IC Ambassador worth it?

[jackthomas]

Sorry, badly phrased. Hyatt rates are good and their rewards program for upgrades is excellent, much better than IC. The Langham is much more expensive and their loyalty program is practically non existent. IC Ambassador is probably good if you like ICs...

*Goes and hides in corner* My apologies for misunderstanding you! I think IC will certainly be my 3rd point of call but the free weekend night cancels out the annual fee anyway. Langham's rewards program I agree, gloss over function...

 

[Flyer 777]

I find the biggest plus is booking your free weekend night and not having to hand over the certificate, 8 free nights this membership year and still have my certificate hence brilliant value.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I find the biggest plus is booking your free weekend night and not having to hand over the certificate, 8 free nights this membership year and still have my certificate hence brilliant value.

Do they just not ask, or do you employ the "oh it's in the suitcase, can I drop it in later" routine? Previously, my free night certificate has been taken at check-in on the free night, but was a few years ago.

 

[ALH]

The free night has always been worth the annual fee for me. I pay the fee using points. I've used the free nights at Sun Peninsular in Da Nang, Westlake in Ha Noi and IC Sydney. The upgrades and extra care in Asia is definitely better, but so far I've been very happy with Ambassador and Dining Rewards

 

[ozjuice]

I have this problem and dilemma that i would love some advice on. This June i stayed at the IC Monterey California for 2 nights / 2 rooms and earned 28000 points. Not bad but the rooms were $550 US per night each. Pretty pricey and although a very nice hotel, the room overlooked the carpark and, well it was just nice, nothing more really. Now the same room at the same time next year is $880 US per night per room (only need 1). This price is just insane!
So....Do i join ambassador for $200 US and use the voucher for this 1 night (weekend booking) or, do i purchase additional 32000 points for redemptions at a cost of $368 US.
Either way i can save over 50% but i'm not sure if the Ambassador will be flexible enough. Also will using the voucher guarantee a booking?
Appreciate any advice.

 

[Austman]

The voucher can only be used via a special booking link.


Availability on the required dates is not guaranteed.


It can only be used for a minimum 2 night stay, one of the nights must be a Saturday.


This can limit its use.

 

[jackthomas]

Every weekend I've seen for the next 4 months in SYD has been $500 each night for a base room... EEK.
How do you get away with reusing the free night certificate? Very keen on this

 

[Austman]

How do you get away with reusing the free night certificate? Very keen on this

If you don't volunteer the certificate at check-in or check-out, some hotels won't ask for it. But many will.

 

[love_the_life]

Every weekend I've seen for the next 4 months in SYD has been $500 each night for a base room... EEK.
How do you get away with reusing the free night certificate? Very keen on this

Saturday nights are always expensive though if you do a Friday and Saturday night it brings the overall cost down.

 

[Rick93]

They don't ask for the Certificate ???

Geez, where was THAT ??

EVERYTIME I have stayed at an IC using the AMB Voucher, I have been specifically asked for the voucher.

I tried the 'up in the room, in my suitcase' ....

On one occasion, the desk staff said they will send someone up to the room to collect it !!!

You 'might' get away with it once, but "eight times" in a year. Nup. I don't believe it .....

 

[eric2011]

Nup. I don't believe it .....

Believe it Rick, I've used the same voucher 5 times and it even has an expiry date of Feb last year. I do have others to pull out if and when I do get caught out.

Not going to mention on here which IC (in case they follow the forum) but it is one that you have mentioned before as having stayed at

 

[Flyer 777]

They just don"t ask for it, so I don't present it, always have it handy if asked.

 

[Rigs]

I used Ambassador perks fairly regularly for personal travel. However, very tempted to change to Hilton or Accor permanently. I just hit Spire Elite with IHG and there is really nothing of value to it (aside from the points earn). IC/IHG club perks aren't as competitive as they used to be. It made sense when I only used it for holidays but I'm having harder time justifying IHG loyalty for my business travel.

Ambassador is great when you are on holiday and book a Jr Suite with Club access and they give you a seriously big suite as an upgrade. However, when travelling for work I book the basic room and get upgraded to what is essentially just another basic room that isn't in the basement. When Accor gives club access and Hilton showers you with the best room they can it is hard to see how Amb would make sense for a regular business traveler. Even booking the Intercon Sydney through Virtuoso (you get club, an upgrade and 2PM checkout when booking a medium basic room) is more competitive in terms of perks than booking it through IHG direct.

 

[Rick93]

Can only conclude, that it must be individual staff, who make a point of asking for the voucher.

One thing I've noticed over quite some time, is that you don't NEED a Membership card. They have all your details on their Booking system ( to include that you are using an AMB voucher ).

I have an 'expired' one, so I'll give it a shot at my next IC stay, and post back the result ...

( "Expired ? Oh, sorry, must have got them mixed up ... I have another one in my luggage upstairs ... " )

 

[KyBry]

Booked Deluxe Room (Basic). Upgraded from Deluxe to Twin Deluxe......... Sometimes it's fantastic, other times its just OK.

 

[KyBry]

Addition to my comment above:

Even though I didn't really get upgraded, I was still changed to the twin room which actually better suited the fact I had my Family with me this time plus offered a reduction in price to a really reasonable rate even compared to lower rated hotels. Apart from that I got my entitlements under the scheme and it was a very pleasant stay.

 

[love_the_life]

Booked 1*King Standard City View room on the Amb free weekend night, upgraded to King Eastern Harbour View. Fruit bowl, water, free movie and a bottle of their (pretty ordinary) wine and late checkout till 4pm as per usual.
Based on using the free weekend night and late checkout will probably take out membership again.

 

[NZflygirl]

Do you get any Ambassador benefits if you do a points + pay?

Or is it worthwhile on a stay of 3 nights booking the first night as a pay or points+pay and would they make you shift rooms to the downgraded room for the following nights?

 

[Pushka]

Is the upgrade normally shown in the booking?

 

[Flyer 777]

Upgrade can show from day of booking or not at all depending on hotel.