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 $$$$s
[Archived - no longer valid] New (Royal) Ambassador Criteria
A document was unintentionally available in the internet about changes to the (Royal) Ambassador Qualifying and Re-Qualifying criteria.
The document is available on
http://viewfromthewing.img.boardinga...Ambassador.pdf
Older discussion
There was an ongoing discussion about the criteria for some time. This thread is now closed.
update from Executive Liaison Sept, 2023,
spend at other IHG luxury brands does count for RA, and Renewal.
Brands weren't stated, but reasonable to assume Six Senses, Regent, and Kimpton.
New RA qualifying criteria based on IC Revenue
Mar 23, 2017, 11:27 am
#1771
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Or an excellent location for shoppers and if you want to make sure you won't miss a flight in the morning due to heavy traffic coming from the city. Much of the business for this hotel is from overseas shoppers. Even an executive room is very nice at this newly renovated property. Nice club too.
Mar 23, 2017, 11:38 am
#1772
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: SoCal
Programs: UA 1K 2Millon Mile Flyer, IC Diamond Royal Ambassador Inner Circle, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 479
Having just booked a Miami 14night stopover during May, I went to book IC Miami the more costly $240.night versus cheaper IC Miami Doral $122 night based on entry level rooms .... although I would book a costlier non-entry-level higher room category
Alas IC Miami sold out on multiple nights, whilst unwanted IC Doral is available every night along with CP South Ocean South Beach circa $220/night available
During 2016 I would have happily booked CP in lieu of unavailable IC Miami as $$$'s/nights counted towards RA Renewal, BUT NOW the stupid new IHG RA rules would mean the $3000++ spend for 15nights at CP would be "wasted funds not counting towards any status" . only benefit is more IHG points which havig balance > 1,000,000 I do not need more of
SO... Basically I am being told by IHG Saltlake/UK to instead choose other chain hotels where nights/stays count towards status. For me a multi-year HH-Diamond and MR-Gold (2017 onwards) I now need book HH or MR hotels for my 15night Miami May visit
Not only that, but if because of not spending that $3000++ at IC Miami, I fail come Dec2017 to requal as RA by margin of us$0-3000 IC Spend, under the "secret IHG RA $$$$ spend target" I will be walking away from IHG in entirety
Is this really what Ruth Negus wants from the realignment regards IHG RA qualification !
nb
o Currently at 27x IC Nights and 55000 EQPs
o travel booked
2x Nights IC Berlin euro400++
4x Nights IC Amstel euro 1400++ (1x bogo applied )
14x Miami Nights <-- Looking like us$3-4k++ being shared betweem HH + MR hotels
Alas IC Miami sold out on multiple nights, whilst unwanted IC Doral is available every night along with CP South Ocean South Beach circa $220/night available
During 2016 I would have happily booked CP in lieu of unavailable IC Miami as $$$'s/nights counted towards RA Renewal, BUT NOW the stupid new IHG RA rules would mean the $3000++ spend for 15nights at CP would be "wasted funds not counting towards any status" . only benefit is more IHG points which havig balance > 1,000,000 I do not need more of
SO... Basically I am being told by IHG Saltlake/UK to instead choose other chain hotels where nights/stays count towards status. For me a multi-year HH-Diamond and MR-Gold (2017 onwards) I now need book HH or MR hotels for my 15night Miami May visit
Not only that, but if because of not spending that $3000++ at IC Miami, I fail come Dec2017 to requal as RA by margin of us$0-3000 IC Spend, under the "secret IHG RA $$$$ spend target" I will be walking away from IHG in entirety
Is this really what Ruth Negus wants from the realignment regards IHG RA qualification !
nb
o Currently at 27x IC Nights and 55000 EQPs
o travel booked
2x Nights IC Berlin euro400++
4x Nights IC Amstel euro 1400++ (1x bogo applied )
14x Miami Nights <-- Looking like us$3-4k++ being shared betweem HH + MR hotels
Mar 23, 2017, 3:20 pm
#1773
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 75
Having just booked a Miami 14night stopover during May, I went to book IC Miami the more costly $240.night versus cheaper IC Miami Doral $122 night based on entry level rooms .... although I would book a costlier non-entry-level higher room category
Alas IC Miami sold out on multiple nights, whilst unwanted IC Doral is available every night along with CP South Ocean South Beach circa $220/night available
During 2016 I would have happily booked CP in lieu of unavailable IC Miami as $$$'s/nights counted towards RA Renewal, BUT NOW the stupid new IHG RA rules would mean the $3000++ spend for 15nights at CP would be "wasted funds not counting towards any status" . only benefit is more IHG points which havig balance > 1,000,000 I do not need more of
SO... Basically I am being told by IHG Saltlake/UK to instead choose other chain hotels where nights/stays count towards status. For me a multi-year HH-Diamond and MR-Gold (2017 onwards) I now need book HH or MR hotels for my 15night Miami May visit
Not only that, but if because of not spending that $3000++ at IC Miami, I fail come Dec2017 to requal as RA by margin of us$0-3000 IC Spend, under the "secret IHG RA $$$$ spend target" I will be walking away from IHG in entirety
Is this really what Ruth Negus wants from the realignment regards IHG RA qualification !
nb
o Currently at 27x IC Nights and 55000 EQPs
o travel booked
2x Nights IC Berlin euro400++
4x Nights IC Amstel euro 1400++ (1x bogo applied )
14x Miami Nights <-- Looking like us$3-4k++ being shared betweem HH + MR hotels
Alas IC Miami sold out on multiple nights, whilst unwanted IC Doral is available every night along with CP South Ocean South Beach circa $220/night available
During 2016 I would have happily booked CP in lieu of unavailable IC Miami as $$$'s/nights counted towards RA Renewal, BUT NOW the stupid new IHG RA rules would mean the $3000++ spend for 15nights at CP would be "wasted funds not counting towards any status" . only benefit is more IHG points which havig balance > 1,000,000 I do not need more of
SO... Basically I am being told by IHG Saltlake/UK to instead choose other chain hotels where nights/stays count towards status. For me a multi-year HH-Diamond and MR-Gold (2017 onwards) I now need book HH or MR hotels for my 15night Miami May visit
Not only that, but if because of not spending that $3000++ at IC Miami, I fail come Dec2017 to requal as RA by margin of us$0-3000 IC Spend, under the "secret IHG RA $$$$ spend target" I will be walking away from IHG in entirety
Is this really what Ruth Negus wants from the realignment regards IHG RA qualification !
nb
o Currently at 27x IC Nights and 55000 EQPs
o travel booked
2x Nights IC Berlin euro400++
4x Nights IC Amstel euro 1400++ (1x bogo applied )
14x Miami Nights <-- Looking like us$3-4k++ being shared betweem HH + MR hotels
Mar 24, 2017, 12:24 am
#1774
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
I'm currently staying in a Staybridge: sad to think it won't count towards RA requalification. As far as I can tell the only Spire benefit from my stay is 500 points, and nice though the place is, it isn't cheap, and I suspect there are better-value places around if i weren't so lazy.
Mar 24, 2017, 1:14 am
#1775
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Amsterdam, Asia, UK
Programs: IHG RA (Spire), HH Diamond, MR Platinum, SQ Gold, KLM Gold, BAEC Gold
Posts: 5,072
The reported FT stays by RA's regards elite treatment at IC Doral read as positive.
Background is I that decided to do a combined "BritishAirways TP run /Miami holiday", CAI-LHR-MIA-LAX-HNL-LAX-MIA-(2week stopover)-LHR-CAI .
LHR->MIA arrives 18:45pm and MIA->LAX leaves next day 12:45pm, so I will book IC Doral just that one transit arrival into USA night.
(Only other hotel overnight stay needed is HNL 1x night , 20:00pm - 13:00pm, LAX->MIA is the overnight sleeper)
IC Miami doesn't produce nights-grid to show which actual nights soldout... I will check each night individually.
I chose Miami for my USA break because there is an IC there, allowing me to nearly reach guestimated $10-12k RA 2018 requal spend target.
Interesting that some of those expiring RAs for Feb-Apr2017 months, that are being reporting renewed as RAs now (not on 3rd Jan 2017) are posting here about 12months IC $$$ spend substantially below $10k !
Mar 24, 2017, 9:27 pm
#1776
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Dubai
Programs: Qatar Plat, EK Gold
Posts: 91
It seems IHG still wants business from RAs at their other hotel brands after just receiving this email from them
Being an InterContinental® Royal Ambassador has never been better. Now, in addition to the welcome drink upon check-in at any InterContinental® Hotels and Resorts, you can also choose your preferred welcome amenity type from either fruits, sweets, or savory snacks. Additionally, you can now enjoy access to the privacy of Club InterContinental®*.
*Club InterContinental® access is not eligible for Rewards Night, and you can enjoy RMB 120 food and beverage voucher for your reward night stays.
To show our appreciation for your loyalty, we are also offering you a complimentary two-tier room upgrade. Learn More
Additionally, when you book direct with IHG®, more Spire Elite exclusive benefits are available to you at other IHG®hotel brands across Greater China:
Welcome DrinksWelcome FruitsFood & Beverage Voucher
(New offer)Club Lounge Access
(New offer)Welcome Bag
(New offer) Crowne Plaza®
Hotels & Resorts •* HUALUXE® Hotels
and Resorts •* Hotel Indigo®••Valued at RMB90
(or of equivalent value) Holiday Inn®••Valued at RMB60
(or of equivalent value) Holiday Inn
Express®
•
Being an InterContinental® Royal Ambassador has never been better. Now, in addition to the welcome drink upon check-in at any InterContinental® Hotels and Resorts, you can also choose your preferred welcome amenity type from either fruits, sweets, or savory snacks. Additionally, you can now enjoy access to the privacy of Club InterContinental®*.
*Club InterContinental® access is not eligible for Rewards Night, and you can enjoy RMB 120 food and beverage voucher for your reward night stays.
To show our appreciation for your loyalty, we are also offering you a complimentary two-tier room upgrade. Learn More
Additionally, when you book direct with IHG®, more Spire Elite exclusive benefits are available to you at other IHG®hotel brands across Greater China:
Welcome DrinksWelcome FruitsFood & Beverage Voucher
(New offer)Club Lounge Access
(New offer)Welcome Bag
(New offer) Crowne Plaza®
Hotels & Resorts •* HUALUXE® Hotels
and Resorts •* Hotel Indigo®••Valued at RMB90
(or of equivalent value) Holiday Inn®••Valued at RMB60
(or of equivalent value) Holiday Inn
Express®
•
Mar 25, 2017, 6:36 am
#1777
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: RIP
Posts: 506
It is the location that I have against IC Doral as this s a personal trip, IC Miami is far more preferrable location wise as is the CP, and location always overides cost for me when on a holiday.
The reported FT stays by RA's regards elite treatment at IC Doral read as positive.
Background is I that decided to do a combined "BritishAirways TP run /Miami holiday", CAI-LHR-MIA-LAX-HNL-LAX-MIA-(2week stopover)-LHR-CAI .
LHR->MIA arrives 18:45pm and MIA->LAX leaves next day 12:45pm, so I will book IC Doral just that one transit arrival into USA night.
(Only other hotel overnight stay needed is HNL 1x night , 20:00pm - 13:00pm, LAX->MIA is the overnight sleeper)
IC Miami doesn't produce nights-grid to show which actual nights soldout... I will check each night individually.
I chose Miami for my USA break because there is an IC there, allowing me to nearly reach guestimated $10-12k RA 2018 requal spend target.
Interesting that some of those expiring RAs for Feb-Apr2017 months, that are being reporting renewed as RAs now (not on 3rd Jan 2017) are posting here about 12months IC $$$ spend substantially below $10k !
The reported FT stays by RA's regards elite treatment at IC Doral read as positive.
Background is I that decided to do a combined "BritishAirways TP run /Miami holiday", CAI-LHR-MIA-LAX-HNL-LAX-MIA-(2week stopover)-LHR-CAI .
LHR->MIA arrives 18:45pm and MIA->LAX leaves next day 12:45pm, so I will book IC Doral just that one transit arrival into USA night.
(Only other hotel overnight stay needed is HNL 1x night , 20:00pm - 13:00pm, LAX->MIA is the overnight sleeper)
IC Miami doesn't produce nights-grid to show which actual nights soldout... I will check each night individually.
I chose Miami for my USA break because there is an IC there, allowing me to nearly reach guestimated $10-12k RA 2018 requal spend target.
Interesting that some of those expiring RAs for Feb-Apr2017 months, that are being reporting renewed as RAs now (not on 3rd Jan 2017) are posting here about 12months IC $$$ spend substantially below $10k !
Mar 25, 2017, 6:39 am
#1778
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Cologne
Programs: FB Plat, IHG RA Spire, TK Elite+, HH Diamond, LH SEN, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 972
It seems IHG still wants business from RAs at their other hotel brands after just receiving this email from them
Being an InterContinental® Royal Ambassador has never been better. Now, in addition to the welcome drink upon check-in at any InterContinental® Hotels and Resorts, you can also choose your preferred welcome amenity type from either fruits, sweets, or savory snacks. Additionally, you can now enjoy access to the privacy of Club InterContinental®*.
*Club InterContinental® access is not eligible for Rewards Night, and you can enjoy RMB 120 food and beverage voucher for your reward night stays.
To show our appreciation for your loyalty, we are also offering you a complimentary two-tier room upgrade. Learn More
Additionally, when you book direct with IHG®, more Spire Elite exclusive benefits are available to you at other IHG®hotel brands across Greater China:
Welcome DrinksWelcome FruitsFood & Beverage Voucher
(New offer)Club Lounge Access
(New offer)Welcome Bag
(New offer) Crowne Plaza®
Hotels & Resorts •* HUALUXE® Hotels
and Resorts •* Hotel Indigo®••Valued at RMB90
(or of equivalent value) Holiday Inn®••Valued at RMB60
(or of equivalent value) Holiday Inn
Express®
•
Being an InterContinental® Royal Ambassador has never been better. Now, in addition to the welcome drink upon check-in at any InterContinental® Hotels and Resorts, you can also choose your preferred welcome amenity type from either fruits, sweets, or savory snacks. Additionally, you can now enjoy access to the privacy of Club InterContinental®*.
*Club InterContinental® access is not eligible for Rewards Night, and you can enjoy RMB 120 food and beverage voucher for your reward night stays.
To show our appreciation for your loyalty, we are also offering you a complimentary two-tier room upgrade. Learn More
Additionally, when you book direct with IHG®, more Spire Elite exclusive benefits are available to you at other IHG®hotel brands across Greater China:
Welcome DrinksWelcome FruitsFood & Beverage Voucher
(New offer)Club Lounge Access
(New offer)Welcome Bag
(New offer) Crowne Plaza®
Hotels & Resorts •* HUALUXE® Hotels
and Resorts •* Hotel Indigo®••Valued at RMB90
(or of equivalent value) Holiday Inn®••Valued at RMB60
(or of equivalent value) Holiday Inn
Express®
•
This is great but slightly too late.
I am currently sat in the Crowne Plaza Beijing Chaoyang U-town, I was undecided whether or not to stay here or the IC Sanlitun.
The prices below are what they are when I booked, I know the IC is now cheaper.
Crowne Plaza - 20k points / 450 RMB
IC - 50k / 2500RMB
I would've considered changed to the IC if I was guaranteed club lounge but I couldn't justify it.
FYI this crowne plaza is lovely, rewards night upgrade to a junior suite and free club lounge access.
However... next time now with guaranteed lounge in China I will stay at the IC.
Mar 25, 2017, 11:09 pm
#1779
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: IHG, RC, HH, AA, QF, UA, Aeroplan
Posts: 2,690
Mar 26, 2017, 4:16 am
#1781
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: in a cabin
Posts: 6,521
My guess is they will revert the policy of the other IHG brands also counting for the nights requirement, but one has to hit some level of revenue spend with IC also.
As RA in previous years, by default when travelling to a location without IC the first point of call was the IHG portfolio as one got Spire benefits (for what it is worth...) and nights were counted towards RA renewal. In rare cases did we pick something else if IHG had no property or if they were poor.
With the IC only policy in place, in a non-IC location I have no incentive to stay with IHG if there are better options available.
It only drives revenue away from the broader IHG portfolio.
As RA in previous years, by default when travelling to a location without IC the first point of call was the IHG portfolio as one got Spire benefits (for what it is worth...) and nights were counted towards RA renewal. In rare cases did we pick something else if IHG had no property or if they were poor.
With the IC only policy in place, in a non-IC location I have no incentive to stay with IHG if there are better options available.
It only drives revenue away from the broader IHG portfolio.
Mar 26, 2017, 4:21 am
#1782
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: In the air
Programs: Occasional RTW club
Posts: 6,924
My guess is they will revert the policy of the other IHG brands also counting for the nights requirement, but one has to hit some level of revenue spend with IC also.
As RA in previous years, by default when travelling to a location without IC the first point of call was the IHG portfolio as one got Spire benefits (for what it is worth...) and nights were counted towards RA renewal. In rare cases did we pick something else if IHG had no property or if they were poor.
With the IC only policy in place, in a non-IC location I have no incentive to stay with IHG if there are better options available.
It only drives revenue away from the broader IHG portfolio.
As RA in previous years, by default when travelling to a location without IC the first point of call was the IHG portfolio as one got Spire benefits (for what it is worth...) and nights were counted towards RA renewal. In rare cases did we pick something else if IHG had no property or if they were poor.
With the IC only policy in place, in a non-IC location I have no incentive to stay with IHG if there are better options available.
It only drives revenue away from the broader IHG portfolio.
Mar 26, 2017, 10:18 am
#1783
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: IHG, RC, HH, AA, QF, UA, Aeroplan
Posts: 2,690
BTW that Salzburg CP property will be no more at the year end.
i believe they will take the other non IC IHG brands into account also.
it may well be they just want to see say a %, say 75% of the total revenue target from IC.
Mar 26, 2017, 10:44 am
#1784
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: IHG, RC, HH, AA, QF, UA, Aeroplan
Posts: 2,690
My guess is they will revert the policy of the other IHG brands also counting for the nights requirement, but one has to hit some level of revenue spend with IC also.
As RA in previous years, by default when travelling to a location without IC the first point of call was the IHG portfolio as one got Spire benefits (for what it is worth...) and nights were counted towards RA renewal. In rare cases did we pick something else if IHG had no property or if they were poor.
With the IC only policy in place, in a non-IC location I have no incentive to stay with IHG if there are better options available.
It only drives revenue away from the broader IHG portfolio.
As RA in previous years, by default when travelling to a location without IC the first point of call was the IHG portfolio as one got Spire benefits (for what it is worth...) and nights were counted towards RA renewal. In rare cases did we pick something else if IHG had no property or if they were poor.
With the IC only policy in place, in a non-IC location I have no incentive to stay with IHG if there are better options available.
It only drives revenue away from the broader IHG portfolio.
just makes no sense to be sending non IC IHG stays to competitors.
no different to you, i'd always default to a CP, if no IC, but in the Salzburg example, where they lose the current property at year end, unless replaced, i can't imagine staying at their HI, when there's the Sheraton, and other very nice non chain options.
Mar 26, 2017, 11:20 am
#1785
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: SoCal
Programs: UA 1K 2Millon Mile Flyer, IC Diamond Royal Ambassador Inner Circle, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 479
i don't disagree, but i believe it's all about revenue, not nights, in respect of RA, and that they'll revert to non IC IHG brand spend inclusion, with a significant IC bias.
just makes no sense to be sending non IC IHG stays to competitors.
no different to you, i'd always default to a CP, if no IC, but in the Salzburg example, where they lose the current property at year end, unless replaced, i can't imagine staying at their HI, when there's the Sheraton, and other very nice non chain options.
just makes no sense to be sending non IC IHG stays to competitors.
no different to you, i'd always default to a CP, if no IC, but in the Salzburg example, where they lose the current property at year end, unless replaced, i can't imagine staying at their HI, when there's the Sheraton, and other very nice non chain options.