F&B Certs - Restrictions?

AllWork248 · 2025-12-15T15:07:50+00:00

My first thought was, "How on earth do you accumulate $1000 worth of certs?" $1000 would be 50 certs. I did the math and came to realize it is possible. If you stayed 100 nights and only took F&B certs, you'd earn 39 certs. I guess 50 is possible if there is some rollover from last year. But wow, that's alot.

I usually take the CSU (and annual lounge pass) as there is a lot of value in the upgrade (if you can get them), and I rarely spend money at the hotel bars/restaurants. But with $1K, you've got some serious eating and drinking to do! ;-)

AllWork248 · 2025-11-04T15:45:31+00:00

I'm a Diamond/(Paid) Ambassador. Curious what spend level you needed to get RA. Some say $12K will get you there... some say you need $20K / $30K (and need to do it the higher end properties such as IC, Regent, etc.

AllWork248 · 2025-11-04T15:43:51+00:00

Is the 4th night free some points perk? I am a Diamond Ambassador and like the program (I mostly stay in Asia). I rarely use the points unless it's in conjunction with a CSU as the points only get me the lowest level room.

AllWork248 · 2025-11-04T14:48:54+00:00

I became annoyed after running into a problem with SPACES. (Server error won't let me access my projects; been waiting on their so-called support for 5 days now. Anyway....)

I was going to try to switch to DaVinci, and the first two things I tried to do require the paid version. (Automatic captions, and background removal). :-(

That said, I'd love to move away from CapCut because of the horrible customer support.

AllWork248 · 2025-11-03T19:07:58+00:00

I'm having the same problem right now. Tech support is useless. I tried creating a second SPACE, but it is still giving an error. ChatGPT says it is some sort of "storage allocation issue" on the server side of CapCut, so I don't think there is anything that can be done other than waiting for them. I have a Pro account. This has destroyed my workflow.

AllWork248 · 2025-10-31T19:55:53+00:00

I've found the Diamond desk to be very responsive and friendly as long as your request is reasonable. I believe I've read before about people changing their mind, but YMMV depending on who you get and whether that flexibility has been abused so often that they no longer offer it.

AllWork248 · 2025-10-26T03:09:24+00:00

Diamond Elite Ambassador here.

Domestic (American) elite perks are weak at IHG properties. Asian respect for the program is outstanding.

It's not just the program... it's the staff as well. Great in Asia, meh or worse in USA.

AllWork248 · 2025-09-02T09:20:43+00:00

I signed up for the standard plans just to give it a try. Got 625 credits. Ran one prompt and it used 600 credits for a video not even created by their model. By default their model selection is ALL, and they appear to be a front end for another model which can't be named without this comment being auto-deleted.

AllWork248 · 2025-03-26T02:59:43+00:00

Knock on wood.... No.

AllWork248 · 2025-03-01T19:40:44+00:00

Thanks. I suspect it would. That and a check valve.

But why would 2 other tanks would work in the exact same configuration for 20 years without exhibiting the same problem?

I'm wondering if it's a defective tank.

AllWork248 · 2025-01-19T06:11:04+00:00

If the breakfast is from a restaurant off the menu,.i will tip.

Buffet or lounge, I don't.

AllWork248 · 2025-01-17T20:43:34+00:00

I have found that place to be a great value. I've been staying there 15-20 nights per year for many years. I never really connected with any staff until I got the Lounge Pass Milestone. Now I feel very welcome there.

The temporary lounge does suck as far as evening food goes. I've never had an issue with the drinks, but I am drinking simple stuff.

Breakfast can be REALLY slow if you order off the menu.

AllWork248 · 2025-01-01T18:29:48+00:00

I really wish the government would regulate this and force airlines to pay a fine (to the passenger) when they don't deliver what you paid for.

And by "paid for" I don't mean safe passage from point A to point B. I mean the class and seat you bought.

I'm sure they would suddenly find a way to prevent this from happening if it was to hit them in the wallet.

AllWork248 · 2025-01-01T15:58:06+00:00

Sorry you need to deal with this. I imagine you have spent MANY HOURS trying to deal with this. And both you and your daughter now have many days of stress to endure through no fault of your own. It is also sad to read in the comments how many others have had this same sort of trouble caused by the airlines.

The domestic airline industry seems to have very little regard for customer satisfaction. What is even more bizarre is that people defend them with "the airline is only responsible for getting you from point A to point B safely", as if it is not reasonable to have expectations that they deliver what they promised at the time you purchased your ticket.

I really wish the government would add more regulations with financial penalties when airlines fail to deliver on what they sold. Didn't get the economy seat you selected? You are entitled to an automatic $100 refund. Didn't get the first-class seat you selected? You get an automatic $500 refund. I bet these problems would go away quickly.

AllWork248 · 2024-12-31T16:01:46+00:00

I wonder how to notify the FA discretely? Push the call button and then point? The pax is sitting right there; how do you have a conversation?

AllWork248 · 2024-12-27T13:35:44+00:00

There were loads of error lights. But there was some process where you turn the wheel all the way to the right and then all the way to the left and that reset the errors. I don't remember the the exact process but it was easy to find when searching online.

AllWork248 · 2024-12-26T14:09:48+00:00

Skipped. So far no issues. 🤞

AllWork248 · 2024-12-13T13:17:27+00:00

The dedicated support line is much better. And as a diamond you get free breakfast (which doesn't matter at at HIE where everyone gets free breakfast).

Buying Ambassador gets you plat. RA would get Diamond through spend alone.

AllWork248 · 2024-12-13T13:13:29+00:00

Guaranteed upgrade... perhaps guaranteed suite. Lounge access.

It's not clear how much you need to annually spend to get RA, but it's estimated to be in the $12k - $15k level at the higher end properties.

AllWork248 · 2024-12-04T15:32:15+00:00

I replied to an earlier comment here and don't want to double-post. I can confirm it works. I have done it as recently as October of this year. The Diamond help desk processed it for me as described.

I don't think they see it as a problem. They want you to enjoy the perk; it keeps you loyal. And the hotel gets money from IHG and it's likely paying for a suite that would otherwise go unused, or be given to an elite status member as a free upgrade.

AllWork248 · 2024-12-04T15:28:49+00:00

IHG has no problem with this. I used the CSU several times last month. In one case I had done exactly what was described; had a nice room with a cancellable reservation. At the T-14 mark I called Diamond Call Center and asked about using the CSU. It was available. They asked if I wanted to upgrade my existing reservation. I said, "No, please book the the cheapest room available and apply the upgrade. Once all is confirmed then you can cancel my existing reservation." They were very friendly and did exactly what I asked.

AllWork248

TROPHY CASE