at IC Chicago Ohare and found that 1 person is the same price as 4. If I show up with 4 people (adults), get UG'd, have a roll-away bed brought in, can we have 4 people show up to the lounge?
Don't think I could find this here in FT or in the T&C.
Don't think I could find this here in FT or in the T&C.
From my own experience and discussions with various Lounge Concierges at the various IC's where there is lounge access, they will permit the number of persons who are legally booked in the room. Most hotels will charge for more than 2 adults in the same room.
mxm135
Last edited by MXM135; Apr 21, 2011 at 7:05 pm Reason: Additional information
Apr 22, 2011, 10:04 am
#459
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,423
The last time I stayed at the IC O'Hare, they did not have a lounge, although they plan to open one in the near future.
From my own experience and discussions with various Lounge Concierges at the various IC's where there is lounge access, they will permit the number of persons who are legally booked in the room. Most hotels will charge for more than 2 adults in the same room.
mxm135
From my own experience and discussions with various Lounge Concierges at the various IC's where there is lounge access, they will permit the number of persons who are legally booked in the room. Most hotels will charge for more than 2 adults in the same room.
mxm135
Some hotels do have higher rates for more than 2, some do not. Seems to be no real pattern though.
Apr 29, 2011, 8:26 am
#460
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,423
Just checked into the IC MTL and room wasn't ready as of 1030am. What typically do folks suggest for rooms not ready at gauranteed time? Just suck it up and go? Is there a typically we're sorry?
Apr 29, 2011, 8:29 am
#461
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
The guarantee is "a room" not "your room". They are obliged to pony up any room they can find, big or small, and then move you later to your allocated room.
Apr 29, 2011, 12:03 pm
#462
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,423
Apr 30, 2011, 5:03 am
#463
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Hamburg
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 20
To complain or not to complain?
I need some help to understand if I should get very annoyed (and complain) or if I should be happy with what I got. Maybe someone out there can set my head straight...
A friend and I had a four night stay at the IC Kiev over Easter and I made three reservations to cover that. One reservation via F&F rate (club room), two nights via the weekend certificate (standard room) and one free night for some promotion (standard room). So two nights we would have to pay and the two others where free of charge.
Then I contacted the hotel and asked if it is possible to stay in the club room during our entire stay (waving the ambassador card) and also have two beds instead of one king size bed. They confirmed that and I know that this was a nice gesture as for some (if not all) of the above rates the ambassador privileges would not apply. So far so happy...
We got picked up at the airport and at check in they wanted to first check us in for one night. I explained the complex situation with three reservations, free nights etc. Then they wanted to charge me for four nights and eventually that was sorted out, but they didn't ask for the weekend certificate.
We got to the room and it was a king size bed. So back to reception and asked them to give us a room with two beds as confirmed WEEKS in advance. I was thinking they put us just into another room but no way. So we where standing there in our room and watching as two housekeeping staff took apart the kingsize bed and converted it into two beds. All with carrying matrazes around and dragging stuff in from another room incl. the bedcovers/sheets/pillows etc. Kind of uncomfortable situation and my thinking was why the reception staff didn't tell us to have a coffe in the bar and wait 30min for them to sort it out.
Eventually we where setup with two beds poorly made up, but what the heck. So we settled down and a nice thing is the mini bar is included so we wanted to have some drinks. One of the OJ bottles was already half emptied! Small thing but the crap was already piling up. On top of that no Ambassador recognition like fruits/water etc. Usually I am not really insisting on that, but it is nice to see what they come up with. But a leaflet to advertise to the guests exactly these benefits if they join the oh so exclusive Ambassador Program... After calling they brought a fruit platter with some good (and some bad) fruits.
Ok, off to the Club Lounge we figured. Well, we tried to get in, but it was closed. I loved the reason: It was reserved for the Russian Delegation (picture this being said with thick Russian Accent) who where attending the Tchernobyl Conference. Good for them to have the lounge to themselves. I can understand that this is also good business for the IC. But is it too much to let us know prior to walking up to the lounge like when we check in? So back to reception and I asked them what the benefit of a Club room is, if the lounge is closed. Big confusion... Eventually we where told that we can have breakfast in one of the restaurants and can chose from 2 set dinner options. We still had to work out the applicable free drinks and the times where we could take advantage of the offer.
After two days our two key cards stopped working. They had deactivated them to force us to come to reception to ask us for the ambassador weekend certificate. Their own words! I’m sure there must be other ways to get in touch with us. After all they know where we live...
I did write the guest relation manager a lengthy email and that as a guest (ambassador or not) I would expect better service than what we experienced. I got the general blabla statements:
-------------------------------------
Warm regards from InterContinental Kiev!
Thank you very much for your time in writing the letter. We highly appreciate your feedback.
Kindly expect my sincere apologies with the inconvenience you have experience upon the check in. Please rest assure that all necessary actions were taken to prevent this situation to be happen again.
-------------------------------------
So now my question should I complain via the IHG website or should I be happy about the pre-confirmed upgrades and probably larger choice at breakfast? I’m leaning towards complaining as to me the pre approved upgrade is no excuse for bad service during the stay.
Minus
- No twin configuration of room
- Club Lounge not available
- Used mini bar
- No ambassador recognition
- Constantly deactivated key cards
Plus
- great breakfast
- upgrade to club room although rate didnt apply for ambassador benefits
On a side note: The concierge service was exceptional throughout the stay and I have already complimented them through the customer care webinterface.
A friend and I had a four night stay at the IC Kiev over Easter and I made three reservations to cover that. One reservation via F&F rate (club room), two nights via the weekend certificate (standard room) and one free night for some promotion (standard room). So two nights we would have to pay and the two others where free of charge.
Then I contacted the hotel and asked if it is possible to stay in the club room during our entire stay (waving the ambassador card) and also have two beds instead of one king size bed. They confirmed that and I know that this was a nice gesture as for some (if not all) of the above rates the ambassador privileges would not apply. So far so happy...
We got picked up at the airport and at check in they wanted to first check us in for one night. I explained the complex situation with three reservations, free nights etc. Then they wanted to charge me for four nights and eventually that was sorted out, but they didn't ask for the weekend certificate.
We got to the room and it was a king size bed. So back to reception and asked them to give us a room with two beds as confirmed WEEKS in advance. I was thinking they put us just into another room but no way. So we where standing there in our room and watching as two housekeeping staff took apart the kingsize bed and converted it into two beds. All with carrying matrazes around and dragging stuff in from another room incl. the bedcovers/sheets/pillows etc. Kind of uncomfortable situation and my thinking was why the reception staff didn't tell us to have a coffe in the bar and wait 30min for them to sort it out.
Eventually we where setup with two beds poorly made up, but what the heck. So we settled down and a nice thing is the mini bar is included so we wanted to have some drinks. One of the OJ bottles was already half emptied! Small thing but the crap was already piling up. On top of that no Ambassador recognition like fruits/water etc. Usually I am not really insisting on that, but it is nice to see what they come up with. But a leaflet to advertise to the guests exactly these benefits if they join the oh so exclusive Ambassador Program... After calling they brought a fruit platter with some good (and some bad) fruits.
Ok, off to the Club Lounge we figured. Well, we tried to get in, but it was closed. I loved the reason: It was reserved for the Russian Delegation (picture this being said with thick Russian Accent) who where attending the Tchernobyl Conference. Good for them to have the lounge to themselves. I can understand that this is also good business for the IC. But is it too much to let us know prior to walking up to the lounge like when we check in? So back to reception and I asked them what the benefit of a Club room is, if the lounge is closed. Big confusion... Eventually we where told that we can have breakfast in one of the restaurants and can chose from 2 set dinner options. We still had to work out the applicable free drinks and the times where we could take advantage of the offer.
After two days our two key cards stopped working. They had deactivated them to force us to come to reception to ask us for the ambassador weekend certificate. Their own words! I’m sure there must be other ways to get in touch with us. After all they know where we live...
I did write the guest relation manager a lengthy email and that as a guest (ambassador or not) I would expect better service than what we experienced. I got the general blabla statements:
-------------------------------------
Warm regards from InterContinental Kiev!
Thank you very much for your time in writing the letter. We highly appreciate your feedback.
Kindly expect my sincere apologies with the inconvenience you have experience upon the check in. Please rest assure that all necessary actions were taken to prevent this situation to be happen again.
-------------------------------------
So now my question should I complain via the IHG website or should I be happy about the pre-confirmed upgrades and probably larger choice at breakfast? I’m leaning towards complaining as to me the pre approved upgrade is no excuse for bad service during the stay.
Minus
- No twin configuration of room
- Club Lounge not available
- Used mini bar
- No ambassador recognition
- Constantly deactivated key cards
Plus
- great breakfast
- upgrade to club room although rate didnt apply for ambassador benefits
On a side note: The concierge service was exceptional throughout the stay and I have already complimented them through the customer care webinterface.
Apr 30, 2011, 7:45 am
#464
Join Date: May 2005
Location: new jersey
Programs: continental, united premier, hyatt diamond, marriott silver, priority club platinum amb,hilton gold
Posts: 254
Question..I was given RA status by a friend last year....being downgraded to Amb on 7/1.. I have a stay at the london park lane on 7/8 for three days. Does IC ever extend you RA status for a week or two as a courtesy?
Apr 30, 2011, 8:00 am
#465
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Ottawa
Programs: IC/AMB - Diamond Elite, AC E50K, AA, AM-Onyx, HH-Diamond, BW, Choice - Gold
Posts: 1,736
The compensation for being downgraded is a free year of Ambassador membership. IC London is a IHG corporate property and is known for being very stingy and following the rules, except for those who frequent the property.
mxm135