IHG Rewards launched a much-awaited top-tier Spire Elite status back in 2015 (read more here) with a promise of new benefits that would soon be introduced but which never materialized (still waiting six years later) outside of the Greater China (read more here).
It seems to have come as a surprise to many when I mentioned on the recent InterContinental Ambassador renewal piece that buying or renewing the paid membership also renews your Spire Elite status. I thought that this was widely known.
You can access IHG’s page for buying or renewing Ambassador membership here.
Note that the Ambassador status itself comes with the Platinum-elite tier with IHG Rewards. If you, however, have Spire Elite status, it automatically extends it instead.
Spire Elite Benefits:
The main Spire Elite benefits over Platinum are 100% bonus on points + yearly 25,000 points gift + better upgrades.
Here are our two previous pieces about this issue:
IHG Rewards Club Spire Elite Status Extension When Buying Ambassador Membership
IHG Rewards Club Spire Elite Status Extensions For Ambassador Renewals Or Sign Ups
The current Ambassador buy or renew promotion:
IHG InterContinental Ambassador Sign Up & Renew Promotion Until July 31, 2021
Spire Elite Choice 2021 (like in previous years):
IHG Rewards Spire Elite Choice 2021: 25,000 Bonus Points Or Gift Platinum Status
Spire Elite enhanced Greater China benefits:
IHG Rewards Enhanced Spire Elite Greater China Benefits
Conclusion
You have to remember that IHG and Ambassador programs have never communicated that this Spire Elite renewal would be part of the program. It can be discontinued without any prior notice.
It has been going on for years, however. Probably the cheapest way to renew Spire Elite than paying for overpriced Bonus Points Packages.
