Stick as Plat or go to Spire Amb?!
Jul 30, 2015, 5:37 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 141
Stick as Plat or go to Spire Amb?!
Hi all,
I have a reward stay coming up at the IC Istanbul and am trying to work out what efforts (if any) I should take to up my status before it. I know, as a reward stay, I shouldn't expect much but I also know that sometimes status is recognised on reward stays.
I am currently Platinum and not a member of the Ambassador scheme. The options are:-
1. Make no effort, hope my Plat is recognised in some way but don't expect anything
2. Join Ambassador and hope that that is recognised even though it's a reward stay
3. Join Ambassador PLUS transfer some points to make me Spire and hope that one of these things gets me some recognition!
Any thoughts would be helpful, thanks.
I have a reward stay coming up at the IC Istanbul and am trying to work out what efforts (if any) I should take to up my status before it. I know, as a reward stay, I shouldn't expect much but I also know that sometimes status is recognised on reward stays.
I am currently Platinum and not a member of the Ambassador scheme. The options are:-
1. Make no effort, hope my Plat is recognised in some way but don't expect anything
2. Join Ambassador and hope that that is recognised even though it's a reward stay
3. Join Ambassador PLUS transfer some points to make me Spire and hope that one of these things gets me some recognition!
Any thoughts would be helpful, thanks.
Jul 30, 2015, 6:04 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,773
You have a better chance of Plat being recognised than Spire at the moment so I wouldn't personally make any effort at all. Only AMB or RA really matters at most IC's.
Jul 30, 2015, 11:23 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 141
Jul 30, 2015, 11:26 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 141
Yes, I'd been reading the Spire thread and had come to the same conclusion! I'll wait until later in the year and if it becomes to look more worthwhile, I'll make the effort to get it. Thanks.
Jul 31, 2015, 5:01 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: AB Platinum (AB4EVA), IHG Diamond, Dominos Gold
Posts: 956
Jul 31, 2015, 9:15 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: IHG Spire Ambassador, Club Carlson Gold, HHonors Gold, Best Western Diamond Select, BA Blue
Posts: 1,335
Spire means nothing at the moment.
I would buy Amb membership and then you'll have a slightly higher probability of getting Club access. And even if they don't give it to you for free, they'll give you around 50% off and that's worth it IMO.
I would buy Amb membership and then you'll have a slightly higher probability of getting Club access. And even if they don't give it to you for free, they'll give you around 50% off and that's worth it IMO.
Aug 1, 2015, 12:00 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 9
I paid for amb with points and was upgraded for a reward stay at the ic Prague. It was worth it in my opinion because I had points to spare. And with the ihg cc I received 10% back on the points. Later I became spire and got the 25k so really being amb costed me 2k points. I am not planning on staying in an IC for a while but when I do I can use the free night cert. that came with being amb. It was worth it to me and my needs. Good luck.
Aug 1, 2015, 2:31 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Usually in SAN or Central Europe.
Programs: AA:EXP/1MM. Accor/Radisson:Silver; HH:Gold; ICH:Plt Amb.
Posts: 22,307
Hi all,
I have a reward stay coming up at the IC Istanbul and am trying to work out what efforts (if any) I should take to up my status before it. I know, as a reward stay, I shouldn't expect much but I also know that sometimes status is recognised on reward stays.
I am currently Platinum and not a member of the Ambassador scheme. The options are:-
1. Make no effort, hope my Plat is recognised in some way but don't expect anything
2. Join Ambassador and hope that that is recognised even though it's a reward stay
3. Join Ambassador PLUS transfer some points to make me Spire and hope that one of these things gets me some recognition!
Any thoughts would be helpful, thanks.
I have a reward stay coming up at the IC Istanbul and am trying to work out what efforts (if any) I should take to up my status before it. I know, as a reward stay, I shouldn't expect much but I also know that sometimes status is recognised on reward stays.
I am currently Platinum and not a member of the Ambassador scheme. The options are:-
1. Make no effort, hope my Plat is recognised in some way but don't expect anything
2. Join Ambassador and hope that that is recognised even though it's a reward stay
3. Join Ambassador PLUS transfer some points to make me Spire and hope that one of these things gets me some recognition!
Any thoughts would be helpful, thanks.
Aug 1, 2015, 2:41 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
The value of Ambassador is in the free weekend night certificate and the 4pm guaranteed late check-out (for me).
If you will use the 4pm check-out then that has value, as does the upgrade and the 5000 points for signing up. Not sure you get to $200 unless it is a long stay and the upgrade makes it worth it - unless you are there over a weekend and you cancel 2 of the reward nights to replace them with buy one, get one free using the voucher.
If you will use the 4pm check-out then that has value, as does the upgrade and the 5000 points for signing up. Not sure you get to $200 unless it is a long stay and the upgrade makes it worth it - unless you are there over a weekend and you cancel 2 of the reward nights to replace them with buy one, get one free using the voucher.
Aug 1, 2015, 7:06 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Amsterdam, Asia, UK
Programs: IHG RA (Spire), HH Diamond, MR Platinum, SQ Gold, KLM Gold, BAEC Gold
Posts: 5,072
The value of Ambassador is in the free weekend night certificate and the 4pm guaranteed late check-out (for me).
If you will use the 4pm check-out then that has value, as does the upgrade and the 5000 points for signing up. Not sure you get to $200 unless it is a long stay and the upgrade makes it worth it - unless you are there over a weekend and you cancel 2 of the reward nights to replace them with buy one, get one free using the voucher.
If you will use the 4pm check-out then that has value, as does the upgrade and the 5000 points for signing up. Not sure you get to $200 unless it is a long stay and the upgrade makes it worth it - unless you are there over a weekend and you cancel 2 of the reward nights to replace them with buy one, get one free using the voucher.
Much better to buy Amb at checkin on award after checking the IC will give upgrade on their award night. The weekend bogo can be used later anytime upto 12months.
This way they get 4 upgraded nights for their investment too
I know that is a bit simplistic as the points saved are worth by most peoples calculation $70/10k, to offset against Amb weekend nights rate, depends if OP would prefer his points or cash in pocket
Last edited by scubaccr; Aug 1, 2015 at 7:12 pm
Aug 2, 2015, 4:21 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 141
Aug 2, 2015, 4:23 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 141
I intent to transfer some Virgin Flying Club points into IHG which should count as qualifying and edge me over the 75,000 needed for Spire.
Aug 2, 2015, 4:32 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 141
The value of Ambassador is in the free weekend night certificate and the 4pm guaranteed late check-out (for me).
If you will use the 4pm check-out then that has value, as does the upgrade and the 5000 points for signing up. Not sure you get to $200 unless it is a long stay and the upgrade makes it worth it - unless you are there over a weekend and you cancel 2 of the reward nights to replace them with buy one, get one free using the voucher.
If you will use the 4pm check-out then that has value, as does the upgrade and the 5000 points for signing up. Not sure you get to $200 unless it is a long stay and the upgrade makes it worth it - unless you are there over a weekend and you cancel 2 of the reward nights to replace them with buy one, get one free using the voucher.
Aug 2, 2015, 4:34 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 141
So now the OPs original free IC weekend becomes $200 Amb Fee ++ cost of a Flex night to get second free weekend night and has to purchase Amb say 6weeks out to ensure bogo arrives
Much better to buy Amb at checkin on award after checking the IC will give upgrade on their award night. The weekend bogo can be used later anytime upto 12months.
This way they get 4 upgraded nights for their investment too
I know that is a bit simplistic as the points saved are worth by most peoples calculation $70/10k, to offset against Amb weekend nights rate, depends if OP would prefer his points or cash in pocket
Much better to buy Amb at checkin on award after checking the IC will give upgrade on their award night. The weekend bogo can be used later anytime upto 12months.
This way they get 4 upgraded nights for their investment too
I know that is a bit simplistic as the points saved are worth by most peoples calculation $70/10k, to offset against Amb weekend nights rate, depends if OP would prefer his points or cash in pocket