Congrats for making it to the Ambassador level by Aug 1! Assuming you have 100 nights between the 2 programs and hit the $20K spend threshold by then, you will have earned PlatPremier100 Ambassador status. Or if you hit 100 nights entirely with SPG hotels by end of this year.

You now will get Your24...but you will also get much better and more likely suite upgrades from properties that have more suites (i.e. higher end properties). As a Plat100 Ambassador for the last 4 years, I’ve had incredible upgrades. I’m sure to tell my Ambassador that I prefer the greatest suite ugrades for when I travel with my husband for leisure so she doesn’t waste her time fighting to upgrades when I travel alone or for work. But everyone has different preferences, priorities, and travel patterns. Make sure you discuss your expectations and hopes with your Ambassador when you’re assigned; that can help greatly. Silently hoping for something that your Ambassador never knows won’t do you much good! (Also, if you stay at midscale and even upscale hotels that don’t have many suites proportionally and don’t offer really high levels of service, you may not notice the difference much; it’s at the better and best hotels where having the Ambassador perk really can shine with regard to suite upgrades and generally feeling/being treated more VIP at hotels.)

Your Ambassador can also fix things, find things, request things for you for all hotels. If you have concierge requests, you no longer need to find the concierge email address and can just email (or call) your Ambassador, who can submit those for you. It’s nice to have the central point of contact. Even when I contact people myself, I always copy my Ambassador so she’s aware of what’s going on and what I am needing.

You’re welcome to PM me if you have any other questions.

I assume RC Reserve will never be part of the loyalty program. They are intended as super premium properties to compete with the likes of Aman, Peninsula, MO, etc.

I am a major fan of StR and LuxColl but just stayed Easter weekend at the RC Boston since I’d had issues at the Liberty last year. Had a very nice stay, got upgraded a suite category, though my air con didn’t work in the upgraded suite so had to downgrade back to the originally booked suite. Still, a very nice stay, and I’d return when in Boston. But stayed 2 weeks later and had an excellent stay, comparably excellent service (and better air con) at the W Boston, along with the Wow Suite upgrade.

I missed the StR butler coffee and packing/unpacking service at the RC, so I’d likely choose StR over RC when given the choice. For those who like lounges, however, the RC Club level may be a deciding factor in the RC favor. I don’t care about lounges, so the StR is still my preference.

But there are many RC in locations that lack a StR or LuxColl property, so I’d be eager to try the RC when in those locations.

Next month, I’ll be at both the LuxColl Suiran Kyoto (5 nights award stay) and RC Kyoto (2 nights award stay) during my SPG burn points trip to Japan.