I would still like an answer to why the words "at least" were dropped from the IC elite benefits page, if--in fact--there was no devaluation, as is being said by Kimpton. At some point in time, somebody made the conscious decision to eliminate those two words. They didn't simply disappear into a black hole. This isn't my opinion. This is a fact that can be observed by looking back at the history of the benefits language. By claiming that there is no devaluation, an argument is being made that the written T&Cs don't matter.

At this point, I feel like it's a losing battle to try to get an answer, since the message seems to be (over and over and over again) that there has been no devaluation.

The reality on the ground is far different than the message being presented by corporate, and that's what makes me most upset. I hate being treated like an idiot, and that's exactly how I feel with the communication that I get from Kimpton HQ. I find it impossible to trust a corporate entity, but I do believe that most individuals are inherently good. In this situation, I don't know if I'm being lied to or intentionally misled. I think there is a very real possibility that the problem lies with individual properties not living up to the expectations of the central office. In this case, maybe there has not been a wide devaluation, but simply many hotels individually (or in small groups) deciding to renege on benefits that the chain believes members are entitled to.

The benefits are worse now than before. I know this, because I did many stays prior to fall 2013, and I have done a number since. It is entirely possible that there is an availability heuristic at play, but other members seem to corroborate my recent experiences. Is that the result of a central decision? Have the individual properties been unable to keep up with the growing number of IC members? Is this a major fluke that I'm experiencing?

But more importantly for the folks on this board: what--if anything--is being done? The message that I hear is that the status quo will continue. Rewards will become increasingly difficult to redeem, but the overall earning structure will remain unchanged. I also hear an unwillingness to accept that there is a pervasive problem with overbilling on minibar and dining charges. This has been documented on the forums and is not new. It is the case at an alarming number of properties across the portfolio. Finally, I am hearing that if I don't like this, I should take my business elsewhere. That kind of language saddens me, as a person who has used my (limited) authority and experience on hotel programs to recommend Kimpton to a whole host of people.