A LoyaltyLobby reader sent us a question regarding an IHG One Rewards Diamond member upgrade to a Club Room at Crowne Plaza Lumpini Park in Bangkok but without club access itself.
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You can access Crowne Plaza Lumpini Park’s website here.
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Reader’s Question:
Recently I have stayed in Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park. I have done booking using my reward points.
One day prior to my stay, I got mail stating that room is upgraded as a Diamond Elite benefit.
I have viewed my reservation – and it shows “1 King Bed Premium NS Lounge Access”.
I was happy.
When I did check-in, hotel told me that this is only room type and not actual Lounge access entitled.
I have checked for reservation for some random dates and showed them that there is another room type which says only Premium room and No lounge access mentioned.
Still they have not agreed for that and no lounge access was given.
What could I have done at that time? Is the hotel in right side and am I on wrong side of argument.
If I am right, can I raise this to IHG support?
This question comes frequently, not only for stays at IHG-affiliated hotels.
You get a prearrival room or suite upgrade to an accommodation with club lounge access, but access is denied.
There is often zero difference between standard and club rooms beyond perhaps a higher floor and club access.
It is probably easier for a hotel employee to upgrade to a club room due to inventory issues than to a similar room without access.
The issue is that IHG has detached the lounge access from the status itself, and you can choose it as your Milestone Reward at 40 or 70 nights. You don’t need to be a Diamond to access it, but a lounge access pass is enough.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, I don’t think that there is much that the reader can do with the IHG customer support.
I spent a couple of weeks at this hotel when it was on the PointBreaks (5,000 points per night), and at that point, pun intended, they were giving the lounge access to Priority Club/IHG Rewards Club top-tier members, but soon after they weren’t (pay for play only).
I had this same issue years ago at the Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore, where my club room came without access, resulting in a lovely suite upgrade on my next stay.