I travel a lot myself under the employee discount card, and I have found that occassionally, I run into issues with the hotel I'm giong to not wanting to honor the discount.  I just make a note of it, and call the GM when I get back to the office.  I sure enjoy the discount program, although, I understand that it will **** ADR for the night.   I try to spread my stays around, so that I am not staying at just one property, although there are a couple in the Houston area I would stay at every week if I could.  Haven't been able to get into the Intercon on the employee discount yet.  Always a date conflict. I'm actually on my way to the Hotel Indigo at the Galleria there tonight though.  It will be my first Indigo stay.  I'm kind of excited.

Sorry to get a little off topic, I don't understand why Guest Relations wouldn't help you if you wanted to call them.  You are technically a guest, just staying at a discounted rate. 

Jon,

How did you like the property? How was your first Indigo stay??

Amanda

Jon,

I'm glad you were pleased. I have to agree on the colors and the bed that your wife loved so much. I'm sure Contessa Vanessa (Marlene) would love to hear about your stay in her thread, Indigo Hotels-Have you been?  Did you see any pets wondering around? lol

Thanks,

Amanda Kehoe

I am attempting to find out by devious routes for you. It is intolerable that the GM does not have the confidence in his actions to not feel able to defend himself with his bosses.If all else fails you could contact IHG HQ in UK and ask for the information.

Yes, that is correct!  I was thinking she lived a distance from the hotel and it

might be inconvenient for her to go back to check it out.

Your comment should serve as a reminder for guests who encounter problems in the future.  Before you leave, check out the ownership, jot down the information you may need to make contact with a higher level for resolution of any issues.

i'm sorry that you had a bad experience with the hotel while trying to make a reservation for yourself.. if you are trying to make a reservation using the employee rate.. i suggest that you do it online since you will get the same rate for the hotel without talking to any of the hotel personnel.. and once you have your reservation just present the proper documents and ID when you arrive at the hotel.. just to let you know, according to my friends, "Once an employee receives a confirmation number for a reservation at the Employee Room Benefit Programme rate, the hotel may not rescind that rate." you can check more of this at the employee website.. so whether the hotel is owned or a franchised one, they cannot decline your reservation..

I still don't know what the facts are except that it was with a General Manager at a franchised hotel not managed/owned or operated by IHG. However, the General Manager reserves the right to honor or not honor employee room benefit rates, in certain circumstances. Your hotel manager can assist you with the matter. In my opinion, that may be your best bet rather then discussing it further on the board since it is a personal matter. Just for future reference, the discounted employee rate is not always offered to hotels within 50 or so miles of each other.

Respectfully,

Amanda Kehoe

This is not correct.  The employee rate can't be booked more then 90 days out and must be booked online or through 1800 Holiday.  Properties may adjust their inventory to close out an employee rate if the property is going to have a night that looks like they will be full, with a few exceptions.  However, the rate must be honored if the hotel is more than 30 miles from the hotel you are employed at, as long as the above criteria are met.

Check out this link http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/employees.  I use the employee rate ALL of the time.  I just returned this morning from the Hotel Indigo in Houston, and it was an amazing property.  I recommend it to anyone traveling to Houston.

This doesn't excuse their being rude to you, however, it may be one of the reasons that you weren't given a reservation at the hotel directly.  The hotel only has to offer 3 rooms as well, and like I said may be adjusted for the day, if the availability is low.  Example, 11-8-09 may be adjusted 11-8-09, if our occupancy is above x amount of rooms.

Hope this helps.  I have A LOT of experience both using the employee rate, and accepting the employee rate at our hotel as well.  If you have any questions, let me know.

Jon

It is well worth it.  I have saved THOUSANDS of dollars.  If I have a day off, (many times I won't for a couple of weeks) I pick a hotel somewhere within driving distance and I head out.  It's a lot easier to travel with the hotel only costing 29-59.00.  Even Intercontinental.   59.00.  No points though, which I'm fine with.  I'll take the discount.

I have stayed at most IHG properties in Houston with this discount.  Like I said in an earlier post, employees are welcomed most places, but I have encountered a few that I could definitely tell they didn't want my discount in there.

Spidergirl,

I agree that it definitely could have been handled better from his/her end. I'm glad the members provided some great ideas to help you resolve the issue. I know you work for Proctor & Gamble now per your profile. Do you still work part-time at the hotel? If so, what is your position?

Respectfully,

Amanda