Summing up InterContinental's view on award stays in one sentence

Just wondering what exactly is wrong with using points without receiving benefits? It's a different value proposition of course, but since they are up-front about it you can simply make your value judgement based upon the default assumption of no benefit.

The airlines do this too to some extent (upgrades not applicable on award travel, or if they're applicable the priority is lower). What's your take on that?

@ Sean -- You're right, they are up front about it, so I can't fault them for it in that sense. However, every other hotel chain offers full benefits on award stays. To me those hotel chains are acknowledging that stays on points aren't "free," but rather rewards for our loyalty.

By InterContinental being the only major chain that's holding out, they're sending the opposite message with their stubbornness, in my opinion.

So if no hotels offered elite benefits on award stays there wouldn't be an issue. But how expensive would it be for them to honor elite benefits on award stays, especially when chain after chain has added this benefit.

@ Matt -- With the exception of Delta this is indeed consistently the case. That being said, this doesn't just apply to award stays, but often also to low fare buckets. Many airlines only allow upgrades for certain fare classes, and that's the norm.

I'd say the difference is that hotels are in the hospitality industry. When you stay at a hotel you're a "guest." However, I think the airline industry cares much more about any single transaction -- you're a customer, not a "guest."

That being said, they do still honor *most* elite benefits on award tickets -- lounge access, exit row seating, premium check-in and security lines, etc.

The main problem I have with this, is that if one is accustomed to being a RA guest at the hotel, ie staying there tens of times as an RA guest and being upgraded etc., then it would certainly make for a miserable experience using points and getting a basic room with no benefits at all. Would make me not want to use the points at all, which would make we question why I was accumulating them in the first place....

As a PC Plat I was very impressed by the HH Gold benefits on an award stay including upgraded room on exec floor, lounge access and breakfast, free laundry, and in-room wi-fi compared to an "upgrade" to a higher floor on a PC points redemption.

This is what happens to me...I make an early res using PC points, then end up cancelling, and using SPG, Hilton, or Hyatt pts instead.

That would be a significant deterrent for me, not that I'm about to be invited to RA anytime soon but I think it's very stingy.

The flaw in their argument is that a non-RA or non Amabassador can still redeem PCR points for Intercontinental stays. I don't have to be an RA to be staying on points. So how is the award stay a benefit of *being an RA* in and of itself?

As an ambassador, I agree this is really frustrating and Intercon should review this. If they have space for an upgrade, give it, if they have an exec club, what's the incremental cost per person? You spend the money and get used to a level of comfort when you travel for biz, then go on vacation with your wife and are treated like a first-time user, it makes no sense. I've gotten lucky in ROM, but had to ask a couple of folks, whihc again, when you're traveling with family, makes it a negative experience

The way I see is that the airlines (in this case though I will specifically talk from UAs standpoint) extend most benefits to their elite members when on award tickets, except the opportunity for upgrades. In a sense the cost of the upgrade is built in to the benefits you received at being an elite member. If you were only earning points by flying you would earn 2X RDM/BIS as a 1P, 1K, or GS which would allow you to redeem a premium cabin award ticket in half as many flights as a GM.

I can kind of see where the hotel would be coming from at a room perspective although I am not saying that it is a good policy to completely eliminate all benefits. They give you more points so that you can redeem more points in the same period of timey to get a larger room. The flip side of this would be to earn the same number of points as a regular member and leaving the regular upgrade benefits in tact.

Yup...that's the one flaw. At least you will be able to get a Saturday reservation using your points. Mere mortals do not at Intercons. Better use your points quickly its is getting about that time for a devaluation. Cheers!

Hello, what benefits are you missing when you book a stay using points?

@ john -- As a Royal Ambassador you get a room upgrade, guaranteed 8AM check-in and 4PM check-out, free internet, free minibar, a welcome gift, and a few other benefits.

@ AdamH -- Totally agree, though the only issue is that as far as I know, there's no way to redeem for premium rooms using Priority Club points. Furthermore, comparing this to airlines, they could then offer all benefits except upgrades, which they don't do either.

Though the redemption rate is ruinous, this pernicious policy by IC makes their "Any Hotel, Any Time" redemptions more interesting. I'd rather use Venture Miles to pay for the rate and get status than use PC points and get no recognition.

Why would you be scared to redeem them? I'll let you in on a secret - I've never been an RA and I always get excellent service from IC properties. I'd bet you manage just fine when you stay at other properties that don't have a minibar and don't upgrade you. A room is simply a place to sleep, particularly on a one night stay. And a free room is even better!

I understand the principle at stake, but don't let that keep you from enjoying your points, which we all know are slowly depreciating.

I really value elite benefits on AWARD stays as I redeem at high end hotels/resorts. I really enjoy having nice breakfast (in addition to other benefits) which can run excess of $100 for the family of four at many of hotels we stayed during the past vacation. The lack such benefits stopped me from considering staying IC even though I'm a PC Platinum.

Coins, I read somewhere that one of the airlines will offer upgrades on award tix.

<no relation to the above DanH.