Ambassador Renewal

[samh004]

My renewal has come up (due in 2 months time) and I have been given the following options:



What would you pick?

I'm leaning towards the 40k points (I have about that many in my account) as I rarely book reward nights anyway and it'll save for USD$200. If I spent the money, used the bonus points and my existing points for reward stays I'd only get 5500 points back anyway.

 

[serfty]

You can currently buy 34K-36K for USD196-USD207.

40K will set you back USD230.

So a much of a muchness.

 

[Austman]

Consider the 10% rebate on Reward Nights if you plan to use points for stays a fair bit in your next year and the cost of the hotels where you plan to use them. It can be a big plus.

Also at times IHG offer points purchase at special rates. I purchased the maximum 100,000 points for USD 1,000.00 and received 100,000 bonus points. So that worked to be 200,000 points for USD 1,000.00 or 200 points/USD.

On a recent trip to the USA, I could stay at many IHG properties for eg 20,000 points/night. That's 18,000 points after the 10% rebate. The18,000 points were bought at a cost of USD 90.00 (18,000/200). Those properties were asking ca USD 120.00 to USD 140.00 per night + tax.

Also eg I stayed at the InterContinental, Fiji for 40,000 points/night or 36,000 points/night after the 10% rebate. The 36,000 points cost USD 180.00 (36,000/200) which is about AUD 262.00. That's for a room that costs ca USD 275.00 or AUD 400.00/night.

Just a 3 night stay at a 40,000 points/night property gets a rebate of 12,000 points. Even at the discounted points purchase rate above, that's worth USD 60.00.

 

[Andz]

IGH have become expense beyond belief, classic room is $230, points is 30k + $100. not really worth it. I'm not sure they know that there is a recession on the cards. use points....

 

[samh004]

You all make valid arguments.

I feel Ambassador will be useful for at least another BOGO, but I'm currently swimming in hotel status thanks to Amex, which has lead to me sharing the love around when perhaps I should have just focused on one chain.

Next year I will have nights in Manila ~4, Singapore ~2, Chesterfield ~5, London ~2, Dublin ~2, Doha ~2, Copenhagen ~3, Adelaide ~1, Bali ~3 so I don't think I'll manage to consolidate to just one chain, but may earn enough points throughout the year to be in this predicament again this time next year

 

[drron]

I pay the $200.As has been pointed out buying 40000 points is more than $200.The BOGO more than makes up for the cash up front.

 

[Austman]

And apart from the 10% rebate, you'll receive on Award Nights, you get an instant 15,000 points.

That 15,000 points alone is worth more than USD 30.00 (the cost difference serfty stated).

Even at the best points promotion purchase rates, 40,000 points cost USD 200.00. So the 15,000 points are perhaps worth USD 75.00.

To note: IHG has a current 100% bonus points purchase sale on now until 16th November.

 

[Rick93]

We all got three months free extension ...

 

[eric2011]

We all got three months free extension ...

Yes....very generous of them indeed

 

[Rick93]

Did every other AMB Member get an ADDITIONAL extension, to total six months ?

 

[eric2011]

Yep, feelin the love

 

[woodborer]

Did every other AMB Member get an ADDITIONAL extension, to total six months ?

Everyone should have, as they have announced two 3-month extensions

 

[Rick93]

I have a problem with it though ....

My previous expiry was end April.
I usually renew in last week of April.

But this year, I need an AMB Weekend Cert. for late August. ( I have an IC Double Bay booking ). I used the current year voucher already.

But now they have made my expiry date 1st. November .... I can't renew until 1st. September. This prevents me from obtaining another weekend voucher on my electonic account ( you can't use a paper cert. anymore ? )

Has anybody here declined their second 3 month extension ?

 

[eric2011]

I have a problem with it though ....

My previous expiry was end April.
I usually renew in last week of April.

But this year, I need an AMB Weekend Cert. for late August. ( I have an IC Double Bay booking ). I used the current year voucher already.

But now they have made my expiry date 1st. November .... I can't renew until 1st. September. This prevents me from obtaining another weekend voucher on my electonic account ( you can't use a paper cert. anymore ? )

Has anybody here declined their second 3 month extension ?

Yes, no more paper certs, bit of a pity as I used to get 3 or 4 stays out of each one. Electronic certs were bought in to keep everyone honest and the ease of IHG in managing the rewards. You can only ask IHG ( ambassador@ihg .com ) and see but I dont really think you will have much luck

 

[Rick93]

Just had a phone conversation with AMB rep.

I was advised, the 10% rebate ( on use of Reward Points ) was ceased from 1st. March this year.

Also, I was advised, that my account still had last year's Weekend Voucher as 'available' .... even though I used it a few months ago. The AMB rep. said, that if I renewed shortly, the system will show two vouchers available.

 

[eric2011]

So are you saying that you cant renew via "the system" until September but you can renew via phone. Even though last years is still showing available I dont know if I would risk it as it could turn into an expensive weekend if the hotel cant find it (the e-cert i mean).
So if you renew now that means you wont need to renew until Sept 21 and with no new amb cert until then for use sept 21 to sept 22

 

[Rick93]

I'll respond back first week of August, after I renew .... to state my outcome.

 

[Rick93]

Well folks ...

I did renew in first week of August.

My account now shows an AMB expiry of 1st. November 2021. I also have TWO BOGOs attached to my account, even though I used one last year.

( my plan for Double Bay's Royal Suite folded, as they couldn't give me a firm position on numbers allowed in the suite at any one time etc. )

NOW .... has anybody got an update on the 10% AMB Rebate scheme ??

Is it still in effect for 2020 ?

One source says, discontinued as of March 2020. However, I received 10% Rebates into my account as late as June.

 

[eric2011]

Hi rick, I been told it’s not around but ymmv

 

[oz_mark]

They've stopped offering it, but if you signed up to it, they should apply the rebate until your next renewal.