Intercontinental Ambassador discussion

[Rocks]

Hoping those with Amassador can help me with a few quick questions. If I join does it upgrade my status (currently gold). Does it also help with potential room upgrades?

Is it only good at Intercontintal or also beneficial at other hotels such as Kimpton?

I am Diamond with Accor but thinking of using IHG more hence the questions. I AM looking at their website but battling a flu so hoping to get answers here also

One more question, i i buy now, will a booking next week obtain benefits? Have a very long stay to book....

 

[Beer_budget]

Hoping those with Amassador can help me with a few quick questions. If I join does it upgrade my status (currently gold). Does it also help with potential room upgrades?

Is it only good at Intercontintal or also beneficial at other hotels such as Kimpton?

I am Diamond with Accor but thinking of using IHG more hence the questions. I AM looking at their website but battling a flu so hoping to get answers here also

One more question, i i buy now, will a booking next week obtain benefits? Have a very long stay to book....

Intercontinental Ambassador status also includes IHG Platinum status (mine came through in the app within minutes), which applies across all IHG group brands - so you only get AMB benefits like 4pm checkout and F&B credits at Intercontinental properties, but standard platinum benefits including upgrades and higher points earn rates everywhere.

We have mostly stayed at actual IC properties, but have some Kimpton stays coming up next month as well. I've never had any trouble getting my money's worth out of the weekend night certificate, and the super late checkout at ICs has been a boon.

 

[Mr_Tee]

Intercontinental Ambassador status also includes IHG Platinum status (mine came through in the app within minutes), which applies across all IHG group brands - so you only get AMB benefits like 4pm checkout and F&B credits at Intercontinental properties, but standard platinum benefits including upgrades and higher points earn rates everywhere.

We have mostly stayed at actual IC properties, but have some Kimpton stays coming up next month as well. I've never had any trouble getting my money's worth out of the weekend night certificate, and the super late checkout at ICs has been a boon.

@Rocks I have IC Ambassador status as well and what @Beer_budget says above aligns with my view and experience.

Essentially, they are 2 separate programs wrapped in one - Ambassador is for Intercontinental properties only and the Ambassador specific privileges will only extend to Intercontinental properties. But the membership gives you automatic Platinum IHG status which operates across all IHG properties and those Platinum privileges will extend to all IHG properties, in terms of the IHG One Rewards program rules.

One thing I have experienced though, is that the Intercontinental Sydney property is quite stingy when it comes to the supposed "automatic" room upgrades for bookings there by an Ambassador. I can't count the number of times that I have stayed there to be told that they are "fully booked and can't do any upgrades" when a simple check of the app tells me they have superior rooms available. It is frustrating and a very poor reflection of the management of that property and their service offering to Ambassadors.

 

[kerfuffle]

the Intercontinental Sydney property is quite stingy when it comes to the supposed "automatic" room upgrades for bookings there by an Ambassador. I can't count the number of times that I have stayed there to be told that they are "fully booked and can't do any upgrades"

I've never had this issue at IC Sydney and have always received upgrades from a King Classic to a King Classic East Harbour View at the bare minimum. Even got upgraded to a 1 Bedroom Suite Opera House View when I booked a King Classic Opera House View High Floor during Vivid

 

[Rocks]

Your lounge experience mimics my thoughts from a stay there last year. I had no idea you could order breakfast items from the restaurant below. That would have made a huge difference to what I thought was a pretty average breakfast.

Intercontinental Ambassador status also includes IHG Platinum status (mine came through in the app within minutes), which applies across all IHG group brands - so you only get AMB benefits like 4pm checkout and F&B credits at Intercontinental properties, but standard platinum benefits including upgrades and higher points earn rates everywhere.

We have mostly stayed at actual IC properties, but have some Kimpton stays coming up next month as well. I've never had any trouble getting my money's worth out of the weekend night certificate, and the super late checkout at ICs has been a boon.

Thank you so much, I have now signed up as I think I might start using IHG a lot more. Currently stay in Accor a lot but even with Diamond Explorer status the benefits haven't really sold me. The one thing Accor does have a few of is hotels that I can access a lounge in with status. Not sure how that works with IHG but will see what happens over my visits. Have Kimpton Syd booked and Intercon Perth also coming up

@Rocks I have IC Ambassador status as well and what @Beer_budget says above aligns with my view and experience.

Essentially, they are 2 separate programs wrapped in one - Ambassador is for Intercontinental properties only and the Ambassador specific privileges will only extend to Intercontinental properties. But the membership gives you automatic Platinum IHG status which operates across all IHG properties and those Platinum privileges will extend to all IHG properties, in terms of the IHG One Rewards program rules.

One thing I have experienced though, is that the Intercontinental Sydney property is quite stingy when it comes to the supposed "automatic" room upgrades for bookings there by an Ambassador. I can't count the number of times that I have stayed there to be told that they are "fully booked and can't do any upgrades" when a simple check of the app tells me they have superior rooms available. It is frustrating and a very poor reflection of the management of that property and their service offering to Ambassadors.

Thank you so much, will remember that when looking at my Sydney stays

 

[kerfuffle]

Not sure how that works with IHG but will see what happens over my visits.

You either pay for lounge access or you reach 40 Elite Qualifying Nights and select an Annual Lounge Pass as one of your two Milestone Rewards. There's no lounge at Kimpton Margot.

 

[Beer_budget]

@Rocks check the app before you stay as well, I've got current offers for both bonus points and bonus status nights.

We stayed at the IC Perth and overall quite liked it (review upthread somewhere), and will stay again in September.

 

[Rocks]

You either pay for lounge access or you reach 40 Elite Qualifying Nights and select an Annual Lounge Pass as one of your two Milestone Rewards. There's no lounge at Kimpton Margot.

Thank you!!

 

[Mr_Tee]

I've never had this issue at IC Sydney and have always received upgrades from a King Classic to a King Classic East Harbour View at the bare minimum. Even got upgraded to a 1 Bedroom Suite Opera House View when I booked a King Classic Opera House View High Floor during Vivid

Lucky you, for sure!

 

[drron]

One thing that IHG is different to others is lounge access. Doesn’t come with status but paying for a room with access or after staying 40 nights with them you can get a 12 month lounge pass. The pass starts immediately and runs until the end of the next full year.

 

[kerfuffle]

Lucky you, for sure!

Well, if it's like you say and you never receive upgrades at IC Sydney, then assuming it's not on the exclusion list, you're entitled to either 10K points or USD50 Restaurant & Bar or spa credit, as per their terms and conditions.

 

[Mr_Tee]

Well, if it's like you say and you never receive upgrades at IC Sydney, then assuming it's not on the exclusion list, you're entitled to either 10K points or USD50 Restaurant & Bar or spa credit, as per their terms and conditions.

I actually never knew of the compensation for the non-delivery of the complimentary upgrade. Interesting how the hotel check-in staff are quick to tell me there are no upgrades but miss the part where they might inform me that there is compensation on points instead.

I learn something new every day. Thanks for that @kerfuffle Much appreciated.