Jun 18, 2016, 4:39 am
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:
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
- 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 €$£
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
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.
$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.
New RA qualifying criteria based on IC Revenue
Oct 1, 2016, 10:47 pm
#586
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: IHG, RC, HH, AA, QF, UA, Aeroplan
Posts: 2,690
1. The info regards RA expiry dissapeared month they introduced Spire status ie July2015.
No doubt the flakey IT couldn't be adapted to, I used t see date
i)webpage account card... the top 1/4 of card is curtailed these days
ii)no more date in the monthly Amb/RA email that used to be text date and later a grey bar showing status of ... gold-amb/plat-amb/RA
2. I think the post you are thinking of was by MITPAT74. From memory, something along lines ... using mobile phone app (don't know if Android or Apple IOS) when he turned his phone sideways orientation it showed the member card with expiry date
Maybe mitpat74 can check his trick still works and repost the howto in this thread?
nb
After mitpat74 post a year or so ago, i tried on my mini-ipad but nothing gave me such a card view with date of expiry.
No doubt the flakey IT couldn't be adapted to, I used t see date
i)webpage account card... the top 1/4 of card is curtailed these days
ii)no more date in the monthly Amb/RA email that used to be text date and later a grey bar showing status of ... gold-amb/plat-amb/RA
2. I think the post you are thinking of was by MITPAT74. From memory, something along lines ... using mobile phone app (don't know if Android or Apple IOS) when he turned his phone sideways orientation it showed the member card with expiry date
Maybe mitpat74 can check his trick still works and repost the howto in this thread?
nb
After mitpat74 post a year or so ago, i tried on my mini-ipad but nothing gave me such a card view with date of expiry.
Oct 2, 2016, 12:32 am
#587
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: IHG, RC, HH, AA, QF, UA, Aeroplan
Posts: 2,690
from Gary....
Here’s the updated IHG Rewards Club clause, broken up for readability and bolded for emphasis.
Programme Availability; Changes in Terms and Conditions SCH and its frequency alliances (third parties with which SCH is affiliated within the scope of the Programme) reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to modify, alter or otherwise update these terms and conditions, and/or to add, modify, restrict, suspend, discontinue, or cancel the Programme, including redemptions and the number of IHG Rewards Club points issued for a Qualifying Stay, status levels, or other Programme benefits, at any time, even though such changes may affect the value of rewards or points already accumulated.
Note of course that they don’t provide a summary of changes, or an archive of previous versions of the terms and conditions. Just read the new terms, internalize them, and know what’s changed.
By choosing to remain an IHG Rewards Club member after we have posted notice of such modifications, alterations, or updates, and after you have been provided an opportunity to read the revised terms and conditions or Programme information, you agree to be bound by such revised terms and conditions or to be a part of the Programme as revised. The current Programme Membership Terms and Conditions supersede all prior published Programme Membership Terms and Conditions.
Here’s the updated IHG Rewards Club clause, broken up for readability and bolded for emphasis.
Programme Availability; Changes in Terms and Conditions SCH and its frequency alliances (third parties with which SCH is affiliated within the scope of the Programme) reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to modify, alter or otherwise update these terms and conditions, and/or to add, modify, restrict, suspend, discontinue, or cancel the Programme, including redemptions and the number of IHG Rewards Club points issued for a Qualifying Stay, status levels, or other Programme benefits, at any time, even though such changes may affect the value of rewards or points already accumulated.
Note of course that they don’t provide a summary of changes, or an archive of previous versions of the terms and conditions. Just read the new terms, internalize them, and know what’s changed.
By choosing to remain an IHG Rewards Club member after we have posted notice of such modifications, alterations, or updates, and after you have been provided an opportunity to read the revised terms and conditions or Programme information, you agree to be bound by such revised terms and conditions or to be a part of the Programme as revised. The current Programme Membership Terms and Conditions supersede all prior published Programme Membership Terms and Conditions.
Oct 2, 2016, 12:36 am
#588
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Dubai
Programs: Qatar Plat, EK Gold
Posts: 91
just for the record, the RA card expiry date does show using IHG app for Android
my existing RA card shows August 2016 expiry date
the IHG app shows December 31, 2016 expiry date
not sure what that is about but I have stayed literally half of 2016 to date in IHG hotels, so cannot believe I will not be renewed
I think the bickering here (know-it-all attitudes) is funny, I do not want to know anybody in management at IHG or to get anything I have not earned, just what I have coming ;-)
my existing RA card shows August 2016 expiry date
the IHG app shows December 31, 2016 expiry date
not sure what that is about but I have stayed literally half of 2016 to date in IHG hotels, so cannot believe I will not be renewed
I think the bickering here (know-it-all attitudes) is funny, I do not want to know anybody in management at IHG or to get anything I have not earned, just what I have coming ;-)
Oct 2, 2016, 12:42 am
#589
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
OK, here's my wild ... guess. They will begin a new RA program in January and most of you will like it very much. Those of you who have been given this weird extension to the end of 2016 will most likely get 2017 as RA.
However those of us who received a full year extension to X-date 2017 (Aug 2017 in my case), are the first batch of new Lifetime RA's. What do you think? I actually like it.
However those of us who received a full year extension to X-date 2017 (Aug 2017 in my case), are the first batch of new Lifetime RA's. What do you think? I actually like it.
Oct 2, 2016, 12:55 am
#590
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: IHG, RC, HH, AA, QF, UA, Aeroplan
Posts: 2,690
just for the record, the RA card expiry date does show using IHG app for Android
my existing RA card shows August 2016 expiry date
the IHG app shows December 31, 2016 expiry date
not sure what that is about but I have stayed literally half of 2016 to date in IHG hotels, so cannot believe I will not be renewed
I think the bickering here (know-it-all attitudes) is funny, I do not want to know anybody in management at IHG or to get anything I have not earned, just what I have coming ;-)
my existing RA card shows August 2016 expiry date
the IHG app shows December 31, 2016 expiry date
not sure what that is about but I have stayed literally half of 2016 to date in IHG hotels, so cannot believe I will not be renewed
I think the bickering here (know-it-all attitudes) is funny, I do not want to know anybody in management at IHG or to get anything I have not earned, just what I have coming ;-)
Oct 2, 2016, 1:26 am
#591
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: IHG, RC, HH, AA, QF, UA, Aeroplan
Posts: 2,690
OK, here's my wild ... guess. They will begin a new RA program in January and most of you will like it very much. Those of you who have been given this weird extension to the end of 2016 will most likely get 2017 as RA.
However those of us who received a full year extension to X-date 2017 (Aug 2017 in my case), are the first batch of new Lifetime RA's. What do you think? I actually like it.
However those of us who received a full year extension to X-date 2017 (Aug 2017 in my case), are the first batch of new Lifetime RA's. What do you think? I actually like it.
Oct 2, 2016, 9:35 am
#592
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,773
So I just had a call from an IHG supervisor following up on the call of last month. They confirmed that status would be extended to the end of the year (which we have already worked out) and there would be some unspecified communication at an unspecified time detailing the new qualification criteria (there will be some but she couldn't discuss with me).
My feedback was that this is customer hostile and that I have zero intention of playing these games re: RA anymore and that I would be cancelling all forward bookings and shifting to alternative chains. As per my earlier post enough is enough. My $30k a year of income is probably an irrelevance in the broad scheme of things but I will not continue being treated like this.
It might well be that the new qualification criteria is better and/or that I have already qualified for next year (by any rational measure I certainly should) but until there are some tangible scheme rules I am no longer prepared to spend an additional penny at IHG hotels.
My feedback was that this is customer hostile and that I have zero intention of playing these games re: RA anymore and that I would be cancelling all forward bookings and shifting to alternative chains. As per my earlier post enough is enough. My $30k a year of income is probably an irrelevance in the broad scheme of things but I will not continue being treated like this.
It might well be that the new qualification criteria is better and/or that I have already qualified for next year (by any rational measure I certainly should) but until there are some tangible scheme rules I am no longer prepared to spend an additional penny at IHG hotels.
Oct 2, 2016, 10:42 am
#593
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Saudi Arabia
Programs: IHG Spire RA
Posts: 128
It might well be that the new qualification criteria is better and/or that I have already qualified for next year (by any rational measure I certainly should) but until there are some tangible scheme rules I am no longer prepared to spend an additional penny at IHG hotels.
^ +1
A clear and "reasonable" criteria is what your loyal customers waiting for.
Dear IHG, Stop risking your business with the (top 1%)
Oct 2, 2016, 11:01 am
#594
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: UK
Programs: IHG
Posts: 1,316
So I just had a call from an IHG supervisor following up on the call of last month. They confirmed that status would be extended to the end of the year (which we have already worked out) and there would be some unspecified communication at an unspecified time detailing the new qualification criteria (there will be some but she couldn't discuss with me).
My feedback was that this is customer hostile and that I have zero intention of playing these games re: RA anymore and that I would be cancelling all forward bookings and shifting to alternative chains. As per my earlier post enough is enough. My $30k a year of income is probably an irrelevance in the broad scheme of things but I will not continue being treated like this.
It might well be that the new qualification criteria is better and/or that I have already qualified for next year (by any rational measure I certainly should) but until there are some tangible scheme rules I am no longer prepared to spend an additional penny at IHG hotels.
My feedback was that this is customer hostile and that I have zero intention of playing these games re: RA anymore and that I would be cancelling all forward bookings and shifting to alternative chains. As per my earlier post enough is enough. My $30k a year of income is probably an irrelevance in the broad scheme of things but I will not continue being treated like this.
It might well be that the new qualification criteria is better and/or that I have already qualified for next year (by any rational measure I certainly should) but until there are some tangible scheme rules I am no longer prepared to spend an additional penny at IHG hotels.
Oct 2, 2016, 11:15 am
#595
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,481
I already switched all my bookings for Q1 next year and some of Q4 this year to Hilton and GHA. Without them I will not requalify for RA next year for sure. That means, that there is no way back for me.
I enjoyed my 2 years as RA - right now I stay at the IC Hua Hin, which is really nice -, but I feel also relaxed, because I don't have to think about requalification anymore. HH Diamond and GHA Black are much easier to keep for me. Hilton i.e., where I've staid until 2,5 years before gave me the DIA until Q1/2018 without having any night.
I enjoyed my 2 years as RA - right now I stay at the IC Hua Hin, which is really nice -, but I feel also relaxed, because I don't have to think about requalification anymore. HH Diamond and GHA Black are much easier to keep for me. Hilton i.e., where I've staid until 2,5 years before gave me the DIA until Q1/2018 without having any night.
Oct 2, 2016, 12:46 pm
#596
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: IHG, RC, HH, AA, QF, UA, Aeroplan
Posts: 2,690
yes it's a foot, and we're seeing the migration to include the spend criterion.
my punt is that it's 60-75 IC nights, or USD15K spend annually.
the cream on top wld be announcing Lifetime RA to make competitive with the other major hotel groups. and keep us all loyal. Not a reward, an inducement.
i think 10 years RA, not necessarily consecutive, or 500 IC Nights, or USD100K accumulative spend wld be fair, and competitive^
my punt is that it's 60-75 IC nights, or USD15K spend annually.
the cream on top wld be announcing Lifetime RA to make competitive with the other major hotel groups. and keep us all loyal. Not a reward, an inducement.
i think 10 years RA, not necessarily consecutive, or 500 IC Nights, or USD100K accumulative spend wld be fair, and competitive^
Oct 2, 2016, 1:31 pm
#597
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 550
So I just had a call from an IHG supervisor following up on the call of last month. They confirmed that status would be extended to the end of the year (which we have already worked out) and there would be some unspecified communication at an unspecified time detailing the new qualification criteria (there will be some but she couldn't discuss with me).
My feedback was that this is customer hostile and that I have zero intention of playing these games re: RA anymore and that I would be cancelling all forward bookings and shifting to alternative chains. As per my earlier post enough is enough. My $30k a year of income is probably an irrelevance in the broad scheme of things but I will not continue being treated like this.
It might well be that the new qualification criteria is better and/or that I have already qualified for next year (by any rational measure I certainly should) but until there are some tangible scheme rules I am no longer prepared to spend an additional penny at IHG hotels.
My feedback was that this is customer hostile and that I have zero intention of playing these games re: RA anymore and that I would be cancelling all forward bookings and shifting to alternative chains. As per my earlier post enough is enough. My $30k a year of income is probably an irrelevance in the broad scheme of things but I will not continue being treated like this.
It might well be that the new qualification criteria is better and/or that I have already qualified for next year (by any rational measure I certainly should) but until there are some tangible scheme rules I am no longer prepared to spend an additional penny at IHG hotels.
Oct 3, 2016, 1:34 am
#598
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ZRH
Programs: LH SEN, BA Gold, Bonvoy Plat, IHG Spire RA
Posts: 580
OK, here's my wild ... guess. They will begin a new RA program in January and most of you will like it very much. Those of you who have been given this weird extension to the end of 2016 will most likely get 2017 as RA.
However those of us who received a full year extension to X-date 2017 (Aug 2017 in my case), are the first batch of new Lifetime RA's. What do you think? I actually like it.
However those of us who received a full year extension to X-date 2017 (Aug 2017 in my case), are the first batch of new Lifetime RA's. What do you think? I actually like it.
To do this without any communication, this is disastrous from a customer service point of view and will piss off a lot of customers.
For myself it will likely not have so much impact, as I believe that I should requalify having 93/72/9 during the last 12 month and only some 17 IC nights drop off. Anyway more or less those 17 IC nights will add up to the end of the year so that not so much should change in total numbers.
Oct 3, 2016, 2:35 am
#599
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
for the bolded part, I'm absolutely with you. Realized last night that my status was as well extended from end of October to end of December.
To do this without any communication, this is disastrous from a customer service point of view and will piss off a lot of customers.
To do this without any communication, this is disastrous from a customer service point of view and will piss off a lot of customers.
And I disagree that this is a disaster from a customer service point. Everyone is still RA and if you stay loyal to IC you will continue to be RA in 2017. The people who are upset are the ones who want to quit staying at IC's the moment they re-qualify and then go get status at another chain. IHG probably doesn't care about those customers and their complaints. They care about the customers who keep staying at IC's and the occasional CP, HI, etc. That's why it's called a loyalty program.
Oct 3, 2016, 3:09 am
#600
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,773
My guess is they are doing the best as they can under the circumstances. I think they have to "sell" the new RA program to the hotel owners and they have not yet succeeded in that endeavor. They probably believe that they will be successful which is why they have done what they have done so far, but until they get contracts signed, etc., they cannot make any announcements.
And I disagree that this is a disaster from a customer service point. Everyone is still RA and if you stay loyal to IC you will continue to be RA in 2017. The people who are upset are the ones who want to quit staying at IC's the moment they re-qualify and then go get status at another chain. IHG probably doesn't care about those customers and their complaints. They care about the customers who keep staying at IC's and the occasional CP, HI, etc. That's why it's called a loyalty program.
And I disagree that this is a disaster from a customer service point. Everyone is still RA and if you stay loyal to IC you will continue to be RA in 2017. The people who are upset are the ones who want to quit staying at IC's the moment they re-qualify and then go get status at another chain. IHG probably doesn't care about those customers and their complaints. They care about the customers who keep staying at IC's and the occasional CP, HI, etc. That's why it's called a loyalty program.
I am just incredibly frustrated that the only worthwhile component of IHG rewards is so continually messed around with after a pretty solid run of 60/25/3 then 75/30/3. I don't value the points I get from stays only RA status and if I have no confidence or really any hard detail on what the new scheme will look like (and whether it will still be attractive), why should I forego earning points that I do really value at other chains?
This is like the Spire shambles all over again, I frankly have zero confidence in IHG now to continue RA in a meaningful form even if I do requalify next year.
You seem to assume that RA benefits will be as they are now? Why would this be if the scheme is completely changing?