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Accor Hotels has put out a release which reads “[t]his summer, the Ibis brands want to be the travel partner of millennials with the launch of their first 100% student offer”
Any press release claiming to be aimed at millennials gets me annoyed very quickly but, because this may offer some genuine value to a few readers, I carried on reading – this is what the offer is all about:
Accor’s three ibis brands (Ibis, Ibis Styles & Ibis Budget) have launched “Just For Students” which the chain is claiming to be “the first offer reserved exclusively for students and a first for an international economy hotel chain“.
Leaving aside the fact that this is unlikely to actually be the “first offer reserved for students” by any hotel chain (I seem to recall quite a few student-only offers during my college years) there are savings to be had here.
The Just for Students offer is available at 600 ibis brand hotels across 44 countries worldwide but, in France, it’s limited to the Ibis Budget brand.
- The Just for Students rate is valid for stays between 30/06/2018 and 18/09/2018 (dates inclusive).
- The Just for Students offer is available at 600 ibis brand hotels across 44 countries worldwide but, in France, it’s limited to the Ibis Budget brand.
- The Ibis brands are offering a 30% discount on the flexible rate available at booking time.
- The rate includes tax, that is displayed at the time of booking, and is valid for one room (within the limit of the number of people authorised per room).
- Prices do not take into account any potential exchange-rate fluctuations between the date the reservation is made and the date that payment is taken by the hotel.
- Each occupant must confirm that they are students and agree to show their valid students card upon their arrival at the hotel (all room occupants are required to be students). Otherwise price displayed at the hotel on that day (RACK rate) will be charged.
- Full amount of stay is payable in advance by credit card at booking time. Full deposit is not refundable even if the booking is cancelled or modified.
Link to the promotion page
Things To Note
if you’re a student there may be a deal in here for you but be aware of three very important facts:
- The discounts on offer are based on the best flexible rates so you will not be receiving a 30% discount on the cheapest rate available (the non-flexible rates)
- Although the discount on offer is based on a flexible rate the actual booking being made is not flexible at all – full payment is required upfront and there are no changes or refunds allowed.
- Everyone staying in a room booked using the Just for Students rate will have to prove their student credentials – failing to do so will mean that you’ll end up paying a hugely inflated rate (the rack rate).
Bottom Line
A 30% discount sounds good but when it’s based on a flexible rate and not the lowest possible rate it starts to sound a little worse.
There may be a deal or two available here but just be sure you check what other rates the hotels are offering – there have been times when the best non-refundable rate has been better than the promotional rate despite the fact that both reservations are essentially the same.
