We’ve seen IHG make some major moves in 2022, such as launching the IHG One Rewards loyalty program and bringing IHG’s elite benefits within striking range of Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt.
Beyond the IHG One Rewards program, the separate and paid InterContinental Ambassador program provides additional benefits at InterContinental hotels, such as a food and drink credits and guaranteed late checkout.
A new enrolment promotion just been launched for InterContinental Ambassador, offering a bonus of 20,000 IHG One Rewards points if you sign up by December 31, 2022.
Earn 20,000 IHG Points by Enrolling in IHG Ambassador
IHG One Rewards members who either join Intercontinental Ambassador or renew their membership between September 2 and December 31, 2022 will receive 20,000 IHG bonus points after staying two paid nights.
Specifically, you must stay two paid nights at participating InterContinental, Kimpton, or Regent hotels between your enrolment or renewal date and January 31, 2023.
Note that it can take up to six weeks for qualifying nights to post to your account, and that the bonus 20,000 points will stack on top of the Complimentary Weekend Night Reward that’s part of the IHG Ambassador program’s annual benefits.
Interestingly, the terms and conditions state that the “Ambassador Complimentary Weekend Night” is a qualifying rate and will count towards the two nights needed to qualify for the bonus 20,000 points.
Keep in mind that redeeming the Weekend Night Reward requires you to book two paid nights and apply the certificate towards the second night. Therefore, using the Ambassador Complimentary Weekend Night Reward before the end of 2022 will automatically qualify you for the bonus 20,000 points on offer.
A one-year InterContinental Ambassador membership can be purchased for either $200 (USD) or 40,000 IHG One Rewards points.
We currently value IHG One Rewards points at 0.4 cents (USD) per point, meaning that 40,000 points would be equivalent to $160 (USD), so the value proposition in redeeming points for a new application is quite strong.
You can also think of the 20,000 bonus points as equivalent to 50% off the enrollment fee or a rebate of $80 (USD).
Existing Ambassador members who renew their membership will also eligible for bonus points under this promotion. However, the rates are slightly different, at 15,000 bonus points if renewing with $200 (USD), and 20,000 bonus points if renewing with 40,000 points.
What Is InterContinental Ambassador?
The InterContinental Ambassador program is a paid membership program with benefits that only apply to IHG’s top-tier luxury hotels: InterContinental, Kimpton, Six Senses, and Regent Hotels.
A one-year InterContinental Ambassador membership can be purchased for either $200 (USD) or 40,000 IHG One Rewards points. For this price, there are a host of benefits:
- IHG One Rewards Platinum status
- Guaranteed one-category room upgrade
- $20 (USD) restaurant and bar credit per stay
- Complimentary weekend night certificate
- Complimentary breakfast in Mainland China
- Guaranteed 4pm late check-out
- Specific benefits at Six Senses hotels, including complimentary breakfast for two, a complimentary 5o-minute massage, and a wellness platter as a welcome amenity
Some of these come with certain stipulations, such as the room upgrade being ineligible on nights booked with points or Free Night Awards. For the most part, it’s not hard to recoup the $200 (USD) in value if you’re a regular cash-paying patron at the participating IHG chains.
For example, if you stay at least 10 times during your membership year, you’d have earned $200 (USD) in restaurant and bar credits alone.
Furthermore, the 4pm guaranteed checkout is an exclusive benefit of the InterContinental Ambassador program, and is significantly better than the 2pm checkout subject to availability that’s given to top-tier IHG Diamond members.
Conclusion
Until December 31, 2022, new signups to the InterContinental Ambassador program can earn 20,000 bonus points as an enrolment incentive. The points will be deposited after two paid nights with InterContinental, Kimpton, or Regent Hotels.
InterContinental Ambassador comes with a set of meaningful perks when staying at InterContinental, Kimpton, Six Senses, and Regent properties. These include a guaranteed 4pm checkout, a $20 (USD) restaurant and bar credit, and a guaranteed one-category room upgrade.
Furthermore, for those eyeing the new IHG One Rewards program, this could be the nudge needed to sign up, since InterContinental Ambassador comes with mid-tier IHG One Rewards Platinum status included as part of its perks.