Newbie on course to hit Plat - is it worth it?
Nov 4, 2008, 3:10 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: somewhere north of London, UK
Programs: HH Gold, BA Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 15,245
You say that you have been staying at the CP London off and on (althoughy you do not specify which one)
I stay at the CP City of London from time to time always booking the cheapest available room and have always been given a Club Floor room with Lounge access. So if only for your London stays the Plat. would be worth it.
I stay at the CP City of London from time to time always booking the cheapest available room and have always been given a Club Floor room with Lounge access. So if only for your London stays the Plat. would be worth it.
Nov 4, 2008, 8:57 pm
#17
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Cypress, TX
Programs: CO Plat, Priority Club Plat
Posts: 641
So if I see a ton of rooms open that are the better rooms... mention it and possibly get upgraded into room, and moved out of the lesser room that same night?
Nov 5, 2008, 9:00 am
#18
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Naples, Florida
Posts: 7,419
When you need points to become platinum, just apply for a ChaseVisaPriority Card (=30,000 points).
Nov 5, 2008, 11:01 am
#19
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Glasgow, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, Priority Club RA, Lots of other cards
Posts: 3,099
Basically yes. Ask them to justify themselves if you think there are trying to pull the wool over your eyes.
Nov 5, 2008, 3:28 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 298
Generally here in the UK the 'executive' rooms only have two small differences; a tiny dining table and a robe in the room. I often order room service so on those days I ask for an upgrade - more often that not it has never been applied before me asking, and it is nearly always done straight away and without problems.
The only hotel I have ever had problems with are Brighton and Leicester. At Leicester the woman was so rude to me that I rang guest relations right there at the check-in desk and the lady on the end of the phone was extremely helpful and evidently reminded the check-in woman of her responsibilities to an IHG customer.
The only hotel I have ever had problems with are Brighton and Leicester. At Leicester the woman was so rude to me that I rang guest relations right there at the check-in desk and the lady on the end of the phone was extremely helpful and evidently reminded the check-in woman of her responsibilities to an IHG customer.
Nov 11, 2008, 10:48 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: somewhere north of London, UK
Programs: HH Gold, BA Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 15,245
Getting closer....
Last week's stay has now posted (comp u/g to club floor without lounge access), so just 4,400 points from the hallowed status of Platinum. Given that my next stay will trigger a 5,000 bonus to boot, so long as I manage one night in an IHG hotel in the next 45 or so, it's in the bag.
Last week's stay has now posted (comp u/g to club floor without lounge access), so just 4,400 points from the hallowed status of Platinum. Given that my next stay will trigger a 5,000 bonus to boot, so long as I manage one night in an IHG hotel in the next 45 or so, it's in the bag.
Nov 12, 2008, 2:28 am
#22
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Glasgow, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, Priority Club RA, Lots of other cards
Posts: 3,099
Getting closer....
Last week's stay has now posted (comp u/g to club floor without lounge access), so just 4,400 points from the hallowed status of Platinum. Given that my next stay will trigger a 5,000 bonus to boot, so long as I manage one night in an IHG hotel in the next 45 or so, it's in the bag.
Last week's stay has now posted (comp u/g to club floor without lounge access), so just 4,400 points from the hallowed status of Platinum. Given that my next stay will trigger a 5,000 bonus to boot, so long as I manage one night in an IHG hotel in the next 45 or so, it's in the bag.
Good luck with getting the Platinum. ^
Nov 12, 2008, 12:35 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: somewhere north of London, UK
Programs: HH Gold, BA Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 15,245
Nov 13, 2008, 8:44 am
#25
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Michigan
Programs: Priority Club, HHonors, Marriott Rewards, Choice Privileges, WorldPerks, SkyMiles, RapidRewards
Posts: 378
Hey, on my last stay, they offered cookies and a free bottle of water!
Doesn't get any better than THAT!! Why, that would have cost me 75c on the street!
Doesn't get any better than THAT!! Why, that would have cost me 75c on the street!
Last edited by brandinius2; Nov 13, 2008 at 8:44 am Reason: typo
Nov 14, 2008, 8:54 am
#26
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: AA, UA, SQ, VA, QF, AF, BA
Posts: 2,865
Nov 15, 2008, 6:19 pm
#27
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: HH Silver, IHG Platinum, National Ex Elite, United MileagePlus
Posts: 98
Plat is pretty easy to get with points (renewed mine in late Feb) and I have never had a IHG Manager throw roses at my feet. But I have never had a HH Manager throw roses either. But I have had some Holiday Inns give me access to a club floor with a lounge and free drinks in the middle of nowhere. If it makes sense to stay at a HIX, why not stay as a Plat instead of a gold and get 50% more base as a minimum. If it is free, you should take it. That being said, IHG is not my favorite chain due to the lack of consistency between hotels and you should be comfortable where you sleep.
Nov 17, 2008, 5:00 am
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: somewhere north of London, UK
Programs: HH Gold, BA Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 15,245
Oh and agree with being comfortable where you sleep - most of that status has been picked up through just one property!
Nov 18, 2008, 10:40 pm
#30
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DFW
Programs: Marriott Life Titanium, Hilton Diamond, United Silver, DL, IHG Plat, etc.
Posts: 2,888
I'm currently Diamond with Hilton and have been Plat with Marriott and got Plat with IHG this year. Basically I see the program as a bit of a trade off - you can get Plat pretty easy with all the promos but the value of Plat isn't as high. Comparing IGH Plat to HH Diamond:
IHG good:
1. easy to earn and keep status (esp since even your 50% bonus counts)
2. incredible promos (as compared to HH where they've been in a promo desert for the last year +)
3. I get the distinct sense that most of the properties really care about your business - most of the chain is 'hungry' and they work for it a bit.
IHG bad:
1. no equivalent to Diamond Force on award stays
2. upgrade success varies radically and from what I can tell it seems to depend on property whim. I can say that I've gotten some great upgrades at HI Express and the rate is probably 2/3. At the other properties - paritcularly regular HIs the upgrade rate is pretty poor. (I think its because they are typically older and have very few 'special' rooms.)
3. There are a lot of really run down properties - particularly regular HIs.
4. Inconsistent 'extras' - about 1/2 include various extras like a special snack or a 'choose a freebie'.
IHG good:
1. easy to earn and keep status (esp since even your 50% bonus counts)
2. incredible promos (as compared to HH where they've been in a promo desert for the last year +)
3. I get the distinct sense that most of the properties really care about your business - most of the chain is 'hungry' and they work for it a bit.
IHG bad:
1. no equivalent to Diamond Force on award stays
2. upgrade success varies radically and from what I can tell it seems to depend on property whim. I can say that I've gotten some great upgrades at HI Express and the rate is probably 2/3. At the other properties - paritcularly regular HIs the upgrade rate is pretty poor. (I think its because they are typically older and have very few 'special' rooms.)
3. There are a lot of really run down properties - particularly regular HIs.
4. Inconsistent 'extras' - about 1/2 include various extras like a special snack or a 'choose a freebie'.