Originally Posted by
submonte
Exactly the opposite on my side. I have not stayed at CPs since years in protest against IHG undefined policy in terms of top tier elite benefits and as a matter of principle.
Now if IHG commits to give club access to Spire members for me this is an admission of a mistake in the past and I do accept their corrective action as an apology to their most loyal guests.
I clearly would value Spire membership now higher and the brand status of CPs higher and I will give them a chance and stay CPs in the next time and it could become a regular part of my stay scheme, even if I do not use always their lounges. But something has changed now. IHG understood.
I made similar experience like Fflash (full range of benefits as plat/spire at CP), but was denied club lounge several times as RA at IC and subsequently avoided IC the last years.
While welcoming lounge access as a guaranteed choice benefit, I agree with voices fearing the service level will fall. And I will miss the time when I had to expect only a few occupants, making a peaceful lounge experience most of the time likely.