Intercontinental Ambassador discussion

[trippin_the_rift]

Have not bothered with AMB for a while now, ever since they watered down the benefits for RA. The free mini bar was great at places like BKK where the spirits were 700mo bottles in the suites, same for the top floor in ADL. It was hard to even hit the three different ICs domestically when it was just SYD and PER for RA, a lot more choice these days

Do you still need to buy AMB after the invitation to RA?

 

[markis10]

Do you still need to buy AMB after the invitation to RA?

No , but you need to be one to get an invite, once RA further invites can be triggered with the spend

 

[Ktan89]

I've used the free weekend night stay earlier this year (or I think i did) but can still see it in the app wallet. Safe to say I can use it?
Anyone here recently used the free night and see it disappear from their wallet?

 

[Verbal]

I've used the free weekend night stay earlier this year (or I think i did) but can still see it in the app wallet. Safe to say I can use it?
Anyone here recently used the free night and see it disappear from their wallet?

Yes, I used my free night last month at IC Singapore and it no longer appears in my rewards wallet.

 

[Ktan89]

Yes, I used my free night last month at IC Singapore and it no longer appears in my rewards wallet.

Thank you Verbal. I might have a glitch then.. or im going crazy haha
Will try to use mine before the 31/12/25 expiry

 

[oz_mark]

Yes, I used my free night last month at IC Singapore and it no longer appears in my rewards wallet.

They usually get removed around the time of the stay (and in my case, have always gone, never had a stray one stay around)

 

[Aeryn]

I archived IHG Diamond in 2022 due to lots of travel and some double nights offers, this meant I had that until end on 2023, in 2024 I dropped to Platinum and then to Gold in 2025.

Knowing Id have a few more IGH stays this year I purchased IC Ambassador primarily to benefit from extra points for stays and upgrades from being Platinum once more after dropping to silver.

Im not a huge fan of IC hotels, preferring more modern Indigo, Voco and the occasional Crowne Plaza but was sure Id find someway to use the free weekend IC night. So before buying I looked at Sydney and Coogee ICs to check they had nights, as worst case would do a staycation. They did so I went ahead with the Ambassador purchase ahead of my CP stay in Christchurch last week.

Now when I go to make a booking today (only just over a week later) I find there is not one single Fri/Sat/Sun free night at the IC Coogee for the whole of the next 12 months; and very limited IC Sydney stays and then only if the nights are Sat + Sun (so checking out on a Monday before going to work) - no Fri/Sat for the whole year. I not interested in Double Bay, as it looks very very dated and isnt where Id want to do a staycation.

I feel a bit ripped off. My known international trips for this year dont have IC nearby; that just leaves Melbourne, but the IC Melbourne looks dated, dark and overpriced for the location, compared to the experience one would have at the Voco (free sparkling water, plentiful upgrades and great location) or even the new Indigo.

I guess I have 11 months to go so can keep monitoring the IC Sydney and Coogee to see if something new opens up.

 

[kerfuffle]

Now when I go to make a booking today (only just over a week later) I find there is not one single Fri/Sat/Sun free night at the IC Coogee for the whole of the next 12 months; and very limited IC Sydney stays and then only if the nights are Sat + Sun (so checking out on a Monday before going to work) - no Fri/Sat for the whole year. I not interested in Double Bay, as it looks very very dated and isnt where Id want to do a staycation.

IC Sydney has been notorious for not letting people use their Ambassador Complimentary Night on a stay starting on a Friday

 

[Aeryn]

It would be better if the IGH paid program was more like the Accor one where you can stay at any of the brands.

So cheeky there are no stays at all at Coogee. I will be in Brisbane at some point but ive heard IC Brisbane is also lower quality than the Indigo.

 

[oz_mark]

Picked a date in June and seems ok for Coogee

 

[Beer_budget]

Picked a date in June and seems ok for Coogee

I couldn't find a Friday or Saturday that didn't have availability at IC Coogee through the end of the year.

IC Brisbane is fine but dated; I will definitely be back once they're far enough into the renovation to reasonably expect an updated room.

 

[kerfuffle]

I use mine at IC Adelaide during the Mad March long weekend every year

 

[Aeryn]

No matter what dates I selected for Coogee yesterday it said not available, and i clicked on the link for available dates and there were none. Might have been a temporary glitch as there were plenty the week before.

Anyway looks like Im far better off using one of my Accor stay plus night at Sofitel DH on the weekend I want (Fri & Sat) and just sit on the IC voucher to see what might come up later in the year.

The weekend Im in Melbourne I can pay outright for 2 nights at the Voco I hotel I love for less than 1 night at the IC in order to use the free night - so that wont be happening.

 

[Beer_budget]

No matter what dates I selected for Coogee yesterday it said not available, and i clicked on the link for available dates and there were none. Might have been a temporary glitch as there were plenty the week before.

Anyway looks like Im far better off using one of my Accor stay plus night at Sofitel DH on the weekend I want (Fri & Sat) and just sit on the IC voucher to see what might come up later in the year.

The weekend Im in Melbourne I can pay outright for 2 nights at the Voco I hotel I love for less than 1 night at the IC in order to use the free night - so that wont be happening.

The look up page defaults to one night but doesn't show availability unless you set it to two nights - could that be the issue? It's a dumb setting but it's tripped me up before.

 

[TheRealTMA]

IC Sydney has been notorious for not letting people use their Ambassador Complimentary Night on a stay starting on a Friday

Yes it’s very poor. The ambassador free we night should be mandatory at every IC. It’s really misrepresentation by IC, particularly at IC Sydney.

Just like IC Sydney has only non-refundable rates for many weeks, whereas Sam’s room booked through Amex is generally fully refundable until a few days out.