2019 Ambassador changes

[JFi]

Got the 15k in points credited immediately, but the eCert. for Weekend Night isn't obvious. Needs to be found somewhere ?

From memory I read somewhere that you only need to book via the Weekend Certificate website normally used and it shows up there. Can't confirm as I renewed in Feb and my came via snail mail.

 

[thatsthatmattressman]

IHG is supposed to have moved by now to an Electronic certificate in your account. This has not yet been implemented so for now in the mail you will get a paper certificate. You can book any time using the site ...just make sure your certificate arrives before your stay as you will be asked for it on arrival.

From memory I read somewhere that you only need to book via the Weekend Certificate website normally used and it shows up there. Can't confirm as I renewed in Feb and my came via snail mail.

 

[Rick93]

My last IC stay ( Jakarta ) asked for cert. on check in .... but I left it at another property. I was given the duration of my current IC stay to retrieve the cert. and present it prior to check out. I did that, and only paid the first of two nights.

 

[dairyfloss]

My IHG Account Management page now shows this under my upcoming stays:


This is is the T&C link: Terms and Conditions

I've also got a physical Complimentary Weekend Night certificate from this year's renewal which expires on a different date and with a unique certificate number... so I wonder if I've actually got 2 to play with, here? Not sure I'd want to chance that one and get stuck with 2 nights on the equivalent of Best Flexible Rate, though!

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[thatsthatmattressman]

Dairyfloss.. go for it! Use the paper certificate first (probably sooner than later) I reckon you can get 2 uses out of the situation you are in.

 

[JFi]

I've also got a physical Complimentary Weekend Night certificate from this year's renewal which expires on a different date and with a unique certificate number... so I wonder if I've actually got 2 to play with, here? Not sure I'd want to chance that one and get stuck with 2 nights on the equivalent of Best Flexible Rate, though!

I rarely login to my account online but after making a booking to use my paper certificate and going back to my account, I saw that I have that same online certificate info in my Account page except it has the same expiration date (paper 2/2020, online 01 Feb 2020). Can you please tell me where you were able to see the online certification number? Like you, not willing to chance it and get stuck with a higher rate but happy to use it if it’s a different one haha

 

[Jacques Vert]

I used my last BOGO weekend certificate a couple of days ago in Athens; it was due to expire at the end of June and my membership expires at the end of May.

I mentioned up-thread that I am not inclined to renew under the new deal. If I remember correctly, a couple of years ago I renewed for ~38,000 points and received the BOGO, a voucher for 15,000 points, and 10% points refund per booking. Last year, I got the BOGO, a 10,000 point voucher, but no discounts.

This year, it's 40,000 points to renew and no voucher or discount. Given that the BOGO has to be used against the full price of a room, I can't see the value anymore. If I save my 40,000 points, I can use them to book a room at many ICs (or points + pay) and can stay any day of the week, not just on a weekend. And using a senior rate, the cost of a room is often not much more than the "50% discount" using the BOGO (and I can use my 40k points elsewhere).

I'm not interested in the cash option and there are not enough ICs where I like to travel to make it worthwhile. After a number of years as an Ambassador, it's time for me to move on.

 

[thatsthatmattressman]

I used my last BOGO weekend certificate a couple of days ago in Athens; it was due to expire at the end of June and my membership expires at the end of May.

I mentioned up-thread that I am not inclined to renew under the new deal. If I remember correctly, a couple of years ago I renewed for ~38,000 points and received the BOGO, a voucher for 15,000 points, and 10% points refund per booking. Last year, I got the BOGO, a 10,000 point voucher, but no discounts.

This year, it's 40,000 points to renew and no voucher or discount. Given that the BOGO has to be used against the full price of a room, I can't see the value anymore. If I save my 40,000 points, I can use them to book a room at many ICs (or points + pay) and can stay any day of the week, not just on a weekend. And using a senior rate, the cost of a room is often not much more than the "50% discount" using the BOGO (and I can use my 40k points elsewhere).

I'm not interested in the cash option and there are not enough ICs where I like to travel to make it worthwhile. After a number of years as an Ambassador, it's time for me to move on.

Well thought through and said Jacques. you have a clear eye I the value proposition of the program and have made a sound decision about a path forward. Looks like in Australia they are going to build VoCo branded IHG properties (call it 4.5star?) and less intercoms though the Hayman island one looks super impressive but crazy expensive.

 

[thatsthatmattressman]

Does anyone know how to actually use these online electronic certificates...I.e how do they get debited from your account? I have a paper one expiring Feb 2020 and the online one is Apr 2020 ..I am staying my 2nd night at an intercon on the BOGO rate and hoping I get to keep one of the 2 (paper or electronic)

 

[Rick93]

I would have Renewed anyway ...

But 2020 will see a significant birthday for myself, so I've booked The State Suite at Sydney IC for some 'entertaining' ….

Saturday night in the State Suite ( free for me, as second night of Ambassador Weekend Cert. ) will be worth over $3,000.

(or basically, $1,500. a night. I will be running TWO parties - one for family / one for 'friends & associates' … )

 

[jasonfungsing]

For the free night, does it apply if the other paid night was through 3rd party booking agents?

 

[oz_mark]

For the free night, does it apply if the other paid night was through 3rd party booking agents?

The two nights have to be booked together, and they are done under a specific rate code. You can't book a night one way and the second night another.

 

[JFi]

For the free night, does it apply if the other paid night was through 3rd party booking agents?

Assuming this is the weekend cert? You have to book both nights together through Free Weekend Certificate

 

[jasonfungsing]

Assuming this is the weekend cert? You have to book both nights together through Free Weekend Certificate

Thanks mate

 

[samh004]

IHG is supposed to have moved by now to an Electronic certificate in your account. This has not yet been implemented so for now in the mail you will get a paper certificate. You can book any time using the site ...just make sure your certificate arrives before your stay as you will be asked for it on arrival.

Not sure I'd want to chance that one and get stuck with 2 nights on the equivalent of Best Flexible Rate, though!

Dairyfloss.. go for it! Use the paper certificate first (probably sooner than later) I reckon you can get 2 uses out of the situation you are in.

I came to this thread hoping someone would have figured out the answer to this exact conundrum, but it looks like not yet.

My issue is slightly different. I renewed in December 2018 and received a certificate in the mail, but I also now have a certificate (or at least invitation to book) in my account online. I have already stayed at the ADL IC on a BOGO rate, but they didn't ask for my cert, so ordinarily that would have been kept in the bag for a future use. At this stage, I am not sure if the April booking took the online certificate automatically or if I still have one available, but I'm loathe to call up and ask the question – as it might seem if I have to ask they're more likely not to give.

My next IC stay isn't until October, so I am hoping someone else will be able to confirm if there are changes in their account once an e-cert has been used or not.

 

[JFi]

My next IC stay isn't until October, so I am hoping someone else will be able to confirm if there are changes in their account once an e-cert has been used or not.

Based on others, the "Book" button will change to "Redeemed" and greyed out if your e-cert has been used so it looks like you're already one up.

My stay is next month so I'm still deciding whether to use the paper one first or not (not sure if they will take the cert and also mark it in their system it's been used hence taking the e-cert as well). Then again, if use the e-cert first, not sure if they will accept just the paper one if their system says it's been used and I get stuck with paying 2 nights at higher rates? Decisions, decisions...

 

[eric2011]

Based on others, the "Book" button will change to "Redeemed" and greyed out if your e-cert has been used so it looks like you're already one up.

My stay is next month so I'm still deciding whether to use the paper one first or not (not sure if they will take the cert and also mark it in their system it's been used hence taking the e-cert as well). Then again, if use the e-cert first, not sure if they will accept just the paper one if their system says it's been used and I get stuck with paying 2 nights at higher rates? Decisions, decisions...

Use your paper one and don't offer it at check-in unless you really have to. I have used the same paper certificate 4 times this year and never been asked to present it. I still have an E-cert to use before March 2020

 

[JFi]

Nice!! But how did you specify to use the paper instead of the e-cert? Did you have to tell them during checkin? You are booking these through the old Ambassador link or using the "Book" button on the e-cert?

 

[eric2011]

Nice!! But how did you specify to use the paper instead of the e-cert? Did you have to tell them during checkin? You are booking these through the old Ambassador link or using the "Book" button on the e-cert?

Did it through the ihg link. No didn’t tell them anything at check in just that I have a booking. It’s up to them to look at there computer screen and see what sort of booking I have. Been doing this for years and I have about 3 years worth of expired certificates at home all having been used numerous times. This year especially they just seem to assume you are using a e-cert and it’s all automatically done. Have predominantly been using IC SYD & IC Double bay

 

[JFi]

Did it through the ihg link. No didn’t tell them anything at check in just that I have a booking. It’s up to them to look at there computer screen and see what sort of booking I have. Been doing this for years and I have about 3 years worth of expired certificates at home all having been used numerous times. This year especially they just seem to assume you are using a e-cert and it’s all automatically done. Have predominantly been using IC SYD & IC Double bay

I also did my booking next month via the old link. Have never been so lucky as you. Always been asked at checkin for the paper cert. Think I'll save the paper one next month for another time and see what happens with the e-cert and their new process. Thanks.