Intercontinental Ambassador discussion

[Lynda2475]

I fell from Diamond to Platinum this year; as they discontinued the Diamond extension a day before I was planning to purchase Ambassador.

I just got the Ambassador offer too, but little point in taking it up til next year (when I'll fall to Gold) and only if there is not another good status match happening at the time and I have decent number of IHG stays.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I have often wondered what the "ambassador" was. Now I know, I have been invited to join Intercontinental Ambassador at USD200 or 40,000 point. Is this a one-off or P.A? Is it worth it? How often do you need to stay to make it worth while?

It’s per year and in reality doesn’t give you that much. Free weekend night one is the perks generally means you are paying more than you would on discounted rate. We had ambassador and platinum for a few years but in the end decided not to renew ambassador. I suggest you try it for a year and see. Some hotels give you extra perks but many don’t.

 

[NM]

It does come with automatic Platinum (always did) but the Diamond hack will be missed - only ever to to use that once…

Also, didn’t the fee just go up (or about to) to US$225?

The fee goes up in October. Still US$200 or 40000 points if renewed before then

 

[DC3]

Yes

Not just yet though. October, according to my recent “invite”.

 

[DC3]

… I have been invited to join Intercontinental Ambassador at USD200 or 40,000 point …

I received an “invite” as well. I’d say that it’s just from a mailing list.

 

[Austman]

The fee goes up in October. Still US$200 or 40000 points if renewed before then

But how to renew early if you are an Ambassador until after then?

 

[NM]

But how to renew early if you are an Ambassador until after then?

Try going here:

https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/ambassador/gb/en/enrollment/payment

You should be prompted to log in to IHG account and that is where you can choose to pay with points or USD. But it may not be available to your account if not due in the next month.

 

[dairyfloss]

Try going here:

https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/ambassador/gb/en/enrollment/payment

You should be prompted to log in to IHG account and that is where you can choose to pay with points or USD. But it may not be available to your account if not due in the next month.

It’s possible to do this inside of 92 days from expiration of your current membership.

After 10+ years of renewing (all using points from stays), I’m letting mine go.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[bussyboy]

Does the booking using the Free Weekend Night count as an 'eligible stay' and earn the usual points?

 

[drron]

Does the booking using the Free Weekend Night count as an 'eligible stay' and earn the usual points?

Yes an eligible stay and nights. the base points are also eligible points. earning is the same as any other booking.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I won't be bothering to renew it now that Ambassador doesn't renew Diamond.

I missed that lurk unfortunately.

Also, didn’t the fee just go up (or about to) to US$225?

Did the AUD just drop as well ?

 

[MJ_/\_]

Did the AUD just drop as well ?

...I think it is still in free fall

Oct 2nd is the date the price goes up from what I have read

 

[RichardMEL]

Just noting that the renewal page comes up basically blank for me no matter what browser or device I use. Frustrating.

 

[bussyboy]

Question for current/previous ambassadors about their experience: using the Complimentary Weekend night, is it genuinely the second night that's complimentary - even if it is the more expensive of the two nights??

i.e. will just be the $820.87 room charge, not averaging the rates, or cheaper night free? Seems a little generous and hard to believe (though fair enough given the markup from public rates).

Spoiler: T&Cs when booking on IHG.com

Ambassador Complimentary Weekend Night: Valid on the second night of a paid stay on the Ambassador Weekend Rate. The full cost of all booked nights will be displayed upon your reservation, but the second weekend night will be credited to your bill at check-in when a valid ID and IHG® One Rewards number are presented. This special rate is available for Ambassador and Royal Ambassadors, only with a valid complimentary night benefit that is not expired or already redeemed.

 

[kerfuffle]

Question for current/previous ambassadors about their experience: using the Complimentary Weekend night, is it genuinely the second night that's complimentary - even if it is the more expensive of the two nights??

Yes. My Saturday night is always more expensive than my Friday night

 

[Aeryn]

IHG keep spamming me to join Ambassador but the benefits seem questionable, given the free night has to be used at an IC (and not other IHG brands which for me are preferable) and Platinum dosnt get free breaky, just a welcome drink I dont see that it is worth it. Im one who is generally happy to stay in the room I book.

 

[kerfuffle]

IHG keep spamming me to join Ambassador but the benefits seem questionable,

I do like using the 4 p.m. checkout and AUD25 food & beverage credit. But yes, makes more sense if you stay at ICs a lot to take advantage.

 

[oz_mark]

IHG keep spamming me to join Ambassador but the benefits seem questionable, given the free night has to be used at an IC (and not other IHG brands which for me are preferable) and Platinum dosnt get free breaky, just a welcome drink I dont see that it is worth it. Im one who is generally happy to stay in the room I book.

If you don't stay at ICs there's probably no benefit in it. I find the once a year weekend night certificate works for me, and the other bits and bobs help.

Only worth buying of you can use the benefits

 

[bussyboy]

Useful for retain platinum imo, the ic reward night is an annual splurge in a suite and/or club room for me

 

[markis10]

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