IHG Rewards Club Elite Member Welcome Amenity Update

Early February, I wrote (access here) about changes that IHG Rewards Club was implementing to the “Surprise & Delight” welcome amenity program.

Gold, Platinum and Spire Elite members can choose between drink of their (sometimes limited) choice OR bonus points. Both the drink and the number of points given are dependent of one’s status with IHG.

You can access IHG Rewards Club here.

READ MORE: IHG Rewards Club Rate & Bonus Points And Miles Promotions

This was the first time I saw the updated drink voucher when checking in to the InterContinental Asiana hotel in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

Here’s the new design:

Previously, there was no distinction what beverage member would get (at least I am not aware of that there would have been).

Old design:

Here’s the response last month from the IHG Rewards Club spokesperson:

In which regions is Surprise & Delight is now valid?

IHG® Rewards Club Elite members are offered a choice of Welcome Amenity upon check-in to thank them and recognize their loyalty. The enhanced Welcome Amenity offers will take effect on February 1, 2017, in the U.S., Canada, AMEA and Europe regions. An enhanced Welcome Amenity will launch in Mexico, the Caribbean and Greater China at a later date.

The F&B amenity or points per tier: Gold, Platinum & Spire

Elite members are given a choice of points or a food & beverage option upon check-in. The specific Welcome Amenity varies by brand and region.

Wasn’t the points amount also dependent of the IHG brand?

The number of points offered as a Welcome Amenity varies by both brand and status level (i.e., Gold Elite, Platinum Elite and Spire Elite).

Conclusion

Seems that InterContinental Asiana in Saigon has implemented the changes made to the Royal Ambassador and the amenity program by the book. This is the first time that I have seen this updated drink voucher coupon (only one per room regardless number of guests).

Also, the property used to provide BOTH the suite and the club access for Royal Ambassador members. Now it is only two category upgrade with club access. These program changes don’t always work in our favor at all hotels.

I do like the updated coupon. Just weird that the drink choice is dependent of one’s program status.