Shareholder

Is this the start of a new trend at ICs? Staying at the IC Sydney this weekend and instead of the usual Ambassador amenity/gift of a bottle of wine (along with a plate of fruit and bottles of water), I was given a card and asked to check off what I wanted. The choices were: 1000 PC points in the form of a cert that can be deposited through the PC web site; a $10 food and beverage credit; or a bottle of Australian wine. Given my Duty Free restrictions back home and the fact I have a $50 F&B credit voucher from Priority Privilege, I opted for the points.

However, I wonder if this is going to be implemented system wide or it's just a local thing? I still prefer a real local item as a gift like the chop sticks or bookmark at the IC Pudong or even the Expo mascot doll at the IC Puxi, but here accept that a Hunter Valley wine can be a legitimate local gift as at any IC in a wine-producing area. (I never drink the wine at the hotel but do pack it away for later use at home.) This is the approach used by Hyatt for its Diamond members within NAmerica.

How do others feel about having a choice of the Ambassador amenity/gift?

Raffles

It makes sense. I often wince if I get alcohol as a gift, as I am usually leaving the next day with hand baggage only and therefore cannot take it home.

Chinatrvl

Maybe it's a trial at some ICs. Hyatt does the same in the US. I'd prefer the points over some silly gifts (dish clothes, for example), but I'm fine with the "usual": Wine and sweets or hors d'oeuvres.

perthite

It's been that way at IC Sydney for a while now - I had that choice last October. Seems reasonable to me, some of the gifts don't get a lot of use!

turtlemichael

It's a good thing particularly tailored to the needs of regular guests. When you stay at the same hotel frequently, as I do at Sydney, any gift would soon lose its novelty value. I usually take the points but occasionally the discount voucher if I know I am going to be paying for f+b.

fifa

I usually take the points too.
The bottle of wine is only a 1/2 bottle (I got caught out, but only once )

ag51

I got a full bottle, but it was pretty poor quality stuff (as you would expect for something with the same value as 1000 points, I suppose)

perthite

I got a full bottle too - but, as you say, it wasn't a great wine.

northshorepa

As most of my stays are only 1-2 nights, I would much rather have the points, especially considering minibar privileges. And given the fact that the wine is sometimes not even enjoyable to drink.

2muchplastic

I've been quite happy to get the choice both times I've stayed at the IC Sydney, been better than the two identical Expo mascot soft toys I got for 2 stays at the IC Puxi a couple of days apart.

Bottle of Hunter Valley red I received (full bottle) the second time was drinkable, but not necessarily top notch.