Originally Posted by roadman3313

As a referred RA let me throw in my two cents...

I do see what you are saying. When I applied for Ambassador I was looking at a stay in Monterey and had never stayed at an IC before (much less heard of it) in my life. I was referred as an RA shortly thereafter with 0 stays at an IC, only a few at an HIX here and there.

The change is now that I am an RA I have changed most of my stays over from other brands such as Marriott's to IC's or other IHG brand hotels. I am certainly paying back my "dues" per say with 1-2 nights a week on average at an IC, however you do make a good point. I achieved RA status with only the initial $200 investment for A status without a single dollar spent at an IC.

Does this devalue the program? I'd say it all depends on the dollars now spent at IC's. If the revenue has increased as steadily than the number of RA's out there than they could see an advantage to this which might be why they haven't aggressively stopped it or why they have RA referral certificates going out in referred RA packaged (even if they are just "slipping" through).

I'd say right now I've been an RA for 3-4 months and now have about 50 nights, 25 of which are at IC's, spread across 5 different IC's. If I wasn't an RA would I have as many nights? No way.

I think you do bring up an good concern that should be monitored so people don't abuse the program but I also see IC benefitting as well if people do take full advantage of the value of RA and boost their stays, thus increasing business for IHG in the long run. Again it could work either way... a great way to increase potential profits or as a gamble that was taken that backfired in the end. Thoughts?