Extending Diamond status by purchasing Ambassador?
Jan 9, 2019, 2:07 am
#228
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,598
Today I got my first ever Amb pack in post. Ordered in November 2018. It came with a card that says Spire Amb expiry 01 Jan 2020, although the card in my IHG App says Spire Amb expiry 12/2019 and the account page still shows the mystery Spire Ambassador expires 31.12.2018 thing.
AMB Weekend cert was inside the pack so it seems at that point it was not yet introduced electronically.
I ask myself now, why did I buy this pack? I was ill, drunk, confused or what?
AMB Weekend cert was inside the pack so it seems at that point it was not yet introduced electronically.
I ask myself now, why did I buy this pack? I was ill, drunk, confused or what?
Jan 13, 2019, 2:29 am
#229
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
Jan 28, 2019, 7:23 am
#230
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Antwerp
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 166
The trick still works, Spire AMb untill Feb 2020; and when taking the $200 USD option the points were immediately added to my account. But no e-mail to confirm renewal, no e-certificate so far... maybe I'm still getting the old paper version because iI renewed prior to Feb. 1st. I did notice on the website that the $150 renewal option would only be available untill January 31st, don't know if that was only for my account or in general.
Up untill last year I prefered the 24k renewal option because it was the cheapest. Now that it's gone up to 40k, and the $150 option doesn't gives bonus points anymore but the $200 option does, I consider that as the best "deal", but of course that will depend on how hotels will take advantage of the new $50 or 10k points guarantee loophole.
Up untill last year I prefered the 24k renewal option because it was the cheapest. Now that it's gone up to 40k, and the $150 option doesn't gives bonus points anymore but the $200 option does, I consider that as the best "deal", but of course that will depend on how hotels will take advantage of the new $50 or 10k points guarantee loophole.
Jan 28, 2019, 6:25 pm
#231
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
In a few weeks, you should expect to receive a package containing a welcome letter, benefits insert, physical Ambassador membership card with new expiration date, and a paper BOGO cert to be surrendered at check-in.
Jan 29, 2019, 8:22 am
#232
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: United 1K, Frontier 100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond/ Ambassador/ Milestoner
Posts: 568
I, too, just 're-enlisted' yesterday. I mostly do it to retain Spire. Maybe 1 out of 5 stays Spire actually gets me something like lounge access at an Asian Crowne Plaza or an 'upgrade' to a 'suite' at a HIX.
The 40k points option was much more than prior years, so I passed on that. The $50 more for the $200 option actually seemed like it would result in a pretty good chunk of extra points: 1) the immediate 15K (that were immediately put in my account, 2) the 10% rebate on points stays which should be 20K for me this year, and 3) the extra 50% points on base paid stays which should be another 20K for me this year. All that should be 3 nights in cheap IHG hotels while road-tripping thru the central USA.
In the 4 or 5 years that I have gotten the 'free night' certificate, I have never used it. I infrequently stay at IC's and by the time you pay the rack rate for the first night, there are usually better options at Hilton's with Diamond lounge access.
If there are any further price increases, I will probably pass.
The 40k points option was much more than prior years, so I passed on that. The $50 more for the $200 option actually seemed like it would result in a pretty good chunk of extra points: 1) the immediate 15K (that were immediately put in my account, 2) the 10% rebate on points stays which should be 20K for me this year, and 3) the extra 50% points on base paid stays which should be another 20K for me this year. All that should be 3 nights in cheap IHG hotels while road-tripping thru the central USA.
In the 4 or 5 years that I have gotten the 'free night' certificate, I have never used it. I infrequently stay at IC's and by the time you pay the rack rate for the first night, there are usually better options at Hilton's with Diamond lounge access.
If there are any further price increases, I will probably pass.
Jan 29, 2019, 11:04 pm
#233
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Gold Country, California
Programs: Hilton Gold, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,199
I, too, just 're-enlisted' yesterday. I mostly do it to retain Spire. Maybe 1 out of 5 stays Spire actually gets me something like lounge access at an Asian Crowne Plaza or an 'upgrade' to a 'suite' at a HIX.
The 40k points option was much more than prior years, so I passed on that. The $50 more for the $200 option actually seemed like it would result in a pretty good chunk of extra points: 1) the immediate 15K (that were immediately put in my account, 2) the 10% rebate on points stays which should be 20K for me this year, and 3) the extra 50% points on base paid stays which should be another 20K for me this year. All that should be 3 nights in cheap IHG hotels while road-tripping thru the central USA.
In the 4 or 5 years that I have gotten the 'free night' certificate, I have never used it. I infrequently stay at IC's and by the time you pay the rack rate for the first night, there are usually better options at Hilton's with Diamond lounge access.
If there are any further price increases, I will probably pass.
The 40k points option was much more than prior years, so I passed on that. The $50 more for the $200 option actually seemed like it would result in a pretty good chunk of extra points: 1) the immediate 15K (that were immediately put in my account, 2) the 10% rebate on points stays which should be 20K for me this year, and 3) the extra 50% points on base paid stays which should be another 20K for me this year. All that should be 3 nights in cheap IHG hotels while road-tripping thru the central USA.
In the 4 or 5 years that I have gotten the 'free night' certificate, I have never used it. I infrequently stay at IC's and by the time you pay the rack rate for the first night, there are usually better options at Hilton's with Diamond lounge access.
If there are any further price increases, I will probably pass.
Spent many an hour trying to figure out where to use the BOGO weekend cert without spending too much to gain a "free" night. How much sense does it make to pay +$80 over a AAA rate at Venetian to save $200 on my "free" night. Crazy to fly somewhere just to use it. IC's within driving distance are uninspiring and usually at escalated prices. I prefer Kimptons anyway. Wish I was as disciplined as you, pretzlaff, to just toss it in the trash.
May 9, 2019, 7:59 pm
#236
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Planet Earth
Programs: IHG Diamond Amb, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz PC, AA Plat Pro
Posts: 149
May 10, 2019, 8:07 am
#237
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
My Amb expired in Oct 2018 and I didn't renew it, yet I am still Spire. I only had 15 IHG nights last year, all very cheap or redemptions. I know at least one other person who also got Spire renewed unexpectedly.
Sep 14, 2019, 5:48 pm
#240
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,265