A new offer has just been launched for those considering signing up for or renewing an InterContinental Ambassador membership.
In this post:
What is InterContinental Ambassador?
IHG has a rather complicated rewards program structure. In addition to the IHG One Rewards program that covers all of IHG’s brands, InterContinental has its own guest recognition program, called Ambassador.
Ambassador status costs either $200 or 40,000 points for a 12-month membership (I value IHG points at ~0.5 cents each, so to me it’s roughly breakeven as to whether you should pay cash or redeem points). It comes with the following perks every time you stay at an InterContinental:
- A guaranteed one category upgrade
- A $20 credit to use toward the hotel’s restaurant, bar, or minibar
- Guaranteed 4PM late check-out
- Complimentary internet and mineral water
- Complimentary weekend night reward
- A dedicated check-in area
- Single room rate for double occupancy
- IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status
Ambassador status also offers valuable perks at Six Senses properties, which apply even when redeeming points.
Get 20K bonus points when you join or renew
Every so often InterContinental offers a promotion for those who sign-up for or renew their Ambassador status, and the latest such promotion has just been launched. Those who join or renew an InterContinental Ambassador membership can receive 20,000 IHG bonus points after staying two nights. There are some hoops to jump through, though:
- This is valid for enrollment or renewal between September 2 and December 31, 2022
- You have to stay two qualifying paid nights at an InterContinental, Kimpton, or Regent, by January 31, 2023 (it doesn’t matter if you make one stay of two nights or two stays of one night)
- It can take up to six weeks after completing qualifying activity for the bonus points to post to your account
- The bonus points are in addition to the weekend night reward that is included as an Ambassador member benefit
This promotion is disclosed in the program terms & conditions, though the landing page for Ambassador enrollment doesn’t list it (the same was the case the last time a promo along these lines was offered — how odd).
Is this promotion worth it?
If you’re going to enroll in or renew an InterContinental Ambassador membership, then you’ll of course want to register using a promotion. If you’re someone who stays at InterContinentals with any frequency and would have renewed or joined anyway, then this is a great offer.
Like I said, I value IHG points at 0.5 cents each, so to me the 20,000 bonus points represent an incremental $100 in value. There’s plenty of value to be had with InterContinental Ambassador status, especially with the weekend free night reward.
It’s probably not worth mattress running for this promotion, but if you can plan some upcoming stays with IHG, then this is a great offer.
Bottom line
InterContinental is offering 20,000 bonus points to those who enroll in or renew their Ambassador membership and stay two nights. This is a promotion that many InterContinental loyalists could find to be worthwhile. For those who were on the fence about an Ambassador membership, this could be the offer they need to finally sign up.
Do you plan on taking advantage of this Ambassador enrollment offer?
Just confirming Ben's point that this extends your Diamond Status for a year (I had gotten Diamond through the same fall promotion he was referring to; have Platinum from the Chase cards). My Diamond now says it will last through 12/31/23.
I have a 1/1-1/5 stay at a nice non-Intercontinental IHG hotel and so for $200 I'll (hopefully) I'll get free breakfast for four days for 2 people and hopefully a better room upgrade....
Just confirming Ben's point that this extends your Diamond Status for a year (I had gotten Diamond through the same fall promotion he was referring to; have Platinum from the Chase cards). My Diamond now says it will last through 12/31/23.
I have a 1/1-1/5 stay at a nice non-Intercontinental IHG hotel and so for $200 I'll (hopefully) I'll get free breakfast for four days for 2 people and hopefully a better room upgrade. This is before any other IHG or Intercontinental stays I'll have or the (low, unless I come up with another trip) chance that I'll snag the 20k points. So I expect to come out kinda even at worst and potentially well ahead.
Not enough Intercontinental locations to avail the benefit. Disappointed as after spending 40000 points, I will not be able to avail the 20000 points, not book a complimentary night. No added advantage unless you are specifically planning a stay at Intercontinental. This does not work at other IHG hotels. No cancellation policy!
Hi does anyone know how long it takes for the 20k ambassador bonus to credit to your account. My husband didn't get an offer for the promo but I signed him up for ambassador program on 3 Sept. Did you need to have a promo code to get the 20k points bonus or not. He has already done the 2 night stay required after signing up. Thanks for any advice on this.
I had to ring Ihg to get them to out on the 20k bonus points for signing up to ambassador program.
Agree depends how often you frequent interContinental hotels
I heard that six senses properties don't honor any ambassador status, when I called them on the phone thats what they told me? Also if I am paying for the rooms in points can I still get all the benefits that comes with the status? I have a intercontinental stay in fiji, and then six sense fiji after so if I sign up for the program I want to use the benefits at those locations.
Ugh! I pulled the trigger too quickly and didn’t read that it starts tomorrow!
@ Lucky,
I have 4 nights booked using points in Regent Berlin this coming October, if I sign up to the Ambassador will my stay still qualify?
Read the terms
and I thought Ambassador status does not provide benefits in Kimpton anymore - but nights there do count?
If I use Complimentary weekend night reward during promo. Will it count two nights stay? Thanks
It did when I did this earlier this year. Actual posting of the signup-bonus took several back-n-forths but eventually posted.
Thank you
It literally says in the T&C that the complimentary weekend stay counts, so yes.
Would a IHG stay booked through a portal like AMEX FHR qualify as a "paid stay" per these terms?
I ran into an issue recently with IC-booked-through-FHR-prepaid-rate --- apparently the booking showed up as Expedia (which is what Amex FHR is using now), so while the hotel confirmed it qualifies for FHR benefits, they won't let me add my IHG # to it, and so not provide any Ambassador benefits either. A pay-at-the-hotel FHR rate *might* still work --- if it shows up in your IHG account, that should be fine.
Thanks - FWIW I stayed at a Fairmont in August thru AMEX FHR and when checking in, the rep made sure I got Accor points for the stay. So I guess IC is less generous or just can't do it.