Dec 10, 2018, 4:07 pm
Last edit by: FlyerTalker688786
Ambassador programme will change on 1st February 2019. This will start with Royal Ambassador's benefits. Then, all other Ambassador will have new benefits from 1st March 2019.
For Royal Ambassadors, the new benefits starts from 1st FEB 2019 will be:
For all other Ambassadors, the new benefit starts on 1st MARCH 2019:
• One complimentary breakfast every night you stay
• 15% discount on restaurants and bars
AMBASSADOR BENEFIT GURANTEE work as bellow:
For Royal Ambassadors, the new benefits starts from 1st FEB 2019 will be:
- EARLY CHECK-IN from 10AM (instead of 8AM)
- ONE COMPLIMENTARY BREAKFAST FOR EVERY NIGHT YOU STAY [
CONFIRMED AS IN GREATER CHINA REGION ONLY,On 1st March, it seems IHG quietly made a U-turn again, now this benefit only APPLIES TO IC HOTELS IN MAINLAND CHINA ONLY, Hong Kong IC hotels are excluded on the last minute U-turn.] - UP TO TWO COMPLIMENTARY FULL BREAKFASTS PER DAY IF THERE IS NO CLUB LOUNGE
- UPTO 50USD/200RMB/400HKD MINIBAR CREDIT PER DAY (200USD/800RMB/1600HKD PER STAY MAX)
- WAIVED DESTINATION/AMENITY FEES
- COMPLIMENTARY WEEKEND NIGHT CERTIFICATE WITH E-DELIVERY
- AMBASSADOR BENEFIT GUARANTEE (See below)
- [Officially Added Benefits] FREE NIGHTS AT AN IHG PROPERTY (capped at 70K points value)
- [Officially Added Benefits] HERTZ GOLD PLUS REWARDS PRESIDENTS' CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP
For all other Ambassadors, the new benefit starts on 1st MARCH 2019:
- GUARANTEED PLATINUM ELITE STATUS IN IHG REWARDS CLUB
- ONE COMPLIMENTARY BREAKFAST FOR EVERY NIGHT YOU STAY <== Only for Greater China Stays !
- COMPLIMENTARY WEEKEND NIGHT CERTIFICATE WITH E-DELIVERY
- WELCOME FRUIT PLATTER (instead of welcome fruits and gifts) <== Only for Greater China Stays !
- AMBASSADOR BENEFIT GUARANTEE
• One complimentary breakfast every night you stay
• 15% discount on restaurants and bars
AMBASSADOR BENEFIT GURANTEE work as bellow:
- Guaranteed Room Upgrade: Member must be given a food and beverage or Spa credit up to USD50, or 10,000 IHG Rewards Club points per stay, applies to InterContinental Ambassador and Royal Ambassador only;
- 16:00 (4p.m.) Late Check-out: Member must be given a food and beverage or Spa credit up to USD50, or 10,000 IHG Rewards Club points per stay, applies to InterContinental Ambassador and Royal Ambassador only;
- New Club InterContinental Lounge Access or alternative Club experience: Member must be given a food and beverage or Spa credit of USD100 per night, not exceeding the Club InterContinental upgrade supplement value, applies to Royal Ambassador only.
Changes to Ambassador from 1st March 2019 (now confirmed)
Dec 18, 2018, 12:21 am
#166
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,591
I don't know about most people, but currently I ask for late checkout only once in a while. Maybe one in ten stays. But if this is true, I will be requesting late checkout EVERY STAY. Even if I have no intention of checking out late. I will be collecting $50 or points every time I am denied.
Dec 18, 2018, 12:30 am
#167
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: HH Dia, IHG Dia Amb, MB Ti, WoH G, OWE
Posts: 270
Neither happy nor upset with the "enhancement". But atleast I can be Lifetime Platinum Elite just by renewing my AMB without meet yearly nights/EQP requirement. Now focusing on HH Diamond which always granted my room upgrade and complimentary breakfast mostly anywhere.
Dec 18, 2018, 2:22 am
#168
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Taiwan
Programs: IHG Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, oneworld Emerald
Posts: 1,164
Dec 18, 2018, 3:37 am
#169
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: UK
Programs: IHG
Posts: 1,316
Considering that pretty much every travel loyalty change ever is a devaluation, I will take what I can get here. For regular Amb, if I can actually get the $20 drink credit for each stay, I'm coming out ahead. However, that says "up to," so I;m not counting on it. Everything else appears about the same. Sure I am a bit concerned about hotels "buying their way out of benefits". I really don't think they want to do that though. Especially not as a best practice.
For as much as the RAs don't want to hear it, the heavy minibar drinkers don't appear to be as coveted as they think they are. These kinds of changes are generally to take a benefit in which only a very small percentage of customers, account for a significant portion of the expense.
For as much as the RAs don't want to hear it, the heavy minibar drinkers don't appear to be as coveted as they think they are. These kinds of changes are generally to take a benefit in which only a very small percentage of customers, account for a significant portion of the expense.
The $20 drink credit is actually a devaluation. For example, you can stay at IC Park Lane and they will give you a drinks voucher that is good for 2 people and you can each have a cocktail or glass of champagne that sell for $30 each.
Dec 18, 2018, 4:07 am
#170
Moderator, SkyTeam and Germany
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: FRA/STR/NUE
Programs: BA, LH, KL, EY, IHG, Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, Radisson
Posts: 5,946
Hmm... when staying in a single room, the 20$ voucher might cover a "free" breakfast. When staying as a couple, I will definitely try and chose a Marriott/starwood or Hilton stay with free elite breakfast for two. Did it in the past, will continue to do so where there is a choice.
Nothing in the new enhancements overly positive or negative, it seems to be a change that is pretty neutral. And with all the changes to the negative side everywhere this is welcome.
Nothing in the new enhancements overly positive or negative, it seems to be a change that is pretty neutral. And with all the changes to the negative side everywhere this is welcome.
Dec 18, 2018, 5:35 am
#171
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Netherlands
Programs: SQ S, IHG Diamond/Amb, Accor S
Posts: 703
Dec 18, 2018, 5:42 am
#172
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Global Entry
Posts: 2,825
Nothing is stopping them from still giving that to you, the same way nothing required them to give it to you previously. At best, I am lucky to get bogo drink vouchers in most of my IC stays. That requires me to buy drinks. a $20 credit could allow me to enjoy 2 drinks for free, without having to buy 2 more. $20 could also cover to bulk of the highly coveted breakfast bill. You know, that thing where people will pay more for their stay to get a "free" breakfast. Still, this language is "up to $20."
Dec 18, 2018, 7:14 am
#173
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriott Titanium, Wyndham Diamond, Caesar's Diamond
Posts: 536
I see details in the OP about the compensation included in the new guarantee for ambassador benefits, and I see many references in this thread about the $50, but I don't see those details in either the ambassador T&C or the email that was sent out officially announcing the program "enhancements." Can anyone verify that the $50 credit is actually and officially a thing?
Dec 18, 2018, 7:56 am
#174
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: SAS Diamond, Hilton Diamond, IHG RA Spire
Posts: 423
Dec 18, 2018, 8:21 am
#175
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Taiwan
Programs: IHG Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, oneworld Emerald
Posts: 1,164
https://loyaltylobby.com/2018/12/18/...019-confirmed/
A copy of the much talked about document.
A copy of the much talked about document.
This is a very bad change in fact.
Dec 18, 2018, 8:28 am
#176
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: TLV/LHR
Programs: BA GGL, IHG Diamond Elite Amb, HH Diamond, Avis PC, Hertz PC, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 12,948
Dec 18, 2018, 8:49 am
#177
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,363
Not good news is it .... very surprised at the narrowness of the thinking.
I can't see much to be greatly enthused at and only things that might encourage one to consider the future budget and where it goes. I get looked after well at regular haunts. All the same, this does not encourage spend loyalty going forward.
Dec 18, 2018, 1:05 pm
#178
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: London
Programs: Infinity Milage Lands Gold,Star Alliance Gold, IHG Diamond RA, Kimpton Inner Circle
Posts: 370
Thanks for posting.
Not good news is it .... very surprised at the narrowness of the thinking.
I can't see much to be greatly enthused at and only things that might encourage one to consider the future budget and where it goes. I get looked after well at regular haunts. All the same, this does not encourage spend loyalty going forward.
Not good news is it .... very surprised at the narrowness of the thinking.
I can't see much to be greatly enthused at and only things that might encourage one to consider the future budget and where it goes. I get looked after well at regular haunts. All the same, this does not encourage spend loyalty going forward.
Dec 18, 2018, 2:35 pm
#179
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Europe
Programs: Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, Accor, Hyatt, (Former IHG Ambassador)
Posts: 1,382
Dec 18, 2018, 2:36 pm
#180
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Europe
Programs: Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, Accor, Hyatt, (Former IHG Ambassador)
Posts: 1,382
IHG seems like they want to get rid of the ambassador program altogether, but for whatever reason they can't do this now, so instead they are making it as sh*tty as possible.