Not so Royal anymore

[Barondupon]

In the middle of last year I was fortunate enough to be made a Royal Ambassador (the coronation ceremony was something to behold). Naturally I was quite stoked but felt it was justified given 80+ nights over 35+ stays over the previous 12 months plus another 150 nights of business brought to the hotel.

In January (IHG run on a calendar year) I was summarily stripped of my royalness without reason. The hotel management have told me that the criteria changed and that you needed to stay across multiple establishments across multiple continents to qualify. This is strange - to give someone something and make such a big deal of it and then to strip it off them within 6 months?

Fortunately the management of the establishment that I stay at have recognised this and continue to treat me well (and to the RA standard).

Has anyone else faced this?

 

[markis10]

You have always needed three different ICs, is that your problem?

 

[Barondupon]

I got it staying at one primarily and one night in another (both in Australia) - so technically I should never have been awarded it in the first place?

The Ts & Cs state:

10. Royal Ambassador Status: Royal Ambassador status is the highest level of status and entitles Priority Club Rewards members to additional benefits at InterContinental Hotels and Resorts. Royal Ambassador status is granted to Priority Club Rewards members by invitation and at Priority Club Rewards’ sole discretion. Priority Club Rewards reserves the right to limit the number of members with Royal Ambassador status.

In the FAQs they state :
How do I achieve Royal Ambassador status?Royal Ambassador status is extended by invitation only to a small percentage of InterContinental Ambassador guests, based on the number of nights they have stayed during the past year.

Nothing about qualification?

 

[Rick93]

but is what the OP saying, that he was 'stripped' of his status within a twelve month period, for allegedly not 'sleeping around enough' ( joke ) ...

so, if one gets 'referred' to RA in say, October, and gets the upgraded Membership through in November ... come January the following year ( ? two months ), would the RA status be removed ??

 

[markis10]

I got it staying at one primarily and one night in another (both in Australia) - so technically I should never have been awarded it in the first place?

The Ts & Cs state:

10. Royal Ambassador Status: Royal Ambassador status is the highest level of status and entitles Priority Club Rewards members to additional benefits at InterContinental Hotels and Resorts. Royal Ambassador status is granted to Priority Club Rewards members by invitation and at Priority Club Rewards’ sole discretion. Priority Club Rewards reserves the right to limit the number of members with Royal Ambassador status.

In the FAQs they state :
How do I achieve Royal Ambassador status?Royal Ambassador status is extended by invitation only to a small percentage of InterContinental Ambassador guests, based on the number of nights they have stayed during the past year.

Nothing about qualification?

Qualification is always a mystery, however on two occasions I have qualified only after a third IC stay is posted. Referrals are another way, however this will dry up soon as certificate availability will be limited to those making RA for the first time ver from last Feb on.

 

[Jama]

Referrals are another way, however this will dry up soon as certificate availability will be limited to those making RA for the first time ver from last Feb on.

I'm sorry to hear that. I had hoped that I might be able to get a referral from one of our kind members one day. But, with the referrals being limited this way, the chances of getting one will be significantly reduced.