All you need to know about the InterContinental Ambassador membership

While achieving mid- to high-tier hotel elite status typically requires numerous nights, the InterContinental Ambassador program offers a unique opportunity. You can purchase status in the IHG One Rewards program without needing to fulfill any stay criteria.

If you seek benefits at InterContinental hotels and select Six Senses resorts, the InterContinental Ambassador program might be worthwhile. This guide will explain the program and assist you in deciding whether to enroll.

What exactly is the InterContinental Ambassador program?

The InterContinental Ambassador program offers exclusive perks at InterContinental hotels and resorts. Additionally, benefits extend to participating Six Senses hotels and resorts within the IHG One Rewards program.

When staying at other IHG brands, the InterContinental Ambassador program does not provide the usual Ambassador perks. Instead, members receive IHG Platinum Elite status. If your primary goal is achieving IHG elite status, consider applying for the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card or the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, both of which automatically grant Platinum Elite status as long as your account remains active.

What are the steps to become an InterContinental Ambassador?

To enroll in the InterContinental Ambassador program, you need to pay an annual fee of $200 or redeem 40,000 IHG points. According to TPG's June 2024 evaluations, those points are valued at approximately $200. However, I often find that I get more value from my IHG points and would recommend opting for cash rather than points for your membership fee. When I paid with my IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, the fee appeared as "Office & shipping."

You can sign up for the program either online, at any InterContinental location, or by contacting the IHG Ambassador Service Centre. Your account will be updated within 48 hours of payment for the InterContinental Ambassador, granting you access to Ambassador benefits for a full year. In my experience, my status was updated immediately after I logged out and back into my IHG account. Thus, it’s wise to consider joining the Ambassador program just before your stay.

IHG periodically runs promotions for the InterContinental Ambassador program, making it beneficial to keep an eye out for offers for new members and renewals. For instance, if your Ambassador membership is nearing expiration, you might receive an offer for 15,000 bonus points if you pay $200 to renew.

Benefits of the InterContinental Ambassador program

Members of the InterContinental Ambassador program enjoy a range of benefits when staying at InterContinental hotels and resorts.

• Guaranteed upgrade to a room one category higher. Note that this does not apply if you use a confirmable suite upgrade Milestone Reward for your stay. Room upgrades are not guaranteed for reward nights or free nights, and this benefit does not include lounge access or certain suite types.
• Late checkout guaranteed until 4 p.m.
• Enjoy one complimentary weekend night on the second night of a paid stay when you book the Ambassador Complimentary Weekend Night rate at InterContinental hotels and resorts. Reservations must be made online, and the Ambassador member must occupy the room. Most hotels consider the weekend to be Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, though hotels in the Middle East may define it as Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
• Upgrade to IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status.
• A $20 credit per stay applicable at select hotel restaurants, bars, and minibars. For markets not using dollars, a set amount or a credit based on the current exchange rate will be provided, depending on the property’s location. This benefit is not available in mainland China, where members receive a full daily breakfast in the main restaurant.
• Daily supply of mineral water.
• Access to the highest internet speed in guest rooms (when available for purchase).
• No additional charge for a second guest in your room.

Ambassador benefits at InterContinental Alliance Resorts

At InterContinental Alliance Resorts, Ambassador members receive access to the following benefits:

• Complimentary water upon arrival (not restocked daily)
• One category room upgrade, subject to availability

Ambassador benefits at Six Senses

At Six Senses locations participating in IHG One Rewards, InterContinental Ambassador members enjoy the following benefits:

• Complimentary breakfast for two each morning in the main restaurant
• A unique signature amenity once per stay, which includes either a complimentary 50-minute Six Senses Spa massage for two or a local experience (not applicable for corporate or negotiated rates)
• One-category room upgrade at no extra cost, subject to availability (not including residences or two-bedroom and larger suites and villas)
• Late checkout guaranteed until 4 p.m., subject to availability
• Early check-in, subject to availability
• Complimentary internet access
• A wellness platter provided on your arrival day

These perks, particularly the option for a complimentary 50-minute Six Senses Spa massage for two as a signature amenity, offer significant value. They can make purchasing an Ambassador membership worthwhile, even if you only plan to stay at a Six Senses property once during your membership year.

To receive these benefits at participating Six Senses properties, you must book directly with IHG, at the hotel itself, or through an authorized travel agent (most online travel agents do not qualify).

When can you access Ambassador benefits?

Typically, you need to book directly with IHG to enjoy elite benefits, but this is not always the case for Ambassador perks. IHG only excludes certain rates, such as those for airline crew and employees.

However, there are several important exceptions:

• Bookings at InterContinental hotels and resorts in French Polynesia made through third-party websites or tour operators do not qualify for guaranteed upgrades or late checkout.
• To receive InterContinental Ambassador benefits at participating Six Senses properties, you must book directly with IHG, at the hotel, or through an authorized travel agent.
• Ambassador benefits are not available at IHG Residence properties.

Guarantee of Benefits

Members of the InterContinental Ambassador program are guaranteed certain benefits. If a hotel cannot provide these perks, you may be eligible for compensation as follows:

• Room upgrade: You can receive a credit of $50 for use in a restaurant, bar, or spa, or 10,000 IHG points once per stay (compensation does not apply to reward nights or free nights).
• 4 p.m. late checkout: A credit of $50 for use in a restaurant, bar, or spa, or 10,000 IHG points once per stay.

However, IHG does not guarantee InterContinental Ambassador benefits during certain periods. These periods include:

• New Year's Eve
• Lunar New Year in Greater China
• Ramadan and Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Lastly, the guarantee of benefits does not apply to reservations made through third-party websites, tour operators, wholesalers, or as part of a group booking.

Membership Extension

The InterContinental Ambassador program provides two types of membership extensions. Each type can only be used once in a lifetime, and you cannot utilize both extensions within the same membership year.

You can request a two-month extension if you:

• Hold an active membership
• Have not utilized a two-month extension previously

You can request a six-month extension if you have:

• Maintained an active membership for over a year
• Not previously used a six-month extension

However, these once-in-a-lifetime extensions do not apply to your complimentary weekend night certificates.

Is the InterContinental Ambassador program worth it?

The value of the InterContinental Ambassador program really depends on your travel patterns.

It could be beneficial to enroll if you plan to take advantage of the Ambassador weekend night benefit. Keep in mind, though, that you must book at a specific rate, which often isn't the cheapest option. You can check the rates here before signing up for the Ambassador membership.

If you have a stay planned at a participating Six Senses property, you’ll likely find enough value in the membership to justify enrolling. Furthermore, it makes sense if you often stay at InterContinental hotels.

Guaranteed benefits like 4 p.m. late checkout and a one-category room upgrade are useful, though they can be difficult to quantify. However, the set credit for restaurants and bars during InterContinental stays outside of mainland China provides a clear value for each stay, making it easier to assess the worth of this perk.

Membership in the InterContinental Ambassador program also grants you Platinum Elite status. While you automatically receive this status if you hold the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card or the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, gaining Platinum Elite status through InterContinental Ambassador membership could be a key advantage if you're unable to obtain one of those cards.

What is the InterContinental Royal Ambassador?

Royal Ambassador is an invite-only status granted by IHG to select members of the Ambassador program. IHG chooses members based on their qualifying activities at InterContinental hotels and resorts, although the exact criteria for qualification are not disclosed publicly.

Royal Ambassador members enjoy the following benefits when staying at InterContinental hotels and resorts:

• Guaranteed upgrade of two room categories. However, if you book a suite, you will receive only a one-category upgrade (some suite types are excluded). This benefit is also not guaranteed and depends on availability for free and reward nights. Additionally, you won’t receive an extra upgrade if you apply a confirmable suite upgrade Milestone Reward to your stay.
• Access to the Club InterContinental lounge for the member and one guest if the hotel has a dedicated lounge. If there is no lounge, the member and a guest will receive a full breakfast in the main restaurant each day. (Choosing breakfast as a Diamond Elite welcome amenity does not entitle you to more than two breakfasts daily.) This benefit is not guaranteed at hotels without a dedicated lounge.
• Guaranteed early check-in by 10 a.m.
• Guaranteed late checkout until 4 p.m.
• One complimentary weekend night after the second night of a paid stay when booking the Ambassador Complimentary Weekend Night rate at an InterContinental hotel or resort.
• An in-room welcome amenity of fruit or snacks upon your arrival.
• Daily supply of mineral water.
• Highest internet access available in guest rooms (when available for purchase).
• Waived amenity or destination fees (excluding taxes and resort fees).
• No additional charge for a second guest.
• Guaranteed room availability with 24-hour notice.

Royal Ambassador members also receive Kimpton Inner Circle status, 25 IHG food and beverage rewards (each valued up to $20), and one complimentary night at an IHG hotel (excluding IHG Army Hotels and Six Senses properties), bookable for 70,000 IHG points or less.

Bottom Line

For some travelers, InterContinental Ambassador status is essential. If you can derive good value from the complimentary weekend night benefit or the perks offered during a stay at a participating Six Senses hotel or resort, it may be worthwhile to enroll, even if you don’t frequently stay at InterContinental hotels and resorts.