List of IC's that remove alcohol from RA's minibar before arrival
Jun 29, 2006, 8:27 pm
#31
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: AA EXP/5 MM, BA Blue Bayou, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 5,827
Thanks mates!
This thread has (partially) taken the sting out of my dethroning to the ranks of mere AMB. However, the "sweet" upgrade still remains the most compelling RA benefit to me. If I knew for sure what the bogey was I'd be more likely to play. The opaque RA qualification requirements means my hotel elite qualification efforts will be anchored elsewhere. Cheers
Mar 15, 2012, 7:44 am
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: All over
Programs: Most
Posts: 10,839
Here's another example of "reduced" minibar. InterContinental Kuala Lumpur. The minibar is not great to begin with.
Regular minibar
Royal Ambassador minibar
Mar 15, 2012, 7:52 am
#33
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: bay area, ca
Programs: AS 100K, AA Gold, IC Diamond AMB, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,840
That really sucks.
Mar 15, 2012, 8:04 am
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: All over
Programs: Most
Posts: 10,839
I will do a write up about this property next week. It is not fully compliant with the RA benefits.
Mar 15, 2012, 8:08 am
#35
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Shanghai and Bavaria
Programs: Spire RA, 1865 Voyager, Bonvoy Titanium, FB LP, LH SEN.
Posts: 3,104
However, I find such behaviour deceitful and unethical - I will avoid this hotel by any means (not that I'm in KL frequently anyway) and urge everyone that encounters such malice to complain to corp care, amb service and the GM.
Edit: When I asked Amb Service to clarify on this matter, they replied that curtailing the minibar for RAs is not allowed, but hotels "may regulate the contents of the mini bar to ensure that said privileges would be equally distributed to all Royal Ambassador members." Whatever that may mean. We RAs probably ought to share our whiskey when there are too many of us...
Last edited by Chinatrvl; Mar 15, 2012 at 8:15 am
Mar 15, 2012, 8:09 am
#36
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: bay area, ca
Programs: AS 100K, AA Gold, IC Diamond AMB, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,840
After IC KUL's curtailing was first reported here, I sent off an email to them and they promised they wouldn't reduce the minibar for RAs. During my stay there, I forgot to check, though...
However, I find such behaviour deceitful and unethical - I will avoid this hotel by any means (not that I'm in KL frequently anyway) and urge everyone that encounters such malice to complain to corp care, amb service and the GM.
However, I find such behaviour deceitful and unethical - I will avoid this hotel by any means (not that I'm in KL frequently anyway) and urge everyone that encounters such malice to complain to corp care, amb service and the GM.
Mar 15, 2012, 10:49 am
#37
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Singapore
Programs: IC RA, KrisFlyer, Evergreen
Posts: 551
That IC KL RA minibar is utterly shameful. When I stayed there last year the minibar was fully stocked and not neutered like it is now. The GM of IC KL moved to IC Hanoi late last year so this likely has to do with the new GM's mandate.
Next time I bump into the GM of IC Hanoi I'll be sure to ask for his opinion about the questionable behavior of his successor.
Next time I bump into the GM of IC Hanoi I'll be sure to ask for his opinion about the questionable behavior of his successor.
Mar 15, 2012, 4:44 pm
#38
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: SPG Plat,MR Plat Spire Plat/IC Amb, Choice Plat, BW Plat
Posts: 1,320
Stayed at InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile last year and was told not to expect a restocked mini-bar after the 1st night. Found that out on day 2 after my favored Vodka's were used up. Uncomfortable feeling when they made it sound like they were doing me a special favor when they replaced the Vodka after 3-4 calls and broken promises to restock the mini-bar. Was never restocked except for the token Vodka's. Had a good stay but the mini-bar blackout was a plain stupid policy.
Mar 15, 2012, 5:34 pm
#39
Moderator: Mileage Run, InterContinental Hotels
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5,916
That's very ironic, because ime Hanoi is one of the places that curtails the minibar. It's a pretty mediocre minibar to begin with, and they remove the two large bottles of hard liquor, leaving only soft drinks and beer.
Mar 15, 2012, 5:42 pm
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Home: East Mids UK - Work (Base): Accra, Ghana.
Programs: BAEC: Silver - Marriott: Titanium
Posts: 12,086
IC Dusseldorf was the worst for me. Me and friend had a coupe of things on the first night... Not re-stocked the next day, so I asked if they would mind doing it whilst we were out so my friend could have his G+T before bed, and when we got back, not done.
Was then told that they will not be doing it as we checked out the next day. I told them I was not very impressed with the response, and they arrived with a single Gin miniature and a single Tonic miniature can.
Best I have had was in Boston. Fully stocked every day, when the lovely lady came to re-stock and I was in the suite, she asked if I wanted anything else, and I asked if it would be OK to have another juice and diet coke, which she happily supplied. Wonderful hotel, can't wait to go back! ^
Was then told that they will not be doing it as we checked out the next day. I told them I was not very impressed with the response, and they arrived with a single Gin miniature and a single Tonic miniature can.
Best I have had was in Boston. Fully stocked every day, when the lovely lady came to re-stock and I was in the suite, she asked if I wanted anything else, and I asked if it would be OK to have another juice and diet coke, which she happily supplied. Wonderful hotel, can't wait to go back! ^
Mar 15, 2012, 8:03 pm
#41
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: SPG Plat,MR Plat Spire Plat/IC Amb, Choice Plat, BW Plat
Posts: 1,320
Best I have had was in Boston. Fully stocked every day, when the lovely lady came to re-stock and I was in the suite, she asked if I wanted anything else, and I asked if it would be OK to have another juice and diet coke, which she happily supplied. Wonderful hotel, can't wait to go back! ^
Mar 16, 2012, 1:51 am
#42
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Singapore
Programs: IC RA, KrisFlyer, Evergreen
Posts: 551
IC Hanoi's minibar is indeed quite mediocre. Liquor-wise there is only a small bottle of white wine inside, and I've never seen the 2 bottles of hard liquor that you mentioned. What are they?
Mar 16, 2012, 11:26 pm
#43
Moderator: Mileage Run, InterContinental Hotels
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5,916
There are two .375l bottles listed on the minibar menu, Chivas and something else. Never had it in my RA minibar.
Mar 16, 2012, 11:58 pm
#44
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Singapore
Programs: IC RA, KrisFlyer, Evergreen
Posts: 551
I've never seen them either, even when I requested for a last minute change of rooms during check-in. I assume they simply don't exist in any minibar and they just didn't update the menu.