Extending Diamond status by purchasing Ambassador?
Jan 28, 2018, 1:42 pm
#106
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Birmingham, UK
Programs: HH Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Virgin Gold
Posts: 240
When does your Spire status / Ambassador status run till though?
I think the thought was if you renewed say now it would trigger the Spire choice as the Spire expiry date would be out into 2019
I think the thought was if you renewed say now it would trigger the Spire choice as the Spire expiry date would be out into 2019
Jan 28, 2018, 1:47 pm
#107
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Cheshire
Programs: HH Diamond, IHG Diamond Am Elite, Best Western Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,712
The IHG app states it as 28 Feb 2019!
Jan 28, 2018, 1:50 pm
#108
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 73
That helps thanks. Shame about the name on the free night certificate - it was handy to be able to transfer them to someone else when it just had a blank box for name/number.
I think I might switch my business to Hilton and use my last few days of AMB/Spire Elite to status-match to Hilton via their 90-day 8-nights to Diamond challenge.
I think I might switch my business to Hilton and use my last few days of AMB/Spire Elite to status-match to Hilton via their 90-day 8-nights to Diamond challenge.
Jan 28, 2018, 1:58 pm
#109
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Cheshire
Programs: HH Diamond, IHG Diamond Am Elite, Best Western Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,712
That helps thanks. Shame about the name on the free night certificate - it was handy to be able to transfer them to someone else when it just had a blank box for name/number.
I think I might switch my business to Hilton and use my last few days of AMB/Spire Elite to status-match to Hilton via their 90-day 8-nights to Diamond challenge.
I think I might switch my business to Hilton and use my last few days of AMB/Spire Elite to status-match to Hilton via their 90-day 8-nights to Diamond challenge.
For me with mainly UK stays, I get better perks such as free breakfast and more regular upgrades at Hilton.
With a few exceptions most IHG properties seem to ignore upgrades and if you want one you have to “negotiate” at Check in. This invariably involves being told there are no better rooms available, then proving them wrong by showing them available better rooms on the app.
My Spire elite earns me more bonus points which I then struggle to redeem, as when I take breaks I usually opt for Hilton Hotels with exec lounges and free breakfast!
Jan 28, 2018, 2:09 pm
#110
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 73
Previous Accelerate promos were good points generators for me and redeeming (mainly in London) has been pretty good value. I can't remember getting any upgrades despite my paid-for AMB/Spire Elite status!
Have just submitted my Diamond status-match in an attempt to move myself up from Hilton Gold and take advantage of the lounge access and better upgrade opportunities.
I find Hiltons generally more expensive than IHG properties but I'm actually collecting the points to redeem for Hilton Experiences...last one was One Republic concert at Abbey Road studios for 60k points.
Have just submitted my Diamond status-match in an attempt to move myself up from Hilton Gold and take advantage of the lounge access and better upgrade opportunities.
I find Hiltons generally more expensive than IHG properties but I'm actually collecting the points to redeem for Hilton Experiences...last one was One Republic concert at Abbey Road studios for 60k points.
Sep 25, 2018, 1:53 am
#111
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,598
@FFlash: I would advice to do it at least two months before your stay, so you may be able of using the free weekend night voucher... if you're staying over the weekend. You should also be aware that you will NOT receive any points for the stay during which you purchase Ambassador membership.
Again, time for the end of year and losing definitely Spire this year (I finally requalified last year, hence the old post) as my stays are near 0, but considering now to use this Amb trick for extended status
Nov 1, 2018, 9:33 am
#114
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
Programs: HH Diamond, Sixt Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Marriott/SPG Gold .....
Posts: 3,213
I renewed Ambassador in August for a October 1 renewal and couldn't see if Spire was extended (as the electronic card shows the Ambassador renewal) but in the iOS App below "Available to reddem" there is a 2018 Track to Elite Status with arrow > click on the arrow and it opens a window stating the Elite Status Expiration (for me 12/31/2019 > the Ambassador renewal extended Spire for a Year)
Nov 5, 2018, 12:51 am
#115
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Taiwan
Programs: IHG Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, oneworld Emerald
Posts: 1,164
I get regular upgrades with IHG even with Platinum (in fact had been upgraded many times being Gold too), however even on Club level upgrade properties tend to exclude Club lounge access. I do not refer to ICs now, which explicitly exclude lounge access in T&C, but to CPs and Holiday Inns (those having a lounge).
Nov 5, 2018, 1:26 am
#116
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Cheshire
Programs: HH Diamond, IHG Diamond Am Elite, Best Western Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,712
I get regular upgrades with IHG even with Platinum (in fact had been upgraded many times being Gold too), however even on Club level upgrade properties tend to exclude Club lounge access. I do not refer to ICs now, which explicitly exclude lounge access in T&C, but to CPs and Holiday Inns (those having a lounge).
Asked at check in about my Spire Elite upgrade, told that there were no available rooms. Showed them the IHG app and the the rooms that they could upgrade me to. Told that they couldn’t upgrade me to those rooms, only to a King Deluxe which I was already in. pointed out that wasn’t an upgrade and that they “could” upgrade me. Flatly refused!
The night before I was in a Doubletree where I had booked a double guest room plus. Pre upgraded as a Diamond on arrival to Junior Suite. Hotel was fully booked, yet they managed to upgrade me to a great room and even put a bottle of wine and chocolates in the room.
Compare and contrast!
IHG Rewards club is crap!
I only participate now when I have to, for an accelerate type challenge. I am awash with Points that I find difficult to spend because I would rather use Hilton Points. At Hilton I get a free breakfast and mostly a decent upgrade. At IHG I get very little other than hassle at check in.
I have used points to maintain Spire by purchasing ambassador for the last couple of years. I’ve seen little benefit beyond maybe extra base points, which I then use for little more than to purchase Ambassador the following year.
The stated benefit of guaranteed room availability seemingly doesn’t apply to reward nights, which means the points are even harder to spend.
If only there was an effective way to convert them to Hilton Honors Points!
Last edited by adobbing; Nov 5, 2018 at 6:33 am
Nov 5, 2018, 8:02 am
#117
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Taiwan
Programs: IHG Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, oneworld Emerald
Posts: 1,164
Well, I am far from being an advocate of IHG program in terms of elite recognition, even with Ambassador status in ICs it's inferior to Marriott/SPG. Yet, I don't think it's a fair comparison between Doubletree and Holiday Inn. If you judge Hilton by Garden Inn and IHG by Crowne Plaza, result may be very different 
Nov 5, 2018, 11:11 am
#118
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
Programs: HH Diamond, Sixt Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Marriott/SPG Gold .....
Posts: 3,213
Stayed at a Holiday Inn last week, booked King Deluxe, no upgrade on arrival. Checked from the car park and noted that there were rooms to upgrade me to.
Asked at check in about my Spire Elite upgrade, told that there were no available rooms. Showed them the IHG app and the the rooms that they could upgrade me to. Told that they couldn’t upgrade me to those rooms, only to a King Deluxe which I was already in. pointed out that wasn’t an upgrade and that they “could” upgrade me. Flatly refused!
The night before I was in a Doubletree where I had booked a double guest room plus. Pre upgraded as a Diamond on arrival to Junior Suite. Hotel was fully booked, yet they managed to upgrade me to a great room and even put a bottle of wine and chocolates in the room.
Compare and contrast!
IHG Rewards club is crap!
I only participate now when I have to, for an accelerate type challenge. I am awash with Points that I find difficult to spend because I would rather use Hilton Points. At Hilton I get a free breakfast and mostly a decent upgrade. At IHG I get very little other than hassle at check in.
I have used points to maintain Spire by purchasing ambassador for the last couple of years. I’ve seen little benefit beyond maybe extra base points, which I then use for little more than to purchase Ambassador the following year.
The stated benefit of guaranteed room availability seemingly doesn’t apply to reward nights, which means the points are even harder to spend.
If only there was an effective way to convert them to Hilton Honors Points!
Nov 5, 2018, 8:46 pm
#119
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: CLE -> BNA
Programs: IHG Spire Ambassador, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, Bonvoy Titanium, UA Silver, RR A-List
Posts: 312
Renewal popped up today (Spire Amb set to expire 1/31/19) - had options for $150 to renew, $200 to renew + 15k points + 10% point rebate, or 40k points to renew. Took the $200 option. 15k points posted immediately, and I now expire 1/31/20
Nov 5, 2018, 11:46 pm
#120
Moderator: InterContinental Hotels and Germany
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,552
Also from us moderators a friendly reminder, that this thread is about "Extneding Spire by purchasing Ambassador" and not, if this status is worth or worthless.
Thank you very much
FLYGVA
co-moderator IHG Forum
Thank you very much
FLYGVA
co-moderator IHG Forum