You might think that the parallel InterContinental Ambassador program is no longer relevant, but I think it is. Ambassador status guarantees 4PM late check-out at hotels.
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is a single brand within the International Hotel Group, which also includes brands such as Holiday Inn, Kimpton, Regent, Six Senses, and more.
If you take advantage of the free weekend night certificate, the Ambassador program can be worth the money.
InterContinental Ambassador and Royal Ambassador are levels in the program. If you pay with points, you will get the old IHG rewards club credit card.
Upon joining, benefits are immediately available.
Enrollment Offer
After two nights, you will get 20,000 bonus points.
- Must enroll in the InterContinental® Ambassador program during the period of September 2, 2022 through December 31, 2022
- Complete two qualifying nights at participating InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants, or Regent® Hotels & Resorts by 31 January 2023
You can find full details here.
If the stay is within the valid dates, the free weekend night will be counted as a second night.
Renewal Offer
After two nights of bonus points, you'll get 20,000 bonus points.
- If you renew by paying $200, you will earn 15,000 points upon renewal. This bonus is not available if you pay 40,000 points to renew membership.
- Complete two qualifying nights at participating InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants, or Regent® Hotels & Resorts between your renewal date and January 31 2023 to earn an additional 20,000 bonus points.
You can find full details here.
If the stay is within the valid dates, the free weekend night will be counted as a second night.
Ambassador Benefits
IHG Platinum Elite Status (IHG-wide benefits)
The InterContinental Ambassador has a status that offers benefits.
- 60% Bonus Points on paid stays
- Complementary Upgrades (Platinum and Diamond Benefit): Free upgrades can include suites, but hotels aren’t required to offer them.
- Points or Drink/Snack Welcome Amenity: Choose points or a drink / snack at check-in.
- Reward Night Discount: It’s not clear to me what exactly this benefit is or if it has been implemented yet in IHG’s program. IHG’s website states “IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite Members will receive exclusive access to discounts on Reward Nights at participating hotels.”
- Guaranteed Room Availability
- Early Check-In: Based upon availability
IHG Diamond Elite Renewal (IHG-wide benefits)
If you sign up for Ambassador status, you will be able to keep your Diamond status for another year.
- 100% Bonus Points on paid stays
- Dedicated Diamond support
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® Five Star® status
- Free breakfast: Diamond Elite Members’ Welcome Amenity choice includes Free Breakfast at full-service and select-service brands (REGENT, InterContinental, Hualuxe, Hotel Indigo, voco, Crowne Plaza, Even, Holiday Inn, and Kimpton)
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Benefits
There are benefits for stays at InterContinental Hotels & Resorts if you're an ambassador.
- Free weekend night: Valid on the second night of a paid weekend stay on the Ambassador Weekend Rate (“AMB Certificate”) at InterContinental Hotels (excludes InterContinental Alliance Resorts). The free night is available immediately upon enrollment in the Ambassador program. Only one free night certificate is issued per 12 months. Valid only for the member who has InterContinental Ambassador status. The weekend is defined as Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, except in the Middle East where hotels may define the weekend as Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. TIP: Use this link to check for free weekend night prices and availability before joining the Ambassador program.
- Guaranteed room upgrade: Guaranteed one category room upgrade on paid stays. Upgrades include suites, but exclude lounge access unless you booked a room with lounge access from the beginning. Room upgrades are not guaranteed on award stays.
- Guaranteed 4PM late checkout
- $20 food & beverage credit per stay: Can be used at most InterContinental hotel restaurants, bars and minibars. Not applicable to in-room dining (weird).
- Complimentary mineral water daily
- Complimentary highest internet access
- Single room rate for double occupancy
- In greater China only: Complimentary breakfast for one, each night you stay (Valid in Mainland China only)
Regent Hotels & Resorts Benefits
There is no word on whether Ambassador status will be extended past December 31, 2022.
- Free weekend night: Valid on the second night of a paid weekend stay on the Ambassador Weekend Rate (“AMB Certificate”) at Regent Hotels (Not applicable at Regent Hotels & Resorts within Greater China). The free night is available immediately upon enrollment in the Ambassador program. Only one free night certificate is issued per 12 months. Valid only for the member who has InterContinental Ambassador status. The weekend is defined as Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, except in the Middle East where hotels may define the weekend as Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. TIP: Use this link to check for free weekend night prices and availability before joining the Ambassador program.
- Guaranteed room upgrade: Guaranteed one category room upgrade on paid stays. Upgrades include suites, but exclude lounge access unless you booked a room with lounge access from the beginning. Room upgrades are not guaranteed on award stays. Room upgrade is upon availability in Greater China.
- 4PM late checkout (subject to availability at Regent Hotels & Resorts in Greater China.)
- Signature Amenity: “A local ‘Signature Amenity’ benefit shall be offered.”
- In greater China only:
- Complimentary breakfast for one, each night you stay (Valid in Mainland China only)
- Restaurants and bars discount
Six Senses Benefits
There are benefits for stays at Six Senses Hotels.
- Free breakfast for two: Benefit not applicable at Six Senses Residences.
- Complementary one category room upgrade: Subject to availability (excludes residences and 2 bedroom or greater suites/villas)
- 4PM late checkout: Subject to availability. Guaranteed for Royal Ambassador & Kimpton Inner Circle members. Benefit always subject to availability for all tiers at Six Senses Residences.
- Early check-in: Early check-in subject to availability. Guaranteed for Royal Ambassador & Kimpton Inner Circle members and in circumstances where the room is not available at 10 am, the member may be checked into another available room until the original booked room becomes available. Benefit always subject to availability for all tiers at Six Senses Residences.
- Signature Amenity: Signature Amenity of either a complimentary 50 minute Six Senses Spa massage for two or local experience once per stay. The Signature Amenity varies by resort, is subject to availability and confirmed on arrival. Not applicable with corporate or negotiated rates.
- Complementary Internet Access
- Wellness Platter: Wellness Platter welcome amenity on day of arrival. Benefit always subject to availability for all tiers at Six Senses Residences.
Kimpton Benefits
Benefits for stays at Kimpton Hotels are offered by ambassador status.
- Free weekend night: Valid on the second night of a paid stay at a Kimpton Hotel. This benefit is available through December 31, 2022. There is no word yet as to whether this benefit will be extended beyond 2022. TIP: Use this link to check for free weekend night prices and availability before joining the Ambassador program.
See the Best Kimpton Hotels in the US and Canada.
Ambassador benefits can be backed up with cash, credits, or points if they can't offer them during your stay.
Royal Ambassador benefits
All of the benefits listed above are included in the invitation only Royal Ambassador program.
- Guaranteed two category room upgrade
- Complimentary Club InterContinental lounge access (or free full breakfast for two)
- Free Night at an IHG Hotel: Good for any hotel that costs up to 70,000 points per night
- Guaranteed Early check-in of 10 a.m. on day of arrival
- Minibar credit of $50 per night, up to $200 per stay
- In-room welcome amenity choice of fruit, sweet or savory snack on day of arrival
- Waived Amenity or Destination fees
- Single-room rate for double occupancy
- Guaranteed room availability for member’s room with 24-hour advance reservation
Q & A
Do benefits apply to award nights?
Free nights booked with points or with free night certificates are some of the benefits.
Ambassador benefits can be applied to award nights.
- 4PM late checkout
- $20 food & beverage credit per stay
- Complimentary mineral water
- Complimentary internet service
There are benefits that apply to award nights.
- Guaranteed 10am early check in
- Guaranteed 4pm late checkout
- Free in-room amenity
- Complimentary mineral water
- Complimentary internet service
- Waived amenity or destination fees
Do benefits apply to 3rd party bookings?
I don't think it's confirmed, but the terms and conditions state that the Benefit Guarantees don't apply to 3rd party or tour operator bookings.
There are benefits that are not guaranteed for 3rd party bookings at InterContinental Hotels and resorts in French Polynesia.
The fact that they went out of their way to state that certain benefits are not guaranteed makes me believe that they expect these benefits to be offered elsewhere.
Free weekend night questions
Competitive price?
It's not really.
The Ambassador Weekend Rate is the same as the hotel's standard weekend rate.
Before you join the Ambassador program, use this link to check for free weekend night prices.
Always available?
Before you join the Ambassador program, use this link to check for free weekend night prices.
Book a suite?
You can get the second night free if you book a suite at the weekend rate.
Book with lounge access?
You can get the second night free if you book a room with club lounge access at the Ambassador Weekend Rate.
Guaranteed Upgrade Questions
Upgrade to lounge access?
The ambassador is a royal ambassador.
It is not possible to get a free upgrade to the Club InterContinental lounges if you are a regular Ambassador.
Royal Ambassadors are usually given lounge access, but not during certain times.
- New Year’s Eve, December 31 – Location: Global
- Chinese New Year, beginning on the 1st day of the lunar year for a 10-day period – Location: Greater China
- Ramadan, beginning on the 1st day of Ramadan for a 30-day period – Location: Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Upgrades to suite?
I agree.
If you upgrade to a suite, you're not guaranteed lounge access.
Upgrade to Presidential suite?
Sometimes, it happens.
If a hotel has an incredible top level suite, can you book the next to top level in order to get upgraded to the best of the best?
Upgrade exclusions?
The specialty suite exceptions are not the only ones that are subject to certain periods of darkness.
- New Year’s Eve, December 31 – Location: Global
- Chinese New Year, beginning on the 1st day of the lunar year for a 10-day period – Location: Greater China
- Ramadan, beginning on the 1st day of Ramadan for a 30-day period – Location: Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Terms & Conditions?
Here you can find full terms and conditions.
