Originally Posted by
Luxuryloyalty
The invitations are not yet complete and continue in batches with the final communication reaching members before the expiry of 2018 Royal status on 31 January.
The reviews have been completed and members accounts continue to be amended over the coming weeks to reflect Royal Ambassador status for 2019. Invitations are reviewed and invited throughout the year based on revenue and behaviours by market. The number of invited members varies to ensure those members invited into Royal Ambassador receive recognition and the guaranteed benefits at InterContinental.
Royal Ambassadors who are downgraded receive complimentary Spire Ambassador and those members who decide to continue with Ambassador the following year retain Spire Ambassador for the life of their Ambassador membership. IHG Rewards Club Spire Elite is the top tier for stays across the IHG portfolio, whilst at InterContinental only Ambassador guarantees upgrades and 4pm check-out for an annual membership fee.
Unfortunately, some changes occur due to benefit abuse from a few that impact benefits for others. Was the complimentary minibar benefit designed to take home 70 miniature spirits and 7 bottles of champagne for a casual drink in your room during a 7-night stay or the 8 x 750ml spirit bottles from a premium suite in just 2 days?
The suite probably cost a lot too to have that many in the mini bar. The $2000 a night suites at Hong Kong IC does not even have champagne for you to drink. The hotel should have new policy instead of pressure IHG to remove complementary mini beverage benefit for RA. Shenzhen IC separates mini bar (that could be complementary) with labeled drinks in the room that is not covered by the RA benefit. The Champagne should need a label that indicate it is not complementary for RA at that hotel. Its about being stress free and not having to do the math after a long day from work and I have already missed the Club Lounge. Happy Hour in China IC properties close around 7pm. $10 miniature spirits is not a lot if per night. I ordered 5 Vodka Soda at Intercontinental Double Bay Sydney and was charged 10 drinks by the bar manager. They consider each Vodka Soda should be charged for Double Shot which is like two miniature Spirits per drink! I drank more than that at the bar but what I meant was the member did not drink all 70 in one night.
Maybe it is abuse but maybe not. The limit is drop to 200RMB per day for RA and the water alone cost $88 RMB (15% price increase for 2019) in Shenzhen IC. I could just drink two bottles of water from the room per day. China IC prices is no cheaper than Euro or US IC prices for Mini bar!