IHG Rewards Club runs a paid guest recognition program called Ambassador that applies for stays at InterContinental branded hotels and none others. This is a leftover from the times when Six Continents Club used to exist.
There is a second level of Ambassador-program called Royal that doesn’t have clear qualification criteria today compared to the past. You InterContinental spend in 2018 had to be more than $10K to qualify for the status in 2019. IHG has now changed this.
You can access IHG’s page for the Ambassador program here.
READ MORE: IHG Rewards Club Rate & Bonus Points And Miles Promotions
IHG recently launched a promo for members in Greater China that would allow fast track qualification into the Royal Ambassador status by spending $5,000 or more at InterContinental, Regent, or Kimpton hotels by the end of 2019.
IHG Rewards Club InterContinental Royal Ambassador Fast Track September 26 – December 31, 2019
This opened up a question whether these two new brands now also count towards Royal Ambassador qualification spend in all markets?
We received a following response from the IHG spokesperson:
The qualifications remain unpublished. However, when reviewing consideration for Royal Ambassador, members qualifying rooms spend is calculated across IHG Hotels & Resorts Luxury portfolio at Kimpton, InterContinental and Regent. Both InterContinental Ambassador and Royal Ambassador benefits are exclusively available at InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, and when staying at other IHG brands, the benefits of the members IHG Rewards Club Platinum or Spire status is recognized.
Conclusion
So, now spend at Regent, and Kimpton brands count towards the Royal Ambassador status but not RA status benefits are honored at them? What does this leave IHG’s most luxurious brand Six Senses? Is it going to be part of the Royal Ambassador program at some point in time?
It would make sense for IHG to refresh their IHG Rewards Club completely and combine these three separate programs into one with actual benefits (none guaranteed with IHG Rewards Club compared to Kimpton and InterContinental ones) or make the Ambassador program a guest recognition one for all luxury ones.
Only time will tell.
The program was far superior when it was six continents. The whole program needs to go forward by going back.
What’s this “Six Continentals” club you speak of?
It was the predecessor program before Ambassador was introduced. They would really have to do something big because the Ambassador program now, is not worth the money or effort!
I thought the predecessor was the Six Continents Club.
Yep. That is correct (fixed mine or autocorrect’s mistake).
Sure seems like it is a hassle now. Every time I try to use my free night certificate there is no availability, at least were i`ve tried to book. Very frustrating, have lost out on 3 free stays so far. Try another year maybe get lucky this time.
We are not renewing this year. 2 Ambassador paid memberships. Not because we could not use the 2for1, but we find there really isn’t any value in the program. Unless you happen to be staying at a really nice IC, the benefits are poor.
I`m happy to report after talking to an IHG agent and giving them a 3 month time span to work with I was able to get an Ambassador weekend night free.Had to go back and fourth for nearly an hour, but I was not going to let this one go.1st free night in 4 years at the InterContinental
The Clement Monterey, California. No more Ambassador club membership for me, Spire`s just as good if not better.