NJUPINTHEAIR

GOT and DW,

Doubtful and doubtful.

I expect integration by no later than 1/1/2016, otherwise, their desire to grow the brand outside of the USA, as well as to fill glaring holes in their US city downtown locations will not be maximizing the cost that they paid for the hotels.

I am sure that they will integrate them into IHG Rewards and I think that it may be more than coincidence that the Ambassador kits are delayed. @:-)

IflyfromABE

I think that it will come with the announcement of the new tier. I suspect that all IHG programs to be rolled into a single program with current Ambassador and KK IC customers getting the new top tier for the remaining of the year. Maybe IC will roll into Platinum, because the qualification requirements are the same as the new Platinum.

The biggest issue with the timing is that it is done in the middle of the year and about half year of stays are gone and cannot be planned any more. I think that lots of ex-Kimpton IC would have a hard time making the 75 night threshold

Land-of-Miles

I very much hope this is not the case. If RA goes away from IHG I probably do to.

IflyfromABE

No other programs out there have any equivalent, so it is likely that RA will go away and for a good reason, since the qualification requirements for RA are less than those for the new higher tier (60 nights vs 75 nights + the brands)

neuron

I think that was my tweet to which IHG replied!
Given the recent 75K point status, I am not sure they will roll out anything til the fall or end of this year.

kit125

+1

scubaccr

Not quite same as first one needs to enroll as Ambassadir before any IC branded hotel nights and then stay at least 20 qualifying rate paid IC hotel nights

If an Ambassador or RA stays at other IHG brands then Amb/RA status has no relevance so no need to ditch RA when creating the 75night elite category

AND...... IHG already communicated RAs will on July 1st all get upped to the new 75night tier which kind of States RA is continuing
Obviously RA's will reach new tier goals on points before nights anyway in their Ambasador years

Stays at IC's only give value for paid Ambassador elites who may do not do enough nights to reach RA either in total or at IC's. I can see where it is worth buying Amb status for upgrades even if only making 10 IC nights per year

RA's who make the plus 20 IC nights per year only benefit from the RA status on the IC portion of nights

I don't see IHG corporate giving up the Ambassador yearly fees which they pocket and do not pass on to hotels. Whilst I may be wrong I am believing RA wil carry on along sides @rewards as per las xx years

I don't do USA nights where Kimpton hotels are located but I would not expect any Kimpton program merge r into @rewards until at least Jan2016, the IT used just won't let IHG do such a merge easily or quickly

stimpy

I very much doubt that will happen, but to add fuel to the rumour fire I am at the IC BUD now and instead of an Ambassador check in area at the front desk, they have an IHG Gold and Platinum check in area at the front desk.

Points Scrounger

I had thought RA was by invitation only based on some secret criteria?

Land-of-Miles

It's a pretty open secret these days since the criteria are published. You must be an AMB to qualify however so the OP is right.

TravelStar

Kimpton CEO Mike DeFrino says something about IHG and Kimpton Rewards Programs integration....or does he??

http://skift.com/2015/06/22/kimpton-...g-integration/

nicolas75

The question is: to what extent current Kimpton hotels's customers are the basis of the brand growth (reason why IHG has acquired it)?

The answer might be not.

Still, it is not difficult to imagine an IHG Rewards Club that takes into account both IHG Elite status AND number of Kimpton nights to please everyone (in the case Kimpton guests NEVER stay elsewhere and still want to be rewarded for their loyalty at Kimpton).

dw

I wouldn't be surprised to see something that parallels IC Amb/RA-- points earning and redemption at Kimpton will be integrated into IHG Rewards, but they will continue their own elite program (Inner Circle) with its own set of qualifying criteria, and there will be no official on-property recognition of IHG elites

Eastbay1K

The beginning of the end of Kimpton as we know it.

Hotel Monaco SF - gone

Hotel Palomar SF - gone

Prescott Hotel SF - gone

Argonaut and Tuscan - at risk

Buchanan and Sir Francis Drake - probably safe for now (already subject to union contracts).

Some of these were the founding cornerstones of Kimpton.

nicolas75

http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/20...ar_SF_as_Well_