Extend IHG Diamond status for another year with InterContinental Ambassador

Back in October, many members of The MileLion community snagged IHG Diamond status thanks to a very generous status challenge by IHG One Rewards. 

Under the terms of the challenge, Diamond status would be granted till 31 December 2022. If members stayed at least 10 qualifying nights during this period, their Diamond status would be extended till 31 December 2023 (Diamond normally requires 70 nights in a calendar year). 

I haven’t clocked anything close to 10 nights, but I’ve managed to get my Diamond renewed till 31 December 2023 simply by purchasing an InterContinental Ambassador membership. 

For those interested in doing the same, here’s how it works.

What is InterContinental Ambassador?

For context, IHG operates a dual-track loyalty programme:

• IHG One Rewards is the free-to-join loyalty programme that covers all brands under the IHG umbrella
• InterContinental Ambassador is a paid membership programme that offers additional perks at InterContinental properties (and Regent Hotels, until 31 December 2022)

InterContinental Ambassador membership costs US$200 or 40,000 IHG points per year (defined as 12 consecutive calendar months from when you join), and comes with the following perks:

• Guaranteed one category room upgrade
• Guaranteed 4pm check-out
• Complimentary weekend night
• Platinum Elite status in IHG One Rewards
• Restaurants & bars credit of up to USD20 for every stay
• Complimentary mineral water
• Complimentary internet
• Dedicated check-in area
• Single room rate for double occupancy
• Mainland China Only: Complimentary breakfast for one, each night you stay
• Greater China Only: Welcome fruit platter for Platinum Elite & Diamond Elite members

As you can see, Platinum Elite status is one of the published benefits of membership. However, it’s widely known that an unpublished benefit of Ambassador membership is a 12-month extension of existing Diamond status. I suppose that’s intended to provide some incentive for Diamond members to join, since Platinum status would be useless to them. 

For example, the IHG Diamond status I secured through the recent offer was valid 31 December 2022, but after I purchased my Ambassador membership, that was immediately extended till 31 December 2023. 

Since this is an unpublished benefit, I want to stress it can be pulled at any time. All I can tell you is that it worked for me, as it did for numerous other members in the Telegram Group.

InterContinental Ambassador joining offer

Join IHG Ambassador

If you’re thinking about joining InterContinental Ambassador, there’s a special joining offer valid for enrollments by the end of 2022. 

InterContinental Ambassadors who join by 31 December 2022 and stay at least two eligible nights by 31 January 2023 will receive 20,000 IHG Points, worth roughly US$100. That’s basically half the Ambassador membership paid for. 

Your two nights can be either consecutive or part of separate stays, at hotels under the following brands: 

• InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
• Kimpton Hotels
• Regent Hotels

Each of the two nights must have a rate of at least US$30 per night (i.e. award nights don’t count). However, the Ambassador Complimentary Weekend Night (see next section for more details) does count as a qualifying rate, and the complimentary night will count towards the two night requirement. 

The bonus points will be credited within six weeks of meeting the qualifying criteria. 

How does the complimentary weekend night work?

The Complimentary Weekend Night certificate is valid on the second night of a minimum two-night paid weekend stay at any InterContinental Hotel worldwide. 

“Weekend” is defined as a stay falling on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, except in the Middle East where it falls on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 

To book your free night, visit this link and enter your destination and dates. Remember that you must book a stay of at least two nights that falls on a weekend. 

Here’s what it looks like at the InterContinental Robertson Quay in Singapore:

Do note that the Ambassador Complimentary Weekend Night rate is usually slightly higher than the best available refundable rate (S$350 vs S$340 in this case), but not by much. You’ll still end up saving, though it’ll be slightly less than the 50% you might be envisioning. 

At the time of booking, the full cost will be displayed. The cost of the second night will be removed at the time of payment at the hotel. 

In other words, ignore the green text above. Your total price for this stay will be S$350++ for two nights, not S$700++.

Conclusion

While I’ve not been much of an IHG loyalist in the past, the revamped IHG One Rewards programme is a big improvement from before, and since it means free breakfast and upgrades, I figured paying US$200 for a one-year extension made sense.

Together with my Hilton Diamond status, I’ll have guaranteed breakfast at two major chains worldwide, which gives me more options when redeeming points for stays. 

Once again, it’s important to emphasise that Diamond extension is an unpublished benefit of InterContinental Ambassador and can be discontinued at any time. 

Anyone else extending IHG Diamond status this way?