Ambassador

[oz_mark]

One thing to keep in mind - while that status will extend, if you do not actually 'earn' Spire (ie it is gifted), you will not get the 25,000 points gift for earning Spire

 

[eric2011]

I’m Spire but haven’t traveled much this year so would drop back to whatever the base level is, after seeing this thread I have decided to sign up for Ambassador for a year or two.

Almost guarantee that if you sigh up before the anniversary of your spire membership you will retain it (YMMV)
If not you will only drop to Plat

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

I was Plat when I enrolled to Ambassador.

I'm still Plat. Some years, I "earn" Plat. Some years I don't. It seems you remain at level at enrolment!

I was Platinum IHG Rewards. I joined Ambassador. My target set to retain Platinum was 10 nights or 10,000 points ( elite). Which I thought was strange BUT I'm not knocking it.

 

[samh004]

I do like the new 10am check in for non-Intercontinental IHG properties for Spire.

While that's a great 'written' benefit, you can sometimes get that if a hotel isn't too busy anyway. For example, I've turned up at the SYD IC twice at 0800, once they gave me my room straight away, the next time I had to wait till the regular time. But certainly, it would be a nice benefit for non-IC hotels. Perhaps I'll consider bonus elite points next year with my rooms to aim for Spire. For example, I've already got a room booked for Anaheim next year that has a 5000-point bonus for $35 extra, I'd only have to book another 14 nights in that way to capitalise.

 

[SIA1A]

I've been an Ambassador for many years but I am starting to question its value,given the arrival of my annual renewal notice.

Renewals in recent years have been priced at US$150 and included a 10,000 point bonus voucher. This year (2018), no voucher is included but I have the option of paying US$200 instead of US$150. If I pay $200 I will receive a 15,000 point bonus, suggesting that 10,000 points is worth US$33.33 (or 1,000 points is worth $3.33). If I want the same renewal benefits as in 2017, my renewal cost has in essence jumped by $33.33, or 22.2%. The points purchase price is pretty good but all the same, this is a sneaky way to push the membership fee up. I note that if I was to purchase points from the IHG website, 15,000 points would cost US$172.50, valuing 1,000 points at $11.50, 345% more expensive than the points offer available at renewal time. Going down the US$200 renewal track also gets me a refund of 10% of the points required to purchase Rewards rooms, should I decide to use points for rooms.

Another alternative offered to me is to renew at a cost of 40,000 points (renewing via this method does not confer any other special benefits, ie it's the same as renewing for US$150). This values 1,000 points at US$3.75, slightly better than the price for buying points via the US$200 renewal option but nowhere near the price of points purchased via the IHG website.

Another problem: It's becoming more expensive to use Rewards points for free nights. At the InterContinental Sydney, for example, basic Rewards rooms now cost 40,000 points + ~$115. There's no longer an option to have a 'free' night at this hotel in exchange for rewards points. Rewards points now simply provide a discount off the price of a room, not a zero dollar cost room.

Disappointing.

 

[oz_mark]

Another problem: It's becoming more expensive to use Rewards points for free nights. At the InterContinental Sydney, for example, basic Rewards rooms now cost 40,000 points + ~$115. There's no longer an option to have a 'free' night at this hotel in exchange for rewards points. Rewards points now simply provide a discount off the price of a room, not a zero dollar cost room.

Disappointing.

Award night are available for 60000 points and no cash.

 

[dairyfloss]

I've been an Ambassador for many years but I am starting to question its value,given the arrival of my annual renewal notice.

Renewals in recent years have been priced at US$150 and included a 10,000 point bonus voucher. This year (2018), no voucher is included but I have the option of paying US$200 instead of US$150. If I pay $200 I will receive a 15,000 point bonus, suggesting that 10,000 points is worth US$33.33 (or 1,000 points is worth $3.33). If I want the same renewal benefits as in 2017, my renewal cost has in essence jumped by $33.33, or 22.2%. The points purchase price is pretty good but all the same, this is a sneaky way to push the membership fee up. I note that if I was to purchase points from the IHG website, 15,000 points would cost US$172.50, valuing 1,000 points at $11.50, 345% more expensive than the points offer available at renewal time. Going down the US$200 renewal track also gets me a refund of 10% of the points required to purchase Rewards rooms, should I decide to use points for rooms.

Another alternative offered to me is to renew at a cost of 40,000 points (renewing via this method does not confer any other special benefits, ie it's the same as renewing for US$150). This values 1,000 points at US$3.75, slightly better than the price for buying points via the US$200 renewal option but nowhere near the price of points purchased via the IHG website.

Another problem: It's becoming more expensive to use Rewards points for free nights. At the InterContinental Sydney, for example, basic Rewards rooms now cost 40,000 points + ~$115. There's no longer an option to have a 'free' night at this hotel in exchange for rewards points. Rewards points now simply provide a discount off the price of a room, not a zero dollar cost room.

Disappointing.

Perhaps things have changed in 2018, or I got lucky, but I renewed Ambassador in December using 24,000 points. With that renewal, I received a voucher code for 10,000 points, plus I got a 5,000 point bonus as a part of my Accelerate bonus, so the end price was 9,000 points. My IHG Platinum Elite clock was reset and a month added to take me out to March 2019 (I was on Feb before that)

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[oz_mark]

Ambassador enrolments and renewals increased in price on Jan 18, 2018.

 

[dairyfloss]

Ambassador enrolments and renewals increased in price on Jan 18, 2018.

Glad I got in, in December then!

 

[Rick93]

I just Renewed my AMB status ...

Went for the $US200. option.

The 15,000 points credits to your account in a few seconds ( no voucher required ).

Will be interesting to see, if they 'stuff up' and send me a voucher for more points, along with the AMB Cert / BOGO !!

( I received a rebate of 18,000 points last year, for taking a few Rewards Nights. I feel this is the best option for me ).

 

[Solid]

I received an email yesterday saying that if I join up to Ambassador I will get Platinum status.

I’m currently gold, from what I’ve read you are meant to be matched to your status, but the email is quite specific.

Anyone received anything like this before?

 

[eric2011]

I received an email yesterday saying that if I join up to Ambassador I will get Platinum status.

I’m currently gold, from what I’ve read you are meant to be matched to your status, but the email is quite specific.

Anyone received anything like this before?

From what i can remember when you join up they will comp you to the next tier and every year when you re-join you will go 1 tier hire then where you are meant to be. (if you know what i mean)

 

[Solid]

Thanks @eric2011

 

[eric2011]

Thanks @eric2011

For the past 2 years I have had received Spire elite membership when I really only qualify for Platinum so I think it does work however YMMV

 

[Solid]

Will give it a go, only new to the IHG game but do a reasonable amount of business travel so time to consolidate as much as possible.

Paid for it with bonus points from promotions so easy come easy go.

 

[kermatu]

I also got an email inviting me to Ambassador. I'm currently just a club member but my email suggested Elite Platinum status would be granted.

I'd probably stay max 6 to 10 nights in IC hotels next year, 3 to 4 stays. Is it worth it? Benefits for Plat Elite don't seem that great (I'm not in the points collecting game really) - and I can't see anywhere that such status gives automatic access to Clubs. That would be a worthwhile benefit to me, but if not the case I may pass. Grateful for any advice.

 

[eric2011]

I also got an email inviting me to Ambassador. I'm currently just a club member but my email suggested Elite Platinum status would be granted.

I'd probably stay max 6 to 10 nights in IC hotels next year, 3 to 4 stays. Is it worth it? Benefits for Plat Elite don't seem that great (I'm not in the points collecting game really) - and I can't see anywhere that such status gives automatic access to Clubs. That would be a worthwhile benefit to me, but if not the case I may pass. Grateful for any advice.

You dont get access to clubs but you will recieve a gaurenteed 1 class upgrade, maybe some fruit and a comp movie plus some water. The ambassador membership is only for Intercontinental Hotels and doesnt entitle you to any perks at other IHG properties. From your post it is unclear if you will stay 6 to 10 nights at an IC or 3 to 4. If its 6 to 10 then I would purchase but if 3 or 4 I would seriously have to think about it

 

[kermatu]

You dont get access to clubs but you will recieve a gaurenteed 1 class upgrade, maybe some fruit and a comp movie plus some water. The ambassador membership is only for Intercontinental Hotels and doesnt entitle you to any perks at other IHG properties. From your post it is unclear if you will stay 6 to 10 nights at an IC or 3 to 4. If its 6 to 10 then I would purchase but if 3 or 4 I would seriously have to think about it

Thanks for the info. I meant 6 to 10 nights across 3 or 4 stays - and yes, all in ICs. But in places where (mostly) I'd have alternative hotel choices in chains I have top status so automatic lounge access.

If there's no club access it's not worth it to me, as I'll never stay enough in ICs (or other IHG properties). And I'm already spread a bit thin across Accor, HH and Hyatt.

The email did tempt me though. The old status bug.

 

[drron]

I took up Ambassador membership last year and elevated to gold.Although it is an IC program I have had upgrades at all the HIs I have stayed at as gold where I would have got nothing as a base member.They were basically the best option at the places we visited.

 

[dairyfloss]

Hi kermatu - comp lounge access is rare, but does happen on occasion, depending on property and which room you have booked. Never guaranteed though. Best Ambassador benefits for me are knowing that at least one level upgrade will be applied at IC, as this is not a guarantee with status alone at others, and the late checkout to 4PM, which I use just about all the time. Weekend night cert (BOGO) has been handy in a few more expensive cities, as well. I paid and renew using IHG points, which I find to be pretty good value, for the purpose.

Cheers,
Matt.