RA Certificates on Ebay

[RAHELP]

Hi everyone
found this forum while googling for information on RA upgrade certificates and its very informative.

I did have a question I was hoping for some advice on. There is currently an RA upgrade certificate on Ebay currently going for about 459 Australian dollars. I feel more comfortable buying from an Australian seller so that is a plus.

Based on your experiences as as an RA do people think it is worth it at that price.

 

[Dave Noble]

I personally wouldn't.

How many nights are you going to be spending at Intercontinental Hotels over the year; divide the cost of the certificate plus USD150 by the number of nights to get a cost per night. If you then feel that the upgrade is worth that much per night then it could be worth it but , even if the seller provides the certificate, will they provide their details in order for the referral ?


Dave

 

[Mal]

even if the seller provides the certificate, will they provide their details in order for the referral ?

Yeah, I wondered this too - noting that IHG have tightened up the RA process, and certainly someone asked the question and was told that the form would be pre-filled.

Actually as a RA (I believe), perhaps you can answer some questions about the auction:

- Does RA actually give you PC Plat Status?
- RA is open to more people than just the "top 1% of InterContinental customers." isn't it?
- earning "Double Priority Club Points per stay (in addition to 2000 base points you get 1000 points Platinum bonus and 1000 points Royal Ambassador bonus) " - I didn't think this was the perks of membership.

The seller is obviously close to FF forums and knows certain stuff about the card. *waves to them*. Just curious if all of these are true?

 

[markis10]

Yeah, I wondered this too - noting that IHG have tightened up the RA process, and certainly someone asked the question and was told that the form would be pre-filled.

Actually as a RA (I believe), perhaps you can answer some questions about the auction:

- Does RA actually give you PC Plat Status?
- RA is open to more people than just the "top 1% of InterContinental customers." isn't it?
- earning "Double Priority Club Points per stay (in addition to 2000 base points you get 1000 points Platinum bonus and 1000 points Royal Ambassador bonus) " - I didn't think this was the perks of membership.

The seller is obviously close to FF forums and knows certain stuff about the card. *waves to them*. Just curious if all of these are true?

RA does give you plat status, not that it counts for much! Its probably not fair to say its open to the top 1% of IC customers, you just need to satisfy the criteria which is not published but would seem to be at least 55 nights in a ICH group hotel and at least three separate stays at different IC's.

You do get 1000 pts bonus as a RA, and also get 1000 pts as a Plat.

 

[Sprucegoose]

RA does give you plat status, not that it counts for much! Its probably not fair to say its open to the top 1% of IC customers, you just need to satisfy the criteria which is not published but would seem to be at least 55 nights in a ICH group hotel and at least three separate stays at different IC's.

You do get 1000 pts bonus as a RA, and also get 1000 pts as a Plat.

A colleague was refused on 44 nights this year, so 55 sounds like the number. I enjoy the free mini-bar - very convenient.

He would like to buy a certificate - is EBAY the only place?

cheers

SPRUCE

 

[aus_flyer]

A colleague was refused on 44 nights this year, so 55 sounds like the number. I enjoy the free mini-bar - very convenient.

Does anyone know if the Sydney Intercontinental removes the champagne from the mini bar?

 

[Sprucegoose]

Does anyone know if the Sydney Intercontinental removes the champagne from the mini bar?

No they dont

 

[markis10]

Does anyone know if the Sydney Intercontinental removes the champagne from the mini bar?

Two weeks ago they did not, in fact they have a formal presence on FT now and stated that you automoatically get an upgrade to club as a RA now, in Sydney I would take that over a suite any day. I did a quick trip to MEL/SYD and PER and was given Club Access in all three cities which was very nice, and a suite in Mel and Per.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Two weeks ago they did not, in fact they have a formal presence on FT now and stated that you automoatically get an upgrade to club as a RA now, in Sydney I would take that over a suite any day. I did a quick trip to MEL/SYD and PER and was given Club Access in all three cities which was very nice, and a suite in Mel and Per.

Perth was the best got a huge river suite. Mel not bad if you pay more than the cheapest rate, will upgrade but no club access????

Best upgrade deal i have found is Honkers - great club.

We are at Fiji after Christmas, will update you then.

Syd prefer club than suite agree? rooms there are so so.

cheers
SPRUCE

 

[skeltonl]

We are at Fiji after Christmas, will update you then.

Syd prefer club than suite agree? rooms there are so so.

cheers
SPRUCE

I was at the Fiji IC in November and the club rooms weren't ready and were not expected to be so untill the New Year (love to find out if they have opened sooner but i doubt it with the weather in Fiji the last week). As to the minibar - as an RA myself they don't take anything out but it is very basic (beer and wine only).

I also agree it is better value to get club upgrade at Sydney IC rather than the suite and to the poster who asked about the champagne they do leave it in the minibar for RAs and it is Moet and Chandon so is real champagne.

I will restrain myself from commenting on the original posters request for an opinion on the value of the RA certificate as it is mine on Ebay at the moment

 

[Mal]

The seller is obviously close to FF forums and knows certain stuff about the card. *waves to them*

I will restrain myself from commenting on the original posters request for an opinion on the value of the RA certificate as it is mine on Ebay at the moment

You didn't wave back

 

[skeltonl]

You didn't wave back

sorry Mal (skeltonl blushes and waves back)

 

[Dave Noble]

I also agree it is better value to get club upgrade at Sydney IC rather than the suite and to the poster who asked about the champagne they do leave it in the minibar for RAs and it is Moet and Chandon so is real champagne.

Personally where there is such a choice , I would take the suite

Dave

 

[Sprucegoose]

Personally where there is such a choice , I would take the suite

Dave

with IHG Sydney I think they are in the corner arent they Dave? quite an old hotel as shown by the size of the bathrooms.

do you think you can do IC upgrades on checking at the property? Sheraton Perth were offering for $50/night which was quite reasonable.

they have a good new exec floor level 7 in Perth - quite large rooms. impressive, all redone as that is a old hotel shell as well.

cheers

SPRUCE

 

[skeltonl]

Personally where there is such a choice , I would take the suite

Dave

Normally I take the suite upgrade so I understand your perspective on it - but for me the view from the top of the Sydney IC out over the harbour sways my decision particularly when the cost of it to buy access is $150.

 

[Dave Noble]

Normally I take the suite upgrade so I understand your perspective on it - but for me the view from the top of the Sydney IC out over the harbour sways my decision particularly when the cost of it to buy access is $150.

I have v little use for the lounges these days so rather have a nice lounge in my suite; even at recent stay in BKK didn't use the lounge at all , even though had access and only used the access in MNL a week or so ago for breakfast; if I had had to choose between the lounge or a suite it would be a no brainer

Sydney is difficult for me to decide since I would have no reason to stay there. Perth IC is on my do-not-stay-here list

Dave

 

[Sprucegoose]

Sydney is difficult for me to decide since I would have no reason to stay there. Perth IC is on my do-not-stay-here list

Dave[/quote]

Tell us about Perth Dave?

SPRUCE:shock:

 

[Dave Noble]

Tell us about Perth Dave?

SPRUCE

The hotel design of a huge atrium up to the 10th floor with rooms off of the atrium may look nice but when they then have a stupidly loud pub attached, then many rooms have noise coming from the pub , even on a high floor. Also, even when the AC unit in the room is switched off, the motor stays running so providing another annoying noise. I don't mind the adjacent Holiday Inn but the IC is definitely not a 1st choice ; free perrier from the mini bar is not enough to offset the negatives

Dave

 

[skeltonl]

The hotel design of a huge atrium up to the 10th floor with rooms off of the atrium may look nice but when they then have a stupidly loud pub attached, then many rooms have noise coming from the pub , even on a high floor. Also, even when the AC unit in the room is switched off, the motor stays running so providing another annoying noise. I don't mind the adjacent Holiday Inn but the IC is definitely not a 1st choice ; free perrier from the mini bar is not enough to offset the negatives

Dave

While not wanting to sound like an alcoholic what is the mini bar for the IC Perth like

 

[Dave Noble]

While not wanting to sound like an alcoholic what is the mini bar for the IC Perth like

can't remember

Dave