New RA Benefits -- a net plus or net negative?
Apr 23, 2017, 7:33 pm
#76
Join Date: May 2011
Location: South Island, NZ
Programs: IHG Ambassador, Air NZ lowly Jade now, Emirates
Posts: 559
If I want a room with club access I pay for it. Then get a better room as an ambassador. It would be lovely to book and pay lowest room type and get club but I dont take it for granted.
When I was an RA, Sydney tried to do me out of the 2 room upgrade (at the time) even though we had booked a club room. I totally expected a suite so when I didnt get it, I put my pouty face on until I did
I am always grateful when I get more than I expect, but unhappy when I receive less than what i am entitled to.
When I was an RA, Sydney tried to do me out of the 2 room upgrade (at the time) even though we had booked a club room. I totally expected a suite so when I didnt get it, I put my pouty face on until I did
I am always grateful when I get more than I expect, but unhappy when I receive less than what i am entitled to.
Apr 24, 2017, 10:09 am
#77
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Capetown
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG and Hilton Diamond, LH SEN, BA Gold
Posts: 10,167
IC Düsseldorf now considers "Club Room" as a room category of its own. To get a suite, it is no longer sufficient to book "Deluxe", you need to book a "Club Room" and pay for the club access twice: Once through your RA status and once through your roomrate. And they do not even include breakfast in Pega restaurant. 
Apr 24, 2017, 10:15 am
#78
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: UK
Programs: IHG
Posts: 1,316
IC Düsseldorf now considers "Club Room" as a room category of its own. To get a suite, it is no longer sufficient to book "Deluxe", you need to book a "Club Room" and pay for the club access twice: Once through your RA status and once through your roomrate. And they do not even include breakfast in Pega restaurant.
Apr 25, 2017, 5:21 am
#79
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: 13,770
IC Düsseldorf now considers "Club Room" as a room category of its own. To get a suite, it is no longer sufficient to book "Deluxe", you need to book a "Club Room" and pay for the club access twice: Once through your RA status and once through your roomrate. And they do not even include breakfast in Pega restaurant.
Apr 25, 2017, 1:03 pm
#80
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: UK
Programs: IHG
Posts: 1,316
It's not a matter of how good the suite is, but the principle. IMO, in these situations the rate for a Club room should be reduced to that of a Deluxe room, since the difference is only that you're paying for Club in the room rate. Since it's meant to be complimentary for RA, this would be a satisfactory way of resolving the issue, and they should then allow the upgrade to Executive suite.
Apr 27, 2017, 2:00 pm
#81
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Germany, Austria
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, ALL Silver,, Miles&More
Posts: 1,122
Ambassador is and has always been very clear. Ambassador status is and never has been getting extra upgrades if Plat v Gold or Spire v Plat/Gold @Rewards status.
If IHG is now asking IC's to give non-guaranteed +1cat upgrades to Spires as reported by the odd Spire staying at an IC, that is separate issue, and a Spire Ambassador may decide to save the usd200/year
If you as a Spire Ambassador was receiving +2cat upgrade, then you would be upgraded the same as an RA, which is why it does not usually happen, except when IC's oversell several lower category rooms and are forced to upgrade guests.
1. Ambassador has always been clearly spelled out by IHG. Pay usd200 to become Ambassador for 12months and receive +1cat guaranteed upgrade when staying at Intercontinental brand hotels.
The IHG @Rewards Gold/PlatinumSpire status attached to an Ambassador are in theory ignored. Though if one or more ambassadors needs to be given a greater than +1cat upgrade, the IC will probably prioritise to either a regular guest at that hotel or a Spire Amb over a Platinum/Gold Ambassador
2. Royal Ambassador changes are possibly either positive or negative depending onany one individual RAs booking habits.
i)If booking a basic entry level room, then +2cat upgrade is going to be worse than the old option of ClubRoom/Exec Room/Suite
ii)If booking a premium rate room, such as 1cat below suite or a suite, then RA from now on gets a +2cat upgrade versus the +cat usually given previously.
(Not withstanding a rush by IC's since Sep2016 changes to exclude normal suites, not just Royal/Presidential suites)
iii)And of course the possibly perceived injustice whereby when booking Suites or 1cat below suites, RAs got treated the same as Ambassador with +1cat upgrade.
If IHG is now asking IC's to give non-guaranteed +1cat upgrades to Spires as reported by the odd Spire staying at an IC, that is separate issue, and a Spire Ambassador may decide to save the usd200/year
If you as a Spire Ambassador was receiving +2cat upgrade, then you would be upgraded the same as an RA, which is why it does not usually happen, except when IC's oversell several lower category rooms and are forced to upgrade guests.
1. Ambassador has always been clearly spelled out by IHG. Pay usd200 to become Ambassador for 12months and receive +1cat guaranteed upgrade when staying at Intercontinental brand hotels.
The IHG @Rewards Gold/PlatinumSpire status attached to an Ambassador are in theory ignored. Though if one or more ambassadors needs to be given a greater than +1cat upgrade, the IC will probably prioritise to either a regular guest at that hotel or a Spire Amb over a Platinum/Gold Ambassador
2. Royal Ambassador changes are possibly either positive or negative depending onany one individual RAs booking habits.
i)If booking a basic entry level room, then +2cat upgrade is going to be worse than the old option of ClubRoom/Exec Room/Suite
ii)If booking a premium rate room, such as 1cat below suite or a suite, then RA from now on gets a +2cat upgrade versus the +cat usually given previously.
(Not withstanding a rush by IC's since Sep2016 changes to exclude normal suites, not just Royal/Presidential suites)
iii)And of course the possibly perceived injustice whereby when booking Suites or 1cat below suites, RAs got treated the same as Ambassador with +1cat upgrade.
May 21, 2017, 12:32 am
#82
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta Gold, Alaska Gold 75K, LATAM Black
Posts: 3,393
If I want a room with club access I pay for it. Then get a better room as an ambassador. It would be lovely to book and pay lowest room type and get club but I dont take it for granted.
When I was an RA, Sydney tried to do me out of the 2 room upgrade (at the time) even though we had booked a club room. I totally expected a suite so when I didnt get it, I put my pouty face on until I did I am always grateful when I get more than I expect, but unhappy when I receive less than what i am entitled to.
When I was an RA, Sydney tried to do me out of the 2 room upgrade (at the time) even though we had booked a club room. I totally expected a suite so when I didnt get it, I put my pouty face on until I did
I am always grateful when I get more than I expect, but unhappy when I receive less than what i am entitled to.Does anybody have a link to the thread regarding the RA qualifications / revenue requirements? Having trouble finding it. FT mobile site is terrible..
May 21, 2017, 3:36 am
#83
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
i wont rub it in but at IC Sydney as a Spire Amb I booked a Harbor View Room and somehow managed to receive an upgrade to the Australia Suite ...
Does anybody have a link to the thread regarding the RA qualifications / revenue requirements? Having trouble finding it. FT mobile site is terrible..
Does anybody have a link to the thread regarding the RA qualifications / revenue requirements? Having trouble finding it. FT mobile site is terrible..
Jun 14, 2017, 2:57 pm
#84
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: UK
Programs: IHG
Posts: 1,316
I can't help but feel, that after 8 years as RA, I'm very close to throwing in the towel with the programme. The dust has settled upon the most recent changes and it just seems as if the de-valuations have gone too far.
It seems very much as if there is a deliberate strategy to dismantle RA. The creation of fake, disingenuous room categories to circumvent meaningful upgrades is transparent and cynical.
Because of this, two-tier upgrades now only offer very low end rooms from base room and more often than not, one must book a club room (thereby negating the "complimentary" lounge access) in order to receive a suite.
I think i'm ready to look at SPG. Any other RA's in the same boat?
It seems very much as if there is a deliberate strategy to dismantle RA. The creation of fake, disingenuous room categories to circumvent meaningful upgrades is transparent and cynical.
Because of this, two-tier upgrades now only offer very low end rooms from base room and more often than not, one must book a club room (thereby negating the "complimentary" lounge access) in order to receive a suite.
I think i'm ready to look at SPG. Any other RA's in the same boat?
Jun 15, 2017, 1:07 am
#85
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Cologne
Programs: FB Plat, IHG RA Spire, TK Elite+, HH Diamond, LH SEN, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 972
I can't help but feel, that after 8 years as RA, I'm very close to throwing in the towel with the programme. The dust has settled upon the most recent changes and it just seems as if the de-valuations have gone too far.
It seems very much as if there is a deliberate strategy to dismantle RA. The creation of fake, disingenuous room categories to circumvent meaningful upgrades is transparent and cynical.
Because of this, two-tier upgrades now only offer very low end rooms from base room and more often than not, one must book a club room (thereby negating the "complimentary" lounge access) in order to receive a suite.
I think i'm ready to look at SPG. Any other RA's in the same boat?
It seems very much as if there is a deliberate strategy to dismantle RA. The creation of fake, disingenuous room categories to circumvent meaningful upgrades is transparent and cynical.
Because of this, two-tier upgrades now only offer very low end rooms from base room and more often than not, one must book a club room (thereby negating the "complimentary" lounge access) in order to receive a suite.
I think i'm ready to look at SPG. Any other RA's in the same boat?
1. I am now guaranteed to get club lounge access whereas before it was really an unknown.
2. I still find myself getting into nice suites in all of my reservations even though I book the cheapest rate. since the changes I have stayed in the following:
Prague, Bucharest, Warsaw, DC, O2, San Francisco and Budapest.
For the above 6 at least, I like the new found consistency of the program.
Next, I just wish they treated Award night stays like paid stays with regards to benefits.
Lew
Jun 15, 2017, 9:26 am
#86
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: 13,770
I can't help but feel, that after 8 years as RA, I'm very close to throwing in the towel with the programme. The dust has settled upon the most recent changes and it just seems as if the de-valuations have gone too far.
It seems very much as if there is a deliberate strategy to dismantle RA. The creation of fake, disingenuous room categories to circumvent meaningful upgrades is transparent and cynical.
Because of this, two-tier upgrades now only offer very low end rooms from base room and more often than not, one must book a club room (thereby negating the "complimentary" lounge access) in order to receive a suite.
I think i'm ready to look at SPG. Any other RA's in the same boat?
It seems very much as if there is a deliberate strategy to dismantle RA. The creation of fake, disingenuous room categories to circumvent meaningful upgrades is transparent and cynical.
Because of this, two-tier upgrades now only offer very low end rooms from base room and more often than not, one must book a club room (thereby negating the "complimentary" lounge access) in order to receive a suite.
I think i'm ready to look at SPG. Any other RA's in the same boat?
I have had some pretty crappy IC stays this year thus far.
Jun 15, 2017, 2:57 pm
#87
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: in a cabin
Posts: 6,521
Well I had two stays recently at IC PL.
First one was spectacular. Received Exec London on revenue room, and a large Deluxe with sofa on points room. Club included. Free breakfast for guests at Theo Randall.
Second stay. Got the smallest Deluxe in the hotel. Tiny room. Club.
Insisted that I can drop Club Access and get my usual Execs... no chance.
First one was spectacular. Received Exec London on revenue room, and a large Deluxe with sofa on points room. Club included. Free breakfast for guests at Theo Randall.
Second stay. Got the smallest Deluxe in the hotel. Tiny room. Club.
Insisted that I can drop Club Access and get my usual Execs... no chance.
Jun 15, 2017, 3:24 pm
#88
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: 13,770
Well I had two stays recently at IC PL.
First one was spectacular. Received Exec London on revenue room, and a large Deluxe with sofa on points room. Club included. Free breakfast for guests at Theo Randall.
Second stay. Got the smallest Deluxe in the hotel. Tiny room. Club.
Insisted that I can drop Club Access and get my usual Execs... no chance.
First one was spectacular. Received Exec London on revenue room, and a large Deluxe with sofa on points room. Club included. Free breakfast for guests at Theo Randall.
Second stay. Got the smallest Deluxe in the hotel. Tiny room. Club.
Insisted that I can drop Club Access and get my usual Execs... no chance.
Jun 16, 2017, 2:11 am
#89
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: in a cabin
Posts: 6,521
I had TR breakfast included in the first stay, should have added.
The new breakfast at TR is nice. Fewer options in the buffet, but far less waste.
As I am regular, many staff know me by name so always well looked after.
Either way, RA at PL is at a loss with new rules, that's for certain.
The new breakfast at TR is nice. Fewer options in the buffet, but far less waste.
As I am regular, many staff know me by name so always well looked after.
Either way, RA at PL is at a loss with new rules, that's for certain.
Jun 19, 2017, 6:13 pm
#90
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: IHG, RC, HH, AA, QF, UA, Aeroplan
Posts: 2,690
I only became a RA last year but I actually like the new changes, perhaps I am lucky.
1. I am now guaranteed to get club lounge access whereas before it was really an unknown.
2. I still find myself getting into nice suites in all of my reservations even though I book the cheapest rate. since the changes I have stayed in the following:
Prague, Bucharest, Warsaw, DC, O2, San Francisco and Budapest.
For the above 6 at least, I like the new found consistency of the program.
Next, I just wish they treated Award night stays like paid stays with regards to benefits.
Lew
1. I am now guaranteed to get club lounge access whereas before it was really an unknown.
2. I still find myself getting into nice suites in all of my reservations even though I book the cheapest rate. since the changes I have stayed in the following:
Prague, Bucharest, Warsaw, DC, O2, San Francisco and Budapest.
For the above 6 at least, I like the new found consistency of the program.
Next, I just wish they treated Award night stays like paid stays with regards to benefits.
Lew