IHG Ambassador benefits at Crowne Plaza?
Nov 1, 2019, 6:29 am
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,901
IHG Ambassador benefits at Crowne Plaza?
I'm new to the program. I signed up for Ambassador status so I can try it at some ICs around the world. IHG Ambassador also comes with IHG Platinum right? My account shows Platinum Ambassador. Anyways, I checked-in at the Crowne Plaza Beijing Wangfujing and I was a bit disappointed with what I got. The FD told me she can upgrade my room, which she did, and gave me a plate of fruits. No breakfast. No lounge access. I'm not even sure she have me 4 PM check-out so I'll have to ask again later tonight. I'm thinking of asking the manage and see if I can get more. Am I out of line here? Anything more I can get? I feel like I should have just sent to a Marriott or Hilton instead.
Nov 1, 2019, 7:29 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 123
Ambassador only refers to Intercontinental Hotels. Nothing to do with a Crowne Plaza.
Platinum is the benefit that you have in relation to a Crowne Plaza. If you got a meaningful upgrade, that's excellent for Platinum.
As a Spire member, the only tangible benefits I expect are 100% bonus points, and asking for a later checkout. That being said, apparently the Greater China region is more generous than Europe (I mainly stay in Europe).
In Europe, I would never expect Lounge access or Breakfast. Somebody more familiar with the China area can confirm this though
You need to think of Platinum and Spire as a points collection programme for Reward Stays. It's otherwise a terrible programme (RA / Ambassador with IC Hotels excluded from that statement). It's relatively easy to get free hotel nights via the reward points.
Platinum is the benefit that you have in relation to a Crowne Plaza. If you got a meaningful upgrade, that's excellent for Platinum.
As a Spire member, the only tangible benefits I expect are 100% bonus points, and asking for a later checkout. That being said, apparently the Greater China region is more generous than Europe (I mainly stay in Europe).
In Europe, I would never expect Lounge access or Breakfast. Somebody more familiar with the China area can confirm this though
You need to think of Platinum and Spire as a points collection programme for Reward Stays. It's otherwise a terrible programme (RA / Ambassador with IC Hotels excluded from that statement). It's relatively easy to get free hotel nights via the reward points.
Nov 1, 2019, 7:54 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
The top tier of IHG is Spire. In China lounge access is only offered to Spire. Lounge access for Platinum is extremely rare nowadays and free breakfast is rare for any member.
Nov 1, 2019, 8:29 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,901
Ambassador only refers to Intercontinental Hotels. Nothing to do with a Crowne Plaza.
Platinum is the benefit that you have in relation to a Crowne Plaza. If you got a meaningful upgrade, that's excellent for Platinum.
As a Spire member, the only tangible benefits I expect are 100% bonus points, and asking for a later checkout. That being said, apparently the Greater China region is more generous than Europe (I mainly stay in Europe).
In Europe, I would never expect Lounge access or Breakfast. Somebody more familiar with the China area can confirm this though
You need to think of Platinum and Spire as a points collection programme for Reward Stays. It's otherwise a terrible programme (RA / Ambassador with IC Hotels excluded from that statement). It's relatively easy to get free hotel nights via the reward points.
Platinum is the benefit that you have in relation to a Crowne Plaza. If you got a meaningful upgrade, that's excellent for Platinum.
As a Spire member, the only tangible benefits I expect are 100% bonus points, and asking for a later checkout. That being said, apparently the Greater China region is more generous than Europe (I mainly stay in Europe).
In Europe, I would never expect Lounge access or Breakfast. Somebody more familiar with the China area can confirm this though
You need to think of Platinum and Spire as a points collection programme for Reward Stays. It's otherwise a terrible programme (RA / Ambassador with IC Hotels excluded from that statement). It's relatively easy to get free hotel nights via the reward points.
I thought even Platinum got something more than just a room upgrade in China. It's not just IHG, but supposedly all programs does elite recognition better in China than in US/Europe.
Just to be clear, with my Ambassador start, I get free breakfast and lounge access at any ICs in the world?
Nov 1, 2019, 8:33 am
#5
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,901
Free breakfast is rare for Platinum as well in China? So how do I know I got the right amount of points for my stay? Makes me wonder if I should have went with Holiday Inn or IC in Beijing instead. At least I'll save some money with HI.
Nov 1, 2019, 8:36 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,487
Free breakfast for ONE person at IC properties in greater China is a new Ambassador benefit as of this year. It doesn't apply to properties outside of the region, and lounge access is not a benefit for Ambassadors.
Nov 1, 2019, 8:46 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: LAS, ZQN
Programs: UA PP (2MM), BA gold
Posts: 2,202
Nov 1, 2019, 8:50 am
#8
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,901
Oh, gotcha and does this include HK as part of greater China? I meant to say status, but guess my phone’s autocorrect didn’t do a good job.
Nov 1, 2019, 8:55 am
#9
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,901
Nov 1, 2019, 9:06 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2019
Programs: IC Amb, IHG Plat
Posts: 34