IHG Rewards Club Spire Elite members can enjoy richer benefits for stays in Greater China (China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) than elsewhere. IHG has now updated the benefits matrix for the region.
The program has no guaranteed benefits for elite members such as early/late check-out, breakfast, or lounge access beyond 100% base points bonus outside of this area.
You can access IHG’s page for Spire Elite GC benefits here.
READ MORE: IHG Rewards Club Rate & Bonus Points And Miles Promotions
Here’s the benefits matrix:
Spire Elite members are eligible for the Club Lounge-access in the area plus F&B vouchers and/or welcome amenities and drinks depending on the brand.
Here’s the small print:
1Food & Beverage Voucher is not provided to Spire Elite Members in Rgent Taipei. Food & Beverage Voucher cannot be used in in-room dining and in-room mini bar in Regent Chongqing.
2InterContinental® Royal Ambassadors who stay at InterContinental® Hotels and Resorts will enjoy enriched amenities – exclusive Club InterContinental® Access.
3Food & Beverage voucher can be used to buy beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) from restaurant, Honor bar, and in-room mini bar at the Kimpton Da An.
4Club Lounge has designated relaxation, light dining and meeting areas. Club lounge services and operation hours may vary at different IHG® properties, please contact Front Desk staff for more information.
5If you have booked a Club Room or room rate including Club Lounge Access at Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts or HUALUXE® Hotels and Resorts, you will be offered a food and beverage voucher valued at RMB 90.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, there are minimal confirmable elite benefits for IHG Rewards Club members.
If members care about early/late check-outs, complimentary breakfast, and lounge access, they should look into Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, Accor ALL, and World of Hyatt programs.
Fair enough. While YMMV, there is amazing service in southern China, not the north. As an in-country Dutch IHG F&B trainer explained, the south is managed more professionally partly owing to the legacy of their managers being trained outside of China, even as far as Australia. Personally, I can’t get enough of the Crowne Plazas or Intercons in the south. Starting at Hangzhou and going north, however, I no longer stay at IHG unless it’s a good deal/sale or convenient. Too much in your face penny pinching and ‘thriftiness’ which negates the loyalty program as useless. I’ve been physically monitored like a 4 year old pouring my first drink in the lounge, even if lounges even exist at some HIs anymore. Shanghai hotels can be unpleasant with poorly trained staff. I’ve not stayed at Intercons north of Hangzhou, however.
IHG is a second class hotel operator. They expect our patronage, but nothing to keep us coming back. Intercontinental Bangkok refused me lounge access unless I paid a supplement on to of the nearly $300 room rate. Intercontinental Cairo is nothing more than a dust ridden slum. Head chef departed and housekeeping staff never seemed to get the room cleaned despite multiple meetings with management.