The AMB-trick to extend status has been at least around since 2015,
during the introduction of the then "Spire" status.
The only blogs to write about it were:
LL & HfP
It has been discussed here on on FT:IHG forum by regulars
It never got any attention of the US-titan blogs as
Ben Schlappig of OMAAT would proudly boast that IHG must hate its elites,
as "spire" status only gave out 200% earning and nothing else.....
However even though HfP and LL enjoyed good relations with IHG + having knowledgable IHG information from first hand stay experience:
- John had been RA for years / lots of experiences staying at IHG hotels
- Rob was gifted RA by IHG/has covered IHG-rewards in detailed UK focus
They both published about the AMB-trick,
Since the era of "spire" 2015
IHG must have quietly allowed it.....
or as us regulars know:
IHG's IT is run by interns and comes straight out of Noah's ark
and as such might be totally oblivious
so up untill now it was always an insiders trick among IHG-regulars.....
..... now that many have emailed corporate with questions / US Titan Blogs pumped & hyped it.......we have no idea if it will last.....who ever knows, might provide an estimate....
only LL & HfP have the decency to mention,
(And all US-titan blogs neglected to research/experience and share)
is that IHG can be notorious in closing accounts / suspending members
if any fraud / irregularities / hankypanky is detected....
and that customer service to resolve this, an administrative nightmare !