I did a search to attempt to get some answers on the whole Amenity Fee sham but just saw it addressed regarding rewards night stays. I'm a little confused by how its been applied in general terms.

I'm IHG AMB Plat who will graduate to Diamond this upcoming week. Originally bought Plat by purchasing AMB membership mainly to start collecting Plat tier bonus miles knowing I would begin having regular stays in IHG properties. Took advantage of the free IC weekend reward and found myself loving the IC brand. Mostly stay at HI, HIX properties, but have splurged a few times doing travels around CA when I've manage to snag what I think are reasonable rates. I My first IC stay was for a three day weekend at the IC SF I booked 2 nights at $149 and 1 night at $139 fully expecting to pay the $30 amenity fee but surprisingly, when I asked about the credits I'd get for paying the fee, I was told it wasn't being added to my room. This stay was after passing the 40 night milestone and claiming lounge membership, so I got that perk but saved the $90 (plus associated taxes) I was sure would be included.

The next several stays were to the IC in DTLA. Here, I've been charged the $39 amenity fee except for when I used the free reward night, in which case neither the paid night or the free night had the fee added. This weekend I'm down in San Diego where I spent Thursday and yesterday at the Indigo in the Gaslamp District. The two nights there had their $29 fee added to both nights. We came over to the IC SD this morning where I booked one paid night and one reward night. Surprisingly (and happily), neither night had the fee applied--a whopping $47 per night.

Not being RA, I was sure that I'd have to pony up and pay these nonsense fees, but at these two IC properties, its been waived. Not only that, but I felt like at SF and here at the IC in SD, I got something of the royal treatment checking in. Today the front desk agent went to the back and brought out a tray with two pomegrante and ginger juice drinks each topped with a dandelion flower. I was given a personalized letter welcoming me to the property and expressing appreciation for my business. Fifteen minutes after checking in, a bellhop arrived at the door deliver two bottles of water--a San Pelligrino and Panna. In SF, a bottle of Panna was left on the desk with a letter for my arrival. In LA, I haven't gotten squat. I'm trying to figure out the logic behind all of this--anyone?