IHG Ambassador Membership
To become an InterContinental Ambassador, you must pay an annual fee of $200 or 40,000 IHG points.InterContinental Ambassador members get the following benefits when staying at InterContinental hotels and resorts:
Guaranteed one-category room upgrade. However, you aren’t entitled to an additional upgrade if you apply a confirmable suite upgrade Milestone Reward to your stay. You aren’t guaranteed an upgrade on reward nights and free nights, and this benefit excludes lounge access and some suite types.
Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout.
One complimentary weekend night on the second night of a paid stay when booking the Ambassador Complimentary Weekend Night rate at InterContinental hotels and resorts. You must book online, and the Ambassador member must stay in the room. Most hotels define the weekend as Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, but hotels in the Middle East may define the weekend as Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Upgrade to IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status.
A $20 credit per stay for use in select hotel restaurants, bars and minibars. In markets that don’t use dollars, you’ll receive either a predetermined amount or a credit based on the day’s exchange rate (depending on the property’s location). This benefit isn’t offered in mainland China, where the member gets a full breakfast daily in the main restaurant.
Daily mineral water.
Highest internet access in guest rooms (when available for purchase).
No extra charge for a second guest.
InterContinental Ambassador members also get extra perks at Six Senses properties participating in IHG One Rewards. These benefits include complimentary breakfast daily for two in the main restaurant, a wellness platter welcome amenity on the day of arrival and a complimentary one-category room upgrade (subject to availability).
IHG invites select InterContinental Ambassadors to become Royal Ambassadors based on their qualifying activity at InterContinental hotels and resorts. Royal Ambassadors receive even more perks, including access to Club InterContinental lounges.
What is InterContinental Royal Ambassador?
Royal Ambassador is an invite-only status offered by IHG to select Ambassador members. IHG selects members based on their qualifying activity at InterContinental hotels and resorts, though the specific qualification criteria aren’t shared publicly.
Royal Ambassador members get the following benefits when staying at InterContinental hotels and resorts:
Guaranteed two-category room upgrade. However, you will receive a one-category upgrade if you book a suite (and this benefit excludes some suite types). Plus, this benefit is not guaranteed and is subject to availability on free and reward nights. Finally, you aren’t entitled to an additional upgrade if you apply a confirmable suite upgrade Milestone Reward to your stay.
Lounge access at hotels with a dedicated Club InterContinental lounge for the member and a guest staying in the member’s room. If the hotel does not operate a dedicated Club InterContinental lounge, the member and one guest will get a full breakfast in the main restaurant each day. (However, choosing breakfast as a Diamond Elite welcome amenity will not get you more than two breakfasts per day.) This benefit is not guaranteed at hotels without a dedicated lounge.
Guaranteed early check-in of 10 a.m.
Guaranteed late checkout of 4 p.m.
One complimentary weekend night on the second night of a paid stay when booking the Ambassador Complimentary Weekend Night rate at an InterContinental hotel or resort.
In-room welcome amenity fruit or snack on your day of arrival.
Daily mineral water.
Highest internet access in guest rooms (when available for purchase).
Waived amenity or destination fees (excluding taxes and resort fees).
No extra charge for a second guest.
Guaranteed room availability with 24-hour notice.
Royal Ambassador members also get Kimpton Inner Circle status, 25 IHG food and beverage rewards (each worth up to $20) and one free night at an IHG hotel (excluding IHG Army Hotels and Six Senses properties) bookable for 70,000 IHG points or less.
Note
InterContinental Ambassador program membership fee will increase on October 2, 2024.
Although Ambassador status costs $200 or 40,000 points per year, the benefits outweigh the cost. Simply redeeming the complimentary weekend night should cover that upfront investment, and that’s even before factoring in other perks like room upgrades, $20 in dining credits per stay and guaranteed 4 p.m. late check-out.