Ambassador free weekend night - Sydney Intercontinental

[muppet]

I was looking to use my IHG Ambassador free weekend night certificate at Sydney Intercontinental and noticed that for every weekend it is blocked out for a Friday night.

Rooms are available, just not for checkin on a Friday using the free weekend night certificate - i.e. you can only use it to checking Saturday and checkout Monday.

Is this really a thing or am I doing it wrong. It doesn’t seem to be in the spirit of this program?

 

[The-Aviator]

I'm only a new Ambassador member myself so hopefully someone else can provide more insight, but I think it's ultimately up to the hotel what they want to offer and in this case the Sydney InterContinental is only allowing check-in on Saturday nights, at least for this date range.

Bit frustrating as I too would have liked to have checked out the newly renovated hotel for a Friday/Saturday night stay!

 

[NM]

I think its all about how busy the hotel is on any weekend night as to whether they offer the Ambassador Complimentary Weekend Night rate. If they are busy on the Friday night then they may restrict availability to Saturday/Sunday nights. I understand how frustrating it would be trying to redeem a published benefit, but I doubt there is much you can do other than call the hotel and ask if they can accommodate your request.

 

[eric2011]

The BOGO gives you the first night at the room rate and the second night is free. IC SYD is traditionally very busy on Saturday nights. What I am thinking is why would they charge say $300 for a Friday and give you a Saturday room (valued at $600 ) free. Total return for them $300. Much better for them to block out Friday, Charge you $600 for Saturday and give you Sunday for free. Total return for them $600. (Room prices are a guesstimate)
Only my 2 cents worth

Post automatically merged: Nov 29, 2022

I think its all about how busy the hotel is on any weekend night as to whether they offer the Ambassador Complimentary Weekend Night rate. If they are busy on the Friday night then they may restrict availability to Saturday/Sunday nights. I understand how frustrating it would be trying to redeem a published benefit, but I doubt there is much you can do other than call the hotel and ask if they can accommodate your request.

As an Ambassador don't we have a dedicated phone number to access the ambassador program. I've had a quick Man look but cant find it

 

[drron]

It is not unusual when booking at short notice and especially this time of year lots of Christmas parties etc.
Happened to me twice at the IC Sanctuary Cove. So on the next occasion - covid basically prevented travel- i booked a few months before and no problem.

 

[eric2011]

It is not unusual when booking at short notice and especially this time of year lots of Christmas parties etc.
Happened to me twice at the IC Sanctuary Cove. So on the next occasion - covid basically prevented travel- i booked a few months before and no problem.

I've never had a problem with Sanctuary Cove and normally will get a suite upgrade as well

 

[muppet]

Apologies all, I probably wasn’t clear in my OP.

It is every Friday, from now until the end of time. You can never book a Friday using this certificate at Sydney Intercontinental.

Does that still seem reasonable and in the spirit of the Ambassador program?

Below is when using the AMB Certificate rate and “searching for available dates”:

 

[KayKay]

I'm only a new Ambassador member myself so hopefully someone else can provide more insight, but I think it's ultimately up to the hotel what they want to offer and in this case the Sydney InterContinental is only allowing check-in on Saturday nights, at least for this date range.

Bit frustrating as I too would have liked to have checked out the newly renovated hotel for a Friday/Saturday night stay!

 

[KayKay]

I was looking to use my IHG Ambassador free weekend night certificate at Sydney Intercontinental and noticed that for every weekend it is blocked out for a Friday night.

Rooms are available, just not for checkin on a Friday using the free weekend night certificate - i.e. you can only use it to checking Saturday and checkout Monday.

Is this really a thing or am I doing it wrong. It doesn’t seem to be in the spirit of this program?

I agree. It seems to be harder to use the ambassador free night. I love Sydney intercontinental and in the past have used my certificate for the club eastern harbour view which I adore. I also gave up on Sydney and just an hour ago booked for Adelaide which had a weekend available end of March. I have used it before in Adelaide and found the hotel does give you a nice upgrade. Previous this year I had been trying unsuccessfully to use my BOGO for Sydney. I’m not sure why it’s becoming so hard

 

[drron]

Too many Ambassadors?

 

[muppet]

Too many Ambassadors?

Possibly, personally I think Sydney Intercontinental is just blocking them out. I’ve had no issues redeeming the Weekend Free Nights in much more expensive and popular hotels around the world. I’ve even used it on New Year’s Eve in Singapore and this year on 31 December in Melbourne.

 

[gaz0303]

I used my free night for a Fri/Sat stay recently. Shame if this the new standard. Work experience kid in IHG IT over zealous blocking out week nights?

 

[eric2011]

Whilst IC SYD can be hard to get ive never had a problem with the IC Double Bay

 

[Gold Member]

I used my free night for a Fri/Sat stay recently. Shame if this the new standard. Work experience kid in IHG IT over zealous blocking out week nights?

I can assure that this approach is very deliberate. It would have been carefully analysed and implemented in discussions with Revenue Management and the GM to maximise profit. Each property takes the law into their own hands with respect to interpretation and availing any Loyalty benefits (such as BOGO Certs) and this is just another example of exploitation against the intention of IHG’s Amb BOGO cert.

 

[Rick93]

Apparently, there will be a 'grand re-opening' of the Club Lounge at Sydney, on 28th. December.

I will be trying for an AMB BOGO next year, before expiry in November 2023.

I had a great experience ( food and drink wise ) at Double Bay a few months ago. No prob for a Fri. to Sunday.

Cost me $618. for two nights (two of us ), and we consumed a massive $1,000. plus, in food and drinks in the Club Lounge.

We even invited two friends in on the Sat. night, for just $75. for both guests. They must have consumed around $400. between them !!

 

[Gold Member]

I had a great experience ( food and drink wise ) at Double Bay a few months ago. No prob for a Fri. to Sunday.

Cost me $618. for two nights (two of us ), and we consumed a massive $1,000. plus, in food and drinks in the Club Lounge.

I can’t find any pictures or booking options for a Club room at the IC DB on ihg.com Or the property’s IC website. Do you know if they upgrade IC Ambassadors/Diamond from a level lower category room to club room, and if so which room type?

 

[SYD]

I can’t find any pictures or booking options for a Club room at the IC DB on ihg.com Or the property’s IC website. Do you know if they upgrade IC Ambassadors/Diamond from a level lower category room to club room, and if so which room type?

The description of the Suites mentions “Lounge access”.

 

[exceladdict]

The IC SYD (not double bay) was great when we stayed there recently.

No harm in sending through an email to the IC Ambassador service desk - choose whether to play dumb (i'm trying to claim this but I can't, can you help me) vs go the complaint route, but it can't hurt to ask if you genuinely want to book it and have a date in mind