IC RA vs SPG platinum in Europe - YMMV

I am both IC Royal Ambassador (57 nights in IC properties YTD - all in Europe) and SPG Platinum (61 nights Starwood YTD - all in Europe, mostly Westins, some Sheratons).

I think MikeBOS sums it up quite well, except

1.) in Europe most chains do not have a credit card - so no difference for me there.
2.) I use the ICs in Amsterdam, Cologne, Prague, Vienna and Warsaw - no issues with the beds in any of those properties (while obviously conversant with the quality of the Westin beds)
3.) Furthermore I am quite happy with the capacity control in IC which MikeBOS terms a negative. If you have capacity control you can determine the number of highest level members, and throttle the influx to a level where you can practically guarantee upgrades.

For me in IC it was 96% full suite upgrades, 4% junior suites in 51 nights in the Intercontinental brand properties (no luck in the 6 nights in Crown Plaza's). For the SPG properties it was 11% upgrades to junior suite, 0% to full suite. Both in terms of nights rather than in terms of stays. Larger upgrades are more frequent for shorter stays.

Admittedly my expediture per night in ICs is more than twice my expenditure in Starwoods.

Anyhow - both hotel chains are beaten hands down by Mandarin Oriental (23 nights YTD, no loyalty program that I am aware of), but who are extremely good in the upgrade and amenity area, and have outstanding service.