IHG Hotels launched a promotion last year to get members to sign up or renew their Ambassador membership. IHG brought back the offer this past April but only now has a page on its website promoting it (previously only on the app & program T&Cs).
InterContinental Ambassador members whose membership is expiring on September 30, 2021, or earlier can renew under this offer (existing members when they are within their renewal window).
You can access and sign up or renew InterContinental Ambassador here and the page for the offer here (use Google translate).
READ MORE: IHG Rewards Club Rate & Bonus Points And Miles Promotions
You earn a free night certificate capped at 40,000 points after staying at InterContinental, Kimpton, or Regent hotels once by August 31, 2021.
Note that the free night certificate can be used at all IHG hotels when the maximum points rate is 40,000 or lower (remember that the point required for award nights now wildly fluctuates), and it expires on November 30, 2021.
You can either renew using cash of $200 and get 15,000 bonus points or redeem 40,000 points. Both are eligible for the free night award.
Here’s the offer on the app message:
Recap of the Ambassador benefits:
The offer is disclosed on the Ambassador program T&Cs:
There is nothing on the sign-up or renew page that indicates earning a free night award by signing up by July 31 and staying once at InterContinental, Regent, or Kimpton brands by August 31, 2021.
However, this is disclosed on the program T&Cs that you can access here (above copy of the relevant part).
My Renewal on December 30, 2020
This was done during the previous sign-up offer.
I tried to renew my Ambassador status expiring on March 31, 2021, several times, but it wasn’t previously within the allotted range (it was possible on December 30).
Renewal Options
You can choose between renewing with points 40,000 or paying $200 and getting 15,000 points as a bonus.
The Ambassador free night certificate was posted to my account instantaneously and the 15,000 points with a delay.
Conclusion
The Ambassador program is worthwhile for those that stay at InterContinental (now also at Kimpton, Regent, and Six Senses) hotels but don’t stay at hotels enough to get a top tier status with Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, or Accor for better benefits without having to pay a yearly fee.
I am glad that IHG has brought back this offer that allows more Ambassador members who plan to renew or sign up to earn a free night certificate and now finally have a page on its website about it, albeit only in Chinese!
Here are the terms and conditions of this offer:
Ambassador Reward Night Enrolment & Renewal Offer:
45. InterContinental® Ambassadors who enrol in the programme or renew their programme between 15 April 2021 – 31 July 2021 and then complete one Qualifying Stay at InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants, or Regent® Hotels by 31 August 2021 will be awarded a Reward Night redeemable for a Reward Night priced at 40,000 points or less. The Reward Night will be deposited into the Free Nights section of the member’s account within 72 hours after check-out from the qualifying, paid stay and will be valid until 30 November 2021. This Reward Night is in addition to the complimentary weekend night that is already included as an InterContinental Ambassador member benefit. Ambassador benefits are not honored at Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants globally or at Regent® Hotels & Resorts in Greater China.
The Reward Night must be consumed by 30 November 2021 and cannot be extended or transferred. The number of points required for a Reward Night at IHG hotels varies by date, brand and individual hotel and is subject to availability. Taxes, fees and Resort Fees apply and the member may be required to pay such taxes and fees even for a Reward Night. IHG® Army Hotels, Mr and Mrs Smith properties, and Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas are excluded from this Offer.
This Offer is not valid for InterContinental® Ambassador membership enrolments or renewals obtained on a complimentary basis or using the IHG Employee discount. Ambassador members must be within their standard renewal window in order to take advantage of this Offer. A Qualifying Stay is defined as a paid, minimum 1-night stay booked under a Qualifying Rate, with total spend exceeding US $30 per night.
Reward Nights do not count as Qualifying Stays. A Stay is defined per IHG® Rewards Membership Terms and Conditions as one night or consecutive nights at the same hotel, regardless of frequency of check-in/out. Only one room per member per Qualifying Stay will be eligible to earn the member a Reward Night under this Offer. If more than one member checks into the same room, only one member may use it as his or her Qualifying Stay for this Offer. No credit will be awarded for Stays completed prior to the member’s enrollment or renewal.
This Offer is subject to standard IHG® Rewards Membership Terms and Conditions and earning structure, which can be obtained here, as well as the InterContinental Ambassador Membership Terms and Conditions. IHG reserves the right to remove a member’s Reward night award or cancel a member’s account if fraudulent use of this Offer is detected. To the extent permitted by applicable law, IHG reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify this Offer at any time with or without notice, and IHG reserves the right of final interpretation of this Offer. Members must make any inquiries relating to this Offer by 60 days from the last date on which the Reward Night can be consumed (30 November 2021).
