Originally Posted by
Land-of-Miles
It isn't about being a decent thing to do though is it? The reason chains offer lifetime status based upon cumulative past stay totals is to encourage more stays (for those trying to qualify for lifetime status) not as a reward for past behaviour. Much as priority club is there to encourage new stays not reward previous ones.
I need circa 100 nights to qualify for SPG Plat. I will make 100 nights with Starwood this year to qualify which I wouldn't without the lifetime status offer I would have stopped at 50 like I did last year. The gain for the chain is the extra 50 nights they get from me this year as a result of the lifetime status offer.
I am happy to pick up the extra 50 nights witn Starwood this year which I would probably prefer to give to IHG, because SPG plat has tangible benefits and I feel I will get decent value from lifetime status. I am not sure I would say the same about lifetime IHG Plat nor make many additional stays to get it. Without that value proposition the other side of the equation (the gain for the chain) falls down.
after 279 all IC suite nights, i just found it a bit difficult to fit in another 50, for high volume nights, year after year, IHG should consider Life Status for RA, i don't disagree with your point, it's all about retaining business, and fostering loyalty.