Spend a free weekend thanks to IHG's Ambassador Program: here's how to do it
During this 2024, here on TFC, I have also tried to give much more visibility to hotel chains that [...]
During this 2024, here on TFC, I tried to give a lot more visibility even to hotel chains that I don't frequent often. Next year there will be in addition to content many reviews of non-Marriott or Hilton hotels.
In this article:
The reasons for my preference are because of the need to renew statuses in the Bonvoy program and in Honors, where I am Titanium and Diamond, respectively, but I'm sure I'll be able to make several trips outside my comfort zone.
What is the InterContinental Ambassador?
The program InterContinental Ambassador allows you to purchase IHG Elite status and get additional benefits when you stay at a number of the group's facilities. Those who buy this level receive several benefits, but one of the most valuable is the ability to Spend a free night during a weekend at an InterContinental hotel or resort Every year.
Since in preparation for a stay in an Intercontinental I decided to buy this status, I decided to write this guide to explain in detail the benefits and costs and how I plan to maximize for the next 12 months this investment.
How much does it cost to buy InterContinental Ambassador status and what are the benefits
It has been about 2 years since I told here on TFC about this product., unique in the landscape of hotel loyalty programs, and since many people still did not know about this site, here is a brief recap.
For $200 or 40,000 IHG points., you can purchase a 12-month InterContinental Ambassador membership. This status does not exactly match the level you get in the field, but it still offers several benefits especially at InterContinental hotels and resorts:
- A room upgrade of one category
- 16:00 late check-out
- A credit of $ 20 for food and drink per stay
Before you click "buy," I recommend doing the appropriate assessments in particular you should be clear that these InterContinental Ambassador benefits are generally not applicable when you stay at other IHG brands. In fact, in addition to Intercontinentals, Ambassadors get some extra benefits at Six Senses facilities.
InterContinental Ambassador membership also includes Platinum Elite status in the IHG One Rewards program and related benefits, the main one is definitely the fourth award night when redeeming IHG points.
Does it make sense to "buy" Ambassador status?
There is no dry answer to this question, because it depends on how you are going to use and exploit it. My strategy is to review a number of IHG hotels over the next 12 months, and 200$ I am convinced will be an expense that I will easily amortize over a few stays, even without counting the free night.
Late check-out, for my travel routine is the most important benefit of all and one that I would like to see included in Hilton's Diamond benefits, since today in fact the Honors program does not guarantee anything, but each time it is at the discretion of the hotel.
How the free weekend night works
You receive a voucher to redeem one free night each time you renew your membership. Unlike, for example, the free night that comes with Titanium Marriott status that puts a limit on the cost of the room that can be booked for free, the InterContinental Ambassador weekend night has no limit and covers the full cost of the room and taxes on the second night.
To use the free weekend night, it is necessary to book a stay of two nights or more using the Ambassador weekend free night rate. Obviously being a "weekend" promo you must include in your reservation at least one night between Friday and Sunday, excluding some areas where the weekend starts on Thursday and ends on Saturday.
The other important information to know is:
- You cannot use a free weekend night on a reservation with points
- You must book online using the Ambassador weekend free overnight rate.
- Only InterContinental Ambassador members are eligible for the free weekend night, which means you can't book for others
- You can only make one reservation using the Ambassador weekend free overnight rate, translated you cannot book 5 weekends and then decide which one to keep and which one to cancel
How to book your free weekend night
To book the free overnight stay, one must connect via the app or the website with your One Rewards credentials, on the profile home page you must locate the box that allows you to redeem the voucher. From there you can access the page that reminds you of the rules for taking advantage of the benefit and begin your search.
The search is done directly on the specific rate that aims to locate available rooms for that specific reservation.
Obviously it may happen that there is no availability, but in this case you can access a specific calendar that allows you to see the dates on which you can redeem the free night at the desired hotel.
The cost of the room is, generally, more expensive than the best available flexible rate, but it is only a few euros at most.
As can be seen in this example the cost, per night of the room at the Intercontinental in the Maldives is, obviously more expensive than a nonrefundable room, but with a reservation like this one could amortize 10 years of subscription renewal since the final savings would be more than $2,000.
Why do I see the price of the two nights and not the discount
This is a situation that leaves one bewildered at first. In fact, the discount is applied at the time of check-in in the hotel, this means that you will have to pay for the second night, but the entire cost of the room will be reset to zero thanks to the credit that will be simultaneously preloaded on the room account.
In conclusion
On balance, therefore, it is very easy to see whether the investment of 200$ will be easily repaid or not, simply by using the free night, but I remind you there are then all the other benefits that still have great economic value and more.
I did it mostly for late check-out and room upgrades, but that's another story anyway.
