Anyone shifting stays to IHG due to new Marriott program
Apr 19, 2018, 11:30 am
#31
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
Could be opposite for me, a few IHG nights -> MR (SPG Brands) nights
Reason is existing MR-Gold gives no value during last year of linking MR Gold - SPG Gold (unlike reverse link SPG-Gold to MR Gold), despite MR-Gold needed 50nights being enough for SPG-Plat.
Come Aug2018, earned (current/old) MR-Golds become New MR-Platinum and then staying at SPG will give lounge+upgrades, although it is really just lounge access that I look for. Resulting in an opportunity that i can give a few IHG stays to the SPG brands during 4Q2018
Reason is existing MR-Gold gives no value during last year of linking MR Gold - SPG Gold (unlike reverse link SPG-Gold to MR Gold), despite MR-Gold needed 50nights being enough for SPG-Plat.
Come Aug2018, earned (current/old) MR-Golds become New MR-Platinum and then staying at SPG will give lounge+upgrades, although it is really just lounge access that I look for. Resulting in an opportunity that i can give a few IHG stays to the SPG brands during 4Q2018
Apr 19, 2018, 11:31 am
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,879
When a hotel changes a policy, it seems to be the end of the world here, and the grass is always greener on the other side.
In the end, it's all about what is important to you. To me, IHG is incredible accessible, affordable, and has a great return on rewards. 6 nights in a Holiday Inn Express this quarter will give me a free IC room just about anywhere I want. Show me all the point valuations and everything you want, in the end, it's an incredible value. Every Holiday Inn Express comes with the all-elusive breakfast unicorn which apparently will relieve endless stress. My last Holiday Inn that did not include it, cost $80 for the night and I was in a suite. Got a fantastic breakfast at a great little diner, spend $90 total, and I am still alive to tell the tale.
I doubt a lot of people are going to be happy switching to IHG from Mariott. IHG isn't the best at the luxury/lounge game if that is what you are looking for. Although they seem to be interested in expanding that business. I was also a little underwhelmed by their credit card option. I really like what American Express did with the Aspire. To me, that is the best Hotel card on the market right now vs my tried and true Sapphire Reserve.
In the end, it's all about what is important to you. To me, IHG is incredible accessible, affordable, and has a great return on rewards. 6 nights in a Holiday Inn Express this quarter will give me a free IC room just about anywhere I want. Show me all the point valuations and everything you want, in the end, it's an incredible value. Every Holiday Inn Express comes with the all-elusive breakfast unicorn which apparently will relieve endless stress. My last Holiday Inn that did not include it, cost $80 for the night and I was in a suite. Got a fantastic breakfast at a great little diner, spend $90 total, and I am still alive to tell the tale.
I doubt a lot of people are going to be happy switching to IHG from Mariott. IHG isn't the best at the luxury/lounge game if that is what you are looking for. Although they seem to be interested in expanding that business. I was also a little underwhelmed by their credit card option. I really like what American Express did with the Aspire. To me, that is the best Hotel card on the market right now vs my tried and true Sapphire Reserve.
Apr 19, 2018, 1:33 pm
#33
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,265
I normally mix some inspirational stays with some budget ones, both for the sake of budgeting and for the sake of actual needs (I objectively do not need IC or St Regis in many instances). I heard that IHG Platinum may give upgrades and lounge access at some properties, at least in Asia – and personally only Asia is relevant for me. I did get occasional upgrades with Gold myself, but never got lounge.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inte...ng-points.html
If by 'Asia' you mean 'Greater China' then lounge access is supposed to be a Spire benefit for CPs and Hualuxe, and with some careful booking of the right bonus point rates, you can often hit Spire without that many nights.
https://loyaltylobby.com/2017/03/22/...g-kong-taiwan/
While IHG status is not nearly as hackable as it used to be for lack of a better term, there are still a few shortcuts and loopholes available.
Apr 19, 2018, 8:17 pm
#34
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Princeton, NJ; Lviv Ukraine
Programs: UA 3.6MM, AF/KL Lifetime Plat, BA Gold, AA 1MM, IC Spire RA, Kimpton IC, Marriott Plat, et alia
Posts: 2,732
Apr 19, 2018, 11:42 pm
#35
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Taiwan
Programs: IHG Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, oneworld Emerald
Posts: 1,164
Since I live in Taiwan, I don't need a hotel here, and China is not a typical place to go for me. Hong Kong – yes, but recently I just make 1 day transits if I want to buy something or need do some banking stuff, and leave by night or stay at HKG lounges and leave by morning
Apr 20, 2018, 7:45 am
#36
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Global Entry
Posts: 2,855
I don't hate it. I just wish there was a more premium option similar to the Aspire. If they are serious with getting into the more upscale business, they will need it.
Apr 20, 2018, 8:04 am
#37
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,879
What would you like to see included in a premium option? If IHG wants a more upscale business, they need to start with their properties and benefits...not the CC.
Apr 20, 2018, 9:29 pm
#38
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 905
Yes, I'll be staying with IHG more frequently as a consequence of the Marriott changes. I've never bothered much about status levels in the IHG program ( mostly because the benefits have been limp and ill-defined), but I do keep Platinum Ambassador.
The attraction with IHG for me is in the ease of earning points for redemption rather than status benefits.
My only hesitation is that I find the IHG app, and the IT system more broadly, a major nightmare/minefield/disaster zone.
The attraction with IHG for me is in the ease of earning points for redemption rather than status benefits.
My only hesitation is that I find the IHG app, and the IT system more broadly, a major nightmare/minefield/disaster zone.
Apr 21, 2018, 4:13 am
#39
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Taiwan
Programs: IHG Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, oneworld Emerald
Posts: 1,164
Apr 21, 2018, 10:37 am
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,965
All the changes (MR/SPG side + the IHG credit card side) are happening at the same time. I have never taken IHG seriously because of poor elite benefits, especially at IC without Ambassador. On top of that, their promotions are very greedy - the more you stay, the higher the goals.
Apr 21, 2018, 8:34 pm
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
And also about the same time that Club Carlson rebranded to Radisson Rewards (early March 2018)!
But the big difference is that (in general terms) the MR/SPG merger was announced long ago, and HH dumping Citi was announced last summer, while the IHG credit card changes (as well as the Radisson Rewards rebranding) came with hardly any advance notice.
Apr 22, 2018, 12:40 am
#43
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Yes, I'll be staying with IHG more frequently as a consequence of the Marriott changes. I've never bothered much about status levels in the IHG program ( mostly because the benefits have been limp and ill-defined), but I do keep Platinum Ambassador.
The attraction with IHG for me is in the ease of earning points for redemption rather than status benefits.
My only hesitation is that I find the IHG app, and the IT system more broadly, a major nightmare/minefield/disaster zone.
The attraction with IHG for me is in the ease of earning points for redemption rather than status benefits.
My only hesitation is that I find the IHG app, and the IT system more broadly, a major nightmare/minefield/disaster zone.
Apr 22, 2018, 5:50 am
#44
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 905
If I do persevere with IHG and book something, more often than not I don't get a reminder email or calendar notification of the forthcoming stay ( but invariably get them with SPG, HH, Hyatt)
I've liked most of the IHG properties in which I've stayed ( in an airport one now) and still see pretty good value in them, lousy benefits notwithstanding. IMO, the lower rates and good promotions compensate for lower benefits. Maybe those benefits 'firm up' higher up the IHG ladder but I'm only PLT Ambassador ( but even at that level there is recognition, including non-ICs).
Apr 22, 2018, 9:03 pm
#45
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Bangkok, Thailand. No longer Palm Coast, FL though still exiled, again, from the Bay Area.
Programs: Only the good ones
Posts: 5,153
Could be opposite for me, a few IHG nights -> MR (SPG Brands) nights
Reason is existing MR-Gold gives no value during last year of linking MR Gold - SPG Gold (unlike reverse link SPG-Gold to MR Gold), despite MR-Gold needed 50nights being enough for SPG-Plat.
Come Aug2018, earned (current/old) MR-Golds become New MR-Platinum and then staying at SPG will give lounge+upgrades, although it is really just lounge access that I look for. Resulting in an opportunity that i can give a few IHG stays to the SPG brands during 4Q2018
Reason is existing MR-Gold gives no value during last year of linking MR Gold - SPG Gold (unlike reverse link SPG-Gold to MR Gold), despite MR-Gold needed 50nights being enough for SPG-Plat.
Come Aug2018, earned (current/old) MR-Golds become New MR-Platinum and then staying at SPG will give lounge+upgrades, although it is really just lounge access that I look for. Resulting in an opportunity that i can give a few IHG stays to the SPG brands during 4Q2018