Extending Diamond status by purchasing Ambassador?
May 16, 2022, 7:51 am
#376
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 2
I just renewed my Intercontinental Ambassador status via the pay $200 and get 15,000 IHG points offer. My Ambassador was set to expire on 6/1/2022 and my Diamond Elite IHG status was set to expire on 12/31/2022. Immediately after renewing, the 15,000 IHG points posted and my Diamond Elite IHG status now shows as expiring on 12/31/2023 both in the app and online.
Jun 15, 2022, 7:48 am
#377
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
I just renewed my Intercontinental Ambassador status via the pay $200 and get 15,000 IHG points offer. My Ambassador was set to expire on 6/1/2022 and my Diamond Elite IHG status was set to expire on 12/31/2022. Immediately after renewing, the 15,000 IHG points posted and my Diamond Elite IHG status now shows as expiring on 12/31/2023 both in the app and online.
Jun 15, 2022, 6:42 pm
#380
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORF
Programs: Amex Plat, AA, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Choice Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 3,749
Because IHG hasn't noticed this loophole? Despite the improved benefits, IHG doesn't appear concerned about a surplus of elites. Or hasn't anyone noticed that IHG is now giving away Platinum status?
The real game for status now with IHG is the milestone rewards. Giving top-tier elites free breakfast will hardly break the chain's bank.
Although this has been an easy way to get top-tier status with IHG, it's hardly the only one. No one should need to stay 70 nights--although IHG has offered a fair amount of carrots to those who do.
The real game for status now with IHG is the milestone rewards. Giving top-tier elites free breakfast will hardly break the chain's bank.
Although this has been an easy way to get top-tier status with IHG, it's hardly the only one. No one should need to stay 70 nights--although IHG has offered a fair amount of carrots to those who do.
Jun 15, 2022, 7:14 pm
#381
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: AMS / LOP
Programs: HH Diamond, IHG Diamond Amb., Marriott Gold, FB Plat, BAEC Silver
Posts: 482
I think IHG is fully aware of this "glitch" and also understand that people factor this small benefit when renewing Ambassador.
Someday they might kill this, and that day the Ambassador proposition is getting more weak.
Someday they might kill this, and that day the Ambassador proposition is getting more weak.
Jun 16, 2022, 3:01 am
#382
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,204
This thread has existed since December 2016 so coming up to it's 7th birthday. If IHG wanted to close this loophole then they've had plenty of time to close it.
My guess is that the number of people who benefit from this is so small in the scheme of things that it's simply not worth them doing anything about
In cash terms it costs IHG very little (as the benefits are provided by the hotels not IHG) and it keeps customers happy and retains their loyalty - and bookings - to IHG
My guess is that the number of people who benefit from this is so small in the scheme of things that it's simply not worth them doing anything about
In cash terms it costs IHG very little (as the benefits are provided by the hotels not IHG) and it keeps customers happy and retains their loyalty - and bookings - to IHG
Jun 17, 2022, 2:18 am
#384
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
One of the least attractive traits of FT is members trying to build fences round their positions regarding benefits: pulling up the drawbridge behind them 
Whether the retention of Spire/Diamond for Ambassador renewals is a soft benefit or a glitch, or maybe it's quietly bundling Spire with Ambassador, it seems pretty likely the schemers in IHG Towers are aware of it.
It's unlikely they'd care much anyway: the benefit/glitch promotes ambassador membership and whatever cost involved is shouldered by the hotels, while IHG pockets the $200 annual fee.
Whether the retention of Spire/Diamond for Ambassador renewals is a soft benefit or a glitch, or maybe it's quietly bundling Spire with Ambassador, it seems pretty likely the schemers in IHG Towers are aware of it.
It's unlikely they'd care much anyway: the benefit/glitch promotes ambassador membership and whatever cost involved is shouldered by the hotels, while IHG pockets the $200 annual fee.
Jun 18, 2022, 10:14 am
#385
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,053
One of the least attractive traits of FT is members trying to build fences round their positions regarding benefits: pulling up the drawbridge behind them
Whether the retention of Spire/Diamond for Ambassador renewals is a soft benefit or a glitch, or maybe it's quietly bundling Spire with Ambassador, it seems pretty likely the schemers in IHG Towers are aware of it.
It's unlikely they'd care much anyway: the benefit/glitch promotes ambassador membership and whatever cost involved is shouldered by the hotels, while IHG pockets the $200 annual fee.
Whether the retention of Spire/Diamond for Ambassador renewals is a soft benefit or a glitch, or maybe it's quietly bundling Spire with Ambassador, it seems pretty likely the schemers in IHG Towers are aware of it.
It's unlikely they'd care much anyway: the benefit/glitch promotes ambassador membership and whatever cost involved is shouldered by the hotels, while IHG pockets the $200 annual fee.
However, I doubt that IHG has the power in their existing contracts to just push the cost of elite BF onto franchisees. Otherwise they would have followed the other chains years ago. There must be an element of IHG covering the cost...
I wouldn't be surprised if somebody took a deep dive into the numbers and realised it was cheaper to fund elite benefits (to attract business) versus running highly lucrative promos (Accelerate, etc.)
Jun 18, 2022, 11:30 am
#386
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,846
However the blog says new AMB members get status extension which I thought based on feedback here it's AMB renewals only. Consequently some people will pay for (new) AMB status based on the blog and end up not retaining status ... IHG wins
Jun 20, 2022, 4:21 pm
#388
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,490
Jun 20, 2022, 5:35 pm
#390
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,490
Thanks for the data point. So perhaps the current “glitch” is that existing AMBs who are also Spire/Diamond are having Spire/Diamond renewed as well when they renew their AMB memberships.
In which case it’s likely a minor subset of customers, as many Spire/Diamond AMBs are likely to requalify under the regular criteria anyway. (Personally, this has been the case with me every year for the past few years- I’ve had my Spire extended every summer when renewing my AMB membership, but have ended up qualifying the regular way anyway by the end of the year.)
In which case it’s likely a minor subset of customers, as many Spire/Diamond AMBs are likely to requalify under the regular criteria anyway. (Personally, this has been the case with me every year for the past few years- I’ve had my Spire extended every summer when renewing my AMB membership, but have ended up qualifying the regular way anyway by the end of the year.)