I signed up for an InterContinental Ambassador membership back in December 2022.ย While the main purpose was to extend my IHG Diamond status for a further year (an unofficial perk that’s no longer available), the additional benefits like a free weekend night certificate and guaranteed 4 p.m late check-out certainly didn’t hurt.ย
Even though I didn’t stay all that much at InterContinental properties in 2023, I’ve still decided to renew my membership for 2024, thanks in part to the renewal offer of 15,000 bonus points.
This isn’t a published benefit for renewal, but my understanding is that pretty much everyone receives it.ย
InterContinental Ambassador renewal offer
The standard InterContinental Ambassador renewal offer is to grant 15,000 bonus points with the payment of the US$200 renewal fee.ย
You should receive the following email in your final month of membership:
| ย |
Only one month of your InterContinentalยฎ Ambassador membership remains. Re-enrol by 1 January 2024 to maintain the privileges befitting travellers of such exquisite taste.
Renew your membership for USD200 by 1 January 2024 and enjoy 15,000 IHG One Rewards bonus points. |
And if you miss that email, don’t worry, you’ll get another chance the following month:
| ย |
Although your InterContinentalยฎย Ambassador membership has expired, we would like to extend your renewal offer for one additional month. Renew your membership for USD200 by 1 February 2024 and enjoy 15,000 IHG One Rewards bonus points |
Assuming you value 1 IHG point at 0.5 US cents, the 15,000 renewal pointsย basically reduces the cost to US$125.ย The value of the free weekend night certificate alone should more than cover that, so it didn’t take much deliberation to pull the trigger.
The 15,000 bonus points were credited instantly to my account.
By the way, the transaction codes as MCC 7399 Business Services Not Elsewhere Classified, so Amaze paired with the Citi Rewards Card would be your best bet.
InterContinental Ambassador benefits
To recap, InterContinental Ambassador members enjoy the following benefits when they stay at InterContinental hotels:
- Guaranteed one category room upgrade
- Guaranteed 4pm late check-out
- Complimentary weekend night certificate
- Platinum Elite status in IHGย 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
The biggest perk to me is the complimentary weekend night certificate, which requires a minimum two-night stay with check-in on Friday or Saturday (Thursday or Friday at hotels in the Middle East).
Depending on which hotel you visit, the value of the free night could be significant. Even better, this perk doesn’t apply just to base rooms; you could book a club room or suite and still enjoy the free night.
Guaranteed 4 p.m check-out and aย one-category room upgrade are useful too, though it’s important to note the latter only applies to paid nights. Ifย you’re staying on an award night, upgrades are subject to availability.
If you stay at a Six Senses property that participates in IHG One Rewards, InterContinental Ambassador membership will give you:
- Complimentary breakfast for two in the main restaurant per day
- Signature amenity of a complimentary 50-minute Six Senses Spa massage for two, or local experience once per stay
- One-category room upgrade, subject to availability
- 4 p.m late check-out, subject to availability
- 10 a.m early check-in, subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Wellness platter welcome amenity
Six Senses aren’t cheap, but if you’re willing to make the splurge, then the free breakfast, spa treatment and other perks can help sweeten the deal.
Conclusion
Even though I haven’t been staying at InterContinental properties very frequently, I still decided to go ahead and renew my Ambassador membership for a further year.
The 15,000 bonus points brought the effective cost down to US$125, which I’m more than confident I’ll cover through the free weekend night certificate alone. And when I do end up losing my Diamond status in the upcoming weeks, having Platinum status will be…better than nothing, I suppose?
Are you renewing your InterContinental Ambassador membership?
While I agree, I think calling it a straight out free night certificate is a little bit misleading. Itโs a 2-for-1, requiring you to book an (expensive) weekend night, to get 50% off. I let mine expire last year without using it, despite plenty of nights at IHG, as the weekend never quite fit. Itโs very different from the Amex free night certificate, which wonโt cost you anything to use/no minimum spend.
I know you explained it later in the article, but perhaps calling it a weekend 2-for-1 or 50% is a bit clearer?
Itโs not a 2-4-1. Itโs 2nd night free. If first night is 400 and second is 200, you save just 200.
that is literally the terminology that IHG uses, so you should take that up with them, really. the article has already explained the mechanics.
Thanks, very clear. Will not engage anymore.
I was a IHG Ambassador member before, the good thing is the Platinum level you will be upgraded if you are just basic level. I also noticed the room rate for the Ambassador Weekend Free night are always higher than normal rate for the same date if you using the Weekend Free Night link from Ambassador member page. You actually save about 35-40 % less for two nights, not 50%..
I am ambassador with highest tier for years. I can say that Platinum alone in some property like example Intercon Osaka/Tokyo, Intercon London Park Lane etc… even super old Japanese Crowne Plazas will do this trick… often you will be told sorry no room upgrade this time, we will give you 1000pts for the whole stay and an extra drink voucher as compensation. As diamond ambassador, i got less of this bullshit, but maybe still 20-30% chance that i got offered 500-1000pts instead of room upgrades. For me the key is to hit at least yearly 30nights for club access…… Read more »
To my knowledge, compensation for failing to honour guaranteed ambassador upgrade is worth a lot more than 1000 points. Never encountered that in my many nights last year, but just to add for the record, Intercon KL is a terrible hotel and the upgrades are worthless
Can confirm. Stayed at Intercon Tokyo for 4 nights and was given 1,000 points for the whole stay as compensation for the lack of upgrade. Won’t be renewing
It’s only usd200 and what more do you expect?
Toying with the idea of getting this or accepting the SQ/Marriott challenge. Ain’t gonna travel much this year
I joined the ambassador program last year and enjoyed Diamond Elite status. This year, itโs downgraded to Platinum elite and not much perks anymore. The ambassador weekend night rate is ridiculous, itโs more than 2 times of the rate I could get on IHG app. So, if I stay 3 nights, itโd still be way more expensive. The confirmable upgrade suite is super difficult to use. You need to have a booking first before calling within 14 days of your stay to see if thereโs any luck. And the rate that you book might not be applicable. This is way… Read more »