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 / €$ĄŁ price levels compared to currency rates / competition / city / region / country / continent )
- tenure (repeat custom / average spend at hotel)
Accompanying or adjoining reservations,
such as the additional rooms of your family etc are not included for Royal Ambassador consideration
but are included in determining Spire Elite status within IHG Rewards Club.
* FT:IHG forum community group consensus / empirical evidence shows
- that members must have stayed at different unique hotels per city / country / region / continent
the amount of uniques needed for RA qualification is unknown but generally extended long stays at just 1 hotel do not qualify
- IHG-corporate showing keen interest in how much guests are spending €$ĄŁ 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 - Ł27000
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 > Ł1000
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 : >Ł25000 - 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 / €$ĄŁ 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 €$ĄŁ 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 €$Ł
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 - Ł27000
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 > Ł1000
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 : >Ł25000 - 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 26, 2017, 1:01 pm
#1786
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
Makes no sense at all. Then again, if they'd just publish their criteria and put an end to the speculation, we'd all know how to proceed. I wonder if they have a lurker on here reporting back to corporate? They must be ROFL looking at us having this laborious online discussion.
o RA qualification is now on spend not nights
o Only spend at IC brand hotels is counted towards RA status
The part that is missing is the spending target
I wonder just how long it takes before IHG notice RAs hotel spend at non-IC brands has gone through the floor, and IHG backtrack to some extent.
Regular travellers can and will need to maintain at least two elite hotel statuses, so if no IC hotel and a good HH/MR/SPG/Hyatt hotel exists, travellers will look to book non-IHG hotels to ensure other status.
Mar 26, 2017, 2:16 pm
#1787
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Stuck on this planet - mainly in STR and LAX
Posts: 5,019
Seems like my strategy is similar: If there is no IC but a reasonably good CP (or other brand) I try to use my (still far too many) points) if it is not available on points or there is a better hotel I have no loyalty to IHG.
Most likely still ending up with around 50 IC nights at an average of 200-250 US$. IHG will be missing out on around 30 paid nights this year.
Most likely still ending up with around 50 IC nights at an average of 200-250 US$. IHG will be missing out on around 30 paid nights this year.
Mar 26, 2017, 10:50 pm
#1788
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
i rarely stay at CP, but did have a very nice stay in Salzburg this week.
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.
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.
Either way a strange situation to put your best customers in.
Mar 27, 2017, 11:33 am
#1789
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: IHG, RC, HH, AA, QF, UA, Aeroplan
Posts: 2,685
It just makes sense, as their current position, as we understand it, effectively disincentives IHG stays for loyal IHG customers when there's no IC available.
The Spire factor really doesn't cut it, due to lack of benefits, and is easy to attain via 75K EQP's, i believe the vast majority of RA's, wouldn't be inclined to stay at non IC IHG brands to just count for Spire renewal, with no RA revenue accrual.
YMMV.
Mar 28, 2017, 12:41 am
#1790
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
I'm not suggesting that they're lying, rather, just that i believe they will revert to taking non IC IHG brand revenue into consideration.
It just makes sense, as their current position, as we understand it, effectively disincentives IHG stays for loyal IHG customers when there's no IC available.
The Spire factor really doesn't cut it, due to lack of benefits, and is easy to attain via 75K EQP's, i believe the vast majority of RA's, wouldn't be inclined to stay at non IC IHG brands to just count for Spire renewal, with no RA revenue accrual.
YMMV.
It just makes sense, as their current position, as we understand it, effectively disincentives IHG stays for loyal IHG customers when there's no IC available.
The Spire factor really doesn't cut it, due to lack of benefits, and is easy to attain via 75K EQP's, i believe the vast majority of RA's, wouldn't be inclined to stay at non IC IHG brands to just count for Spire renewal, with no RA revenue accrual.
YMMV.
Mar 28, 2017, 3:27 am
#1791
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
examples of low rate non-ICs / ICs
HIE in Bangkok for instance is 1600thb night or just $45
HIE in Bali can be $30++ = $36/night
HIE Kuala Lumpur myr150++ = us$34++
IC Kuala Lumpur myr485 = us$109++
IC Doral Miami $122++
IC Foshan China cny605++ = $85++
IC Ningbo China cny544++ = $79++
IC Nangton china cny526++ = $76++
Pre Mar2016 RA target was 60/20/3 so 20 IC nights and 40 cheap HIE stays were possible
eg 1) 20 x $100++ IC's + 40 x $60++ HIE = $4,400++ at the low end cost wise, and not even enough points/nights to earn the Spire status that comes with RA.
eg 2) 20x $200++ IC's + 40 x $60++ HIE = $6400++
for the more decent IC's
Even the empirical 75/30/3 target in place mar2017-jul2017 is only
30x $100++ IC's + 45 x $60++ HIEs
So to appease the IC GMs/Owners , who were bleeding benefits, IHG agreed to reduce the number of RA's, and to also ensure such RAs were spending more across a year at ICs the RA qual was changed to a Spend target
Jan2016-Dec2016 was a mixed year for qualifiation, so some weight, albeit greatly reduced, was give to IHG non-IC spend, and moving forwards Jan2017-dec2017 being IC spend only
IHG have seemingly overlooked the RAs who spend 60+ IC and 20-40+ IHG non-IC nights a year, as apart from points, those non-IC nights don't help to qualify as RA.
As such many RAs like me will look at other brand-chains if no IC is in their stay city eg HH/MR/SPG hotels to keep/earn a second/third status, even if a very good IHG CP is in the city.
Example .. last year I spent circa $3000++ on IHG non-IC nights, on top of enough IC brand stay spend that on it's own would get e RA... so with same stay pattern during 2017, I have no reason to put $4000 into some decent CP/HI/HI (30+ nights) that will now go to HH/MR in my instance to keep/earn status with HH/MR.
Dropping/Moving my un-needed 30+ IHG non-IC nights mean I can now have IHG RA, HH Diamond AND MR-Gold going forwards instead of just IHG RA + HH Diamond
Net effect is IC's are now only giving RA benefits to RA guests who actually consistantly spend relatively big yearly amounts which is what IC's asked for whether $10k via 20x $500 night or $10k via 100 $100 nights.
My personal view is IHG managers did not think this cxhange to spend through properly, as managers concentrated only on increased IC spend by RAs. IHG Managers in doing so forgot about RAs IHG non-IC brand spend and RAs have little incentive to spend at IHG non-IC hotels.
There will also be a load of RAs who could ony make 30nights a year in IC's, based on travel to cities with IC's, but who fleshed out to 60nights with CP/HI/HIE to have RA for their 30x IC nights. Since they can no longer get to RA, they may well dump both IC nights (as lacking RA status bnnies) and dump the 30nightsat IHG non-ICs (as only booked to scrape RA for the 30 IC nights)
Yes renewed RAs have Spire, but with zero guaranteed Spire hotel benefits (poor upgrades/no lounge access assuming hotel has a lounge), if no IC hotel, then staying as HH/MR/SPG/Hyatt elite lsewhere with confirmed benefits is a much better stay.
Maybe IHG will belatedly analyse RA stay income.spend stats, the lost IHG non-IC nights, see there error, and modify the new RA goals to give credit to some degree for non-IC nights.
For me it will be too little too late, as to maintainmy third status MR-Gold I would not be able to give those nights back to CP/HI etc.
Mar 28, 2017, 10:05 am
#1792
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: world
Programs: all
Posts: 1,422
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.
I cant speak for all the RA but as an RA i really only care about staying in IC so I can enjoy the great benefits. I don't want to stay in a crappy HI or any other brand other than the occasional nice Indigo in london/paris/Rome. So for me the total spend does not go down. Actually goes up as I wont even bother staying this year at any HI/CP to get nights. The fact that I focused all my nights this year on IC means they already got a 13K spend from me in less than 3 months
But my situation may be unique as 80% of my spend is a three expensive European IC's
Last edited by pantanal; Mar 28, 2017 at 10:25 am
Mar 28, 2017, 10:18 am
#1793
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
The "better IC's in the brand" were no doubt fed up giving RA benefits to a large number of guests who qualified as RA with fewest allowed (20x) IC stays, bulked out with a bunch of low cost HIE type stays.
examples of low rate non-ICs / ICs
HIE in Bangkok for instance is 1600thb night or just $45
HIE in Bali can be $30++ = $36/night
HIE Kuala Lumpur myr150++ = us$34++
IC Kuala Lumpur myr485 = us$109++
IC Doral Miami $122++
IC Foshan China cny605++ = $85++
IC Ningbo China cny544++ = $79++
IC Nangton china cny526++ = $76++
Pre Mar2016 RA target was 60/20/3 so 20 IC nights and 40 cheap HIE stays were possible
eg 1) 20 x $100++ IC's + 40 x $60++ HIE = $4,400++ at the low end cost wise, and not even enough points/nights to earn the Spire status that comes with RA.
eg 2) 20x $200++ IC's + 40 x $60++ HIE = $6400++
for the more decent IC's
Even the empirical 75/30/3 target in place mar2017-jul2017 is only
30x $100++ IC's + 45 x $60++ HIEs
So to appease the IC GMs/Owners , who were bleeding benefits, IHG agreed to reduce the number of RA's, and to also ensure such RAs were spending more across a year at ICs the RA qual was changed to a Spend target
Jan2016-Dec2016 was a mixed year for qualifiation, so some weight, albeit greatly reduced, was give to IHG non-IC spend, and moving forwards Jan2017-dec2017 being IC spend only
IHG have seemingly overlooked the RAs who spend 60+ IC and 20-40+ IHG non-IC nights a year, as apart from points, those non-IC nights don't help to qualify as RA.
As such many RAs like me will look at other brand-chains if no IC is in their stay city eg HH/MR/SPG hotels to keep/earn a second/third status, even if a very good IHG CP is in the city.
Example .. last year I spent circa $3000++ on IHG non-IC nights, on top of enough IC brand stay spend that on it's own would get e RA... so with same stay pattern during 2017, I have no reason to put $4000 into some decent CP/HI/HI (30+ nights) that will now go to HH/MR in my instance to keep/earn status with HH/MR.
Dropping/Moving my un-needed 30+ IHG non-IC nights mean I can now have IHG RA, HH Diamond AND MR-Gold going forwards instead of just IHG RA + HH Diamond
Net effect is IC's are now only giving RA benefits to RA guests who actually consistantly spend relatively big yearly amounts which is what IC's asked for whether $10k via 20x $500 night or $10k via 100 $100 nights.
My personal view is IHG managers did not think this cxhange to spend through properly, as managers concentrated only on increased IC spend by RAs. IHG Managers in doing so forgot about RAs IHG non-IC brand spend and RAs have little incentive to spend at IHG non-IC hotels.
There will also be a load of RAs who could ony make 30nights a year in IC's, based on travel to cities with IC's, but who fleshed out to 60nights with CP/HI/HIE to have RA for their 30x IC nights. Since they can no longer get to RA, they may well dump both IC nights (as lacking RA status bnnies) and dump the 30nightsat IHG non-ICs (as only booked to scrape RA for the 30 IC nights)
Yes renewed RAs have Spire, but with zero guaranteed Spire hotel benefits (poor upgrades/no lounge access assuming hotel has a lounge), if no IC hotel, then staying as HH/MR/SPG/Hyatt elite lsewhere with confirmed benefits is a much better stay.
Maybe IHG will belatedly analyse RA stay income.spend stats, the lost IHG non-IC nights, see there error, and modify the new RA goals to give credit to some degree for non-IC nights.
For me it will be too little too late, as to maintainmy third status MR-Gold I would not be able to give those nights back to CP/HI etc.
examples of low rate non-ICs / ICs
HIE in Bangkok for instance is 1600thb night or just $45
HIE in Bali can be $30++ = $36/night
HIE Kuala Lumpur myr150++ = us$34++
IC Kuala Lumpur myr485 = us$109++
IC Doral Miami $122++
IC Foshan China cny605++ = $85++
IC Ningbo China cny544++ = $79++
IC Nangton china cny526++ = $76++
Pre Mar2016 RA target was 60/20/3 so 20 IC nights and 40 cheap HIE stays were possible
eg 1) 20 x $100++ IC's + 40 x $60++ HIE = $4,400++ at the low end cost wise, and not even enough points/nights to earn the Spire status that comes with RA.
eg 2) 20x $200++ IC's + 40 x $60++ HIE = $6400++
for the more decent IC's
Even the empirical 75/30/3 target in place mar2017-jul2017 is only
30x $100++ IC's + 45 x $60++ HIEs
So to appease the IC GMs/Owners , who were bleeding benefits, IHG agreed to reduce the number of RA's, and to also ensure such RAs were spending more across a year at ICs the RA qual was changed to a Spend target
Jan2016-Dec2016 was a mixed year for qualifiation, so some weight, albeit greatly reduced, was give to IHG non-IC spend, and moving forwards Jan2017-dec2017 being IC spend only
IHG have seemingly overlooked the RAs who spend 60+ IC and 20-40+ IHG non-IC nights a year, as apart from points, those non-IC nights don't help to qualify as RA.
As such many RAs like me will look at other brand-chains if no IC is in their stay city eg HH/MR/SPG hotels to keep/earn a second/third status, even if a very good IHG CP is in the city.
Example .. last year I spent circa $3000++ on IHG non-IC nights, on top of enough IC brand stay spend that on it's own would get e RA... so with same stay pattern during 2017, I have no reason to put $4000 into some decent CP/HI/HI (30+ nights) that will now go to HH/MR in my instance to keep/earn status with HH/MR.
Dropping/Moving my un-needed 30+ IHG non-IC nights mean I can now have IHG RA, HH Diamond AND MR-Gold going forwards instead of just IHG RA + HH Diamond
Net effect is IC's are now only giving RA benefits to RA guests who actually consistantly spend relatively big yearly amounts which is what IC's asked for whether $10k via 20x $500 night or $10k via 100 $100 nights.
My personal view is IHG managers did not think this cxhange to spend through properly, as managers concentrated only on increased IC spend by RAs. IHG Managers in doing so forgot about RAs IHG non-IC brand spend and RAs have little incentive to spend at IHG non-IC hotels.
There will also be a load of RAs who could ony make 30nights a year in IC's, based on travel to cities with IC's, but who fleshed out to 60nights with CP/HI/HIE to have RA for their 30x IC nights. Since they can no longer get to RA, they may well dump both IC nights (as lacking RA status bnnies) and dump the 30nightsat IHG non-ICs (as only booked to scrape RA for the 30 IC nights)
Yes renewed RAs have Spire, but with zero guaranteed Spire hotel benefits (poor upgrades/no lounge access assuming hotel has a lounge), if no IC hotel, then staying as HH/MR/SPG/Hyatt elite lsewhere with confirmed benefits is a much better stay.
Maybe IHG will belatedly analyse RA stay income.spend stats, the lost IHG non-IC nights, see there error, and modify the new RA goals to give credit to some degree for non-IC nights.
For me it will be too little too late, as to maintainmy third status MR-Gold I would not be able to give those nights back to CP/HI etc.
Mar 28, 2017, 11:41 am
#1794
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
Answered myself with google - it is a GGL benefit
Yes go for either MR or SPG to get status and link accounts to match SPG<-->MR status, though SPG Gold is not that great, unlike MR Gold which SPG Gold matches to.
Last edited by scubaccr; Mar 28, 2017 at 12:07 pm
Mar 28, 2017, 11:48 am
#1795
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
I cant speak for all the RA but as an RA i really only care about staying in IC so I can enjoy the great benefits. I don't want to stay in a crappy HI or any other brand other than the occasional nice Indigo in london/paris/Rome. So for me the total spend does not go down. Actually goes up as I wont even bother staying this year at any HI/CP to get nights. The fact that I focused all my nights this year on IC means they already got a 13K spend from me in less than 3 months
But my situation may be unique as 80% of my spend is a three expensive European IC's
But my situation may be unique as 80% of my spend is a three expensive European IC's
Outside of USA + China, the IC's are often only in Capital Cities, so IHGers can't stay in an IC each night.
Under the older 60/20/3 or 75/30/3 targets, there was value in staying at a CP/HI if decent to flesh out a lower number of IC nights to hit total nights of 60/75. For 2017 as RA if no IC, one should probably pick other chains nice hotel ie HH/MR/SPG etc
Under new 2017 RA target rules, $$$ IC spend only, absolutely no incentive
Mar 28, 2017, 1:21 pm
#1796
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: world
Programs: all
Posts: 1,422
Great for you that you stay in cities with an IC, but I think you miss the point, ie where would you stay hotel wise if in a city without an IC
Outside of USA + China, the IC's are often only in Capital Cities, so IHGers can't stay in an IC each night.
Under the older 60/20/3 or 75/30/3 targets, there was value in staying at a CP/HI if decent to flesh out a lower number of IC nights to hit total nights of 60/75. For 2017 as RA if no IC, one should probably pick other chains nice hotel ie HH/MR/SPG etc
Under new 2017 RA target rules, $$$ IC spend only, absolutely no incentive
Outside of USA + China, the IC's are often only in Capital Cities, so IHGers can't stay in an IC each night.
Under the older 60/20/3 or 75/30/3 targets, there was value in staying at a CP/HI if decent to flesh out a lower number of IC nights to hit total nights of 60/75. For 2017 as RA if no IC, one should probably pick other chains nice hotel ie HH/MR/SPG etc
Under new 2017 RA target rules, $$$ IC spend only, absolutely no incentive
Mar 28, 2017, 1:29 pm
#1797
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Mar 28, 2017, 5:50 pm
#1798
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: IHG, RC, HH, AA, QF, UA, Aeroplan
Posts: 2,685
the idea is Spire is for all the non IC brands really, based the US style loyalty program, and RA the English style, of benefits, and status.
i can understand the emphasis on IC revenue, and also the frustration of members re non IC IHG brand revenue, as stated previously, i think they'll address it.
Mar 28, 2017, 5:56 pm
#1799
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: In the air
Programs: Occasional RTW club
Posts: 6,917
i think they've got it pretty right, with say the exception of not factoring in the other IHG brand revenue.
the idea is Spire is for all the non IC brands really, based the US style loyalty program, and RA the English style, of benefits, and status.
i can understand the emphasis on IC revenue, and also the frustration of members re non IC IHG brand revenue, as stated previously, i think they'll address it.
the idea is Spire is for all the non IC brands really, based the US style loyalty program, and RA the English style, of benefits, and status.
i can understand the emphasis on IC revenue, and also the frustration of members re non IC IHG brand revenue, as stated previously, i think they'll address it.
Mar 28, 2017, 6:01 pm
#1800
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: IHG, RC, HH, AA, QF, UA, Aeroplan
Posts: 2,685
Dropping/Moving my un-needed 30+ IHG non-IC nights mean I can now have IHG RA, HH Diamond AND MR-Gold going forwards instead of just IHG RA + HH Diamond
For me it will be too little too late, as to maintainmy third status MR-Gold I would not be able to give those nights back to CP/HI etc.
For me it will be too little too late, as to maintainmy third status MR-Gold I would not be able to give those nights back to CP/HI etc.
US issued platinum cards give gold status for Marriott/Ritz/SPG, so strategy cld be to pump non IC night to Hilton to retain Diamond, or maybe another group?
i do believe IC will revert to include non IC IHG brand revenue.