IC The Barclay New York Master Thread
#272
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: SAS Diamond, Hilton Diamond, IHG RA Spire
Posts: 423
Yep, got this confirmed in writing. All suites are excluded from complimentary upgrades for AMB / RA. Makes the whole upgrade benefit worthless, as all rooms below suites are basically the same, though with some minor cosmetic differences.
#273
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta Gold, Alaska Gold 75K, LATAM Black
Posts: 3,393
this really is no surprise, this property has always been super stingy. Beautiful property but total d1cks
#274
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, AAdvantage Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 263
I am trying to make a reservation here using the Ambassador BOGO voucher; however for every weekend I try, it says "The Ambassador Complimentary Weekend Night rate is not available. However, you may still book a room for the selected date(s)."
FWIW, there's plenty of availability using the other rates, and the Ambassador BOGO rate works perfectly smoothly for IC Times Square. Has anybody encountered this problem? Is there a work-around?
FWIW, there's plenty of availability using the other rates, and the Ambassador BOGO rate works perfectly smoothly for IC Times Square. Has anybody encountered this problem? Is there a work-around?
#275
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: UK
Programs: BA S, VS S, SQ G, HH D, IHG D/A, Marriott G, Radisson G, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,945
Have you tried other dates to see if it works then? My understanding was that there was a capacity control applied to them so it lots of other folks have applied them that weekend they may not be possible?
#276
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, AAdvantage Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 263
So it's not a bug; they're just tight on an arbitrary control. BOGO availability is more scarce than rewards availability, in fact. I've defended this hotel's treatment of Ambassadors a lot on this thread, but this is a slap in the face.
#277
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: UK
Programs: BA S, VS S, SQ G, HH D, IHG D/A, Marriott G, Radisson G, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,945
#278
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, AAdvantage Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 263
I just checked again and, lo and behold, there now appears to be BOGO availability all weekends. Either this was a coincidence, or somebody at IHG is checking these boards. I made no mention of my frustration to IHG directly.
Either way, it appears they "fixed the glitch".
Either way, it appears they "fixed the glitch".
#279
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: AS 100K, UA MM, AA MM, IC Plat Amb, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 3,146
I just checked again and, lo and behold, there now appears to be BOGO availability all weekends. Either this was a coincidence, or somebody at IHG is checking these boards. I made no mention of my frustration to IHG directly.
Either way, it appears they "fixed the glitch".
Either way, it appears they "fixed the glitch".
#280
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,656
Just used my last uncapped Chase credit card voucher here this past weekend. Overall a very nice hotel (which I surprisingly had never stayed at before since we typically booked the IC TS for visits) in a nice location. I particularly liked the decor and the colors which I think nicely coordinate with the traditional feel of the building. One HUGE gripe on my part....the pillows on the beds are horrible. When we checked in they gave us a queen bed room and there were only two pillows on the bed so when we went to dinner I asked that housekeeping bring up two feather pillows since the ones in the room were rock hard foam pillows. FD agent said "no problem" but when we returned from dinner late they had indeed brought up two extra pillows BUT they were the same rock hard foam pillows. Didn't feel like trying to mess with housekeeping late in the evening so we just tried to sleep on the ones they brought. Overall slept like crap so when we checked out I told the agent about the pillow mixup and how it ruined a good nights sleep. She said..."oh we only have those foam pillows and everyone complains about them." If this is the case why didn't the first agent say something? And more important how can a hotel of this caliber only have one type of pillow?
#281
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, AAdvantage Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 263
I had my stay this past weekend. Using the BOGO voucher, I booked a Deluxe King and got upgraded to a Premier King on the 12th floor. While the upgrade wasn't anything more than obligated, the room was perfectly fine and I'm glad they put me on a high floor. The resort fee was waived due to the BOGO rate, which was a pleasant surprise. Also, they provided two drink vouchers at check-in, in addition to the $20 food and beverage credit for Ambassadors. The vouchers were good for up to $20 apiece, which is generous.
Pros:
Everything is holding up well - when they renovated the place, they must have used quality furnishings. There are some minor dings on wood, but that's unavoidable.
Even when staying on the 12th floor, getting in/out of the hotel was never a hassle.
The Ambassador Desk was very convenient. I never got a corkscrew faster in a hotel.
Cons:
The one person on here complaining about the pillows is accurate; they are not as substantial as you would expect.
The service is still unpolished even after all these years (not bad, just awkward).
Lack of bath tubs in the standard rooms
All in all, this hotel is back to being my go-to for NYC.
Pros:
Everything is holding up well - when they renovated the place, they must have used quality furnishings. There are some minor dings on wood, but that's unavoidable.
Even when staying on the 12th floor, getting in/out of the hotel was never a hassle.
The Ambassador Desk was very convenient. I never got a corkscrew faster in a hotel.
Cons:
The one person on here complaining about the pillows is accurate; they are not as substantial as you would expect.
The service is still unpolished even after all these years (not bad, just awkward).
Lack of bath tubs in the standard rooms
All in all, this hotel is back to being my go-to for NYC.
#282
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 61
I had my stay this past weekend. Using the BOGO voucher, I booked a Deluxe King and got upgraded to a Premier King on the 12th floor. While the upgrade wasn't anything more than obligated, the room was perfectly fine and I'm glad they put me on a high floor. The resort fee was waived due to the BOGO rate, which was a pleasant surprise. Also, they provided two drink vouchers at check-in, in addition to the $20 food and beverage credit for Ambassadors. The vouchers were good for up to $20 apiece, which is generous.
#283
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, AAdvantage Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 263
The destination fee was shown on the booking screen (and the reservation). When I checked in, the agent made no mention of the destination fee, so I brought it up and he said it was waived due to BOGO (and that I didn't get the resort fee benefits because of this). I was surprised to hear that and even followed-up with the Ambassador desk the next day (they confirmed it was waived). When I checked out, the fee was not present on the bill. 100% proactive, even though the fee is shown during booking.
#284
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,311
How does entry level room size compare to the intercontinental times square?
Have a one night uncapped Chase cert that I want to use before I move to the suite I have locked in at the Andaz.
Have a one night uncapped Chase cert that I want to use before I move to the suite I have locked in at the Andaz.
#285
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, AAdvantage Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 263
If you're basing your decision on strictly room size, go for Times Square. I prefer The Barclay in every other regard.