Thanks -- this is useful information.

IHG kinda hooked me with those guaranteed upgrades, but outside of the IC properties it's a bit of a huge step down in quality and a bunch of cities just have Crowne Plazas or Holiday Inns available (vs. a range of SPG properties at a highish tier like Westin's, W's, etc).

I guess I'll see if some miracle happens in January with qualification otherwise I'll evaluate in the New Year!