If you’re a frequent guest at InterContinental Hotels, you might have wondered whether InterContinental Ambassador status is worth the $225 fee (or 45,000 IHG points). What do you actually get for your money? Is it a game-changer for IHG loyalists, or just another overhyped hotel status? Let’s break it down.
InterContinental Ambassador members receive the following benefits when staying at an InterContinental Hotel or Resort at a qualifying rate:
- Elevated recognition
- Guaranteed one-category room upgrade
- Extended 4 pm check-out
- Up to $20 dining credit per stay (excluding Mainland China)
- Complimentary mineral water
- Complimentary highest-speed internet available
There are also additional benefits, which include:
- Complimentary weekend night at InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
- Platinum Elite status in IHG® One Rewards, and the corresponding benefits
Here’s what the fine print says about room upgrades:
- Guaranteed upgrades only apply to paid stays. Award redemptions don’t count.
- If you are upgraded to a club-level room, it doesn’t include club access.
The complimentary weekend night certificate also has some important restrictions.
The Complimentary Weekend Night may be redeemed up until the expiry date of the Ambassador membership, or within the original expiry date of the Ambassador membership, if the membership has been extended. The Complimentary Weekend Night, cannot be extended and is redeemable once only in conjunction with a minimum two-night paid stay when booking the Ambassador Complimentary Weekend Night’ rate at InterContinental Hotels & Resorts. It is not valid to be used on any other rates
So it’s a complimentary night, but only when combined with a paid stay.
Since this is IHG, there’s a catch. If your upgrade, lounge access, or late checkout isn’t honored, here’s the compensation policy:
Final Thought
The value of the InterContinental Ambassador program depends on how often you book paid stays at InterContinental hotels. For a program that costs $225, it feels a bit unfair that most benefits—including the ‘free’ weekend night—are only available with paid stays.
This program is a step up from the IHG Rewards Club loyalty system because there’s compensation if a hotel doesn’t provide the benefits promised.
Want to comment on this post? Great! Read this first to help ensure it gets approved.
Want to sponsor a post, write something for Your Mileage May Vary, or put ads on our site? Click here for more info.
Like this post? Please share it! We have plenty more just like it and would love it if you decided to hang around and sign up to get emailed notifications of when we post.
Whether you’ve read our articles before or this is the first time you’re stopping by, we’re really glad you’re here and hope you come back to visit again!
This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.