Dining Rewards or Ambassador?

[eclectic_boogaloo]

Thought I'd throw this one out there and see what people think.

I've just got back from a quick weekend trip away at the IC Double Bay in Sydney. Really lovely hotel, and my partner and I are keen on going back later this year for a spring getaway.

I've been looking at the Dining Rewards program and Ambassador membership, and both offer a deal that would benefit us greatly if we stayed for a couple of nights over a weekend. I'm currently a boring old IHG Club member, but after a US trip in June I'll hopefully have the Elite Qualifying Points needed to make Gold Elite (still a little confused about which points count towards status and which don't, but I'll find out inevitably!). If I end up with Gold in the latter half of the year the Dining Rewards program will bump me up to Platinum, but then again I'll get guaranteed upgrades with Ambassador so that could work out better for the trip.

Which do you guys recommend? Are there any benefits of one over the other for a IC getaway?

 

[exceladdict]

Staying at two ICs in my recent trip, I didn't get an upgrade as a platinum (bumped from gold via dining rewards).

One was a cash stay, other was a reward stay (wasn't expecting an upgrade on that though).

 

[eric2011]

As a IHG member you will automatically be given Gold when you purchase your Ambassador membership along with some other perks ie extra points.
In short you will get points for the actual dollar part of your stay plus any points if you take the extra 1000 points for $5 on your room type. You wont get points from your status bonus part of the stay

 

[plugster2011]

If you want to stay at an IC - then Ambassador is probably better. Because you should get a guaranteed upgrade, up to 4pm checkout, a free movie plus the ambassador certificate which is a free weekend night when you pay for the first.

Now the dining program is a standalone free night plus other benefits at a wider range of hotels. so if you only want 1 night then it is probably better value - doesn't require paying for an additional night to use it. And includes other vouchers for staying at a wider range of IHG hotels.

I have only stayed at IC DB once so can't speak about their different rooms with authority but at Syd IC the rooms are pretty much the same until you get to the suites (all that changes is the view - so I don't particularly value the room upgrade there too much). I'd rather have a lower tier room and spend the difference on club access which is a difference maker.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Thought I'd throw this one out there and see what people think.

I've just got back from a quick weekend trip away at the IC Double Bay in Sydney. Really lovely hotel, and my partner and I are keen on going back later this year for a spring getaway.

I've been looking at the Dining Rewards program and Ambassador membership, and both offer a deal that would benefit us greatly if we stayed for a couple of nights over a weekend. I'm currently a boring old IHG Club member, but after a US trip in June I'll hopefully have the Elite Qualifying Points needed to make Gold Elite (still a little confused about which points count towards status and which don't, but I'll find out inevitably!). If I end up with Gold in the latter half of the year the Dining Rewards program will bump me up to Platinum, but then again I'll get guaranteed upgrades with Ambassador so that could work out better for the trip.

Which do you guys recommend? Are there any benefits of one over the other for a IC getaway?

Bear in mind that being an ambassador gives you gold, which is recognized by non-Intercontinental IHG hotels whereas being gold (or platinum) without being an ambassador will give you absolutely no recognition at an Intercontinental. If Intercons are your preferred hotel brand, than ambassador is a must (IMHO).

Of course if the bank balance allows it, having both is a good option (provided you can use enough of the benefits to make it worthwhile). If you buy ambassador first, that will automatically give you gold IHG membership, then if you buy a dining rewards membership, that will give you a status upgrade to platinum, which will put you almost at top tier of Platinum Ambassador (only Royal Ambassador above it, which is an invitation only membership).

I agree with the other comment that the Club makes the most difference. You can buy Club access without any membership and is worth thinking about as well, but when I used IHG, I pretty much only stayed at Intercons and used the one level upgrade to get Club access but more recent reports suggest that is no longer the case.

 

[eclectic_boogaloo]

Bear in mind that being an ambassador gives you gold, which is recognized by non-Intercontinental IHG hotels whereas being gold (or platinum) without being an ambassador will give you absolutely no recognition at an Intercontinental. If Intercons are your preferred hotel brand, than ambassador is a must (IMHO).

Of course if the bank balance allows it, having both is a good option (provided you can use enough of the benefits to make it worthwhile). If you buy ambassador first, that will automatically give you gold IHG membership, then if you buy a dining rewards membership, that will give you a status upgrade to platinum, which will put you almost at top tier of Platinum Ambassador (only Royal Ambassador above it, which is an invitation only membership).

I agree with the other comment that the Club makes the most difference. You can buy Club access without any membership and is worth thinking about as well, but when I used IHG, I pretty much only stayed at Intercons and used the one level upgrade to get Club access but more recent reports suggest that is no longer the case.

Yes, the main idea of getting one of these memberships is to get the best value out of staying at the IC Double Bay. Obviously I'm happy for as many fringe benefits on top of that as well, but IC is my priority.

It looks like Ambassador is the go, with Dining Rewards a maybe depending on any extra cash I have lying around. Thanks!

 

[andye]

You have inspired me to get Ambassador (from comped Platinum). Have a work stay at Park Lane coming up and am sure could make use of the free night later in the year

 

[eclectic_boogaloo]

You can buy Club access without any membership and is worth thinking about as well

Also, where can I find more info about buying in to Club access? I've seen 'Club' level rooms (significantly more expensive than the standard rooms), but if there's a cheaper way to get access that would be even better

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Also, where can I find more info about buying in to Club access? I've seen 'Club' level rooms (significantly more expensive than the standard rooms), but if there's a cheaper way to get access that would be even better

Club rooms give club access, that's about it I believe unless you are gifted RA or jag a club upgrade.

 

[Flyer 777]

Dinning Rewards Discount Issue: Just stayed at HI Melb Airport and had issues with the Dinning rewards discount at the bar, was told could only use the card once for discount on drinks and that card cant be used multiple times anyone have advice on this.

Cheers

 

[Geoffm]

Dinning Rewards Discount Issue: Just stayed at HI Melb Airport and had issues with the Dinning rewards discount at the bar, was told could only use the card once for discount on drinks and that card cant be used multiple times anyone have advice on this.

Cheers

Will be interested to see the answer to this- as it was the primary reason I just enrolled in dining rewards

 

[james4321]

Dinning Rewards Discount Issue: Just stayed at HI Melb Airport and had issues with the Dinning rewards discount at the bar, was told could only use the card once for discount on drinks and that card cant be used multiple times anyone have advice on this.

Cheers

Used it at HI Mel Airport last month for drinks and dining with no problems at all. The dining room staff on my trip were fully aware of the deal. Did you take it up with reception?

 

[Flyer 777]

Was told by restaurant manager front desk unable to assist as no manager available.

 

[serfty]

Did you book the charges to your room in one block or settle each time?

I would normally do the former.

Also not even broaching the subject of dining rewards discounts until checking out at reception.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Did you book the charges to your room in one block or settle each time?

I would normally do the former.

Also not even broaching the subject of dining rewards discounts until checking out at reception.

I don't have the dining rewards card but a lot of those style offers require a user to disclose the discount upon booking. Does DR not expect that?

 

[serfty]

I don't have the dining rewards card but a lot of those style offers require a user to disclose the discount upon booking. Does DR not expect that?

I don't have DR either but have have participated in similar schemes with Accor and Hilton. Putting the charges on the holtel folio and dealing with the discounts on check-out if necessary was the go.

It was often counterproductive to discuss such discounts with restaurant, bar and other staff in general.

 

[SandyS]

Under Priority Privilege, you had to inform the restaurant/bar upfront that you were using the discount.

The first time I used it, I didn't mention the discount voucher until check out and although they sorted it all out at reception, I was told I should present it at the restaurant in future.

I haven't used my dining rewards yet but when I asked about using the discount and the $50 voucher, I was told to tell the restaurant/bar about the dining rewards discount so that the discounted amount would be charged to my room. Then on checkout, use the $50 voucher against that total.

 

[travelislife]

Interested which way people have gone here as I am tossing up between the two options specifically for a potential 4 night stay at the Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove. We will probably eat and drink a bit at the resort which is where 25% off would immediately have an effect, and also the free night would go to use as well, paying for only the 3 nights.

I guess the one question is what is the room upgrade with Ambassador? I.e. if we book a Lagoon Pool View what comes next?

Ideally would somehow get free Gold Elite IHG status and then bump that up to platinum through buying the Dining Rewards programme.

Certainly a different way to run their loyalty programmes.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Ideally would somehow get free Gold Elite IHG status and then bump that up to platinum through buying the Dining Rewards programme.

If you buy both, you get gold with ambassador membership (then buy DR to get your platinum), but to be honest, gold or platinum means very little at the ICs. They pretty much recognise ambassador only and if you are ambassador they will give you the room upgrade and if your stay is over the weekend, you would also be able to use your ambassador free night certificate.

 

[travelislife]

Thanks. Out of interest is dining rewards able to be used on room service or is it only in the restaurants/bars?