Originally Posted by scubaccr

Although I suggested use good ICs who give lounge+upgrades as basis to plan trip, did not mean don't mix in with some less generous ICs in great citties. In Asia, Eastern Europe where wages are less, eg IC Bangkok club upsell is fairly cheap compared to eg IC PLG/IC-ParkLane.
Of course there are the aspirational ICs eg Bora Bora, Mona, Tahiti. Bali, if one can get the nights booked, not easy if small room numbers so only 3or4 award rooms per night. That also may play a part in your decision, plan around ICs where award nights are far far easier to book.

Good RA Award Treatment
o IC HongKong in Asia have always given lounge on award nights, alas theey no longer give RAs the Superior Junior suite from base room as before (whether paid or points bokings)
o IC Pattaya (I have been regular since rebrand) treat Award same as Paid
o IC Paris Le Grand, since 2017 Lounge seems only regulars on points but nice room upgrades still usually given to all RAs
o IC Kiev , lounge+upgrade on awards like paid nights.

European ICs Citys try if not there before whether or not great treatment
IC Amsterdam (no lounge) Used to give suites for RAs on awards
IC Madrid
IC Paris
IC Berlin
IC Budapest
IC Bucharest
IC Kiev
IC Cannes (no lounge at property)

Plus some locations are fairly inexpensive if you have a corporate rate around circa100-120gbp night maximum I can't see need/value to use points or can book mix of paid/award to get consecutive nights if some award nights sold out
o Budapest
o Berlin
o IC Madrid
o IC Porto
o IC Frankfurt
o Bucharest
o IC Pattaya
o IC Bangkok
o IC Kuala Lumpur (Book Club room as RA and get one of the Ambassador Suite if available/unsold at checkin)
o IC Hanoi
o IC Saigon
o IC Semiramis Egypt
o IC Citystars Egypt

nb
Don't worry about booking only ICs, some CPs are great and ok on award nights treatment and even, in better locations than ICs. , eg CP London City, Amsterdam Zuid