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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 Sep 25, 2016, 1:12 am
  #496  
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Saudi Arabia
Programs: IHG Spire RA
Posts: 128
Exclamation Any advice!?

Hi everyone,

Here is my numbers till now:
76 paid nights
74 at IC
6 different IC
RA Ambassador exp: 1 November
Note: about 14 nights were adjusted.

Today I've talked with a supervisor to review my account (like every year), and she was repeating: "sorry sir we can't help you at the moment, our program is under review and there is no criteria now!. It's all by invitation from our corporate office".

Now with a mysterious criteria and too many adjusted nights, I'll likely loose the RA status!

Last edited by Voucher; Sep 25, 2016 at 1:45 am
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Old Sep 25, 2016, 2:53 am
  #497  
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,267
I remain amazed at the lengths people are willing to go in order to maintain RA.

It might just be my personality, but I categorically refuse to entertain IHG's "secret criteria". I find it inconceivable that a company who wants my money should be dangling the "possibility" of obtaining the only tier in the program with proper top-tier benefits - I simply refuse to play this game, even though I could probably make it if I ditched one of the two chains that I currently stay to qualify.

It would be different if IHG had a published tier with comparable benefits to SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, etc, and then went further to offer a further invitation-only tier (like UA GS, AA CK, Hyatt CK, etc). As it stands, there is no middle ground. To me, that's a glaring hole in their program.

That, together with the fact that I find many ICs to be fairly mediocre compared to other large chain options, means I am happy to be AMB and give as much or little business to IHG as I want.

If I suddenly developed a business travel pattern which heavily involved places where IC was the best option, then I would stay with IC since it makes the most sense. My distaste of the RA game would not be sufficient to push me away from the best hotel for my requirements if that happened to be an IC.

But it certainly won't be on account of the lure that I might be "lucky enough to make the cut". IHG is a hotel chain, not my next employer.
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Old Sep 25, 2016, 3:22 am
  #498  
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Saudi Arabia
Programs: IHG Spire RA
Posts: 128
I totally agree with you (stargold), it's strange that they making it more complicated especially with the latest status match offer from Hilton and Hyatt which I took advantage.

I'm seriously think of using Hilton as a main hotel chain for me next year (Diamond till 2018) they're growing very well in Middle East unlike Hyatt unfortunately.
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Old Sep 25, 2016, 3:31 am
  #499  
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Germany, Austria
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, ALL Silver,, Miles&More
Posts: 1,122
Originally Posted by Tim O'Brien
+1^

and having a defined target, whether 10 non consecutive years of RA, or USD100K IC Spend, or say 500 IC nights, then customers wld work towards those goals, whereas having the current opaque criteria just for year in, year out RA causes uncertainty, and frankly cannot be a positive for IHG.

if the current speculation that they've incresed to 75 nights, i expect a lot will say, i can have status for 50 nights, or just 25 x 1 night stays at Hyatt (also small footprint) or SPG, then that's far more attractive.

for example 25 x 1 night stays at SPG, and 25 x 1 night stays at Hyatt, gives status at two groups, and those 50 nights wouldn't even have you status at IC, where you wouldn't even get breakfast!
As SPG Platinum and with an instant automatic status match you are Marriott Platinum as well. Three worlds of hotels (incl. Hyatt what you would choose or Hilton what I chose) with strong luxury footprint as top tier with 50 x 1 night stays.

I have finally given up the idea to go for RA and even downgraded the overall IHG rewards program on my priority list to no. 4 after HH, MR and SPG, as you can see from my FT profile details. When I read the discussion here I can only shake my head in disbelief and conclude that IHG is not capable to set up a future-proof loyalty program combined with an appropriate brand strategy to meet the needs of a frequent luxury traveller and to successfully compete with Marriott in special and the US competitors in general. Don´t know what the IHG strategists think or do. It looks like a mental Brexit.

Last edited by submonte; Sep 25, 2016 at 4:44 am Reason: special/general mixed up
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Old Sep 25, 2016, 4:27 am
  #500  
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Originally Posted by stargold
I remain amazed at the lengths people are willing to go in order to maintain RA.
It shouldn't be surprising. It is by far the best program in the industry when it comes to in-hotel experience.
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Old Sep 25, 2016, 4:39 am
  #501  
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Originally Posted by stimpy
It shouldn't be surprising. It is by far the best program in the industry when it comes to in-hotel experience.
Agree
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Old Sep 25, 2016, 6:02 am
  #502  
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Originally Posted by stimpy
It shouldn't be surprising. It is by far the best program in the industry when it comes to in-hotel experience.
I don't see it to be that much better than Platinum with Accor. Staying at M Gallery can get free soft drinks from minibar and the one I stay at most, loads it up with the drinks I want ; at Sofitel am guaranteed lounge access

being able to get a suite is slightly better, but find Accor to be pretty close
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Old Sep 25, 2016, 7:58 am
  #503  
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Originally Posted by Dave Noble
I don't see it to be that much better than Platinum with Accor. Staying at M Gallery can get free soft drinks from minibar and the one I stay at most, loads it up with the drinks I want ; at Sofitel am guaranteed lounge access

being able to get a suite is slightly better, but find Accor to be pretty close
Guaranteed 08:00 check in and 4pm check out?
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Old Sep 25, 2016, 8:11 am
  #504  
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Germany, Austria
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, ALL Silver,, Miles&More
Posts: 1,122
Originally Posted by stargold
I remain amazed at the lengths people are willing to go in order to maintain RA.

It might just be my personality, but I categorically refuse to entertain IHG's "secret criteria". I find it inconceivable that a company who wants my money should be dangling the "possibility" of obtaining the only tier in the program with proper top-tier benefits - I simply refuse to play this game, even though I could probably make it if I ditched one of the two chains that I currently stay to qualify.

It would be different if IHG had a published tier with comparable benefits to SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, etc, and then went further to offer a further invitation-only tier (like UA GS, AA CK, Hyatt CK, etc). As it stands, there is no middle ground. To me, that's a glaring hole in their program.

That, together with the fact that I find many ICs to be fairly mediocre compared to other large chain options, means I am happy to be AMB and give as much or little business to IHG as I want.

If I suddenly developed a business travel pattern which heavily involved places where IC was the best option, then I would stay with IC since it makes the most sense. My distaste of the RA game would not be sufficient to push me away from the best hotel for my requirements if that happened to be an IC.

But it certainly won't be on account of the lure that I might be "lucky enough to make the cut". IHG is a hotel chain, not my next employer.
agree
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Old Sep 25, 2016, 8:56 am
  #505  
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,267
Originally Posted by stimpy
It shouldn't be surprising. It is by far the best program in the industry when it comes to in-hotel experience.
Interesting. What, other than the published benefits, make this the case in your opinion?
Originally Posted by Land-of-Miles
Guaranteed 08:00 check in and 4pm check out?
Never had issues with 4pm as SPG Plat and Hyatt Diamond.

8am check-in, I have to give to RA, but with a gentle request prior to arrival notifying an early arrival, I can't remember the last time I actually had to wait till the official check-in time to get into my room.
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Old Sep 25, 2016, 10:51 am
  #506  
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,481
Originally Posted by stimpy
It shouldn't be surprising. It is by far the best program in the industry when it comes to in-hotel experience.
The Royal Ambassador offers two unique features.

1. Upgrades and early check-in/late check-out are guaranteed, while other programs offer that on availability and with exceptions.

2. The program offers the best value for money (upgrade to club/suite, free minibar, early check-in/late check-out, lot of points) .

IHG decided to stop the transparency for (re-)qualification and to reduce the value for money. So both unique features are all in the past.

Btw: Even before it was definitely not "far the best n the industry when it comes to in-hotel experience". I. e. in many cities the GHA black offers a much better (and more expensive) in-hotel experience. If you mean "best value for money" instead of "best", I will agree.
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Old Sep 25, 2016, 12:27 pm
  #507  
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Originally Posted by stargold
Interesting. What, other than the published benefits, make this the case in your opinion?
Easy to check:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...2016-a-15.html
nicolas75 is online now  
Old Sep 25, 2016, 12:59 pm
  #508  
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,267
Originally Posted by nicolas75
Most of the discussion is about the upgrade (published benefit), minibar (published benefit), the quality of the room provided (hotel specific), and the overall quality of the hotel/service (again, hotel specific).

Not a lot of discussion about what makes RA so special. For example, the thread seems to be a fairly even mix of upgrades to club rooms, junior suites and proper suites. This is not dramatically different from my experience as SPG Plat.
stargold is online now  
Old Sep 25, 2016, 1:35 pm
  #509  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: IHG, RC, HH, AA, QF, UA, Aeroplan
Posts: 2,690
Originally Posted by Voucher
Hi everyone,

Here is my numbers till now:
76 paid nights
74 at IC
6 different IC
RA Ambassador exp: 1 November
Note: about 14 nights were adjusted.

Today I've talked with a supervisor to review my account (like every year), and she was repeating: "sorry sir we can't help you at the moment, our program is under review and there is no criteria now!. It's all by invitation from our corporate office".

Now with a mysterious criteria and too many adjusted nights, I'll likely loose the RA status!
i don't think you'll lose your RA.

sounds like the migration from nights to revenue is in play^
Tim O'Brien is offline  
Old Sep 25, 2016, 2:01 pm
  #510  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: IHG, RC, HH, AA, QF, UA, Aeroplan
Posts: 2,690
Originally Posted by stargold
Most of the discussion is about the upgrade (published benefit), minibar (published benefit), the quality of the room provided (hotel specific), and the overall quality of the hotel/service (again, hotel specific).

Not a lot of discussion about what makes RA so special. For example, the thread seems to be a fairly even mix of upgrades to club rooms, junior suites and proper suites. This is not dramatically different from my experience as SPG Plat.
i don't think i've written reviews in the RA thread, but have most recently, last month upgraded to Thomas Jefferson suite, their Presidential, at the Willard in DC, i've had upgrades to the Presidential, and Royal, their second top suite at Toronto Centre, Presidential Montreal, Presidential Costa Rica, and lots of other spectacular upgrages, the RA program has IMO the best leverage for upgrades, YMMV.^

now, just for lifetime RA status, and confirmation RA criteria has migrated to nights or revenue^
Tim O'Brien is offline  


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