Intercontinental Ambassador discussion

[knagelli]

If I have any upcoming reservation at any IC property prior to signing up for the Ambassador program , do I get to use the advertised benefits or do I have to make reservations only after signing up.

Have a few holidays planned ; hence looking at spending USD 200 and if that outweighs the benefit as my reservation is from Monday to Friday.

TA

 

[andye]

If I have any upcoming reservation at any IC property prior to signing up for the Ambassador program , do I get to use the advertised benefits or do I have to make reservations only after signing up.

Have a few holidays planned ; hence looking at spending USD 200 and if that outweighs the benefit as my reservation is from Monday to Friday.

TA

Benefits are based on status at time of stay (though pretty sure you can book the free night for after your year expires)

 

[bullerdude]

Benefit should be based on the status at the time of stay not the time of booking. You may wish to contact the hotel to ensure they have the new ambassador status attached to the booking.

 

[drron]

In my account the Ambassador membership appears virtually immediately. My membership expires at the end of March. I renewed early a week ago when making an IC booking. by the time I got back to my membership details my new Ambassador weekend night was there.

 

[chooms]

I'm hoping it changes to Ambassador prior to arrival (after booking). I have 2 stays at IHG coming up and I am currently Silver but managed to score a great free weekend night deal in New York and I'm yet to buy Ambassador... booked it last year but why waste six months of it before I was due to travel?

If anyone knows of any good Ambassador purchasing deals at the moment I am all ears

Edit: I should add it was cheaper to buy Ambassador than pay for the weekend night at IC Barclay...

 

[bussyboy]

If anyone knows of any good Ambassador purchasing deals at the moment I am all ears

Tail end of covid there was a promotion with bonus points on signing up, but I haven't seen this in a long while.

How do you know a free weekend night is available on any given date, when not already a member?? I'm tempted to join if the opportunity for redemption is certain

 

[kerfuffle]

Tail end of covid there was a promotion with bonus points on signing up, but I haven't seen this in a long while.

How do you know a free weekend night is available on any given date, when not already a member?? I'm tempted to join if the opportunity for redemption is certain

https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/content/us/en/ambassador/free-weekend-certificate

Just make a dummy booking to see.

 

[MG1]

I've read that with the InterContinental (IC) Ambassador, you get Platinum Elite status - is this only for IC properties or all IHG One properties?

 

[drron]

I've read that with the InterContinental (IC) Ambassador, you get Platinum Elite status - is this only for IC properties or all IHG One properties?

It is for all IHG properties.

 

[MG1]

It is for all IHG properties.

Fantastic to know (it sounds like it could be worth the fee).

 

[chooms]

I'm hoping it changes to Ambassador prior to arrival (after booking). I have 2 stays at IHG coming up and I am currently Silver but managed to score a great free weekend night deal in New York and I'm yet to buy Ambassador... booked it last year but why waste six months of it before I was due to travel?

If anyone knows of any good Ambassador purchasing deals at the moment I am all ears

Edit: I should add it was cheaper to buy Ambassador than pay for the weekend night at IC Barclay...

Can confirm so long as the free weekend night is in your account 24 hours before check in it will work. I booked the free weekend night prior to purchasing Ambassador and it all worked fine.

 

[cosi]

As far as price increases go, this is hardly unreasonable…

InterContinental Ambassador Price Increasing As Of October 2024

 

[oz_mark]

The price hasn't changed in years, so I guess not unreasonable.

 

[NM]

My membership expires at the end of August, so if I choose to renew then it will be before the increase. The challenge is to determine if I will get value in the next year. Its been good value for me in the past few years, especially with the associated Diamond status, but of that now drops to Platinum.

 

[levelnine]

With recent improvements to Hilton program (esp SLH) & devaluations to IHG program (esp reduced points values & removal of Ambassador/Diamond renewal hack), I find it hard to justify directing any spend towards IHG. Hyatt & Hilton seem to be the best programs for points/status at the moment.

 

[Beano]

I have often wondered what the "ambassador" was. Now I know, I have been invited to join Intercontinental Ambassador at USD200 or 40,000 point. Is this a one-off or P.A? Is it worth it? How often do you need to stay to make it worth while?

 

[levelnine]

I have often wondered what the "ambassador" was. Now I know, I have been invited to join Intercontinental Ambassador at USD200 or 40,000 point. Is this a one-off or P.A? Is it worth it? How often do you need to stay to make it worth while?

Per year. Only you can make the decision as to whether it is worth it. Main benefit is a buy one, get one free certificate good for a weekend stay. But note that the cash prices for these certificates are higher than the best available rate, so you are not truly getting half off.

I won't be bothering to renew it now that Ambassador doesn't renew Diamond.

 

[SYD]

Per year. Only you can make the decision as to whether it is worth it. Main benefit is a buy one, get one free certificate good for a weekend stay. But note that the cash prices for these certificates are higher than the best available rate, so you are not truly getting half off.

I won't be bothering to renew it now that Ambassador doesn't renew Diamond.

It does come with automatic Platinum (always did) but the Diamond hack will be missed - only ever to to use that once…

Also, didn’t the fee just go up (or about to) to US$225?

 

[kerfuffle]

Also, didn’t the fee just go up (or about to) to US$225?

Yes

 

[Beano]

Per year. Only you can make the decision as to whether it is worth it. Main benefit is a buy one, get one free certificate good for a weekend stay. But note that the cash prices for these certificates are higher than the best available rate, so you are not truly getting half off.

I won't be bothering to renew it now that Ambassador doesn't renew Diamond.

Thanks. I'm platinum elite so no real benefit but could be if I lose that. Free weekends not much use.