First and foremost, it is clear that the InterContinental Ambassador is named as such because it is a paid membership program specifically designed for InterContinental hotels. Therefore, most of its member benefits are intended for use during stays at InterContinental properties.
Upon purchasing an InterContinental Ambassador membership, the member account is automatically upgraded to IHG Platinum Elite status, allowing access to all the membership benefits of being a Platinum member across all IHG hotels. In my view, if you want to quickly attain IHG Platinum Elite membership, purchasing the InterContinental Ambassador is the simplest and most cost-effective method, while also enjoying the Ambassador benefits for an entire year.
Next, many people have asked me if there will be any events similar to the 'Ambassador's Night' in previous years. Currently, I haven't been able to find any information regarding such events for this year. Given the high demand for hotel accommodations this year, I personally believe that 'Ambassador's Night' is now a thing of the past. It was a product designed to stimulate consumption during a special period, and it's unlikely to continue this year. So, if you have travel plans with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) or if your renewal period is approaching, it's recommended to make your purchases or renew accordingly.
The IHG Ambassador membership benefits are well-known and primarily include the following privileges:
- Room upgrade guarantee, up to one level.
- Guaranteed late check-out until 4 PM.
- One annual InterContinental Weekend Buy One Get One (BOGO) voucher.
- Complimentary breakfast for each stay (in Mainland China).
- US$20 or equivalent dining credit per stay (in countries and regions other than Mainland China).
- Double occupancy, single occupancy rate.
- Other relatively minor benefits, such as complimentary mineral water and high-speed internet access.
The upgrade and late check-out privileges of IHG Ambassador are protected by terms and conditions, ensuring their execution. If the hotel fails to provide these services, appropriate compensation will be given. This is also a notable distinction between IHG Ambassador and IHG Rewards Club membership benefits.
The cost of the InterContinental Ambassador membership is$200 or 40,000 points.Due to the issue of fixed exchange rates, the actual purchase price of some hotels may be lower than $200.Using points, you can make purchases on the InterContinental official website or through the 4848 customer service hotline.
By renewing the Ambassador membership with $200, you can earn an additional 15,000 IHG points. The renewal period is within 90 days before the Ambassador's expiration date or up to 30 days after the expiration date.
These terms and conditions are readily available online, so there's no need for me to provide extensive explanations. Instead, I'll share my personal experience with the Ambassador membership over the past few years, offering some insights to those interested in purchasing or renewing the membership.
I hope this provides some helpful information to individuals considering purchasing or renewing the Ambassador membership.
1.Ambassadors receive a guaranteed one-level room upgrade at InterContinental hotels.
Some friends may think that Platinum and Diamond members can also receive upgrades, so isn't it a bit repetitive? In fact, the essence of the Ambassador room upgrade lies in the word "guaranteed". It's not uncommon for Platinum and Diamond members to not receive upgrades during peak times at popular hotels, but Ambassadors can avoid this issue. In my personal opinion, the significance of Ambassador upgrades lies in the ability to secure an upgrade to a suite when booking one level below, which is very friendly for many families traveling together.
Moreover, when booking one level below a suite, it is often easier to negotiate for additional beds and third-party perks through the hotel.
Let me give you a simple example that I believe many people who have stayed at InterContinental Jinan Ruijin can agree on – the VIP building at InterContinental Ruijin is a more worthwhile experience compared to the main building. I have always recommended everyone to experience the hidden room type at InterContinental Ruijin – the Deluxe Suite in the VIP building. The only legitimate way to stay in this room type is to book a suite in the main building and use the Ambassador's guaranteed one-level upgrade benefit to upgrade to the hidden room type, the Deluxe Suite.
So, next time, don't ask me how to book the Deluxe Suite in the VIP building at InterContinental Ruijin!
2.Ambassadors staying at InterContinental hotels are guaranteed a 4 PM checkout.
As I mentioned earlier, currently there are only two ways to guarantee a 4 PM checkout at InterContinental hotels – being an InterContinental Ambassador or booking the Elite Weekend rate. If you have a strong need for a 4 PM checkout, the Ambassador program can help you achieve that at InterContinental hotels.
During our stay at InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort in July, the hotel was fully booked due to summer vacation and the redemption of points for rooms. The hotel was operating at full capacity, and even access to the Club Lounge required waiting in line. Consequently, the hotel couldn't provide a 4 PM checkout to all members. However, as both of our rooms were booked by Ambassador members, we were able to enjoy the guaranteed 4 PM checkout. So, we leisurely checked out at around 3:30 PM and left the hotel. On the other hand, other Diamond members who were not Ambassadors had to check out by 2 PM and wait at the airport for a long time.
3.Ambassador Weekend BOGO, also known as Buy One Get One Free.
The Ambassador price itself is $200, so but anytime you have a weekend stay at an Intercontinental priced at $200 or more in the next year, there's not much reason to hesitate.Using the BOGO voucher will cover the cost, and everything beyond that is essentially free. Currently, many international InterContinental hotels have relatively high prices, but it's relatively easy to book a BOGO offer at these hotels.
This is especially beneficial for vacation hotels that offer suite or villa accommodations, as not only can you recover the cost in no time, but you can also save a significant amount of money.
I have plans to visit InterContinental Maldives next year, so I used the BOGO voucher early this year to secure my stay at InterContinental Maldives for next year. The cost of the BOGO voucher for InterContinental Maldives was $1,173.92! It's comparable to the price of a redemption stay using points. Moreover, the BOGO voucher for Maldives is valid for five or six nights, allowing you to book a BOGO offer on Friday and Sunday using the same guest's account.
Combined with the two nights of points redemption stays that I held, I effortlessly arranged a highly cost-effective six-day trip at InterContinental Maldives. Even including the cost of seaplane transfers, it was more than 50% cheaper than the prices offered by travel agencies.
Another useful tip for using BOGO vouchers is that it directly waives the cost of the second day of the weekend. If you encounter a significant price difference between the two days of the weekend, for example, the first day is cheaper, and the second day is more expensive, then you'll only be charged for the first day's room rate and taxes. This flexibility can be advantageous.
4.Ambassador stays at InterContinental include a dining credit of $20 or the equivalent in local currency.
The $20 basically covers the price of an entrée, so it becomes especially fragrant if you're a Diamond Ambassador with the Annual Lounge Privilege staying at an InterContinental, where breakfast, the Executive Lounge, and the $20 are all completely non-contradictory to what should be there.
5.Double occupancy only requires payment for a single room.
Double occupancy at the price of a single room is an incredibly useful membership benefit, especially for those traveling to Japan. When booking hotels in Japan, it is crucial to accurately specify the number of occupants, including adults and children. Japanese hotels strictly adhere to charging based on the number of individuals, and it can be quite expensive. However, Ambassador members have no concerns about this when checking in.
6.Using $200 to renew the Ambassador program can earn you 15,000 IHG points.
To maximize the benefits and greatly reduce the cost of purchasing the Ambassador status, IHG's points redemption has been very impressive in recent years. It is often possible to get a value of 500/10,000 points or even higher.
7.An important matter
Diamond members cannot maintain their status through room nights or point qualification this year. So, close your eyes and renew your Ambassador status. I won't mention the reason.
Finally, there is an advanced question about Royal Ambassador, which requires being a member of the Ambassador program in the first place. Every year, IHG headquarters invites a small number of members who have made significant contributions to InterContinental hotels to become prestigious Royal Ambassador members.
With the reform of the membership system, more and more people now obtain annual lounge benefits through progressive rewards, which has improved the overall stay experience. However, in terms of actual stays, the experience as a Royal Ambassador is far superior. Firstly, in terms of room upgrades, Royal Ambassadors are eligible for at least a two-category upgrade, and in most InterContinental hotels, they can directly access suites or even higher room types.
Secondly, concerning executive lounge benefits, Royal Ambassadors can enjoy the complete InterContinental Club privileges, while members with annual lounge benefits can only access the executive lounge for free.
For example, during a trip to InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, besides enjoying access to the executive lounge for free, Royal Ambassadors and members who purchased club benefits can also enjoy additional privileges such as exclusive beach loungers and unlimited complimentary beach soft drinks.
Of course, for most people, becoming a Royal Ambassador is relatively elusive, but if you spend over $15,000 annually at InterContinental properties, it is highly recommended to purchase the Ambassador membership because you never know if you might receive an invitation.
The above is my personal understanding of the Ambassador program. It is important to make rational decisions and avoid blindly following trends. Decide whether to purchase the membership based on your actual travel needs and circumstances.
Remember, every investment is made to gain a better travel experience.
