The most common ways to earn elite status with most hotel loyalty programs is through either spend or stays, holding a high-end credit card like the American Express Platinum Charge, or securing a status match.
However, with Le Club AccorHotels, there is a quick shortcut to Gold status, thanks to the ibis BUSINESS card.
What is ibis BUSINESS?
Ibis BUSINESS membership is marketed to business travellers who frequently stay at Accor’s budget Ibis chain. All travellers are eligible, however, even those staying for leisure.
Cardholders receive the following benefits:
- Receive 10% off the price of your room at ibis, and the same discount on a second room (flexible rates).
- Enjoy 10% off all your restaurant and bar experiences.
- If a rate is already on promotion, you will get an extra 5% off (non-flexible rates).
- Guaranteed room availability at any ibis up to 48 hours before your stay.
- Early check-in or late check-out at ibis and ibis Styles.
The main benefit, however, is the instant upgrade to Gold Status with Le Club AccorHotels.
This gives you benefits such as space-available room upgrades, welcome amenities and free drink vouchers at most AccorHotels properties worldwide. You will also earn Le Club points at a faster rate than those with base and Silver tier status.
How much does it cost?
You can purchase an ibis BUSINESS membership for €90 ($147 AUD) for one year, or €159 ($259 AUD) for two years.
How can I purchase membership?
You will be prompted to log in with your existing Le Club AccorHotels membership details, to ensure your ibis BUSINESS details are then linked to your account.
If you do not already have a membership with Le Club AccorHotels, you can sign up here.
Note that from my experience, it is impossible to combine an Accor Plus account with an account to which the Ibis BUSINESS card is linked.
Accor will, however, recognise your Gold status and upgrade the status of your Accor Plus account accordingly. Though make sure you earn Le Club points to one account only, to avoid ending up with any small unusable balance.
Is it worth it?
We certainly think so, especially if you plan to book a few extended stays at AccorHotels properties where a space-available complimentary room upgrade could come in handy.
Note that while the Accor Live Limitless program revamps at the end of 2019 will introduce a new top-tier status, and this may introduce more competition for room upgrades, the benefits of Gold status are not proposed to change.
Summing up
If you want to take advantage of this quick shortcut to Gold status with Le Club AccorHotels, we suggest you get in sooner rather than later (depending on when you are planning your next stay).
While ibis BUSINESS has been around for some time, it has always seemed odd that they would ‘sell’ Gold status for much cheaper than it costs to buy Accor Plus membership, which only comes with Silver status.
It would not be a surprise if the benefits for new joiners were devalued in future years.
Hi, just to confirm, does Accor still match the Gold status obtained from the Ibis Business Card to the Accor Plus account? If so, how should I go about doing it? Please advise. Thanks!
Hi team – is this ibis business product still around and does it still fast track you to gold accor?
All I can find is the ALL PLUS IBIS frequent travellers card
Thanks!
Hi guys, I just rang up then to try and have my Gold status added to my Accor Plus account – however the agent i spoke to said no deal. This been shut down? or should i try again?
Hi blingy
Apologies for the delay in our response. Your question seemed to slip through the cracks.
As per Daniel Kinnoch’s article, he did mention that this particular shortcut may not be around forever, as they were in effect “selling” Gold status for less than the cost of Accor Plus.
It may appear that they have now shut down this shortcut based on your experience. All I can advise is to try again, as you may have just encountered a customer service agent that didn’t know of the procedure.
hi , wonder if you can help me. i have followed our instructions and joined up. I have had ACCOR plus for many years. but it did not let me enter that card number so now i have 2. do you now how to fix this
Hi Stuart
I would give Accor a call and get them to transfer your Gold status to your Accor Plus account. You won’t however be able to merge your accounts.
Hi Stuart
I have been further advised that you will not be able to merge your accounts, however, you will be able to add your Gold status to your Accor Plus account.
Doubt you got the fruit platter because of your gold status.
I bought the ibis business plus card this year for the Gold status and found it worth every penny. I had an influx of over 16 nights in the accor brand and each stay I have been given an upgrade to a superior room $30-40 more than what I had booked. Plus, they gave me additional perks like free parking at some hotels, drink vouchers and the welcome ammenity which occasionally included a bottle of sparkling.