Ambassador

[davidsilver]

I read that when purchasing Ambassador you are enrolled at IHG Gold Elite level. If you're already Platinum Elite you would obviously stay at that level.

If it looks likely that you won't retain Platinum elite and purchase Ambassador, do they keep you at that level or would you drop accordingly to Gold for the next year?

 

[samh004]

I would imagine you drop to Gold, but have not been in this situation (yet).

 

[oz_mark]

There are anecdotes around that suggest you stay at the level - although there is nothing official that I have seen about this.

 

[eric2011]

2 years ago I got to Spire level (in my own right) and my ambassador membership. Last year I only managed to get to Platinum level but when I bought (re-newed) my Ambassador membership I retained Spire. This year I am only getting to Platinum level again and my account shows I will retain my current level (spire) until end of 2018. Who knows what happens in the IHG camp.

As an aside......You get absolutely no extra perks for Spire that you get for Platinum. Certainly wouldn't go the extra mile to obtain it

 

[docjames]

I was Plat when I enrolled to Ambassador.

I'm still Plat. Some years, I "earn" Plat. Some years I don't. It seems you remain at level at enrolment!

 

[eric2011]

I was Plat when I enrolled to Ambassador.

I'm still Plat. Some years, I "earn" Plat. Some years I don't. It seems you remain at level at enrolment!

I was Plat when I joined Ambassador and then earned my way to Spire. Are you suggesting that I will always remain Spire as long as I remain enrolled in Ambassador

 

[Mick1969]

I was Plat when I joined Ambassador and then earned my way to Spire. Are you suggesting that I will always remain Spire as long as I remain enrolled in Ambassador

My wife renewed Ambassador last year and got an additional year of Spire, still a few months away from renewal but I would be surprised if it happens again.

 

[docjames]

No idea, I haven't budged from Plat despite not qualifying some years of Amb membership.

 

[samh004]

As an aside......You get absolutely no extra perks for Spire that you get for Platinum. Certainly wouldn't go the extra mile to obtain it

The 50% extra points for stays, and the increased chance of upgrades when in a non-InterContinental would be nice, but I can understand why it's not actually a big difference.

My wife renewed Ambassador last year and got an additional year of Spire, still a few months away from renewal but I would be surprised if it happens again.

You would or wouldn't be surprised?

It certainly seems like Ambassador is the ticket to everlasting top-tier membership, however as I am 50 nights or the equivalent of USD$4670 worth of spend (46,700 points short) away from the level, I don't think I'll be pushing myself towards it this year, or future years for that matter!

 

[Steady]

I am Spire Elite and aside from the 50% and initial welcome bonus points I don't think it has been much of anything - I am going to drop back at the end of this year, and I am considering joining ambassador to keep it - even though I cannot believe I am
The illogical lure of status

If the spire elite 'Exclusive Choice Benefit upon receiving status' is annual, and ambassador keeps me at the same level indefinitely, the bonus points will keep it all going until the rules change

 

[Mick1969]

You would or wouldn't be surprised?

I would be pleasantly surprised although as others have stated, there are no real benefits to Spire as an Ambassador member. I find the Ambassador value to be quite good and both my wife and I have purchased this as we have not always travelled at the same time. So far we have received excellent value on the Weekend Night certificate.

 

[dairyfloss]

I was Plat when I enrolled to Ambassador.

I'm still Plat. Some years, I "earn" Plat. Some years I don't. It seems you remain at level at enrolment!

Same here - I've probably made it to Plat on qualifying points (40K) in half of the years, but definitely only Gold (10K) on others. Have remained a Platinum Ambassador throughout.

 

[Mick1969]

Renewed the wife's Ambassador today and Spire is now showing until 31 Dec 2019.

 

[eric2011]

Renewed the wife's Ambassador today and Spire is now showing until 31 Dec 2019.

Allthough my membership isn't due till end of Feb next year I plan to re-new soon and hopefully I will stay Spire even thou I should go down to Plat

 

[Fifa]

I recently renewed and the expiry of my Spire Elite is also 13 Dec 2019.

 

[eric2011]

Allthough my membership isn't due till end of Feb next year I plan to re-new soon and hopefully I will stay Spire even thou I should go down to Plat

Just renewed and instantly my Spire membership updated to 31st Dec 2019 even though I had only just made it to requal for plat. that's twice it has happened so it appears as long as you renew your ambassador prior to your expiry date you will retain whatever level you were on

 

[fall502]

Currently a Platinum and my Elite Status Expiration Date is 31 Dec 2018. When I renewed my Elite Status Expiration Date changed to 31 Dec 2019 and my card now shows Platinum Ambassador expiring Dec-2018. Did not qualify for Platinum this year or last.

 

[samh004]

Pretty much confirmed now... I know that Spire doesn't give a lot more, if anything sometimes, but it sort of makes me want to strive for Spire one year and so long as I keep renewing my Ambassador I get to keep top-tier status and any advantages it brings.

 

[Mick1969]

Pretty much confirmed now... I know that Spire doesn't give a lot more, if anything sometimes, but it sort of makes me want to strive for Spire one year and so long as I keep renewing my Ambassador I get to keep top-tier status and any advantages it brings.

I do like the new 10am check in for non-Intercontinental IHG properties for Spire.

 

[Steady]

I’m Spire but haven’t traveled much this year so would drop back to whatever the base level is, after seeing this thread I have decided to sign up for Ambassador for a year or two.