IC Ambassador worth it?

[Deleted member 29185]

I'd still be curious to hear of any feedback about whether a King Harbour suite amb upgrade is still the King Club Harbour suite, or whether they just give the discount down to the next level room rate.

 

[Hawkeye]

My two most recent stays with a King Harbour Suite reserved have both led to interesting outcomes. The first, in July last year, ended up with the Australia Suite appearing in the reservation about 48 hrs post reservation, and this was the room I ended up in. Personal greeting from Duty Manager, with explanation that due to the high rate I was paying, an upgrade "over and above" had been offered.

The second, in January this year, went along similar lines with the Australia Suite appearing, except on this occasion, about 2 weeks out, the reservation reverted back to the original room. At checkin, Club access, rather than a room upgrade, was specifically referred to as the Ambassador upgrade. My suspicion was a real reservation for the Australia Suite gazzumped my upgrade.

So, it certainly seems that the specialty suites may be used for upgrades, at the management's discretion. Problem for me is I've now seem how that 0.05% live, and I liked it. Massive living space with stunning views. Great spa bath with full panoramic window overlooking the botanical gardens. And, to think that celebs such as Pink had been lounging in the very same spa!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Personal greeting from Duty Manager, with explanation that due to the high rate I was paying, an upgrade "over and above" had been offered.

Nice to hear of a good outcome. Now, down to more important things.......where're the photos! You know the drill here on AFF....a decent upgrade yarn must be accompanied by photos for us to drool over!

 

[Rick93]

They did a photo shoot of Australia Suite, when Oprah stayed a little while ago ...

Made a big thing about it being "THE $5,500. a night suite" of Sydney ...

Anyway,

I just found an 'old' AMB Renewal pack, that had been sitting at my mother's house for past few months.

Inside, the letter stated "15,000 Bonus Points" ( plus another AMB Weekend Voucher ).

Points credited OK !!

I did renew with the 'offer' of paying the additional $US50. ( over the usual $US150. ) in order to get what I recall as a 5,000 point bonus, plus a 15% rebate on Reward Redemptions.

So, an additional 10,000 points, AND they advised they re-sent my package, as the first one didn't arrive.

Now, question will be ...... should I attempt to credit the NEXT lot of bonus points ??

 

[Hawkeye]

Nice to hear of a good outcome. Now, down to more important things.......where're the photos! You know the drill here on AFF....a decent upgrade yarn must be accompanied by photos for us to drool over!

You know ... and this says a lot about me ... I seem to have more photos of the courses from dinner at Marque that weekend, then of the Australia Suite.






It was a very large space, with an outdoor deck with a table setting, and fully equipped kitchen. From a styling perspective, it felt quite dated though.

 

[Rick93]

Absolutely unbelievable !!! What fantastic luck they upgraded you from King Club Harbour Suite ...

As I say, when I contacted them, they didn't admit to even a 'maybe' to Governor Suite - it was just NO, the AMB T&Cs don't allow upgrades etc. on AMB Weekend Voucher.

Wanted to impress a few friends for a significant birthday coming up. Can't justify the cost of those high-end suites though ....

 

[Fifa]

They are the most humungous pillows I have ever seen on a bed!!!

 

[Rick93]

Oprah was the most humungous the bed had ever seen !!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

It was a very large space, with an outdoor deck with a table setting, and fully equipped kitchen. From a styling perspective, it felt quite dated though.

Hey, ask and ye shall receive! Thanks for the pics. I can now sleep easier again at night!

I like the look of that deck area. That's a big plus for Sydney hotels. I must say though, I tend to agree it does look a little dated. Surely if they charge $5k+ a night, they can afford to remodel every year to keep it looking like it's worth the asking rate.

 

[Rick93]

Got the second AMB Renewal pack sent out by courier !!

Letter dated 20th May !! Unbelievable !!

Letter included 5,000 points.

Given the first one was for 15,000 points, I see this as an 'additional' offer, so I entered the code into the system, and it credited OK.

So, a great 'renewal' offer ..... for my $US200. I received Plat AMB renewal for twelve months; 20,000 points; two AMB Weekend Vouchers, and I'll be getting a 15% rebate on all Rewards Stays for twelve months.

( used some 200,000 points for stays on my recent travels. Will probably have a few more Rewards stays within the 'twelve month' period ... )

 

[Rick93]

After a long and hard 're-think', and having a dozen or so guests wanting to attend a 'small gathering' for my birthday weekend ....

I cancelled my King Club Harbour Suite, and booked a King Club Governor Suite !

I REALLY would love to see an upgrade to State Suite appear on my booking, and of course, I'd fall over backwards to get the Australia Suite, but I'm not greedy you know ....

 

[Rick93]

( sigh ... )

It seems that IC Sydney won't budge from their predetermined position of no upgrades in their top three suites ( as an AMB Member ).

They also cited, that making a booking using a IHG Dining Rewards discount will not produce an upgrade to any of the top three suites either ...

Damn !!

 

[Rick93]

Anybody got experience with receiving the 'rebate' of points from Reward Stays, in line with their Ambassador Renewal ?

Earlier this year, I renewed my Ambassador Membership for $US200. ( as an option ). This gave me whatever points vouchers that would arrive in the mail ( 20,000 as it turned out ), and a 15% Rebate on all Rewards Stays for 12 months.

I made several Rewards Stays in April & May. Still no points back yet ...

How long should I give it, before contacting them ??

 

[plugster2011]

Anybody got experience with receiving the 'rebate' of points from Reward Stays, in line with their Ambassador Renewal ?

Earlier this year, I renewed my Ambassador Membership for $US200. ( as an option ). This gave me whatever points vouchers that would arrive in the mail ( 20,000 as it turned out ), and a 15% Rebate on all Rewards Stays for 12 months.

I made several Rewards Stays in April & May. Still no points back yet ...

How long should I give it, before contacting them ??

I had two reward stays and both times rebate points arrived at the 1 month mark exactly. So you'll probably need to raise a claim for the April stays and possibly the May ones as well.

 

[eric2011]

Anybody got experience with receiving the 'rebate' of points from Reward Stays, in line with their Ambassador Renewal ?

Earlier this year, I renewed my Ambassador Membership for $US200. ( as an option ). This gave me whatever points vouchers that would arrive in the mail ( 20,000 as it turned out ), and a 15% Rebate on all Rewards Stays for 12 months.

I made several Rewards Stays in April & May. Still no points back yet ...

How long should I give it, before contacting them ??

I am currently waiting for 4 reward stays in USA from April/May. I contacted IHG Ambassador help and was told that we are to allow 6-8 weeks for points to post. After the 8 week period I was told to contact the Ambassador help desk again and they will follow up. You say 15% rebate, I think you will only get 10%

 

[Rick93]

I'm sure my offer said 15%. I could be wrong, but I recall going through how many points I was due to get back, and the figure was 15%.

Would it be, that each Member receives an individual offer ??

 

[eric2011]

I'm sure my offer said 15%. I could be wrong, but I recall going through how many points I was due to get back, and the figure was 15%.

Would it be, that each Member receives an individual offer ??

I don't think there are individual offers. I do know that I was told I would be getting 10% for my stays. If you do receive the 15% thats a good bonus for you, good luck, let me know how it turns out

 

[eric2011]

How did you go Rick93 getting your points.

I completely lucked out. All my stays were in April/May 2015. I rejoined my membership in December 2014 but I had made the bookings earlier than December. It appears you only get the rebate for stays which are booked and stayed in the year of your membership.

Still, I will get the rebate for 3 nights at IC Miami, 3 nights at IC New Orleans & 1 night at CP LAX in November which I booked in March this year

 

[Rick93]

Exactly the style of email I got from 'them', after messaging the Service Centre to ask about 5,000 missing points ...

I did collect some 'several thousand' bonus points, at the 10% Rebate rate ( yes, it turned out to be 10%, and not 15% as I first thought it might be ... )

... but when I noted I was 5,000 short ( from a 50,000 point Reward Night at IC Park Lane London ), they advised, that I booked the night PRIOR to renewing my Ambassador Membership.

So, others ... be forewarned of this issue ...

 

[trixydoza]

Unless they've changed the rules, that doesn't square with how they've applied them in the past.