More room type choices with Reward Nights?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: SG
Programs: HHonors Dia, IHG Plat, Le Club All Plat, Accor Plus, BW Dia, Millennium Gold, Sixt Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 14
More room type choices with Reward Nights?
The IHG Rewards Program seems rather rigid where Reward Nights reservations apply to standard rooms only. As frequent travellers, I believe many of us would wish to indulge in a little more luxury occasionally rather than putting up in a regular standard room.
Are there any ways to get around this issue? My objective would be to burn points on maybe a junior suite rather than a superior room. Seems like there is no option to even top up with cash for a better room.
Are there any ways to get around this issue? My objective would be to burn points on maybe a junior suite rather than a superior room. Seems like there is no option to even top up with cash for a better room.
#4
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; IHG Plat; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 11,721
I've done it a few times by doing what Dave Noble suggested. Just call the hotel in question and ask to speak to the General Manager.
#5
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Amsterdam, Asia, UK
Programs: IHG RA (Spire), HH Diamond, MR Platinum, SQ Gold, KLM Gold, BAEC Gold
Posts: 5,072
Had one IC on mixed paid/award that for RAs, on paid nights, upgrades to suite+club, and for award nights instead gives you originally booked room BUT with club lounge. They then try room upgrade upsell to you.
The IC got that offer correct for me, as if award was room upgrade, no club, i would not have paid for upsell club, unlike upsell to a suite.
In fact I almost cancelled award (in hindsight I should have) to rebook at checkin as paid basic room, as offered upsell/night was 60% of cost of paid night so in effect I wasted my points by in effect paying points + $'s making my points to $'s saved ratio really crap.
SO ... As RA, I would maybe say, using points + paid upsell is not worth it as changes redemption points/$ ratio to too poor a value, unless high starting basic room point like London-PL, Paris-LG or Amsterdam-Amstel when basic room is us$600 upwards unlike Asia or USA minor cities where entry level IC room is in area of $100.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: SG
Programs: HHonors Dia, IHG Plat, Le Club All Plat, Accor Plus, BW Dia, Millennium Gold, Sixt Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 14
Had one IC on mixed paid/award that for RAs, on paid nights, upgrades to suite+club, and for award nights instead gives you originally booked room BUT with club lounge. They then try room upgrade upsell to you.
The IC got that offer correct for me, as if award was room upgrade, no club, i would not have paid for upsell club, unlike upsell to a suite.
In fact I almost cancelled award (in hindsight I should have) to rebook at checkin as paid basic room, as offered upsell/night was 60% of cost of paid night so in effect I wasted my points by in effect paying points + $'s making my points to $'s saved ratio really crap.
SO ... As RA, I would maybe say, using points + paid upsell is not worth it as changes redemption points/$ ratio to too poor a value, unless high starting basic room point like London-PL, Paris-LG or Amsterdam-Amstel when basic room is us$600 upwards unlike Asia or USA minor cities where entry level IC room is in area of $100.
The IC got that offer correct for me, as if award was room upgrade, no club, i would not have paid for upsell club, unlike upsell to a suite.
In fact I almost cancelled award (in hindsight I should have) to rebook at checkin as paid basic room, as offered upsell/night was 60% of cost of paid night so in effect I wasted my points by in effect paying points + $'s making my points to $'s saved ratio really crap.
SO ... As RA, I would maybe say, using points + paid upsell is not worth it as changes redemption points/$ ratio to too poor a value, unless high starting basic room point like London-PL, Paris-LG or Amsterdam-Amstel when basic room is us$600 upwards unlike Asia or USA minor cities where entry level IC room is in area of $100.
#8
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; IHG Plat; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 11,721
I'll admit I haven't tried it at an IC. The last time I did it was last year at the Ft. Walton Beach HI Resort. We worked out a deal where I used points for a standard room + $100/night and I was able to spend a few nights in the 2-bedroom Penthouse suite. I don't know what the normal charge is for that room, but I figured $100 was definitely less than what a 2nd room there would have cost plus I got the kitchen, living room and 2 balconies.
#9
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: All around the world
Programs: Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 607
I hope they do not change the way award nights are redeemed. I get upgraded 80%+ on award nights and I am sure that this percentage would decrease if the hotel could charge more for premium rooms.
#10
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Delta - PM, Hilton - Diamond, PriorityClub - Platinum
Posts: 199
I can't agree more with your statement. While the idea is great and if well executed would be nice, just look at what has happened at Hilton with their ridiculous premium room rewards. Once the MBAs in the company get a hold of the charts all hell breaks loose.