There is no lifetime status at InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG). Yet it is appropriate to have a thread in which to discuss the pros and cons of establishing one or more IHG lifetime status levels, for our own edification and for the eventual possible perusal and consideration by IHG executives.
Hilton and Hyatt each have three tiers, and offer lifetime status solely in the top tier (Diamond and Globalist, respectively). Marriott has five tiers and offers it in the bottom three (Silver, Gold & Platinum), after abruptly halting new qualifications for the fourth level (Titanium) on Monday, 31 December 2018 with six months notice.
Early in the thread about recent IHG program changes, there were three comments about implementing lifetime status.
IHG Program Update March 2022
Originally Posted by
CX748 (Post # 159)
What're the chances of IHG finally bringing in lifetime status with this relaunch?
Originally Posted by
Mordac (Post # 160)
That would be an actual welcome improvement, so about zero I'd say.
Originally Posted by
Kentish Steve (Post # 161)
I think IHG need to start with guaranteeing good solid benefits instead of leaving us at the mercy of individual franchisee's before we worry about a lifetime status. I've been Spire for a number of years but compared to Hilton Diamond and others it's now a very poor program so I'm really hoping these changes are substantial not just IHG marketing hype!
Last year, in the extensive thread about Royal Ambassador (RA) qualifying criteria, there were also several comments about lifetime status.
New RA qualifying criteria based on IC Revenue
Originally Posted by
Raynyan (Post # 4074)
Only one concern for RA is no lifetime status!However, one GM of some flagship class property recently told me it will be implemented in the near future.
Originally Posted by
stimpy (Post # 4077)
But the worst thing they could do is give someone who has over 10 years of RA and over 1000 nights the special gift of Lifetime Ambassador status.
Originally Posted by
IAN-UK (Post # 4078)
Guest relation managers - the ones who have some inkling of how the programme works - have been dropping occasional hints about that for some time. But the punchline is likely a lifetime of plain ambassadorship. IHG continues to hold the quaint belief that its $200 a year status is somehow aspirational.
Originally Posted by
Pseudo Nim (Post # 4079)
Yup. There's no way they will just go and bestow lifetime RA on any of the longterm members here (I hold absolutely no hope after 8 years). But lifetime Ambassador? Sure. I can see that happen, considering the WEALTH of benefits it brings.
Originally Posted by
Tim O'Brien (Post # 4082)
that would be a bona fide improvement to the program that would grow and retain loyalty.
Originally Posted by
IAN-UK (Post # 4086)
Indeed But IHG would need to sell this to owners/operators. At the moment they are servicing a (probably) stable number of elites in the system - as some of us are pruned, new ones blossom into the programme. A lifetime add-on would have to support a growing phalanx of retirees no longer travelling on business accounts, but exploiting RA benefits into their dotage. OK, maybe that's over the top, but you get the gist ……. Hilton can get away with it because they opted for mass-luxe, setting little store by exclusivity. On the other hand, ICs have been persuaded to invest heavily in creating a "Club Experience": OK, that should read SOME of them have been persuaded, others were clearly unconvinced (looking at you, Austin) .
Originally Posted by
stimpy (Post # 4087)
There is a clear marketing value to lifetime hotel status. Look at all the people spending to reach Marriott lifetime status. I'll bet that the Marriott Lifetime program has added many millions to their income. And I don't think there are too many people, besides a few here, who would chase lifetime in multiple programs. So you are kind of locking in future revenue with Lifetime RA with people who have proven over a decade or more than they like the IC brand.
Originally Posted by
scienm (Post # 4088)
Surprisingly, I assume that I would chase lifetime RA if it happens even though I'm disappointed at the program. I'm a lifetime Titanium and building lifetime Globalist now. Maybe it was all about lifetime status. Once upon a time, every year, I was thrilled to see one sentence in my account, 'Royal Ambassador Renewal'. It was not comparable to SPG or Hyatt's one. Now I'm not thrilled but I hope it to be.
Originally Posted by
Tim O'Brien (Post # 4089)
yes, a no brainer for IHG to lock in for life their most loyal customers.
Originally Posted by
Pseudo Nim (Post # 4091)
I think that's a little unusual (though I'm doing the same thing, lol). Most people, though, once they reach lifetime in a program, they double up and go to those properties more, because they expect extra recognition because they're "lifetime".
Originally Posted by
stimpy (Post # 4092)
Yes us extreme Flyertalkers are a rare bunch. I have lifetime in 2 of the 3 airline alliances too. And I should have the 3rd alliance (Oneworld) but early on I applied AA to my AA flights and BA to my BA flights. I may never make Lifetime BA Gold thanks to that mistake. That said, I really like IC's and the RA treatment and would continue to stay about the same number of nights even if I made Lifetime. The benefit of Lifetime would be if I wanted to take a year off I could do so without losing status.
Originally Posted by
Tim O'Brien (Post # 4115)
i've been long term with the program, and have enjoyed it also. . . .
i think Lifetime RA would help catapult the program to new heights for both IHG and its most loyal customers.
Originally Posted by
scienm (Post # 4260)
I agree and I hope 👍But the only thing I want from IHG, is Lifetime RA