seat38a

So I spent one night at the Kimpton Rowan in Palm Springs this weekend. I was status matched from my Marriott Titanium to Spire Elite. I already knew that IHG club reward didn't come close to their competitors but I found out the hard way that late checkout isn't a guaranteed. It's only for Ambassadors at Intercontinental properties which I am and have been granted no problem. My mistake for assuming that late checkouts for Spire Elites was a guarantee.

So no free breakfast, no lounges and no late checkout. Why bother?

Personally I'm even letting my Ambassador membership lapse and not renewing this year. I'll stick to Marriott Bonvoy for my hotel stays and one offs I'll use Hilton with my Gold Status. Can anyone on here who tries to achieve Spire Elite status chime in on why you do other than say if you'r captive to IHG?

craigthemif

Because some people have companies paying for breakfast, lounge access, etc. Therefore Spire (+Accelerate) gets you lots of extra bonus points. If you get to book your own business travel, the highest cashback rates are usually also found with IHG.

Some IHG hotels are generous with upgrades. Personally, I prefer guaranteed benefits, but some people are happy with the lottery.

Graf von B

seat38a

Another thing, I realized over this weekend was how low tech they are. For example, just for the extra hour or two change in late checkout, I had to go down to the front desk to have the keys all recoded again. So after being granted 1, 2 and then 3 extra hours, I had to go down three times to have the keys recoded.

jtc246

I don't make any effort to keep spire, the best benefit, as mentioned above is earning free nights faster. FWIW I seem to be treated best at Crowne Plaza's, but I have no idea if that is just luck of the draw, or some policy.

Super Mario

Multiple reasons. The biggest being 1.) I have gotten the best reward redemptions with IHG. 2.) Mariott is almost always more money than IHG. I'm not going to spend hundreds more on stays for "free" breakfasts and lounge visits. I can buy alcohol and breakfast, better ones at that, and still come out ahead financially by staying at IHG vs Mariott.

"Free" is so overrated. Marriott has some great perks, but you pay for it.

seat38a

What are we comparing here? Holiday Inn to Four Points? Crown Plaza to Sheraton??

joe_miami

This is how keycards work at every hotel at which I've ever stayed.

seat38a

Never once have I had to go down to the front desk to get my keycard recoded at a Marriott Property for requesting late checkout. You request it on your app, and its set. Or call front desk. But then again, with the guaranteed 4PM checkout for elites, I'm guessing they figured this out a while ago to not have to deal with the hassle and annoynace.

QtownDave

I’m Spire and don’t remember ever not getting late check out when requested. I’m happy enough with them and use them along with Hilton depending on property.

Super Mario

I won't argue that Mariott has a LOT more aspirational properties. However, nearly every time I have done a like for like comparison, Mariott was more money. Even their low-level Fairfields are normally $10-$15 more than a holiday inn (express).

seat38a

Which brands? Obviously you've been winning the at the game. The first time I needed it, I was denied.

joe_miami

seat38a

Yeah after being denied the first time, and then brining up the Spire card.

seat38a

Thats my other gripe with the program. I thought it was odd that I had to buy into Ambassador for Intercontinental, which I did for two years. Then I found out that there's another program inside program with Kimpton. I'm guessing there are others who like it the way it is. Not a fan myself of this multiple program inside of program.