Dec 10, 18, 4:07 pm
Last edit by: FlyerTalker688786
Ambassador programme will change on 1st February 2019. This will start with Royal Ambassador's benefits. Then, all other Ambassador will have new benefits from 1st March 2019.
For Royal Ambassadors, the new benefits starts from 1st FEB 2019 will be:
For all other Ambassadors, the new benefit starts on 1st MARCH 2019:
• One complimentary breakfast every night you stay
• 15% discount on restaurants and bars
AMBASSADOR BENEFIT GURANTEE work as bellow:
For Royal Ambassadors, the new benefits starts from 1st FEB 2019 will be:
- EARLY CHECK-IN from 10AM (instead of 8AM)
- ONE COMPLIMENTARY BREAKFAST FOR EVERY NIGHT YOU STAY [
CONFIRMED AS IN GREATER CHINA REGION ONLY,On 1st March, it seems IHG quietly made a U-turn again, now this benefit only APPLIES TO IC HOTELS IN MAINLAND CHINA ONLY, Hong Kong IC hotels are excluded on the last minute U-turn.] - UP TO TWO COMPLIMENTARY FULL BREAKFASTS PER DAY IF THERE IS NO CLUB LOUNGE
- UPTO 50USD/200RMB/400HKD MINIBAR CREDIT PER DAY (200USD/800RMB/1600HKD PER STAY MAX)
- WAIVED DESTINATION/AMENITY FEES
- COMPLIMENTARY WEEKEND NIGHT CERTIFICATE WITH E-DELIVERY
- AMBASSADOR BENEFIT GUARANTEE (See below)
- [Officially Added Benefits] FREE NIGHTS AT AN IHG PROPERTY (capped at 70K points value)
- [Officially Added Benefits] HERTZ GOLD PLUS REWARDS PRESIDENTS' CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP
For all other Ambassadors, the new benefit starts on 1st MARCH 2019:
- GUARANTEED PLATINUM ELITE STATUS IN IHG REWARDS CLUB
- ONE COMPLIMENTARY BREAKFAST FOR EVERY NIGHT YOU STAY <== Only for Greater China Stays !
- COMPLIMENTARY WEEKEND NIGHT CERTIFICATE WITH E-DELIVERY
- WELCOME FRUIT PLATTER (instead of welcome fruits and gifts) <== Only for Greater China Stays !
- AMBASSADOR BENEFIT GUARANTEE
• One complimentary breakfast every night you stay
• 15% discount on restaurants and bars
AMBASSADOR BENEFIT GURANTEE work as bellow:
- Guaranteed Room Upgrade: Member must be given a food and beverage or Spa credit up to USD50, or 10,000 IHG Rewards Club points per stay, applies to InterContinental Ambassador and Royal Ambassador only;
- 16:00 (4p.m.) Late Check-out: Member must be given a food and beverage or Spa credit up to USD50, or 10,000 IHG Rewards Club points per stay, applies to InterContinental Ambassador and Royal Ambassador only;
- New Club InterContinental Lounge Access or alternative Club experience: Member must be given a food and beverage or Spa credit of USD100 per night, not exceeding the Club InterContinental upgrade supplement value, applies to Royal Ambassador only.
Changes to Ambassador from 1st March 2019 (now confirmed)
Dec 12, 18, 1:20 pm
#76
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: UK
Programs: IHG
Posts: 1,291
I just wonder about the ”punishments”. These will vecome a cat-and-mouse play. Properties trying to fake you an upgrade with artificial room categories and ee as smart customer responding with same weapon: calling the front desk at 11am about late checkout ”in case” they are under pressure and willing to trade off for 10000 points and then checking out 11am without even intention to stay until 4pm. Or such - we are smart to find ways arent we?
"I owe you $76.92 on mini-bar, so put that against the $1000 I accrued in daily credit for my 10 day stay, of which I've used only $752.44, but also, you owe me $50 for no upgrade and 10'000 points for no late checkout. Some of the minibar I had was water, which I get for free, so remove that, please"
It will be a disaster.
Dec 12, 18, 1:45 pm
#78
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Cologne
Programs: FB Plat, IHG RA Spire, TK Elite+, HH Diamond, LH SEN, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 972
Interesting.
im a bit confused:
for RA no more 2 cat upgrade?
Lounge access for both Ambassador and RA?
im a bit confused:
for RA no more 2 cat upgrade?
Lounge access for both Ambassador and RA?
Last edited by FLYGVA; Dec 13, 18 at 11:25 pm
Dec 12, 18, 1:52 pm
#80
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Somewhere in Europe
Posts: 3,343
It all sounds a bit too long winded but that is IHG all over. The minibar nonsense just sounds like an accounting nightmare and as @turner32 says above will simply result in checkout headaches.
With welcome drinks voucher for one and now breakfast for one you have to question if they are anti-leisure.
With welcome drinks voucher for one and now breakfast for one you have to question if they are anti-leisure.
Dec 12, 18, 2:52 pm
#81
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: In the air
Programs: Occasional RTW club
Posts: 6,853
How about instead of 'assuming hotel will screw every member', but focus on 'how I am going to beat this policy'?
Hotel intentionally not upgrade RA or SA/PA will see people voting with their wallet and feet. I don't think hotels will intentionally not to upgrade members who entitled for upgrade just for the sake of giving $50 or 10,000 points out. You have too much negative energy in focusing hotel being a dishonest bean counter. There are too much ifs and ifs in your question.
Yes to answer your question, yes I think USD$50 or 10,000 points is very adequate. Because, you expect what you paid for. You booked a standard room, you get a standard room, that is no fault according to the booking contract. Upgrade is a gesture, not entitlement. Now IHG is recognising Ambassador Upgrade as benefit that can be compensated by voucher or points, is a step forward to the right direction. I don't think there are many competitors doing the same for their members.
If you don't think it is adequate, you are welcome to choose other hotel groups who could give you more. We are all free agent. But before you are denied many upgrades you would have, why not wait and see what is going to happen then judge?
Hotel intentionally not upgrade RA or SA/PA will see people voting with their wallet and feet. I don't think hotels will intentionally not to upgrade members who entitled for upgrade just for the sake of giving $50 or 10,000 points out. You have too much negative energy in focusing hotel being a dishonest bean counter. There are too much ifs and ifs in your question.
Yes to answer your question, yes I think USD$50 or 10,000 points is very adequate. Because, you expect what you paid for. You booked a standard room, you get a standard room, that is no fault according to the booking contract. Upgrade is a gesture, not entitlement. Now IHG is recognising Ambassador Upgrade as benefit that can be compensated by voucher or points, is a step forward to the right direction. I don't think there are many competitors doing the same for their members.
If you don't think it is adequate, you are welcome to choose other hotel groups who could give you more. We are all free agent. But before you are denied many upgrades you would have, why not wait and see what is going to happen then judge?
Dec 12, 18, 3:13 pm
#82
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: London
Programs: Infinity Milage Lands Gold,Star Alliance Gold, IHG Diamond RA, Kimpton Inner Circle
Posts: 344
I have never understood the one drink voucher bit and to be fair most properties I stay at will provide 2 but on the odd occasion where a property does not it always feels a bit off especially as I always check in with my partner, RA might be in my name but my partner is there for every night also as all stays are for leisure as a couple.
I also think the mini bar could be a minefield will each property offer an amount equal to $50 in the local currency? will that be set? or will it fluctuate with exchange rate's? as a norm I find for the most part the prices to be very high especially for city properties in my experience, $50 won't cover the 6 beers you get in the BKK minibar as an example.
I also think the mini bar could be a minefield will each property offer an amount equal to $50 in the local currency? will that be set? or will it fluctuate with exchange rate's? as a norm I find for the most part the prices to be very high especially for city properties in my experience, $50 won't cover the 6 beers you get in the BKK minibar as an example.
Dec 13, 18, 2:41 am
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: TLV/LHR
Programs: BA GGL, IHG Diamond Elite Amb, HH Diamond, Avis PC, Hertz PC, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 12,944
I find it outrageous that I $100 rate at the CP TS becomes almost $170 after taxes and fees.
Dec 13, 18, 2:42 am
#84
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 16,252
Absolutely. Hotels generally detest the mini-bar system: in accounting terms it loses money, It soaks up time and creates conflict.
The current RA write-off is simplicity - the proposed nonsense will just increase the admin headache while pissing off IHG's most regular guests.
The text discovered by our fellow FTer reads like the attempt of a new intake MBA to make his/her name as an agent of change...
Dec 13, 18, 3:51 am
#85
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,477
We can only hope.
All in all, not entirely disappointed, and if this extends to Kimptons and Regents, it will be a definite plus. Even more so would be if the RA requalification includes stays at Kimptons and Regents; I'll definitely step up my stays in those hotels, especially in cities without ICs.
All in all, not entirely disappointed, and if this extends to Kimptons and Regents, it will be a definite plus. Even more so would be if the RA requalification includes stays at Kimptons and Regents; I'll definitely step up my stays in those hotels, especially in cities without ICs.
Dec 13, 18, 4:00 am
#86
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,477
Absolutely. Hotels generally detest the mini-bar system: in accounting terms it loses money, It soaks up time and creates conflict.
The current RA write-off is simplicity - the proposed nonsense will just increase the admin headache while pissing off IHG's most regular guests.
The text discovered by our fellow FTer reads like the attempt of a new intake MBA to make his/her name as an agent of change...
The current RA write-off is simplicity - the proposed nonsense will just increase the admin headache while pissing off IHG's most regular guests.
The text discovered by our fellow FTer reads like the attempt of a new intake MBA to make his/her name as an agent of change...
Then to dispute your comment, USD$50 credit is equal to THREE miniatures or TWO miniatures + FEW non-alcoholic drinks in most IC hotels. Would you agree that is plenty intake of drinks to most of the average people considering more UNLIMITED drinks can be had during happy hours in Club Lounge? If that is case, why RAs would get upset because they can not drink like a fish anymore? Not every RA is seasoned drinker and I am sure many people can see through the sense of moderate drinking. So, could I guess that 'pissing of IHG's most regular guest' really means 'piss off IHG's raid-the-entire-minibar guests'?
I don't think I would like to defend IHG. I am tired of their non-existence Spire benefits in other hotels. And I am not saying restrict minibar is a good idea. But I do fail to see how a reasonable average people would see the USD$50 daily credit and unlimited Club Lounge evening drinks would piss off at the policy.
Dec 13, 18, 4:40 am
#87
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ZRH
Programs: LH SEN, BA Gold, Bonvoy Plat, IHG Spire RA
Posts: 576
Not to dispute, but basically IHG has two choices: cancel the entire RA programme or restrict the usages of unlimited mini-bar. I am just glad that they choose the later.
Then to dispute your comment, USD$50 credit is equal to THREE miniatures or TWO miniatures + FEW non-alcoholic drinks in most IC hotels. Would you agree that is plenty intake of drinks to most of the average people considering more UNLIMITED drinks can be had during happy hours in Club Lounge? If that is case, why RAs would get upset because they can not drink like a fish anymore? Not every RA is seasoned drinker and I am sure many people can see through the sense of moderate drinking. So, could I guess that 'pissing of IHG's most regular guest' really means 'piss off IHG's raid-the-entire-minibar guests'?
I don't think I would like to defend IHG. I am tired of their non-existence Spire benefits in other hotels. And I am not saying restrict minibar is a good idea. But I do fail to see how a reasonable average people would see the USD$50 daily credit and unlimited Club Lounge evening drinks would piss off at the policy.
Then to dispute your comment, USD$50 credit is equal to THREE miniatures or TWO miniatures + FEW non-alcoholic drinks in most IC hotels. Would you agree that is plenty intake of drinks to most of the average people considering more UNLIMITED drinks can be had during happy hours in Club Lounge? If that is case, why RAs would get upset because they can not drink like a fish anymore? Not every RA is seasoned drinker and I am sure many people can see through the sense of moderate drinking. So, could I guess that 'pissing of IHG's most regular guest' really means 'piss off IHG's raid-the-entire-minibar guests'?
I don't think I would like to defend IHG. I am tired of their non-existence Spire benefits in other hotels. And I am not saying restrict minibar is a good idea. But I do fail to see how a reasonable average people would see the USD$50 daily credit and unlimited Club Lounge evening drinks would piss off at the policy.
Also your second argument doesn't make any sense. If the majority is anyway not abusing the minibar and the costs are for a huge part lower than the 50 usd, why introducing further administration which leads to frustration at the hotel and customer.
Anyway the biggest issue I have with this changes is, that as an RA you don't get any guaranteed upgrade, as the hotel can opt to not upgrade you for a small USD amount. I believe this could lead to the destruction of the programme.
Dec 13, 18, 4:48 am
#88
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Europe
Programs: Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, Accor, Hyatt, (Former IHG Ambassador)
Posts: 1,104
Despite multiple requests from various members here, the OP (original poster) of this thread refuses to give details of where he got all this inside information apart from saying he got his hands on some draft IHG training document for 2019 from a intercontinental hotel employee in China.
Is it really wise to be dedicating a whole thread with this many posts to something so unofficial and unconfirmed ?
Is it really wise to be dedicating a whole thread with this many posts to something so unofficial and unconfirmed ?
Dec 13, 18, 5:51 am
#89
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: DUS (and somewhere in transit)
Programs: LH SEN, AB PLAT, BA Gold, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, SPG Lifetime Platinum, IHG RA, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 10,153
Not really helpful: Breakfast is generally included in my rates and weakening the early check-in and the upgrade privileges is not good at all.
Dec 13, 18, 5:53 am
#90
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,253
because they can not drink like a fish anymore? Not every RA is seasoned drinker and I am sure many people can see through the sense of moderate drinking. So, could I guess that 'pissing of IHG's most regular guest' really means 'piss off IHG's raid-the-entire-minibar guests'?
.
There's a need to think how this works. Without sounding pompous, I imagine a lot of you RA's have large sign off and budget influence. I know I have. I also know that that FOC mini bar is an (admittedly shallow, childish and selfish) influencer, but one that should it disappear would have a not insignificant influence on my thinking. Enough to jump ship? Maybe not, as many of you have mentioned, if you have a relationship with the hotels on a regular basis then that 'good treatment' is likely to continue I suspect. But in a childish moment, would it influence my T&A budget decisions. Maybe .... the raid the mini bar RA's tend to have a good amount of spend influence. At least it's my experience.
