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Old Jun 18, 2016, 4:39 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: HadesNL
Update 2023:
- it seems no new RA have been invited by IHG
- criteria for RA requalification are still unknown
- geographical location of member / country account registration seems of some impact due of covid19(restrictions/availability)
- RA is processed in weekly batches starting december 2022
- proof by nicolas75 shows RA qualification for 2024 seems to be strictly based on IC hotels only (not Regent, Kimpton, SixSenses anymore)

As per Tim O'Brien's post about IHG-corporate explaining RA criteria:

As you are aware,
Royal Ambassador is our invitation only tier with the number of members invited each year
limited to ensure our hotels are able to consistently deliver on the benefits promise,
elevating your stay experience at InterContinental Hotels & Resorts.

Although we do not currently have a published criteria for Royal Ambassador,
consideration is determined by variable activities within a members account such as
- qualified paid room nights & spend across our luxury brands (, 2023 EDIT: Post-Pandemic from 2024 InterContinental only : Pre-Pandemic also Kimpton & Regent ) ,
- member region,
- primary hotels,
- category (of the hotel class / €$¥£ price levels compared to currency rates / competition / city / region / country / continent )
- tenure (repeat custom / average spend at hotel)
Accompanying or adjoining reservations,
such as the additional rooms of your family etc are not included for Royal Ambassador consideration
but are included in determining Spire Elite status within IHG Rewards Club
.


* FT:IHG forum community group consensus / empirical evidence shows
- that members must have stayed at different unique hotels per city / country / region / continent
the amount of uniques needed for RA qualification is unknown but generally extended long stays at just 1 hotel do not qualify
- IHG-corporate showing keen interest in how much guests are spending €$¥£ at hotel's own operated F&B / Spa / transport / extra services / other venues
atacama40 has given us insights that extra spend at the hotel charged to the hotelfolio generates EQP but also flags the database as high valued spending guest
- one must have AMB to get considered for RA invitation by IHG as they seem to evaluate over a longer period the length of one's tenure / devotion / spend / undisclosed criteria at stayed IC-hotels

2024
Royal Ambassador 2024 (Re)Qualification - statistics

Thank you everyone who graciously shared their status and statistics. I took the liberty to compose an overview.
The common factor that is instantly recognisable is:
  • everyone has a valid AMB membership
  • everyone has spent a good amount in €$£
Shoven
IC: 69 N - 4 unique IC - $17400 - 2 unique country

AndyMick
IC: 96 N - 10 unique IC - 7 unique country - 164778 EQP

Ithink
IC: 78 N - 10 unique IC - £27000

Richelieu
~

ProjectSunburst
15 unique IC (USA) - $35000
Kimpton spend: $11000

Milleage Millionaire
IC: 100 N : 58 revenue & 42 award - 166514 EQP

Raynyan
~

Nicolas75
~

ILS2
$20000

HadesNL
IC: 41 N - 8 unique IC (2x USA, 1x UK, 3x EU, 1x Indonesia) 250458 EQP

Marlin1978
IC: 40 N - 9 unique IC (USA + EU) - $13000

HClee01
IC: 30 N - 6 unique IC - $8700
2x Kimpton / 1x Regent : 22 N - $7400

VAbeachgirl
IC: 88 N - 14 unique IC - 8 countries
2x Kimpton : 7 N
total $20000 (IC + Kimpton)

PremexecSNA
IHG : 85 N - 147000 EQP of which
90% revenue stay
85 % IC + Kimpton
10 unique IC
15 unique Kimpton

Darby1970
IC 100 N : 59 revenue of which
37 N : 11 unique IC (USA)& 4 (non-USA)
187682 EQP

Atacama40
IC + Kimpton : 40 N : UK, ME, Asia
Roomrate > £1000

EmeraldLady
11 unique IC : 4 continents
IHG: 87 N
$20000

Dmac1418
IC: 3 N - 2 unjque (IC Houston MC & IC San Diego)
6S Fiji $22000 (room: $10000 + spend $12000)

Smythmeister
~

Additional statistics can be found in the comments of LL
https://loyaltylobby.com/2023/12/03/...4-share-yours/
The only other place on the whole interweb that has an interest in Royal Ambassador.
============================

2023
Below our FT-members from the IHG forum with RA status
some of whom have graciously shared their statistics to shed some light
-----------------------
Mileage millionaire: 155359 EQP - IC nights 58 - total nights 108 - unique IC 15
Shoven : $16000 - IC nights 49 - Kimpton nights 8 - total nights 57 - unique IC 5 - unique Kimpton 2 - [unique countries UK/Thailand]
Stimpy: overall stats higher than Shoven
Nicholas75 : 230236 EQP - 93 EQN
Raynyan : 190000 EQP - IC/Kimpton nights 90 - unique IC/Kimpton 10
Vsevolod4 : $24000 - IC nights 67 - total nights 87
Vabeachgirl : $17500 - IC nights 75 - Kimpton nights 4 - total nights 79 - unique properties 13 [unique countries 7]
Hclee01: >$12600 - >156K EQP - 54 EQN - unique IC 3 - unique Kimpton 1 - unique Regent 2 [unique countries Singapore/Thailand/Taiwan/Japan]
Chinatrvl :
Ithink : 220.000 EQP - 47 EQN
Ninjalad : 150000 EQP - IC nights 34
Andymick : 145000 EQP - IC nights 100
Gentleman adventurer :
Marlin1978 :
Pseudo nim :
Hadesnl : 250000 EQP - Kimpton/IC nights 30 - 44 EQN - unique IC 3 - unique Kimpton 2 [unique countries UK/NL/FRA/Indonesia]
Itadakimasu : 120000 EQP - IC nights 12 - 51 EQN
Atacama40 : >£25000 - IC nights 60 - unique IC 8 - unique Kimpton 1
Eein : corporate rates global & local
Raynyan's friends : RA extension because their account is Japanese registered
Tim O'Brien: after own friendly persuasion effort : $8,500 - IC nights 79 of which 49 at pres.suite - unique IC 4 [unique countries US/AUS/CAN]


----------------
The only other place on the internet that has an interest in RA (re)qualification statistics is at the comments at Loyaltylobby,
more 2023 RA datapoints can be found there:
https://loyaltylobby.com/2022/12/09/...re-your-stats/
https://loyaltylobby.com/2023/01/18/...re-your-stats/



==============================================

Update 2020 / 2021:
RA status was extended due to the global pandemic of covid19


================================================== =======

Update 2019: The RA status granted at the start of the calendar year 2017 and 2018 has been based on IC revenue. As from 2019 criteria again have become vague. RA is not achieved through IC spend only. Other, unknown elements are taken into account as well. (Fact: Some users with very high +25k IC spend were not renewed in 2019.)

Update December 2018: it looks like some accounts are proactively being renewed in December 2018, well ahead of the stated expiration of Jan 31, 2019. It is currently unknown what criteria were used, but previous years appeared to indicate around $10K++ in IC spend only.

As before, please Divide EQPs by 10 to get $$$ Spend
================================================== =====
December 2019 / January 2020 Link to RA Renewals & Upgrades
================================================== =====
================================================== =====

JANUARY 2019 RA RENEWAL STATS [put total IHG vs. IC if you can]
================================================== =====
NAME.... IHG total (paid)/IC/EQP, break out IC spend if you can
Pseudo Nim 73 IC nights, $14.6K IC spend ($17.7K total),
Shoven 70 (50) IC nights, $17.3K IC spend ($17.3K total),
Unterwegs 52 IC nights, approx $12K net IC spend. No other brands this year! No more mediocre HIs to make status.
Kaix 63 IC nights, $14.4K IC spend ($15.1K total)
Tim O'Brien 26 IC Paid Nights as at Dec 27, when notified of RA renewal, 140,171 EQP, IC Net Spend 14, 017.
Vsevolod4 IHG total 132, IHG total paid 101, IC nights 85, IC Qualified Spend $16.5K, total EQP 398,800, Kimpton nights: 3, RA Ambassador Kit renewed Dec 27, RA renewal (again) and Kimpton Inner Circle upgrade Jan 4.
kaka(mom) 34 nights 1 country (all IC), IC spend:23k USD
Lewis42 / 81 Total (unknown IC) / $16k IC / $2k Kimpton / 4 Continents
81 nights total
$18k Kimpton / IC (about $2k kimpton)
stays in 4 continents

been Ra for ~3-4 years

ID;Name;Confirm;Kit msg; Revenue ;Nights;Challenge?;Additional Info

40;stimpy;+;none; $9,000.00 ;50;?;RA since 2001 - exceptional renewal
38;turner32;-;none; $9,000.00 ;?;?;8/9 years as RA
49;hannes08;+;01/16/2019; $9,990.00 ;52;2000;renewal probably because of challenge
17;Lewis42;+;12/27/2018; $10,000.00 ;?;2000;renewal probably because of challenge
27;scienm;+;none; $10,032.00 ;32;?;8 years RA
25;hclee01;+;none; $10,142.16 ;37;?;current RA since 2014 - manual renewal
18;annihilation;-;none; $10,605.00 ;39;?;
51;crosskonaftw;?;none; $10,700.00 ;35;?;not yet RA
30;Land-of-Miles;+;none; $10,999.00 ;19;?;
16;Kimsbrand;-;none; $11,297.88 ;5;?;not RA yet. 13,532.92 USD total?
48;Urby38;+;12/27/2018; $11,300.00 ;47;?;Royal since 2012
42;SAWorldVoyager;?;12/21/2018; $11,391.52 ;?;?;
14;Cielito_;+;none; $11,511.00 ;62;no;77/62/8 with 12042 USD after batch
45;whimike;+;none; $11,700.00 ;?;?;RA for about 7 years
10;Unterwegs;+;12/27/2018; $12,000.00 ;52;yes;
44;serendipity1211;+;01/16/2019; $12,300.00 ;45;no;first-time RA
28;cazane;+;12/27/2018; $12,600.00 ;61;no;4 prepaid nights not posted until 27th 11890 -> 12600
11;VaBeachGirl;+;12/27/2018; $12,750.00 ;68;no;
50;lukah;?;none; $12,800.00 ;80;?;3 years RA
15;336;-;none; $12,900.00 ;16;2000;NOT completed challenge / Lots of adjusted stays
1;DonPedro;+;12/21/2018; $12,971.00 ;49;no;
47;SD2019;+;none; $13,000.00 ;35;no;stays erroneously adjusted or marked as overlapping
36;BRUSS;+;01/16/2019; $13,001.00 ;?;?;
13;Tim O'Brien;+;12/27/2018; $14,017.00 ;26;?; Kimpton;
33;marlin1978;?;12/27/2018; $14,182.00 ;46;no;
26;Kaix;?;12/27/2018; $14,400.00 ;63;?;
9;Pseudo Nim;+;12/27/2018; $14,600.00 ;73;?;
41;PMMMDL;?;?; $15,000.00 ;50;?;
23;nicolas75;?;12/27/2018; $15,000.00 ;81;?;
5;sharps1337;+;12/21/2018; $15,200.00 ;79;no;
3;Raynyan (friend2);?;12/21/2018; $15,500.00 ;69;no;
22;pantanal;+;12/27/2018; $16,000.00 ;?;?;
24;vsevolod4;+;12/27/2018; $16,319.00 ;84;no;
34;boekel;?;12/27/2018; $16,950.00 ;60;no;
21;ILS2;+;none; $17,000.00 ;40;?;
8;skaya (2x);+;12/27/2018; $17,000.00 ;?;?;
7;shoven;+;12/27/2018; $17,304.00 ;50;?;
51;EmeraldLady;+;12/27/2018; $18,000.00 ;47;?;
32;Mr. Chan;?;12/21/2018; $19,582.00 ;45;yes;completed challenge
46;kaka;+;12/21/2018; $20,001.00 ;34;no;
31;christenlabelle;?;none; $22,000.00 ;51;1k + Kimpton;
39;marcel.baden;?;12/27/2018; $22,000.00 ;77;?;
35;Flying Lawyer;?;12/27/2018; $22,135.00 ;70;?;
37;Roey007;?;none; $25,000.00 ;42;?;9 years RA - 9k adjustment: no kit message with 11k before
12;IThink;+;12/27/2018; $25,000.00 ;85;no;
19;HadesNL;+;12/27/2018; $28,273.90 ;52;?;
4;Raynyan (friend3);?;12/21/2018; $30,000.00 ;73;no;
29;btravers33;?;12/27/2018; $30,000.00 ;98;?;
2;Raynyan (friend1);?;12/21/2018; $32,000.00 ;75;no;
20;Raynyan;+;12/27/2018; ? ;70;?;~30 nights not counted somehow
6;samjnz;?;12/21/2018; ? ;?;2000;


04 JAN 2018 RA RENEWAL STATS [put total IHG vs. IC if you can]
================================================== =====
NAME.... IHG total (paid)/IC/EQP, break out IC spend if you can
Pseudo Nim 139 (116)/85/192K, of which $18K in IC
Boekel 85 (70)55/170K, of which $15K in IC
Tim O'Brien 29 IC Nights 2 Non IC IHG nights, 341,976 EQP
scubaccr 55 paid IC Nights , us$13,000++ / 4paid non-IC nights us$900++ (plus 8x IC reward nights, 20x non-IC reward nights) <== Sorry.. forgot to cop exact EQP values before 1/1/2018 acct zeroing
Cielito_ 81/77/5 - $7,353 F&B + $11,656 Room = $19,009 IC net spend - EQP 468,000 (First Time RA)
hclee01 50 IC us$13k++
Land-of-Miles ?? IC us$10.5k++
cazane 60 IC us$11.8k++
VaBeachGirl 54 IC us$13k++
PiffPaffPuff 60IC us$25k++
??????? 35 IC us$10.2k++ <== first time RA ref PiffPaffPuff colleague
Spitcool 40 IC us$15k++
Eltham 40 IC us$12k++
shoven 43 IC us$15k++ <== first time RA
skaya (partner) ?? IC us$10.2k++ <== renewed
darby1970 62 IC us$13k++
The Mileage Millionaire 102 paid IHG nights / 100 paid IC nights / 229k EQP / $22.7k++ IC spend
Orion_1 8 nights at IC, spent at 2 properties - USD 10,200 in total at ICs (honeymoon...)
HadesNL Elite qualifying points: 239,095, Qualifying nights: 39
Aussielori 50 IC us$8k++ 9.2k overall renewed on 16 jan

04 JAN 2018 RA LOSS STATS [put total IHG vs. IC if you can]
================================================== =====

tarek.h ?? IC us$9.1k++

sharps1337 IC us$9.9k++ (and 129 non-IC us$17k++ )

04 JAN 2017 RA RENEWAL STATS (Please include 2016 y/end EQP count)
================================================== =====
NAME.... IHG/IC/IC's EQP $$$$s
SCUBACCR 80/56/13 EQP=14,979 (Split $12864 + $2115)
HANNES08 76/46/10 EQP=11,200
OZ_CATALYST 75/63/8 EQP=14,700 (first Time RA) ($12414 at ICs)
TAREK.H 46/37/4 EQP=14.500 ($10,917 IC Spend)
TravelTheWorld66 147/33/11 EQP=27.972 ($8500 IC Spend)
HCLEE01 67/50/6 EQP=14880
ATACAMA40 82/56/10 EQP=??,???
VaBeachGirl 84/42/12 EQP=15,000
Land-of-Miles 87/73/10 EQP=40,000
SSH4POOH 132/99/28 EQP=50,000
???????? 75/35/8 EQP=??,??? (First Time RA, ref SSH4POOH)
iThink 82/36/11 EQP = 18,200
aussielori 75/45/5 EQP =15,100
1010101 50/48/4 = 12,500
MYSTERY7 63/45/? EQP=25,000 (First Time RA)
EmeraldLady 68/42/10 EQP=15,500
NKU 86/80/5 EQP=20,000
Petrus 110/40/3 EQP=20,000 ($8500 IC Spend)
JOHHENRIK 74/65/10 EQP=16,800
SyLance 76/76/4 EQP=17,500 (RA again after 3years missed)
Pseudo Nim 90/58/15 IC spend $9,500, $17K across chain (175K EQP)
Tim O'Brien 58 nights, EQP 474,576 , July 31, 2017 Year End, renewed to Dec 29, 2017
HadesNL 22/20/7 and us$20,000 ref two posts.
PROTEOME 53/36/? $25,000 (Plus further 30x IC Non-qual nights and 18 IC Award nights) <== nb Maybe/Maybe-Not the IC Non-qual $$'s count as about half EQPs spend, probably > 10k IC qual spend
Chinatrvl 88 nights (in all brands, but c. 75 in ICs), 300,000 EQP, ADR c. 115 USD as I stayed mostly on a locally negotiated rate (spend c. 10k USD)
Unterwegs 78(my count 86)/63/10/285.000 (according to email, I would have expected less. my spending estimate is 15-20K$)
Lewis42 77/39/10 EQP=16010
Whimike 88/35/12 EQP=14220

04 JAN 2017 RA Demotion to xxx Ambassador stats (if > 75/30/3)
==================================================
NAME IHG/IC/IC's EQP $$$$s

[Archived - no longer valid] New (Royal) Ambassador Criteria

A document was unintentionally available in the internet about changes to the (Royal) Ambassador Qualifying and Re-Qualifying criteria.
The document is available on

http://viewfromthewing.img.boardinga...Ambassador.pdf

Older discussion
There was an ongoing discussion about the criteria for some time. This thread is now closed.

update from Executive Liaison Sept, 2023,
spend at other IHG luxury brands does count for RA, and Renewal.
Brands weren't stated, but reasonable to assume Six Senses, Regent, and Kimpton.

















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New RA qualifying criteria based on IC Revenue

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Old Jan 28, 2020, 7:57 pm
  #3961  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 51
Originally Posted by eein
I found today that my app had updated to remove RA from my app membership card and it is now valid until Dec 2020. So I guess I'm out.

As some of you suggested, I have reached out to the IC SG to see if they can do any influencing as I stayed there ~80 nights in 2019, and my team was >250 in total. Without RA for me and a couple of the highest team members it's looking like zero this year. Not holding much hope though as when I spoke to them previously about rates they were not very interested - they were always full so I don't think they need the business.

Rather than stay at another brand I might go back to my old approach of just playing the lottery of whatever 5* has the best deal at each occasion. Used to find some right gems.
So an intriguing development... I heard nothing after reaching out to the Intercon SG, and booked a trip at the Intercon SG RQ instead (got a deal there for lounge access at about the same as cheapest normal rooms). Checked in last night, was welcomed as a RA... didn't tell them I was busted down, doesn't really make a difference as I'd got the lounge in my deal anyway. Then I checked on the IHG app today and it's update my IHG card back to RA!

So not sure if this means I have been reversed back on to RA, and if so was this due to the reach out to the hotel. Or is this some system anomaly? Not received any emails from anyone in IHG...

Not sure what to do now.... had kinda got in to the head space of 'playing the field' this year! But if I do indeed have RA again then I guess I'll be sticking to Intercons for another year.
eein is offline  
Old Jan 30, 2020, 6:45 am
  #3962  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,232
Venetian Las Vegas - does spend count ?

Just curious if eligible spend at the Venetian in Las Vegas counts toward the annual Royal Ambassador spend ?
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Old Jan 30, 2020, 9:16 am
  #3963  
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Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Originally Posted by Tim O'Brien
i have never asked for it.

early days, i thought it was just for ambassadors. not RA's
Some IC's still say it is only for Ambassadors. It is how you interpret the T's and C's. So last week I was at Washington Wharf and they proactively gave me the $20 credit. Now this week the same hotel insists that RA's should never get this credit. So as both the hotels and the RA's are confused, perhaps the T's and C's wording should be updated.
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Old Jan 30, 2020, 7:54 pm
  #3964  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 51
Originally Posted by stimpy
Some IC's still say it is only for Ambassadors. It is how you interpret the T's and C's. So last week I was at Washington Wharf and they proactively gave me the $20 credit. Now this week the same hotel insists that RA's should never get this credit. So as both the hotels and the RA's are confused, perhaps the T's and C's wording should be updated.
I was told during a stay at Intercon SG last October that I got the $20 Ambassador credit as well as the RA $200 minibar. However when I came to pay the bill they confirmed, and doubled checked that RAs do not get the $20. I made a fuss and get them to take it off the bill anyway, but took it as confirmation going forward that as an RA I do not get the $20.
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Old Jan 31, 2020, 8:43 am
  #3965  
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Amsterdam, Asia, UK
Programs: IHG RA (Spire), HH Diamond, MR Platinum, SQ Gold, KLM Gold, BAEC Gold
Posts: 5,072
Originally Posted by eein
So an intriguing development... I heard nothing after reaching out to the Intercon SG, and booked a trip at the Intercon SG RQ instead (got a deal there for lounge access at about the same as cheapest normal rooms). Checked in last night, was welcomed as a RA... didn't tell them I was busted down, doesn't really make a difference as I'd got the lounge in my deal anyway. Then I checked on the IHG app today and it's update my IHG card back to RA!

So not sure if this means I have been reversed back on to RA, and if so was this due to the reach out to the hotel. Or is this some system anomaly? Not received any emails from anyone in IHG...

Not sure what to do now.... had kinda got in to the head space of 'playing the field' this year! But if I do indeed have RA again then I guess I'll be sticking to Intercons for another year.
Kinda interested in background as when RA usd10k++ introdoced the NN noghts and multiple IC hotels needed requirements got throwm out, as empirially shown by a honeymooner who stayed at 1x IC for 9nights spending 10000USD++ and became an RA., though thats on high ave send/night.
IHG may well disavow Ambassadors from RA who only frequent 1-2 IC's at low-medium rates (ie not top suites) ie 80 nights at 1x IX at 15k++ spend, so just wondered if you were initially not renewed as RA due to that.

Yes historically the IC GMs could recommend their higher spending guest for RA status, and if you gave IC SG 250nights/year I can well see the hotel pushing IHG to reinstate you , but not sure if such recommends have much weight any more

I used to love my original IC SG treatment, but new room cats and excluded room types ruined hotel for me (and lounge wine is yuk).... for SG nights I was using Conrad who really looked after me on my visits, , but having lost my HHD going forward, I now need rethink.
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Old Jan 31, 2020, 9:31 am
  #3966  
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Amsterdam, Asia, UK
Programs: IHG RA (Spire), HH Diamond, MR Platinum, SQ Gold, KLM Gold, BAEC Gold
Posts: 5,072
Originally Posted by Tim O'Brien
Good to see you scubaccr,

notwithstanding not chasing RA spend, did you qualify this year?

for our statistical purposes, would appear you're well over the IC hurdle, did your number also include non IC IHG properties?

FYI interest, i posted a letter down thread from head of program confirming spend at Regent, Intercon, and Kimptons all count for RA.

thks for confirmation of waiving amenity fees.
Hi Tim.
Relatively early renewal compared to last year though expirty was 31Jan then, alas no extra free RA night that some RA's supposedly recerived (grr) , And my only paid IHG stays were IC this year (4x points HIE's though too), i changed my secondary from HH to renew MR this year , and can no longer claim HHD (or HHG) going forwards

RA is that tantalising carrot that if come end October you think you are very close to RA based on our thread infohere, you then kinda chase retaining and target/manufacture missing IC spend , which i did this Nov2019 once i realised i was unexpectedly at 11500++. I kinda assumed i needed to at least equal the increased 2018 empirical threshold of 12k++ that seemed needed for 2019 requal. and maybe more My December IC spend is often zero hence November spend prioritised at ICs in Asia

I have not worked out if threshold for RA renewals is set lower than for firsttime qual, or if multiyear RA status maybe allows lower renewal spends. However my current mindset is no IHG spend outside of IC brand by me

Again for 2020 I will not be chasing RA renewal , as such it may or may nor happen, though as for 2019 if come October 2020 I am close on what we empirically believe target spend is I will no doubt invest to to retain RA.

Kimptons outside USA are not prevalent, ok one exists in Amsterdam which I found not that good (prefer nearby Renaissance, IC Amstel or CP Zuid and Hilton), and now also Kimptons in UK too.

I expect my first Regent stay will be IC HKG once refurbed and rebranded but not really sure when that will happen date wise

I await with interest whatever RA changes IHG introduce for 2020, RA is definitely less attractive to me than previous years , though my usual repeat ICs still take good care of me and do not religiously follow the new less generous 2019 t+c's (BKK, KL, Pattaya, PLG, NL, Hanoi, Bucharest, )

Though for Bangkok I now also use MR Royal Orchid Sheraton as unlike Hilton Millenium it is on the "right side of the river" and I need MR night credits
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Old Feb 2, 2020, 10:26 pm
  #3967  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 51
Originally Posted by scubaccr
Kinda interested in background as when RA usd10k++ introdoced the NN noghts and multiple IC hotels needed requirements got throwm out, as empirially shown by a honeymooner who stayed at 1x IC for 9nights spending 10000USD++ and became an RA., though thats on high ave send/night.
IHG may well disavow Ambassadors from RA who only frequent 1-2 IC's at low-medium rates (ie not top suites) ie 80 nights at 1x IX at 15k++ spend, so just wondered if you were initially not renewed as RA due to that.

Yes historically the IC GMs could recommend their higher spending guest for RA status, and if you gave IC SG 250nights/year I can well see the hotel pushing IHG to reinstate you , but not sure if such recommends have much weight any more

I used to love my original IC SG treatment, but new room cats and excluded room types ruined hotel for me (and lounge wine is yuk).... for SG nights I was using Conrad who really looked after me on my visits, , but having lost my HHD going forward, I now need rethink.
During 2019 I was definitely always booking minimum non-club rooms for my stays. So although I was 90+ IC nights and $15k+ I was probably not technically super-profitable. I eat in the lounge (I simply don't have large dinners) and I do very little laundry or corporate services, and these are all where hotels make their above normal profit.

I've tried to put together my RA renewal timeline below, in case this is of interest. The lines with 0 pts at the end are pasted from my IHG activity history.

28/01/2020 : I find my IHG card on the app has reinstated 'Royal'
25/01/2020: I check my IHG card on the app and it is still not Royal.
22/01/2020 Royal Ambassador Free Night 0 pts
14/01/2020 Royal Ambassador Status 0 pts
14/01/2020 Ambassador Reactivation 0 pts
10/01/2020 : I send an email to my SG IC MR pointing out potential loss of business
09/01/2020 : I find my IHG card on the app has removed 'Royal' and exp is Dec 2020
09/01/2020 Royal Ambassador Renewal 0 pts
09/01/2020 Royal Ambassador Renewal 0 pts
08/01/2020 : I make a booking at SG IC RQ
23/12/2019 : email "unable to extend an invitation to Royal Ambassador for 2020"

The transactions on the IHG account on 9 Jan and 14 Jan seem weird. "Royal Ambassador Renewal" which then did not renew my RA. I have not received any email or postal packs since that on 23 Dec.

I'm obviously happy to be renewed (if that is indeed the case and not an anomaly). However it is very confusing, and means I do not know what to 'aim for' in 202 for me and my travelling team. For me it's not just about silly perks, the lounge access and double room upgrades reduces the cost of my team such that we can stay in nice ICs - without this we would stay in cheaper hotels, IHG would loose business and my team would be less happy.
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eein is offline  
Old Feb 17, 2020, 10:44 am
  #3968  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Singapore
Programs: SIA Solitaire PPS, IHG Royal Amb, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Hhonor Gold
Posts: 2,208
Saw this article in a travel blog:
https://loyaltylobby.com/2020/02/17/...nefits-change/

Looks like another round of "adjustments" to RA perks.
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hclee01 is offline  
Old Feb 18, 2020, 10:42 pm
  #3969  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: IHG, RC, HH, AA, QF, UA, Aeroplan
Posts: 2,690
Originally Posted by hclee01
Saw this article in a travel blog:
https://loyaltylobby.com/2020/02/17/...nefits-change/

Looks like another round of "adjustments" to RA perks.
same old isn't it, down to the relationships in place, and how the hotels choose to treat their guests.
turner32 likes this.
Tim O'Brien is offline  
Old Feb 20, 2020, 1:10 pm
  #3970  
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: IHG RA, IHG IC, HH DM, MPC GM
Posts: 64
For those who have completed the $5K challenge for Q4 for Royal Ambassador, did IHG honor the reward? I have completed the challenge and was told the account will be upgraded before Feb 15th 2020. I explained to them I was trying to make a staycation for Valentines Day and they said they cannot upgrade my account till Feb 15th in the afternoon. It is now Feb 21st and IHG Rewards Club/Ambassador/Guest Relations all told me to be patient, they will try to contact a supervisor to follow up (with no immediate response), or it is updated by system and there is nothing they could do.

IMO the RA challenge was so poorly executed. If there cannot be any delay in the 5K spend deadline then there should not be a delay for the reward of the challenge.

Anyone else here where they were not awarded for completing the 5K challenge?

Spending 28K in pure IC spend last year with no RA renewal is one thing. Not being honored RA on time + all this follow up trouble for completing A supposedly trouble free RA challenge is a big deal
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Mr. Chan is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2020, 10:56 am
  #3971  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: IHG, RC, HH, AA, QF, UA, Aeroplan
Posts: 2,690
Originally Posted by Mr. Chan
For those who have completed the $5K challenge for Q4 for Royal Ambassador, did IHG honor the reward? I have completed the challenge and was told the account will be upgraded before Feb 15th 2020. I explained to them I was trying to make a staycation for Valentines Day and they said they cannot upgrade my account till Feb 15th in the afternoon. It is now Feb 21st and IHG Rewards Club/Ambassador/Guest Relations all told me to be patient, they will try to contact a supervisor to follow up (with no immediate response), or it is updated by system and there is nothing they could do.

IMO the RA challenge was so poorly executed. If there cannot be any delay in the 5K spend deadline then there should not be a delay for the reward of the challenge.

Anyone else here where they were not awarded for completing the 5K challenge?

Spending 28K in pure IC spend last year with no RA renewal is one thing. Not being honored RA on time + all this follow up trouble for completing A supposedly trouble free RA challenge is a big deal
maybe worth tweeting?. i have heard people sometimes get success via that channel.

Last edited by Tim O'Brien; Feb 23, 2020 at 11:06 am
Tim O'Brien is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2020, 12:01 pm
  #3972  
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: IHG RA, IHG IC, HH DM, MPC GM
Posts: 64
Originally Posted by Tim O'Brien
maybe worth tweeting?. i have heard people sometimes get success via that channel.
I don’t have tweeter account. Latest update as of today is they still did not update my account to RA after completing the challenge. Instead, Ambassador and Guest Relations transfer the line to IHG Rewards Club and when they pick up, they ask me back why I think I should be upgraded to RA and what RA challenge am I talking about as if they do not know what is going on. I was told for over a week now that a supervisor will reach out to me and so far no one has. The challenge for last year was so poorly executed.
Tim O'Brien likes this.
Mr. Chan is offline  
Old Feb 23, 2020, 7:22 pm
  #3973  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,739
Originally Posted by Mr. Chan
I don’t have tweeter account. Latest update as of today is they still did not update my account to RA after completing the challenge. Instead, Ambassador and Guest Relations transfer the line to IHG Rewards Club and when they pick up, they ask me back why I think I should be upgraded to RA and what RA challenge am I talking about as if they do not know what is going on. I was told for over a week now that a supervisor will reach out to me and so far no one has. The challenge for last year was so poorly executed.
Bolding mine. Ohh I'm pretty certain they don't know what is going on. The level of awareness of such promos is shockingly poor and even when they are aware the comprehension of the mechanics of promos is equally poor. This goes for IHG, other hotel programs, heck many credit card companies miles promos/ points earn promos, etc.
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demue is offline  
Old Feb 28, 2020, 10:09 am
  #3974  
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Window seat
Programs: Intercontinental Royal Ambassador, Bonvoy, Aeroflot Platinum, Delta SkyMiles, KLM Flying Blue
Posts: 121
So... have any of you who were notified online about RA status for 2020 actually received any sort of welcome kit by mail? The IHG website says it typically takes 6-8 weeks for welcome kits to be sent...
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Gentleman Adventurer is offline  
Old Feb 28, 2020, 10:17 am
  #3975  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Singapore
Programs: SIA Solitaire PPS, IHG Royal Amb, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Hhonor Gold
Posts: 2,208
Originally Posted by Gentleman Adventurer
So... have any of you who were notified online about RA status for 2020 actually received any sort of welcome kit by mail? The IHG website says it typically takes 6-8 weeks for welcome kits to be sent...
So far, I have yet to receive the welcome kit. Even the BOGO e-voucher hasn't been loaded to the online account. So far, I only receive the free RA night stay into my account.
Tim O'Brien likes this.
hclee01 is offline  


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