Golden Circle Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions govern the contractual relationship between Shangri-La International Hotel Management Limited (“The Company”) and Golden Circle Members.

1. GLOSSARY  
2. GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS  
3. MEMBERSHIP, ENROLMENT & TERMINATION  
4. EARNING GOLDEN CIRCLE AWARD POINTS
   1. Earning Golden Circle Award Points – General Conditions
   2. Earning Golden Circle Award Points for Hotel Stays
   3. Earning Golden Circle Award Points for Non-Hotel Stays
    
5. EARNING & CONVERTING AIRLINE MILES
   1. Earning Airline Miles
   2. Converting Golden Circle Award Points to Airline Miles
    
6. ACCOUNT STATEMENT  
7. REQUESTS FOR MISSING GOLDEN CIRCLE AWARD POINTS & AIRLINE MILES
   1. Missing Golden Circle Award Points Requests
   2. Missing Airline Miles Requests
    
8. GOLDEN CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP TIERS
   1. Golden Circle Membership Tiers - General Conditions
   2. Members’ Benefits
    
9. REDEEMING GOLDEN CIRCLE REDEMPTION AWARDS
   1. Redeeming Golden Circle Redemption Awards – General Conditions
   2. Redeeming Room Awards
   3. Redeeming Room Upgrade Awards
   4. Redeeming Non-Room Awards
    
10. REDEMPTION GROUP  
11. LEGAL & PRIVACY
    1. Data Privacy & Miscellaneous
    2. Exclusion & Limitation of Liability
     

A. GLOSSARY

B. GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. Golden Circle is a frequent guest programme managed and operated by The Company.
2. Golden Circle is open to individuals aged 18 or above. The Company reserves the right to grant or refuse Membership at its sole and absolute discretion. Membership will not be extended to corporations or other legal entities.
3. Membership is not available to staff of The Company, the parent company of The Company and their subsidiaries and affiliated companies, and Participating Hotels.
4. Upon successful enrolment, Members automatically receive Gold Membership.
5. A Membership number and temporary Membership card will be issued to newly enrolled Members. Members are deemed to have accepted these Terms and Conditions, which favour The Company, all Airline Partners and Partners, upon using their Golden Circle Membership numbers, cards or any benefits.
6. Membership and Membership cards are non-transferable and may only be used by the Member. Membership cards are the property of The Company and a fee may be charged for replacing lost or damaged cards. Misuse of Membership cards or programme benefits may result in immediate termination or suspension of Membership, or withdrawal of benefits.
7. The Company reserves the right to modify the programme structure, benefits and other features, including these Terms and Conditions, or to terminate Golden Circle at any time. Although The Company will use reasonable effort to notify Members of material changes to Golden Circle and/or to these Terms and Conditions, it is the responsibility of Members to keep themselves up-to-date in respect of the Golden Circle and these Terms and Conditions. Any use of Golden Circle by a Member will be deemed as acceptance of any amendment(s). The Company and/or Partners will not be liable for loss or damage resulting from any amendment(s) to Golden Circle or to these Terms and Conditions.
8. All interpretations of this programme Terms and Conditions shall be at the sole and absolute discretion of The Company.
9. If this English version of the Terms and Conditions does not conform to other language versions, the English version shall prevail. In case of dispute, The Company reserves the right of final decision on the interpretation of these Terms and Conditions.

C. MEMBERSHIP, ENROLMENT & TERMINATION

1. Membership enrolment can be made online at the Golden Circle website www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com or by completing an enrolment form which is available at the Front Desk of any Participating Hotel. Upon enrolment, Members may use the Membership number issued to them to earn GC Award Points.
2. Enrolment forms will not be processed unless all mandatory fields marked with asterisks are completed correctly and signed. Applicants must agree to the Terms and Conditions on submission of enrolment forms.
3. There is currently no enrolment fee for Golden Circle Membership.
4. Members will receive a permanent Membership card upon becoming an Active Member of Golden Circle by making a stay at Qualifying Room Rate at any Participating Hotel or earning a minimum of 50 GC Award Points.
5. Golden Circle Membership and GC Award Points are non-transferable. Joint accounts and multiple enrolments by a single person are not allowed.
6. A Member may only hold one Membership account at any time. If a Member inadvertently creates a duplicate account, The Company reserves the right to merge and consolidate the details of the Member into the Member’s earlier account. Any GC Award Points earned on the duplicate account will be transferred to the earlier account, retaining their original expiry date. Golden Circle is not responsible for any loss of Member benefits and/or services due to duplicate Membership.
7. Membership accounts which have been inactive for a continuous period of 36 months will be closed if not re-activated through a qualifying stay or spending at any Participating Hotel within 12 months from the date of the inactive status.
8. Members who wish to discontinue their Membership must provide written notice to The Company and return their Membership card to the Golden Circle Member Services, upon which all benefits and privileges of the Member shall cease and all outstanding GC Award Points of such Member will become void.
9. Any Golden Circle Member who commits a misconduct, engages in fraud, abuses Golden Circle benefits and awards, and fails to adhere to these Terms and Conditions, will have his/her Membership terminated. All of his/her benefits and privileges shall cease forthwith and their GC Award Points will become void immediately.
10. The Company reserves the right to terminate any Membership at its sole and absolute discretion, at which point all unused GC Award Points, benefits and privileges will be cancelled. Such termination shall be without prejudice to the accrued rights and remedies of The Company, Participating Hotels, Airline Partners, Partners and the Member.
11. Membership will end automatically upon the death of the Member and GC Award Points earned but not redeemed at the time of death, as well as benefits and privileges will be cancelled.
12. If a Member has obtained Redemption Awards or other products or services through fraud, dishonesty or deceit then the Member shall without limitation be liable to The Company, Participating Hotels, Airline Partners or Partners for the full price of the Redemption Awards or other products or services obtained together with all costs and damages incurred or suffered by The Company, Participating Hotels, Airline Partners or Partners as a result thereof.
13. Membership cards must be returned to The Company upon the termination of Membership of any Member.

D. EARNING GOLDEN CIRCLE AWARD POINTS

i. Earning Golden Circle Award Points – General Conditions

1. GC Award Points may be awarded for the stay at Qualifying Room Rate and on Qualifying Incidental Charges and Qualifying Spend.
2. Members may choose to earn GC Award Points or Airline Miles in one of the Airline Partner Programmes upon check-in at a Participating Hotel when paying at non-discounted or corporate rate which falls within the meaning of Qualifying Room Rate. Members who have not selected between earning GC Award Points or Airline Miles prior to check-out will earn, by default, GC Award Points. Members cannot earn both GC Award Points and Airline Miles for the same stay. The details regarding the earning of Airline Miles are indicated later in these Terms and Conditions. Credit of Airline Miles can be made only on one Airline Partner Programme for each stay at non-discounted or corporate rates.
3. GC Award Points are earned at the rate of one GC Award Point per whole U.S. dollar of spend at Qualifying Room Rate, Qualifying Incidental Charges and Qualifying Spend. Qualifying spending in local currencies will be converted into U.S. dollars for the purpose of point calculation. A pre-determined conversion rate will be used and can be updated at any time at the sole and absolute discretion of The Company.
4. GC Award Points are not earned for Government and local taxes, service charges, tips, in-room movies, telephone charges, business centre charges, transportation, third party services contracted out by hotels, retail outlets, merchandises, gift certificates or vouchers, health club, function room charges, banqueting, catering and events spends, late charges, no-show charges, cancellation penalties and discounted or promotional offers whether by hotels, credit cards, individual hotel gourmet cards or airlines.
5. Members may only commence earning GC Award Points from the launch date of the new Golden Circle and no GC Award Points will be earned for stays and transactions prior to that date. GC Award Points earned will be calculated if the check-in date is on or after the launch date.
6. The bill for Qualifying Room Rate, Qualifying Incidental Charges and Qualifying Spend must be made in the Member’s name and that Member must personally pay for all charges in order to earn GC Award Points. A Member’s Membership number cannot be used by anyone else to earn GC Award Points, benefits, promotion bonus points or upgraded Membership status.
7. Members may not earn GC Award Points on spends made by Nominees in their Redemption Group, even if the Member pays for any of the spends incurred by the Nominees.
8. Members must quote their Membership numbers at the time of reservations and present their Membership cards at time of check-in, when paying the bill at Participating Hotel restaurants or using the services of CHI, The Spa as a non-staying guest in order to earn GC Award Points.
9. GC Award Points will expire on an annual basis, up to three calendar years (1 January to 31 December) after the end of the Membership calendar year of accrual. Once expired, GC Award Points cannot be redeemed for awards or other products or services.
10. Only certain transactions with Partners are eligible to earn GC Award Points. These will appear on the Golden Circle website www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com and may be published by The Company from time to time.
11. For promotions restricted to a particular market, residency is determined by the Member’s preferred mailing address as registered with Golden Circle.
12. GC Award Points will be credited to the Member’s account two weeks after a stay at Qualifying Room Rate or payment in full of Qualifying Incidental Charges or Qualifying Spend as the case may be.
13. GC Award Points are valid for Redemption Awards as soon as they are credited to the Member’s account.
14. If The Company incorrectly denies GC Award Points to a Member, The Company’s only liability will be to provide the Member with the number of GC Award Points originally denied.
15. If The Company incorrectly credited GC Award Points to a Member’s account, The Company reserves the right at any time to cancel or invalidate the GC Award Points recorded incorrectly in the Member’s account.
16. GC Award Points have no monetary face value and may not be sold, bartered, transferred, exchanged for cash or otherwise. Any Member fraudulently accruing, exchanging, selling or bartering GC Award Points will have their Membership terminated and all GC Award Points held in their account will be cancelled. The Member may also be subject to civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.
17. GC Award Points accrual is subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Golden Circle.

ii. Earning Golden Circle Award Points for Hotel Stays

1. GC Award Points may be earned for the stay at Qualifying Room Rate and Qualifying Incidental Charges at all Participating Hotels.
2. Members may earn GC Award Points on Qualifying Incidental Charges even when paying Non-Qualifying Room Rates except for airline and/or travel industry discounts and serviced apartments.
3. Members are required to provide their Membership numbers at the time of reservations and present their Membership cards upon check-in at the hotels, when dining at Participating Hotel restaurants or using the services of CHI, The Spa.
4. GC Award Points will be credited to the Member’s account for the stay at Qualifying Room Rate when the preference to earn GC Award Points is selected prior to check-out. Once the final selection is made, it cannot be amended.
5. Members must be a resident in the hotel to earn GC Award Points on Qualifying Room Rate and Qualifying Incidental Charges. If a Member is sharing a room with other Members, only one of the Members will be eligible to earn GC Award Points on Qualifying Room Rate and Qualifying Incidental Charges. If a Member reserves multiple rooms, only the Qualifying Room Rate and Qualifying Incidental Charges on the room that the Member has physically occupied will be eligible to earn GC Award Points.
6. GC Award Points are credited to a Member’s account upon payment of charges in full by the Member for Qualifying Room Rate and Qualifying Incidental Charges at check-out. Charges paid by an organisation, convention, association or group do not qualify for GC Award Points.
7. Promotions for the offer of bonus GC Award Points may be offered at certain times. Details of these offers and the applicable terms, conditions and restrictions will be available on the Golden Circle website www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com. Promotion registration may be required and failing to register will result in the applicable benefits of the offer not being extended, even though the Member may have fulfilled all other qualifying requirements.
8. Bonus GC Award Points earned from promotions will be credited to a Member’s account two to three weeks after the end of the promotion period.
9. It is the responsibility of Members to provide a correct/updated email and mailing address and to be aware of any promotion offers by accessing the Golden Circle website www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com. The Company will not be liable for any loss of benefits and services due to non-receipt of promotional communications.

iii. Earning Golden Circle Award Points for Non-Hotel Stays

1. Members may earn GC Award Points on Qualifying Spend.
2. Members are required to provide their Membership numbers at the time of reservations and present their Membership cards and proof of photo identity documents for verification upon using hotel products or services. Payment for the Qualifying Spend must be made by the Member in order to earn GC Award Points.
3. GC Award Points will be credited to a Member’s account two weeks after payment of charges in full for the Qualifying Spend.

E. EARNING & CONVERTING AIRLINE MILES

i. Earning Airline Miles

1. Airline Miles can be earned on a participating Airline Partner Programme for each hotel stay when paying the non-discounted or corporate rates at Participating Hotels.
2. Eligible stay requirements for earning Airline Miles do not include back-to-back stays even if a Member is paying a non-discounted or corporate rate. A stay is defined as the total number of consecutive nights spent at one hotel or resort, whether or not a Member checks out and checks back in again.
3. Members must present their valid Airline Partner Programme membership cards for verification upon check-in at the hotel to receive Airline Miles when paying the non-discounted or corporate rates. The Member must ensure that the name on the reservation matches the name on the Airline Partner Programme membership card in order for Airline Miles to be credited to the Member’s Airline Partner Programme membership account.
4. If a Member is sharing a room with other Members, only one of the Members will be eligible to earn Airline Miles. If a Member reserves multiple rooms, only the non-discounted or corporate rate on the room that the Member has physically occupied will be eligible to earn Airline Miles. Airline Miles will be credited to the Member’s Airline Partner Programme membership account when the preference to earn Airline Miles is selected prior to check-out, and once made, the final selection cannot be amended.
5. Promotions and bonus offers to earn Airline Miles may be offered at certain times. Details of these offers and the applicable terms, conditions and restrictions will be available on the Golden Circle website www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com. Registration in advance for certain promotions or bonus offers may be required and failing to register will result in the applicable benefits of the offer not being extended even though the Member may have fulfilled all the other eligible requirements.

ii. Converting Golden Circle Award Points to Airline Miles

1. GC Award Points may be converted to Airline Miles with Airline Partners. A minimum of 2,500 GC Award Points is required for each conversion request with additional point conversions made in increments of 500 GC Award Points. Processing may take between four and six weeks. Please refer to the Golden Circle website www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com for details of GC Award Points conversion.
2. The conversion rate is 1 GC Award Point to 1 Airline Mile, but there may be different conversion rates for specific Airline Partners and this is subject to change without notice at the sole and absolute discretion of The Company.
3. All GC Award Points converted to Airline Miles will no longer be available for Redemption Awards.
4. Redemption or usage of converted Airline Miles is subject to the terms and conditions of the relevant Airline Partner Programme.
5. GC Award Points may be converted through the Golden Circle website www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com or the Golden Circle Member Services. Once the conversion is made, no cancellation or amendment is allowed.

F. ACCOUNT STATEMENT

1. Members will receive a monthly e-Statement showing the balance of their GC Award Points with a summary of activities they have earned or redeemed GC Award Points in that statement period, or any GC Award Points adjustments made from the previous statement period.
2. Members without a valid email address will not receive any statement. The GC Award Points balance can be checked online by logging in to the Golden Circle website www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com.
3. Members who submitted a physical enrolment form are required to activate their Membership accounts on the Golden Circle website www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com, under “Activate Golden Circle Online Account”, to access details of transactions, GC Award Points balance, and update personal profiles online.

G. REQUEST FOR MISSING GOLDEN CIRCLE AWARD POINTS & AIRLINE MILES

i. Missing Golden Circle Award Points Requests

1. Requests for missing GC Award Points can only be accepted if the Member’s Membership number was properly quoted at the time of reservation and the Membership card was presented at check-in.
2. Claims for missing GC Award Points on Qualifying Room Rate and Qualifying Incidental Charges are only accepted when the Member’s preference of GC Award Points is selected prior to check-out at the hotel.
3. Claims for missing GC Award Points for Qualifying Spend are not allowed.
4. Members can claim missing GC Award Points for qualifying hotel stay transactions on Qualifying Room Rate and Qualifying Incidental Charges on the Golden Circle website www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com by completing the “Claim Missing Points/Miles request form” or through the Golden Circle Member Services.
5. Qualifying missing GC Award Points requests will only be accepted for processing if made within six months of the transaction date.
6. Members should allow two to four weeks for GC Award Points earned on qualifying hotel stay transactions on Qualifying Room Rate and Qualifying Incidental Charges to appear in their account before raising a claim for missing GC Award Points.
7. Claims for missing GC Award Points that are made prior to enrolment in Golden Circle are not allowed. Members can only earn GC Award Points on Qualifying Room Rate and Qualifying Incidental Charges for hotel stays and Qualifying Spend for non-hotel stays that have taken place after the Member has enrolled into Golden Circle.
8. A copy of the hotel bill showing details of the stay may be required to process claims for missing GC Award Points. This information will include the hotel name, arrival and departure dates of hotel stay, room number and/or reservation number.
9. Claims for missing GC Award Points are not accepted if a Member has not registered for any promotions prior to using the products and services where registration is required for the applicable benefits to be extended.
10. Members should allow four to six weeks for GC Award Points from successful claims to be credited into their accounts.

ii. Missing Airline Miles Requests

1. Requests for missing Airline Miles can only be accepted if the Member’s Airline Partner Programme membership number was properly quoted at the time of reservation and the membership card was presented at check-in.
2. Claims for missing Airline Miles from eligible stays on non-discounted or corporate rates are only accepted when the preference of Airline Miles is selected prior to check-out at the hotel.
3. Missing Airline Miles for eligible stays on non-discounted or corporate rates can be claimed at the Golden Circle website www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com by completing the “Claim Missing Points/Miles request form” or through the Golden Circle Member Services.
4. Members should allow four to six weeks for Airline Miles earned on eligible stays to appear in their Airline Partner Programme membership accounts before raising a claim for missing Airline Miles.
5. Members should allow four to six weeks for Airline Miles from successful claims to be credited into their Airline Partner Programme membership accounts.

H. GOLDEN CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP TIERS

i. Golden Circle Membership Tiers – General Conditions

1. The Golden Circle offers three Membership tiers – Gold, Jade and Diamond. Gold is the entry tier for the programme.
2. The number of Qualifying Nights or Qualifying Stays required to upgrade or renew Golden Circle Membership tiers within a Membership Year is indicated below:

Membership Tiers	Qualifying Nights		Qualifying Stays
Diamond	50	OR	25
Jade	20		10
Gold	N/A		N/A

3. Only the Qualifying Nights and Qualifying Stays of the room which the Member has physically occupied will be counted for Membership tier upgrade or renewal, regardless of the number of rooms reserved under the Member’s name.
4. The number of Qualifying Nights and Qualifying Stays in any Membership Year are not cumulative and cannot be counted for as Qualifying Nights or Qualifying Stays for any subsequent year.
5. Qualifying Stays requirements do not include back-to-back stays. A stay is defined as the total number of consecutive nights spent at one hotel or resort, whether or not a Member checks out and checks back in again.
6. Reservation of multiple rooms, under the same name of a Golden Circle Member, during the same stay shall only be counted as one Qualifying Stay.
7. Only one Qualifying Stay will be credited to a paying Golden Circle Member per stay regardless of the number of registered guests per room.
8. No-show and cancelled room nights are not eligible to earn Qualifying Nights and Qualifying Stays.
9. Upon Membership upgrade, renewal or downgrade, the earned Qualifying Nights or Qualifying Stays will automatically be reset to zero on 1 January of the following year, upon which a new Membership Year begins.
10. Upgrades occur as soon as a Member has earned either enough Qualifying Nights or Qualifying Stays to enter the next tier, within a Membership Year, but not a combination of the two qualifying criteria. Multiple tier upgrades are not allowed. Members can only progress one tier at a time.
11. The upgraded tier Membership is valid until the end of the next calendar year (31 December of the next year).
12. The number of Qualifying Nights or Qualifying Stays required to upgrade or renew tiers are tracked and listed separately in the Member’s account and on their account statement.
13. Qualifying Nights or Qualifying Stays are for the sole purpose of determining tier status and such criteria may be changed from time to time at the sole and absolute discretion of The Company.

ii. Members' Benefits

1. Gold, Jade and Diamond Members will receive the programme privileges for and benefits of Golden Circle when staying at any Participating Hotel.
2. Jade and Diamond Members will receive 25% and 50% bonus points respectively on GC Award Points earned on Qualifying Room Rate and Qualifying Incidental Charges during each hotel stay and Qualifying Spend during a non-hotel stay.
3. Best-faith efforts will be made to deliver specified benefits and services to Members. However, not all benefits and services can be provided at all Participating Hotels. The Company is not responsible for refunds or for consequential damages resulting from failure to deliver such benefits and services.
4. Early check-in and late check-out are subject to availability. Such benefits are not available at China World Summit Wing, Beijing; Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa, Maldives; Shangri-La Hotel, Paris; Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo; Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto; Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver; Shangri-La Hotel, at The Shard, London and such other hotels as The Company may decide at its sole and absolute discretion from time to time.
5. The Company reserves the right to amend or withdraw any benefits and services at any time without prior notice.
6. The Company reserves the right to change qualifying criteria for Membership upgrades and renewal at any time without prior notice.
7. Members’ profiles will be updated and new Membership cards will be issued in four to six weeks after Members are qualified for Jade or Diamond Membership.

I. REDEEMING GOLDEN CIRCLE REDEMPTION AWARDS

i. Redeeming Golden Circle Redemption Awards - General Conditions

1. All GC Award Points required for Redemption Awards must be earned by the same Member under the same account. Pooling of GC Award Points is not allowed.
2. GC Award Points can be redeemed for Redemption Awards, which can be products or services provided by The Company, or by a designated third party company, in accordance with the programme’s current redemption Terms and Conditions prevailing from time to time.
3. The number of GC Award Points required for each Redemption Award will be available in Redemption Award charts on the Golden Circle website www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com and upon enquiry from the Golden Circle Member Services.
4. GC Award Points requirements for Redemption Awards are subject to change without prior notice.
5. When a Member makes a Redemption Awards reservation, the corresponding number of GC Award Points will be automatically deducted from the Member’s account at the time when such reservation is confirmed.
6. Redemption Awards must be made online at the Golden Circle website www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com or through the Golden Circle Member Services.
7. Redemption Awards must be redeemed prior to the products or services being used. Members must provide their Membership numbers when making Redemption Awards reservations and present their Membership cards upon using the Redemption Awards.
8. Redemption Awards cannot be redeemed in conjunction with any other offers or promotions unless specifically permitted by the Terms and Conditions that accompany the Redemption Awards.
9. Redemption Awards reservations are subject to the individual Participating Hotel’s reservation requirements, and are subject to the cancellation policy of the hotel. Details of the cancellation penalties relating to Redemption Awards will be published and may be amended at any time by The Company.
10. Redemption Awards are non-negotiable, commissionable or redeemable for cash and are void if sold for cash or other considerations.
11. The sale or barter of Redemption Awards is prohibited and will result in the forfeiture of all GC Award Points and Redemption Awards and the cancellation of Membership. Members found doing so will be liable for damages suffered or incurred by The Company.
12. In the event that a hotel or resort ceases to be a Participating Hotel, from the date of such cessation, GC Award Points will not be earned for stays at such property, nor will Redemption Awards be available there after even if the reservation or redemption was made prior to such cessation.
13. All Redemption Awards are non-transferable and assignable.
14. Golden Circle Redemption Awards are subject to the Golden Circle programme Terms and Conditions.

ii. Redeeming Room Awards

1. Room Awards must be booked at least one day in advance through the Golden Circle website www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com or the Golden Circle Member Services. Members must provide their Membership numbers when making reservations for Room Awards and present their Membership cards upon check-in.
2. Redemption requests from parties other than the Member, including Nominees will not be processed.
3. Room Awards can be combined with paid hotel room night stay in one reservation.
4. Room Awards are not transferable and the room must be occupied by the Member or the designated Nominee.
5. Room Awards are based on single or double occupancy and include any government taxes and service charges applicable to the accommodation. Any associated charges must be paid by the Member or Nominee upon check-out.
6. Waitlist reservations for Room Awards are available only for Jade and Diamond Members. The outcome of waitlisted requests cannot be guaranteed and is subject to hotel occupancy. GC Award Points will not be deducted from the Member’s account until the Room Award reservation has been confirmed.
7. Once a Room Award reservation has been confirmed, any changes (including hotel, room type, date of check-in, length of stay or guest name) will require the reservation to be cancelled and re-booked, subject to room availability, cancellation rules, policies and penalties that are prevailing from time to time.
8. In the event of a Room Award reservation being cancelled, and the prevailing cancellation criteria is not met, which is three days (hotel local time) prior to the arrival, a penalty of GC Award Points deduction equivalent to one room night stay will apply. Any GC Award Points applicable as penalty for cancellation will be retained and the balance will be credited back to the Member’s account and will retain their original expiry date. Redemption for Room Awards for Nominees cannot be cancelled. All GC Award Points will not be refunded.
9. In the event of a no-show for Room Award redemption, such Room Award redemption will be deemed fully used and all GC Award Points that have been deducted for the Room Award will not be refunded.
10. Members acknowledge that The Company reserves the right to limit the number of rooms made available for Room Awards at its sole and absolute discretion. Black-out periods may also be imposed, during which Room Awards are not permitted. These will be published on the Golden Circle website www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com and may be amended at any time at the sole and absolute discretion of The Company.
11. Room availability for Room Awards at any particular hotel is not guaranteed.
12. Members are responsible for reporting any suspected unauthorised award claims. The Company will decide, at its sole and absolute discretion, what action if any, will be taken. The Company may refuse to credit GC Award Points to compensate for any unauthorised redemption, regardless of whether the same has been reported by Members.
13. Members are entitled to all Membership tier related benefits during Room Award stays except for guaranteed room availability.

iii. Redeeming Room Upgrade Awards

1. Room Upgrade Award redemption is only applicable to a paid, confirmed and qualifying stay reservation, under Qualifying Room Rate, and can be booked in advance through  the Golden Circle Member Services.
2. Room Upgrade Award redemption request can be made instantly at the hotel upon check-in. This is only applicable when valid GC Award Points that are posted to a Member’s account is available and sufficient at the time when such request is made. GC Award Points will be deducted from the Member’s account at the time the redemption is made.
3. Room Upgrade Award redemption is for Members only and is not available to Nominees.
4. A Club Room Upgrade is defined as Horizon/Traders Club where exclusive Service Lounge or Concierge service is available in some Participating Hotels. A Suite Upgrade is to a room designated by the hotel as an Executive Suite or a “lead in” one bedroom Suite category.
5. Room Upgrade Award redemption is subject to room availability on the dates requested.
6. Room Upgrade Award redemption is not available for Room Award redemption stays or complimentary hotel stays, or a hotel stay paying a Non-Qualifying Room Rate.
7. Room Upgrade Awards can only be used for the complete length of a hotel stay.
8. Room Upgrade Award redemption is only applicable to the room physically occupied by the Member regardless of the number of rooms reserved under the Member’s name.
9. In the event of a qualifying stay reservation being amended (including hotel, room type, date of check-in, length of stay or guest name), the associated Room Upgrade Award redemption must be cancelled and re-booked, subject to room availability, cancellation rules, policies and penalties that are prevailing from time to time.
10. In the event of cancellation of a qualifying stay reservation associated with a Room Upgrade Award redemption and where the prevailing cancellation criteria is not met, which is three days (hotel local time) prior to the arrival, a penalty of GC Award Points deduction equivalent to one night Room Upgrade Award redemption will apply. Any GC Award Points applicable as penalty for cancellation will be retained and the balance will be credited back to the Member’s account and will retain their original expiry date.
11. In the event of a no-show on a qualifying stay associated with a Room Upgrade Award redemption, the Room Upgrade Award redemption will be deemed fully used and all GC Award Points that have been deducted for the Room Upgrade Award will not be refunded.
12. No amendment or cancellation is allowed for Room Upgrade Award redemption which is made instantly at the hotel upon check-in, this will result in the forfeiture of GC Award Points that have been deducted.

iv. Redeeming Non-Room Awards

1. Members can redeem Non-Room Awards including food and beverage and CHI, The Spa services through the Golden Circle website www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com or the Golden Circle Member Services.
2. Members can give Non-Room Awards to a Nominee registered with the Golden Circle Redemption Group (see “Section J. Redemption Group” for details).
3. Members will receive a confirmation email with a redemption award reference number after the completion of the redemption.
4. GC Award Points will be deducted from the Member’s account at the time the redemption is made.
5. A Member or Nominee (as the case may be) must validate the Non-Room Award in person by presenting proof of identity document at the pre-selected hotel prior to the service being used in either food and beverage outlets or CHI, The Spa.
6. Upon validation of the Non-Room Award at the pre-selected hotel, the Member or Nominee (as the case may be) will be issued a GC redemption voucher.
7. GC redemption vouchers can only be used at participating food and beverage outlets or CHI, The Spa at the pre-selected hotel on the date of validation, subject to Terms and Conditions printed thereon. Prior reservations must be made with the relevant food and beverage outlets or CHI, The Spa.
8. The original GC redemption voucher(s) must be presented at the time of payment at the food and beverage outlets or CHI, The Spa.
9. GC redemption vouchers cannot be used to settle charges on banqueting, outside catering and event spends, and if the expenses from food and beverages outlets or CHI, The Spa are charged to a room account.
10. The cash value of the GC redemption vouchers are clearly stated on the respective vouchers. The GC redemption vouchers cannot be exchanged for cash. No change will be returned for spending that is below the amount stated on the voucher and the Member or Nominee is required to pay for any spend exceeding the voucher amount.
11. The Company is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged GC redemption vouchers.
12. A maximum value of USD200, or local currency equivalent, worth of redemption vouchers can be used to settle payment for each transaction.
13. A Non-Room Award confirmation is valid for six months from the date of redemption is made. Once expired, the validity of the Non-Room Award cannot be extended.
14. GC redemption vouchers are not transferable and will be deemed void if a person other than the Member or Nominee (as the case may be) attempts to use the vouchers.
15. GC redemption vouchers cannot be used to purchase merchandises or services which are contracted out by The Company to a third party.
16. No amendment or cancellation is allowed for Non-Room Award Redemption once it has been redeemed.

J. REDEMPTION GROUP

1. Only individuals who are family members of Golden Circle Members including their spouse, children, parents, parents-in-law, grandparents, grandparents-in-law and siblings, aged 18 and above are eligible as a “Nominee”. Corporations or other legal entities cannot be Nominees. Up to a maximum of five individuals can be nominated to a Member’s Redemption Group at any given time.
2. The Nominee’s Last Name, First Name, relationship to the Member and a valid email address must be provided for registration.
3. Nominees are eligible for Room Awards and Non-Room Awards excluding Room Upgrade Awards.
4. Members can register, change or delete Nominees online at the Golden Circle website www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com.
5. Nominees cannot directly claim Redemption Awards. Redemption Awards for Nominees must be redeemed by Members in the same way as they redeem Redemption Awards for themselves.
6. Members must ensure that the recipient of the Redemption Awards is included in the Redemption Group before a Redemption Awards request is made.
7. The Company shall not be liable in the event that a GC redemption voucher issued by a Member to a Nominee is subsequently used by another party either known or unknown to the Member.
8. Golden Circle Membership tier benefits will not be extended to Nominees or accompanying guests.
9. Members cannot earn GC Award Points on Qualifying Incidental Charges by Nominees on the Redemption Award stays.

K. LEGAL & PRIVACY

i. Data Privacy and Miscellaneous

1. The Company requires Members to provide certain personal data in order to ensure the continued operation of Golden Circle and related frequent guest programmes.  The Company is not responsible for any loss or failure to deliver Golden Circle Membership and associated benefits as a direct result of a Member’s failure to provide The Company with up-to-date data. This includes services such as GC Award Points or Airline Miles tracking, management and award issuance.
2. The Company’s Privacy Policy is deemed to be incorporated into the contract between The Company and a Member. All information passed by a Member to The Company will be managed by the above said Privacy Policy. A copy of the Privacy Policy can be found at the Golden Circle website www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com.
3. Members may review and should update any personal data by accessing their Membership profiles on the Golden Circle website www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com or by contacting the Golden Circle Member Services.
4. Members are required to create their own confidential password when activating their online accounts. Members must ensure that this password is not disclosed to any parties. The Company cannot be held liable for the consequences of any disclosure of the password by Members or unauthorised use of the password, including unauthorised redemption of GC Award Points.
5. As the operator of the Golden Circle, The Company is required to cooperate with any tax authority who requests full details of any Member’s accrual and redemption of GC Award Points, as Members may incur tax liability through use of Golden Circle. The Company reserves the right to cooperate with any tax authority without incurring any liability.
6. GC Award Points and all rights of title to and property in such GC Award Points, remains at all times with The Company.
7. Once GC Award Points are accrued into a Member’s account, the Member automatically assumes all risks in terms of theft, unauthorised or fraudulent redemption associated with GC Award Points.
8. GC Award Points cannot be transferred, assigned bequeathed, devised or otherwise transferred by operation of law, unless otherwise stated in these Terms and Conditions.
9. The Company will endeavour to keep information on the Golden Circle website www.goldencircle.shangri-la.com current, but Members should contact the Golden Circle Member Services for the most current information. The Company is not responsible for any information that has not been updated.
10. The Company retains its right (entitlement) to exercise or enforce any right contained in these Terms and Conditions. Even in the case where The Company fails to take action, it shall not be deemed as a waiver of its right to take subsequent action in respect of that right or of any other right.
11. In the event of any provision of these Terms and Conditions being found by any court or administrative body of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the other provisions of these Terms and Conditions. All provisions not affected by such invalidity or unenforceability shall remain in full force and effect.
12. These Terms and Conditions represent a legally binding agreement between The Company and a Member in terms of the Golden Circle. This document supersedes all other prior agreements between The Company and a Member, whether oral, written or in any other representations.
13. These Terms and Conditions and the relationship between The Company and each Member are governed by law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“Hong Kong”). Members agree to submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Hong Kong courts.

ii. Exclusion and Limitation of Liability

1. Upon first use of their Membership numbers, cards or of any benefits, Members are deemed to have accepted these Terms and Conditions and releases The Company, Airline Partners and/or Partners from any direct or indirect loss, claims, costs, damages or expenses of any kind whatsoever arising out of or in connection with the Golden Circle, whether caused by negligence or otherwise, and whether The Company, Airline Partners and/or Partners have any control over the circumstances giving rise to such loss, claims, costs, damages or expenses. This shall include the refusal to provide any benefits and awards, and the use of awards.
2. When a Member uses the services provided by an Airline Partner or Partner, the terms and conditions of such Airline Partner or Partner shall apply. The Company shall not be liable for any loss arising from Airline Partners or Partners failing to provide their stated products and services.