Membership terms restrict consumer rights: Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Consumer Associations jointly hold a meeting with InterContinental Hotels

In relation to the international hotel group “InterContinental Hotels,” it has set out in its membership program “InterContinental IHG Rewards Club Member Terms and Conditions” (hereinafter referred to as the “Membership Terms”) multiple clauses that are suspected of infringing on consumers’ lawful rights and interests. These include clauses that exclude the jurisdiction of Chinese law, force Chinese consumers to arbitrate overseas, restrict consumers’ rights to take collective action to protect their rights, allow the contract terms to be changed at will, and disclaim responsibility for losses caused by the use of goods. On April 8, consumer associations in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei, based on Article 40 of the Regulations for the Implementation of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Consumer Rights and Interests, which provides that “consumer associations may conduct investigations into acts that damage consumers’ lawful rights and interests, verify the situation with relevant operators, and invite the relevant operators to appear and present facts, opinions, and provide evidentiary materials,” and in accordance with the China Consumers Association’s “Measures for Consumer Associations’ Rights-Protection Conversations with Operators (Trial),” held a joint rights-protection conversation with the domestic operator of InterContinental Hotels Group—Liuzhou Hotels Management (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.—and issued clear rectification requirements. (CCTV News)