Permanent platinum status?
Dec 2, 2018, 12:06 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 5
Permanent platinum status?
I used to be IHG platinum some years ago (maybe 4 or 5 years ago I estimate) as well as a royal ambassador. However I stopped travelling so assumed I would now have lost all status. I checked today as I am starting to travel again and am still platinum. How could this be so? Surely I should have slipped down to the lowest level?
Dec 2, 2018, 12:23 pm
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: M&S, Radisson
Posts: 758
Have you continued to renew Ambassador? That would explain why you kept your status.
Another possibility is you got the status by virtue of a CC. Although, that seems a little far-fetched as you would probably be aware if you had a credit card which grants IHG elite status.
Another possibility is you got the status by virtue of a CC. Although, that seems a little far-fetched as you would probably be aware if you had a credit card which grants IHG elite status.
Dec 2, 2018, 12:26 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 74
I've had IHG grant me a "bump" to platinum twice, during years when I traveled a bit less than normal. Basically, I was close, but not quite to platinum, and they gave it to me the next year. each time, however, I earned it via points in the following year. I can't imagine they did that if you had no travel for a couple years.
Also, there's always the tried and true "error in your favor" where they just didn't catch it, and update it in the system.
Also, there's always the tried and true "error in your favor" where they just didn't catch it, and update it in the system.
Dec 2, 2018, 1:27 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TPE / HSZ
Programs: CX GO (=SPH), IHG Diamond Amb, Hertz 5*, Accor, Hilton, National
Posts: 6,437
Did you buy Holiday Inn Club Vacation timeshare (or whatever that is called)? I heard that if you bought it, you are granted Platinum for life.
Dec 2, 2018, 1:51 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 5
No credit card and no timeshare - didn’t know they did timeshares. I was a royal ambassador for a year or so, maybe 2, but that was ages ago and I certainly haven’t payed anything for many years. I haven’t requested a ‘bump’ and haven’t stayed with intercontinental for years!
Whilst not wishing to be too Matrix, it sounds like I maybe the anomaly.
Whilst not wishing to be too Matrix, it sounds like I maybe the anomaly.
Dec 2, 2018, 2:33 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,040
Shhhh... The first rule of Fight Club is: You do not talk about Fight Club. The second rule of Fight Club is: You do not talk about Fight Club!
I don't know whether it's intentional or not, but Platinum status does tend to be a bit "sticky" once you get it - you probably do need a handful of nights per year though.
I don't know whether it's intentional or not, but Platinum status does tend to be a bit "sticky" once you get it - you probably do need a handful of nights per year though.
Dec 2, 2018, 3:18 pm
#7
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
No credit card and no timeshare - didn’t know they did timeshares. I was a royal ambassador for a year or so, maybe 2, but that was ages ago and I certainly haven’t payed anything for many years. I haven’t requested a ‘bump’ and haven’t stayed with intercontinental for years!
Whilst not wishing to be too Matrix, it sounds like I maybe the anomaly.
Whilst not wishing to be too Matrix, it sounds like I maybe the anomaly.
a)no points activity in prev 12months
b)if elite status gold/plat/spire you escape losing, but if no nights expect to lose status the next 1st January, and points 1st Jan year after losing status
c)IHG as hard rule not to restore such points (except reinstatement was allowed the first 1-10 months after implementing)
Dec 3, 2018, 12:34 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 5
i do have a few points. Hardly any at all rally. I had a look at my account and my last stay is in face jan 2015 - I forgot that I had stayed in a HiE. The only entries are zero points for Kimtpn Karma what ever that is in dec17 and IHG rewards club fulfilment, again nil points, in May 18.
Sounds like my best course of action is to shut up and keep my head down.
Sounds like my best course of action is to shut up and keep my head down.
Dec 3, 2018, 2:52 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: AA Plat Pto, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,536
Interesting. I did not requalify for Plat in ~2014 and IHG had me dropped to Gold (earned) by January 10. Also had a family member lose all points due to 12 month rule so the rules are applied at least sometimes.
Enjoy the surprise status!
Enjoy the surprise status!
Dec 6, 2018, 12:53 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,770
Given how little Spire is often worh when you actually earn it year on year, is platinum actually worth very much beyond a free drink? I might get excited about permanent RA or marginally even Spire but permanent IHG Plat ranks down in the basement compared to permanent Marriott Plat or Hilton Diamond.
Dec 6, 2018, 5:10 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
Given how little Spire is often worh when you actually earn it year on year, is platinum actually worth very much beyond a free drink? I might get excited about permanent RA or marginally even Spire but permanent IHG Plat ranks down in the basement compared to permanent Marriott Plat or Hilton Diamond.
Mostly its just some extra points here and there.
Those of us in the USA can get IHG Plat just for holding a credit card that's essentially free (it gives an annual free night certificate which for most people is worth more than the annual fee on the card). There's no point in dropping the card as long as you can make good use of that free night certificate each year, so it's pretty close to "permanent" Platinum status for those who intend to hold that credit card "forever".