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Off to IC Berlin this week and thought I’d reach out to see if they would offer any perks if I renewed with them. Absolutely nothing. Not even a bowl of fruit. I thought properties were incentivised to sign up Ambassadors?
Off to IC Berlin this week and thought I’d reach out to see if they would offer any perks if I renewed with them. Absolutely nothing. Not even a bowl of fruit. I thought properties were incentivised to sign up Ambassadors?
I got the exact same treatment recently in IC Athens, IC Doha West Bay and IC Doha City. They offered nothing and just suggested I sign up on the website at the standard price of $225.
I feel it’s going well and truly down the drain. I haven’t renewed mine which expired last May, and am considering cancelling OH’s weekend free night booking at the ICPL in London at the spring bank holiday and using points to stay somewhere else. The Indigo Kensington is 56k points pn that weekend, which feels like a better deal than £500 for 2 nights at the IC where we won’t even get the Diamond upgrade and breakfast any more!
Off to IC Berlin this week and thought I’d reach out to see if they would offer any perks if I renewed with them. Absolutely nothing. Not even a bowl of fruit. I thought properties were incentivised to sign up Ambassadors?
Yes, I think one number that was floating around was the agent signing you up receiving the equivalent of USD 50. Maybe hotel owners did not like it and induced IHG to stop such remuneration.
In any case, I think Amb is still useful at the IC Berlin.
For one, the EUR 15 Amb credit can be used very widely. They can stretch it a bit, too (e.g., a few weeks ago, I spent in on minibar items and they took the total of c. EUR 20 off the bill for the Amb credit).
For another, the IC Berlin routinely gives me real upgrades as Diamond Amb. Last stay: Booked Classic, got Jr Suite. The one before: Booked Classic, received King Premium with City View High Floor. Etc.
I’m heading there today (well, sitting on the apron waiting for my delayed flight to take off). King room has been upgraded to King Premium which looks nice, but last year I got a Jnr Suite so I feel like I’m missing out!
I’ll probably renew anyway, if only for the five nights I have planned in Melbourne at the end of the year. Anything else will then be a bonus.
I feel it’s going well and truly down the drain. I haven’t renewed mine which expired last May, and am considering cancelling OH’s weekend free night booking at the ICPL in London at the spring bank holiday and using points to stay somewhere else. The Indigo Kensington is 56k points pn that weekend, which feels like a better deal than £500 for 2 nights at the IC where we won’t even get the Diamond upgrade and breakfast any more!
Aren’t the pointfor the Indigo worth nearly £500 for the two nights?
I’d take the ICPL any time. Despite being a big, corporate chain hotel and extraordinarily ugly on the outside, I have a soft spot for the place. The location is exceptional with London’s most attractive districts, Mayfair and Knightsbridge, being adjacent and all central London other than the City being walkable, service is impeccable, and maintenance is flawless with none of the chipped paint and coffee stains that characterise so many British hotels. The breakfast has always been the weak spot with mass-produced fare and execrable coffee, so I will take the loss of Diamond as an opportunity to explore the local cafe scene when I next visit.
Possibly, but I have 800k points atm and am starting to feel like a hoarder! I keep booking cash stays because points values are generally so poor, but this one would be over 0.5p per point so feels just about bearable.
But ICPL IS very handy for the Piccadilly line. I’ve fallen out with the rail network and booked cheap cash fares on BA instead. I know I’m going to hell, but it says it all when flying is cheaper and BA are more likely to get you home in the event of a disruption 🤦🏻♀️
Quite, @NorthernLass. When one has filled one’s suitcase with goodies from Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga and Prada, one really doesn’t want to have to switch tube lines too many times on one’s homeward journey 😊
I got the exact same treatment recently in IC Athens, IC Doha West Bay and IC Doha City. They offered nothing and just suggested I sign up on the website at the standard price of $225.
Same at the IC Le Grand last year
The breakfast has always been the weak spot with mass-produced fare and execrable coffee, so I will take the loss of Diamond as an opportunity to explore the local cafe scene when I next visit.
I always thought the breakfast at the ICPL was pretty superb
I liked the breakfasts, but not enough to pay for the ICPL prices!
@jj, sadly it’s only our vet who’s likely to be shopping at those places for the next few months …Possibly, but I have 800k points atm and am starting to feel like a hoarder! I keep booking cash stays because points values are generally so poor, but this one would be over 0.5p per point so feels just about bearable.
But ICPL IS very handy for the Piccadilly line. I’ve fallen out with the rail network and booked cheap cash fares on BA instead. I know I’m going to hell, but it says it all when flying is cheaper and BA are more likely to get you home in the event of a disruption 🤦🏻♀️
I tend to get skittish when my points total goes above 300k in any hotel programme.
Remember that IHG does regular Points Saver promos for Diamond and Platinum where redemptions become discounted, so look out for those for something to jump on.
The breakfast has always been the weak spot with mass-produced fare and execrable coffee, so I will take the loss of Diamond as an opportunity to explore the local cafe scene when I next visit.
I always thought the breakfast at the ICPL was pretty superb
I’m just fussy: it’s better than in many hotels, but could be improved. I’d like real Greek yogurt instead of Greek-style, better coffee, and an omelette that’s not overcooked. That was three heinous culinary crimes committed in one breakfast.
Hmm, just thinking back to our last stay, on the first morning my poached eggs were solid. I didn’t think I would have needed to specify but the second morning I made sure to request runny yolks! If I was spending £60 on 2 breakfasts, I think I’d go elsewhere. That’s not far off bottomless brunch prices up here, lol.
I’m heading there today (well, sitting on the apron waiting for my delayed flight to take off). King room has been upgraded to King Premium which looks nice, but last year I got a Jnr Suite so I feel like I’m missing out!
I’ll probably renew anyway, if only for the five nights I have planned in Melbourne at the end of the year. Anything else will then be a bonus.
Nothing more than the Premium room upgrade, but it’s probably better than a Jnr Suite at the IC O2, and half the price. I’m happy.
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