jjwjjw

I've searched and can't find the answer to whether I would be entitled to Ambassador benefits on a Travelocity booking. I understand that I would not get points, but want to know specifically about the benefits. I want to use Travelocity because I have loads of Travelocity points I can redeem. I emailed the next hotel I'm considering (Bali Intercontinental) and they said I would not receive Amabassador benefits because Travelocity is an "agent". Also sent an email to the Ambassador Service Center and they said I would get Amb. benefits but no points. Wondering if the hotel just misunderstood what I was asking. Does anybody have examples of rooms booked through Travelocity and receiving Amb. beneifts on their stay? Thanks.

nicolas75

Why don't you send the Ambassasor Service Centre's reply to the hotel?

Chinatrvl

To be frank, I think this is plain wrong. Nowhere it says that you don't get Amb benefits when you book with an agent. Email the hotel, like nicolas suggested.

Side note, if Travelocity is paying a decent rate (for your points), you could even get points.

Shareholder

And send the hotel's reply to the Ambassador people so they know the property is not following the rules.

spunk_tokyo

Didn't realize that before. Checked the T&C and Chinatrvl is right. I had passed some very good rate offered by agents thinking that my stay would not get upgraded.

spunk_tokyo

You would not believe that some hotel just don't want to have Ambassadors / Royal Ambassadors to stay at their hotel because they think that this program costs them arms and legs.

Shareholder

I am sure they much prefer those who stay regularly and pay full rates without being aware of the Ambassador or even PC programs. But most regulars are paying corporate rates that are as low as, or lower than, these TA rates (and I don't include the sell-off agents like Priceline). As someone who generally pays the BestFlex rate, I suppose by the time I use my RA benefits, I've netted them the Advance Payment rate. But two or three drinks from the minibar, a movie (though haven't found one worth watching in over a dozen IC stays this year!), and upgrade to the Club likely represents $100 on a 2-night stay...along with any loss from my not dining in one of the restaurants or drinking at a bar in the hotel because of my RA benefits.

So you be the judge of my net value to individual properties.

BA1A

Benefits I agree with you but points

The T&Cs say: (my bold)

Limits on Points for Stays. Points are not issued for stays at the following reduced room rates (Non-Qualifying Room Rates; Non-Qualifying Stay): net wholesale individual and group rate, certain package rates, employee discount rate, friends and family rate, crew rate, special discounted contract rates, seasonal worker/crew rate, 50% travel club discount rate, travel industry discount rate, distressed passenger rate, Priority Club Reward Nights/Airline Hotel Reward rate, most rates booked through most third party web sites, complimentary hotel stays and any other rates not defined as a Qualifying Room Rate.

Chinatrvl

Very blurry in T&Cs. My point, my bold:

If Travelocity books a rate high enough to be qualifying (i.e. does not fall in the category you quoted), there's the chance the OP gets points. That's how I would interpret T&Cs.

BA1A

Fair point, good spot ^

Hopefully the OP will report back and let us know how they got on, what benefits they did get in the end and whether the rate qualified for points or not.

jjwjjw

Thanks everyone for the information. I called up the ASC last night just to make sure I was understanding it correctly. They again confirmed that I would get benefits, but no PC points (which is fine with me). They suggested to me that I advise the hotel of the T & C that state that the hotel can only deny benefits on reward stays.

Haven't booked yet and probably won't for a few weeks, but wanted to make sure I was understanding it correctly due to the different responses from the ASC and the hotel. If the hotel does try to deny benefits, I will know I can push back with the T & Cs and the ASC.

Thanks for your replies. I appreciate it.

spunk_tokyo

On the contrary, the hotel in question DOES upgrade A/RA on reward stays.

BA1A

They may well do, but I think the ASC were advising that officially they dont have to.

Flying Lawyer

I do not find any lanuage in the T&C to that the RA benefits are dependent on the rate you book (with the exception on airline crew on airline rates).

When it comes to points rates via a travel agent are good for points. Beside that:

I made the experience that rooms booked via a webside that sell the original IHG rates are good for points (they act like a travel agent) whereas websites that sell special rates (like Expedia Special prepaid rates) eg. do not score points. I do not recollect any case where I have paid my bill on checkout and did not receive points.

mmsalah

Does this mean that when you book thru Expedia or others you get the benefits and night count towards status?