Accor is a favourite program for many of us because of the fixed € value you get per 2000 points. Also, it is easier to become an elite member of the Accor program by using multiple accounts. Now they have announced various changes this year that keep things in check and take away a few benefits from members.
Countries excluded from the Breakfast Benefit
Accor Platinum & Diamond members are eligible for complimentary breakfast. Platinum members receive a complimentary breakfast every day in the Asia Pacific. In contrast, Diamond member receives a complimentary breakfast on weekdays in Asia Pacific and worldwide on weekends. That means this benefit is explicitly applied to the Asia Pacific countries.
The Thursday and Friday nights for the following countries: Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya and Comoros, i.e. a complimentary breakfast on Friday morning and on Saturday morning.
The Friday and Saturday nights in the rest of the world, i.e. a complimentary breakfast on Saturday morning and on Sunday morning.
Now, Accor has specifically excluded a few countries, which are now not considered part of Asia Pacific, for the breakfast benefit; however, Diamond member continues to have the benefit worldwide on weekends:
- Georgia
- Kazakhstan
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Uzbekistan
- Kyrgyzstan, and
- Tajikistan
I partially understand why this has been done. For example, Georgia considers itself part of Europe and wants to be part of the European Union, which might explain these changes.
Suite Night Upgrades
Suite Night Upgrades are available for Platinum when they reach Platinum Status. You reach Platinum status after 60 nights or 14,000 status points. Once you reach platinum status, you get two complimentary suite night upgrade awards and then one suite night upgrade award for every 4,000 status points, with a maximum of 12 Suite Night upgrade awards.
There is not too much change here; only one condition has been added. That is, the suite night upgrades will be available when you reach 60 nights or 14000 status points in the subsequent year.
That means that if someone gets complimentary Platinum Status for the first time, either via 60 nights or 14K status points, they will receive the two suite night upgrade awards. If in the subsequent year, they will have to meet the 60-night requirement or 14K status points to get the Suite Night Upgrade. Honestly, this doesn’t affect most of us unless we get a complimentary Platinum status, for example, via a benefit on a Card.
Bottomline
Accor Program Changes are not too harsh and are only meant as clarification. However, the breakfast benefit in select countries will not be available to platinum members anymore.
