Originally Posted by
BinSabai
I am Platinum due to the nights spent for over 15 years, last year around 50 nights.
and the benefits are getting less and less, a couple of upgrades, usually "fake" (no difference or just an optical between room categories; that is a common policy to pretend towards the guest that they got a upgrade), hardly any Hotel left, which grant Lounge Access (if you do not book exec Floor), benefits like free wifi, newspaper are actually granted to all guests etc.etc.
It will be my last year Platinum in IHG!
No evidence of less treatment than 4years or so ago on my own stays. But I can see since April2015 and lifting of recession regards businesses and higher hotel occupancy rates, with consequential firmer/higher nightly rates, hotels don't need to be so rewarding to capture their guests as during 2011-2015
With RA qual changes during 2017 to only count IC $$$ spend, and ignore IHG non-IC hotel spend, virtually all my stays are in IC's since Jan2017 or if non-IC using my points, but 100% upgrade rate, eg
o CP Z South Beach Miami (2 award nights v $700++ ) = Upgraded +2cat in Soldout Hotel
o CP Z South Beach Miami... as delighted with hotel/location manager added 2x more paid nights for me (base room at $250++ night), and upgraded me to best room in hotel
o HI Amsterdam (2 award nights) = Double upgrade to Exec Room
o HI + Suites Manila (1 award night) = +1cat Upgrade
o HI CDG (upcoming 2weeks time, award night) = modded day after booking
Per earlier post, I was not saying CC Plats with minimal nights won't and should not get any upgrades, just that good hotels at all chains/brands do seem to prioritise upgrades for their a)bums in beds elite status holders b)their regular guests, sometimes exceeding the benefits minimum in t+c's too.
One always hopes the hotels worst rooms go to the "priceline bidders" not any IHG elite.