Changes to Ambassador from 1st March 2019 (now confirmed)
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. Below is the information I got hold of on December 9th, a training material from a Chinese IC hotel (there are 46 of them so do not attempt to guess which one...lol). I have typed every word I saw from the document in the wiki, it is as below:
For Royal Ambassadors, the new benefits starts from 1st FEB 2019 will be:
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR STAYS IN GREATER CHINA ONLY: • One complimentary breakfast every night you stay • 15% discount on restaurants and bars |
Originally Posted by chongcao
(Post 30519008)
Ambassador programme will change on 1st March 2019. Some changes are categorised as below:
Good news: - One free breakfast for all Ambassador members staying in Intercontinental - Guaranteed Platinum membership when acquire Ambassador membership - Complimentary weekend voucher will be delivered via E-certificate rather than paper, but no date for this new benefit yet Some bad news - Welcome fruit and Ambassador welcome gift will be changed to welcome fruit ONLY - No more unlimited free mini bar for Royal Ambassador, but a credit of US$50 daily and a cap of USD$200 for the stay - Earliest check in time is 10am, no longer 8am for RA Some big changes, there is a new thing called Ambassador Benefit Guarantee: - 4pm late check out is guaranteed for Ambassador members, otherwise a voucher of USD$50 or 10000 points will be given - Room Upgrade Guarantee: if no upgrade, USD$50 credit or 10000 points will be given (More room categories at certain hotels, any one?) - For RAs, if no Club Lounge access available, the member will give be given a USD$100 credit for F&B and Spa treatment PER NIGHT - Also for RAs, if no Club Lounge available, member will get TWO free full breakfasts daily in hotel restaurant, that is on top of the $100 daily credit Something extra for RAs: No resort fees/destination fees/Amenity fees whatsoever it is called nowadays. No reason to doubt what you say. But it all seems rather silly: you'd think they'd want to make the programme more attractive rather than antagonise members while creating more work and confrontation on the minibar front. |
Originally Posted by IAN-UK
(Post 30519188)
No reason to doubt what you say. But it all seems rather silly: you'd think they'd want to make the programme more attractive rather than antagonise members while creating more work and confrontation on the minibar front.
|
Why only 1 free breakfast ?
If im with someone in the room i want 2 free breakfasts. Also...is that 1 free breakfast every single day im in the hotel, or just 1 per stay ? |
Originally Posted by est-gratuite
(Post 30519270)
Why only 1 free breakfast ?
If im with someone in the room i want 2 free breakfasts. Also...is that 1 free breakfast every single day im in the hotel, or just 1 per stay ? I don't have information about 2 people stay in a room yet. Presumably if both are ambassadors then both should be given breakfast. Otherwise it is the hotels call. The new benefit only guarantee a free breakfast for ambassador member. I am sorry that I can not answer your question in this regards but I would assume the worst of IHG. |
Originally Posted by chongcao
(Post 30519008)
Some big changes, there is a new thing called Ambassador Benefit Guarantee:
- For RAs, if no Club Lounge access available, the member will give be given a USD$100 credit for F&B and Spa treatment PER NIGHT - Also for RAs, if no Club Lounge available, member will get TWO free full breakfasts daily in hotel restaurant, that is on top of the $100 daily credit |
I'd be happy with a free breakfast, even if it's just one. That's one of the main reasons I book at Hilton over IC's.
What concerns me is the "out" given for a lack of late-checkout or upgrade. What if properties start to decide that as a business practice it's easier/cheaper/better to give the "penalty" than to truly honor the benefit? I can see this going down a slippery slope. |
That info sounds a lot like what I was being told a few weeks ago by a club lounge manger apart from the breakfast part, I have to say I don't like the sound of the mini bar cap I spent 14 nights during my last stay in Hua Hin!!! also the if no upgrade part sounds like if the hotel is busy they will just try to avoid the upgrade especially if there is a big jump in price between booked room type and a nice suite.
Lots to think about in the new year..... |
ok, as RA ,I now just need book the usd100-150 IC's that lack a lounge.
o usd50/day minibar credit o usd100/day f+b/spa credit (so use for minibar above $50, lunch/dinner/drinks) o foc restraunt breakfast ?? <== 50% of IC's on corp rate include breakfast anyway BUT usd200/stay minibar cap is useless on a longer stay, so every 5th night swap for 1night at eg nearby Marriott . I often stay 9nights, weekend/weekdays/weekend, won't happen under new minibar cap I have an IC stay starting tomorrow, Tues 11th Dec at one of my regulars, so i guess i'll be asking too |
Source ? |
Originally Posted by Cielito_
(Post 30519970)
Source ? Also i book clubrooms despite free lounge to get a suite, often even 1cat up is then well over usd50m plus club is 100usd or more than entry level room. I'd be disgusted with a 50usd credit, in lieu of expected suite upgrade over 50usd extra for a club room, and doesnt compensate for a zero upgrade |
Originally Posted by scubaccr
(Post 30519950)
BUT
usd200/stay minibar cap is useless on a longer stay, so every 5th night swap for 1night at eg nearby Marriott . I often stay 9nights, weekend/weekdays/weekend, won't happen under new minibar cap |
Originally Posted by scubaccr
(Post 30520037)
there is definitely some changes coming, but i think exactly what is still subject to talks+agreement between IHG and hotels, and already differences from earlier chatter, eg usd200 cap sounds more like it comes from hotels pushing back than IHG, IHG would otherwise implement 1st Jan (or 1st Feb) at stat of new RA year
Also i book clubrooms despite free lounge to get a suite, often even 1cat up is then well over usd50m plus club is 100usd or more than entry level room. I'd be disgusted with a 50usd credit, in lieu of expected suite upgrade over 50usd extra for a club room, and doesnt compensate for a zero upgrade I have a few nights at the O2 next week so will see what the chatter is like there but I think it will be much the same as I heard in Thailand a few weeks back. |
Originally Posted by Raynyan
(Post 30520091)
Me too. But my most biggest shock is 8AM early check-in will be changed to 10AM... |
Originally Posted by Cielito_
(Post 30519970)
Source ? |
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