InterContinental Ambassador is a paid rewards programme that offers additional perks at InterContinental properties, such as a guaranteed one-category room upgrade, guaranteed 4 p.m check-out and a complimentary weekend night certificate. This is a separate scheme from the IHG One Rewards programme, though there is some overlap.
For as long as I can remember, the price of a membership has been US$200 or 40,000 IHG One Rewards points per year, but that will finally be changing from 2 October 2024.
InterContinental Ambassador price increase
As flagged by OMAAT, the price of an InterContinental Ambassador membership will increase from 2 October 2024 by 12.5%.
| Till 1 Oct 2024 | From 2 Oct 2024 | |
| Cash | US$200 | US$225 |
| Points | 40,000 | 45,000 |
The value per point is still the same at 0.5 US cents each, but you’ll have to pay US$225 instead of the previous US$200.
For what it’s worth, if your membership renewal is coming up within the next 90 days, you do have the option to pay now and lock in the current price. Don’t forget that IHG usually sends out renewal offers closer to expiry with 15,000 IHG One Rewards points for renewing, so be on the look out for that too.
As a reminder, InterContinental Ambassador memberships code as MCC 7399 Business Services Not Elsewhere Classified and are billed in USD, so you can use the following cards to maximise your miles.
| Card | Earn Rate | Remarks |
 Citi Rewards CardApply |
4 mpd | Cap of S$1K per s. month |
 UOB Visa SignatureApply |
4 mpd | Min S$1K, max S$2K FCY spend per s. month |
 Maybank Visa InfiniteApply |
3.2 mpd (till 31 Aug 24) |
No cap |
 SCB Visa InfiniteApply |
3 mpd | Min S$2K per s. month |
 UOB PRVI MilesApply |
2.4 mpd | No cap |
| S. Month= Statement Month | C. Month= Calendar Month | ||
You can always pair the Mastercard options above with the Amaze Card to enjoy lower foreign currency transaction fees compared to banks, though keep in mind you’ll then only have the local earn rates for the general spending cards.
You should not be using the DBS Woman’s World Card for MCC 7399, as it’s ineligible for bonus points notwithstanding the fact the transaction is processed online.
InterContinental Ambassador benefits
InterContinental Ambassador members enjoy the following benefits when they stay at InterContinental hotels:
- Guaranteed one category room upgrade
- Guaranteed 4 p.m late check-out
- Complimentary weekend night certificate
- 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
The biggest perk to me is the complimentary weekend night certificate. This is valid for 12 months from the date of issue, and requires a minimum two-night paid 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.
By the way, unlike Accor Plus, there’s no need to purchase an Ambassador membership in order to check free night availability; you can do so via this link. Rates booked under the Ambassador free night certificate can sometimes be a bit higher than the best flexible rate, but not inordinately in my experience.
Guaranteed 4 p.m check-out and a one-category room upgrade are useful too, though it’s important to note the latter only applies to paid nights. If 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 Resorts 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
From 2 October 2024, the cost of an InterContinental Ambassador membership will increase by 12.5% in terms of both cash or points.
If you want to lock in the current price, you can do so as long as there are fewer than 90 days before your next scheduled renewal.
Will you still be renewing your InterContinental Ambassador membership?
My membership is expiring and I am considering actually not renewing because the weekend free night is seriously unbookable for the many places that I travelled to in the past year. Worse than SQ flight redemptions. If you have any advice on finding availability, happy to hear them.
At 225 I will still join. This year I used it for a $600USD room I would have never booked otherwise. The Platinum earned an extra 30,000 points ($150USD) I would not have earned otherwise and the upgrades I received as Platinum were nice. Next year I have booked the ambassador room to combine with using this years points earned, only $230 this time but fits my plans. The 4pm checkout is valuable and I have already booked 5 IC stays next year so thats $100 in mini fridge paid for. so a beer a night that I would never… Read more »