Looks the same to me. From what I have seen and heard so far it looks like the old "though" approach (so we think) of min. 50 nights at a min. of 3 IC hotels (not CP, HI, HIE etc.) has been greatly "relaxed". As it was never really clear what the actual criteria were, I guess it wasn't a problem to change or adapt them. Obviously they are screening now by overall activity and revenue (?) at IC group properties which is fine too. Appears that a one year RA membership is a good way of making people flok to IC hotels and have the "hooked" ones returning ever so often.

I received RA in Nov 2003 and it was due to expire in Nov 2004. I put in ca. 80 nights at about 6 IC hotels (the old way - no CP, HI, HIE) and when I renewed Ambassador they extended RA for another year (They better did ). However, just in case I had put in another 70+ nights at HHonors to get Diamond so that I would have a token to negotiate with PC/Ambassador for RA. So much for that one. Cheers ...