Also to clear away confusion for our newly minted Diamond friends....
And to keep the need of repeating myself .,.
While informing you with some (insider) knowledge / experience
That no other US titan blog or niche blog will tell you or has not even bothered to warn its readers about


and to support nicolas75
when it comes to these claims

Quote LL comments:
https://loyaltylobby.com/2022/11/13/...tels/#comments
From comments there:
Last week was with my partner who has ihg diamond at an IHG hotel in Germany.
Just a one level upgrade even though much better rooms were available.
2 PM check out.
No lounge access

!!

and the same person on OMAAT's comments
https://onemileatatime.com/insights/...al-ambassador/
Quote:My partner got the Diamond status with the promotion.
Sounds great but frankly IHG Diamond status proved to be relatively useless compared to marriott/hiltno/ or hyatt status.
We just stayed at an IHG hotel in germany and really disappointed.
1. Only an upgrade to a better room .
refused to provide a suite upgrade even though suites were available.
those are th IHG program rules actually.
BTW, Almost always get suite upgrade at marriott and usually get it at hilton.
2. 2 pm chekcout - Marriot/hilton/hyatt have 4 pm for top tier elite
3. no lounge access- big issue for me asi always get it at the others.

SOOOO to make laong story short will not use the IHG dimanod again
as it is a VERY POOR competitor to the others.
I am shocked still some people go to lengths to get IHG diamond or acxtually pay for IHG Ambassador.

Ahum....

It seems a lot of people have too high expectations of IHG's Diamond status.
Thinking it to be highest status among all brands of the group.
Having no idea of being outranked as Diamond at some of IHG's brands.
(Blogs seem to have convenient left this crucial information out)


And why do i keep moaning about late checkout expectations:
see my post:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/34731760-post214.html


And keep hammering about early check in expectations
Please adjust expectations if you come before official checkin time (15.00H)
and you won't be a able to check in early and get your room right away.
Even if you see rooms still available for sale via the official app / site
Even if you see better rooms (higher category) still available for sale via the official app / site
That is because room availability can differ in real time at the hotel due to at:
IC : Royal ambassadors enjoy early check in from 10 AM Guaranteed / enjoy a temporary hospitality room until their booked room is ready
Kimpton hotels : Inner Circle enjoy early check in from 10.00 AM Guaranteed / enjoy a temporary hospitality room until their booked room is ready
Six Senses hotels : Royal Ambassadors + Inner Circle enjoy early check in from 10.00 AM / enjoy a temporary hospitality room until their booked room is ready

If a lot of top tier status guests are checking in early at 10AM, (or are all using late checkout at 16.00H)
it can put a strain on real time available rooms ready before official check in time of 15.00H.
(events / holidays / late red eye transcon flights / hotel has limited amount of suites vs rooms)
Source:
https://www.ihg.com/kimptonhotels/co...y/inner-circle
https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental...rms-conditions



Thus I implore everyone to have expectations managed and thoughts fine tuned.

Because now i will explain the rank of status and benefits at IHG's brands
(Of own personal patronage + according to T&C + tenure experience + FT's collective wisdom of sages)

IHG elite tiers:
https://www.ihg.com/onerewards/conte...ProgramUpdates



Intercontinental hotels
Note: Inner Circle is not applicable at Intercontinental hotels, highest status here is Royal Ambassador

Royal Ambassador (per invitation only)
https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental...bassador-royal

Ambassador (sign up paid programme)
https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental.../en/ambassador

IHG Diamond status
https://www.ihg.com/content/us/en/cu...er-tc/2nd-page


In order of rank for upgrades / late checkout

1 Royal Ambassador
2 Diamond Ambassador
3 Platinum Ambassador
4 Diamonds
5 Platinum

* AMB is a paid programme:
- guaranteed an upgrade (cat+1)
- guaranteed late checkout till 16.00H

* Diamond / Platinum :
- upgrade subject to availability at hotel's discretion
- 2PM late checkout subject to availability at hotel's discretion
! Pro TIP: mail reservations in advance to ask about the posibilities % chance to set expectations




Breakfast Complimentary

RA
(if hotel has no open club lounge)

&

Diamonds
(must inform reservations / reception at checkin that breakfast is chosen as Diamond welcome amenity)


Note: Ambassador does not get free breakfast


Lounge access

RA
(Part of status benefit/auto-granted)

&
Diamond
(= only at 40/70 nights milestone rewards selection, must pick & choose in IHG account)

&
Platinum
(= only at 40/70 nights milestone rewards selection, must pick & choose in IHG account)



* NOTE:
Ambassador: does not get lounge access!
Diamond / Platinum: does not auto-grant lounge access,
must have chosen lounge access as 40/70 N as milestone rewards in IHG-account before stay


-------------------------------


Kimpton hotels
NOTE: RA / AMBASSADOR programme is not applicable at Kimpton hotels, it has Inner Circle as highest status

Inner Circle: per invitation only
https://www.ihg.com/kimptonhotels/co...y/inner-circle

IHG Diamond status
https://www.ihg.com/content/us/en/cu...er-tc/2nd-page


In order of rank for upgrades / late checkout

1 Inner Circle
2 Diamond
3 Platinum


* Inner Circle (https://www.ihg.com/kimptonhotels/co...y/inner-circle)
- has guaranteed cat+1 upgrade
- guaranteed late checkout till 16.00H


* Diamond / Platinum:
- upgrade subject to availability at hotel's discretion
- 2PM late checkout subject to availability at hotel's discretion
! Pro TIP: mail reservations in advance to ask about the posibilities % chance to set expectations




Breakfast Complimentary

Inner Circle = grants also Diamond status benefits

&

Diamond

NOTE: both must inform reservations / reception at checkin that breakfast is chosen as Diamond welcome amenity


--------------------------


Other brands: HI/HIX/Voco/CP/StaybridgeSuites/Indigo etc.
NOTE: RA / AMB / Inner Circle is not applicable at these brands, Diamond is the highest status
IHG Diamond status :
https://www.ihg.com/content/us/en/cu...er-tc/2nd-page

In order of rank for upgrades / late checkout

1 Diamond
2 Platinum

Diamond / Platinum:
- upgrade subject to availability at hotel's discretion
- 2PM late checkout subject to availability at hotel's discretion
! Pro TIP: mail reservations in advance to ask about the posibilities % chance to set expectations



Lounge Access

Diamonds / Platinum
(= only at 40/70 nights milestone rewards selection, must pick & choose in IHG account)




Breakfast complimentary

Diamond only

NOTE: must inform reservations / reception at checkin that breakfast is chosen as Diamond welcome amenity


---------------------------------------------


I cannot speak for Six Senses or for Regent, other regulars may wish to chime in....
I trust their experience and wisdom to add and improve where needed.


Moderators:
I would appreciate it if this could be made into a sticky,
Would make an easy reference for regulars to point out to members.
Would provide newbies with a first non stop source of explaination about status & rank at IHG-hotels
- i admit it is confusion that reigns


Bloggers:
If you wish to blatantly copy this information because you all seem to forget to post these important details to inform the newbies
I prefer FT and all my wise friends here to get a honorable mention or at least a hat tip!
You may wish to thank me personally for having saved the uninformed of disappointment and unrealistic expectations