NYC Times Sq - Best Choice?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Man & ABZ
Programs: BAEC foot soldier
Posts: 97
NYC Times Sq - Best Choice?
Hi,
Myself and wife are in NYC for 4 nights in mid June. I currently have 180,000 points and I would be looking to use these to pay for the rooms. I appreciate that the Crowne Plaza is 45k per night and that the INtercontinental is 50k. I am also a Platinum member. Apart from breakfast, we will not be planning on eating in the hotel nor will be looking to use any fitness suites. So for us it all about location and any additional useful benefits.
I would really like some advise on where the best chance of an upgrade might be, free breakfast, club rooms, late check outs and generally what might be seen as the best option.
All help and useful comments appreciated.
Myself and wife are in NYC for 4 nights in mid June. I currently have 180,000 points and I would be looking to use these to pay for the rooms. I appreciate that the Crowne Plaza is 45k per night and that the INtercontinental is 50k. I am also a Platinum member. Apart from breakfast, we will not be planning on eating in the hotel nor will be looking to use any fitness suites. So for us it all about location and any additional useful benefits.
I would really like some advise on where the best chance of an upgrade might be, free breakfast, club rooms, late check outs and generally what might be seen as the best option.
All help and useful comments appreciated.
#2
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: USA
Programs: DL PM - IC RA - HHonors Gold - Hertz Gold - AA - US - CO - Choice Privileges
Posts: 1,648
Explore Ambassador membership and the associated BOGO and late checkout and upgrades. I would be inclined to book two nights via the BOGO and two nights via points. And do book a premium high floor room via the BOGO. Remember location in NYC is both horizontal and vertical.
If least cost are the priorities do book four nights via points at the Crowne Plaza but expect four nights in the standard room.
If least cost are the priorities do book four nights via points at the Crowne Plaza but expect four nights in the standard room.
#3
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: 7,726
Given that Plat is not even the highest IHG Rewards status any longer (you can pretty much get it with signing up for the IHG credit card in the US) for IC stays only Royal Ambassador or Ambassador give any committed benefits. I would say of your desired list of potential benefits / goodies at the IC TS maybe an upgraded room (higher floor / better view) could be possible, but not a sure thing. In the IC status guest "pecking order" (and ignoring actual VIPs or so) your status will feature only after RA, AMB and Spire.
Possibly a non-IC hotel may treat you a bit better (I never stayed at the CP TS) as RA or AMB don't matter there so after Spire your Platinum status would be the highest (and some hotel staff still think Platinum is actually top tier). If you decide to stay at the IC TS expect to receive what you booked and you won't be disappointed. YMMV.
Ohh and book the IC TS before Feb 17, 2016 or it will cost you 60K per night versus 50K right now.
Possibly a non-IC hotel may treat you a bit better (I never stayed at the CP TS) as RA or AMB don't matter there so after Spire your Platinum status would be the highest (and some hotel staff still think Platinum is actually top tier). If you decide to stay at the IC TS expect to receive what you booked and you won't be disappointed. YMMV.
Ohh and book the IC TS before Feb 17, 2016 or it will cost you 60K per night versus 50K right now.
#6
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: UK - around 3 nights a week!
Programs: BA Gold, MilesandSmiles Elite, IHG Spire, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 136
Hello,
I have just been through the same decision process for a 4 night stay in late August 2016 for me, my wife and my daughter.
We went with 4 nights in the IC Times Square using the following;
2 Nights paid using the Ambassador BOGO voucher
2 Nights on points - 100,000K
I am a Spire Ambassador, so hopeful of an room upgrade, and also will use the late check out on the final day.
I have just been through the same decision process for a 4 night stay in late August 2016 for me, my wife and my daughter.
We went with 4 nights in the IC Times Square using the following;
2 Nights paid using the Ambassador BOGO voucher
2 Nights on points - 100,000K
I am a Spire Ambassador, so hopeful of an room upgrade, and also will use the late check out on the final day.
#9
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Motown
Programs: DL, WN, AA, IHG Diamond, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,408
#10
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Sheffield, UK
Programs: BA, Emirates, IHG, Accor, Marriott, Hilton
Posts: 637