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Shangri-La in The Shard now accepting your Golden Circle redemption vouchers

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Possibly the longest on-going saga at Head for Points is drawing to a close.

Last October, Shangri-La Golden Circle, the loyalty scheme for the luxury hotel group, had a promotion where you could earn 1,200 points by playing an online game.

This was very generous, as 1,000 points earns you a $100 food and drink voucher.

Shangri-La was, of course, about to open the eagerly anticipated hotel in the 90-storey The Shard tower in London so I encouraged HFP readers to jump in.

The hotel opening was then delayed. When it finally opened, not all of the restaurants and bars were open. Shangri-La then put a temporary block on redeeming points in the hotel.

That block is now over. As of yesterday, you can order $100 food and drink vouchers via the Golden Circle website to use in The Shard.  That is currently worth £59, but a savvy couple would have opened a Golden Circle account each to have £118.

Some readers have already ordered vouchers so the system is working OK. You need to redeem within six months of ordering the voucher.

I know someone who is going on Tuesday and I will hopefully get some feedback on how it works in practice. Here are the terms and conditions of the vouchers:

  • A Non-Room Award confirmation is valid for six months from the date of redemption is made.
  • Advance reservation with the participating food and beverage outlets is required.
  • A Member or Nominee must validate the redeemed Non-Room Award in exchange for a Golden Circle redemption voucher in person by presenting proof of identity document at the Business Centre prior to the service being used.
  • Redemption vouchers can only be used at participating food and beverage outlets on the date of validation.
  • Redemption vouchers cannot be exchanged for cash. All unused value will not be refunded whether in terms of cash, GC Award Points or otherwise. Any excess amount will be charged to the Member or Nominee.
  • Redemption vouchers cannot be used to purchase merchandise or services that are contracted out by the Hotel to a third party.
  • Redemption vouchers cannot be used to settle charges on banqueting, outside catering and event spends, or expenses charged to a room account.
  • Redemption vouchers cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounts or promotional offers.
  • Redemption vouchers must be presented at the time of payment.
  • Once the redemption is made, no amendment or cancellation is allowed.

best hotel loyalty promotions

Hotel offers update – April 2025:

Want to earn more hotel points?  Click here to see our complete list of promotions from the major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.

Want to buy hotel points?

  • Hilton Honors is offering a 100% bonus when you buy points by 29th May 2025. The annual purchase limit is also increased to 240,000 points pre-bonus. Click here to buy.

Comments (68)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Adam W says:

    I think its very much a case of YMMV on this one!!! We tried that at the Island Shang-ri la HK and meet stiff resistance. The supervisor was called and she begrudgingly credited only the spend in excess of the vouchers.

    It was worth the hassle though as they were running a triple points promo at the time and we gained enough points for another $50 voucher.

    • DS says:

      Interesting, well there’s a double points offer right now until 31 August 2014

      “•Double points when you dine or enjoy CHI, The Spa as a non-staying guest”

  • ankomonkey says:

    DS, how was the food at Shangri-La Tokyo? I will redeem my vouchers either there or The Shard. Tokyo is Italian (this should be different but normally I don’t touch Italian food in Japan) or Japanese, correct?

    • asjg says:

      I redeemed one of mine at Shangri-La Tokyo in January with a colleague. We went to the sushi restaurant and it was excellent!

    • DS says:

      We had the 5 course lunch at Placere, the Italian restaurant, it was okay
      but nothing special, I would not go back.

      • ankomonkey says:

        Yeah, in my experience the Japanese don’t do good Italian. Their native cuisine and that of neighbours Korea are both fantastic though 🙂

  • Mark says:

    Ooh…exciting news!

    I booked a table for 2 at Ting (restaurant not lounge) on Friday 05/09/14 for 19:30 as soon as the “booking window” opened at the beginning of July. Thanks for the info in the previous comments – it’s answered several questions that were causing me far too much cause for concern than they probably should have!

    I’ve been reading the reviews on TripAdvisor which has unearthed a few nuggets, for instance it would seem that you are able to request the lounge menu even if you’re dining in the restaurant; something I’m leaning towards, and it looks as though it might make your GC vouchers go a little further 😉

  • Mark says:

    Any idea how much an average drink is in the Ting Lounge?

  • Jonny says:

    Small tip – worth ordering 2 x $50 vouchers instead of 1 x $100 voucher for each account.

    I booked dinner at Ting one night and then a separate reservation for a drink at Gong for the view. Hoping to use 3 vouchers for Ting and then 1 for Gong (for myself and my wife).

    For Gong, the £30 a head minimum spend doesn’t apply on Sunday through Tuesday until September (was confirmed my email – I don’t know if this is including Sept or not) so still possible to go there for a single drink in August.

    Looking forward!

  • Alan says:

    If redeeming for two folk, thus from separate accounts, can you just make one booking for two (and both redeem at reception) or do you each have to make a separate reservation?

    • NYC123 says:

      One reservation is fine, I think it’s just to ensure that once you get your voucher you can use it, the receptionist asked if we had a reservation but didn’t enquire where.

  • MaltaPoints Tom says:

    Redeemed our 2 x $100 vouchers at the new Shangri La Istanbul some time ago. Full meal for two with starters, desserts and drinks fully covered. No issues at all.

    Many thanks Raffles, what a great tip this one was.

  • NYC123 says:

    Went up to Gong earlier, amazing cocktails and views. Not sure about the exchange rate mind you, got £55 for the $100…..

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

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