HadesNL hit all the nails on the head; simply put, IHG is still too far out of orbit with regards to rolling out proper IT and embracing a more rewarding loyalty structure.

The IT platforms are still nothing more than recolored templates built on top of the ancient "Rewards Club" architecture, something you can still see with fonts, orange branding and even in website links that still show 'rewards-club' within. The frequent IT outages and glitches, new features which take too long to load or be onboarded and difficulty bringing properties onto IHG's rewards platforms [the remaining Six Senses hotels, all the IHG-affiliated hotels that are/aren't participating] all add to this list.

Re the rewarding loyalty structure, Hades said it best with the shift from loyalty exploitation to the company's infancy with a better program [One Rewards is only two and some years old]... and they're still having a hard time ensuring benefits compliance from their properties. Add to this the still nonsensical existence of Ambassador and Royal Ambassador, as well as Inner Circle, and you're looking at three different programs living together, with two embedded within the parent and offering their own brand-specific perks.

For IHG to even contemplate launching lifetime status, they need to invest big bucks into a proper IT setup, and simplify their clunky program structure into something more streamlined and easier to work with for both guests and hotels.

khabah