Using ALL Gift Cards

[RussellH]

We bought five in the sale. 2 x €230 and 3 x £230.
Three Accor stays since.
1. Novotel Brentford. Since they asked at check-in how we planned to pay, we showed them a GBP giftcard.
Comment “Oh yes, we have heard about these. We know that we accept them. But I have no idea how to take payment from it. Let me get the duty manager” Duty Manager “yes, I am sure there will be no problem. We shall get it sorted by the time you check out. I shall just take a photocopy of the card so that you can keep your copy.” Next morning at check out: told that all was sorted, which turn out to be true. No charge to Amex, card value reduced from £230 to £128.35.
And yes, reward points and status points received as normal.

2. Mercure Namur. Checked out on Christmas eve after 3 nights. My partner had discussed the gift card with a very helpful man the previous night, but he had not actually left any notes for the people on duty. They had never seen a gift card before. Three women in Christmas sweaters trying to work out how to take the payment, not helped by one workstation monitor stopping working. The more senior woman tried to invoke the “used in participating hotels” clause. I told them that I had checked and they were on the list. They looked for the list, found it, confirmed that they were on it, and finally, one of the three worked out how to process it. That used up one of the €230,– cards.
Still waiting on the points.

3. Pullman Bruxelles Midi. Showed gift card at check in. Receptionist said that he was aware of one person having paid with a gift card in the last couple of weeks, but he had no idea how it was done. He took a photocopy of the card, and left it for the person who knew how to deal with it. At late check out someone else was on duty, she said that she had no idea how to deal with it, but she would ensure that it was dealt with correctly.
As it happened, we had planned to sit in the bar for another hour or so before leaving anyway; when we finally started to leave my partner saw the woman who was the one who knew how to process the gift card. We finally persuaded her to process the payment and formally check us out, but she had to use her own lap top to do so – the application for redeeming the cards was not installed on the reception desk computers!!

So the gift cards DO work, but it is clear that staff are not trained. Do not plan to use one if you have a train to catch in a few minutes!

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

In his last (and likely in every) article about these gift cards @Rob or another commentator makes the point that you need to give plenty of time to reception to deal with the vouchers – including telling them when you check in or the night before departure.