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
That PLTE/G is a marketing fiasco. A large numbder who received this , now known, dubious honour, with 6months of the year then thought ....
Ahh ok, I can instead of doing another nn nights in 2013 to keep IHG Plat, put those nn nights into status qualification at SPG/CC/HH etc, apart from a few nights for Bigwin if lucky with that promos tasks/points offer.
Come January 2014, those loyal IHG Plats, who may have been Plats for several years, are now Gold, and face a)no 50% points bonus b)no room upgrades (I am near as makes no difference 100% on room upgrades other than at HIX's),
and now downgraded, even with a moderate to great Bigwin2014 offer won't stay as no longer Platinums.
Due to this, IHG have crazily culled not just the Plats who gain Plat with only 5-10 well timed stays BUT also culled loyal plats who made Plat with 30-50nights a year who made Plat on Points for Room Rates / Room Nights.