IHG hotels have had three partially separate loyalty programs for a while; IHG One Rewards, Ambassador program for InterContinental Hotels, and InnerCircle for Kimpton.
IHG One Rewards is free for all, there is a yearly for the Ambassador, and InnerCircle is free for those who frequent Kimpton hotels a lot (leftover from their Karma).
You can access IHG’s page for the Ambassador program here.
READ MORE: IHG One Rewards Rate & Bonus Points Offers
There has been a long-lasting Ambassador program feature that has been very beneficial for IHG Rewards and now IHG One Rewards members.
Signing up or renewing Ambassador status using either cash or points has automatically renewed your IHG One Rewards top tier status through the end of the following calendar year. This previously applied to Spire Elite; I renewed it using this method couple of times, and now to Diamond elite.
Example:
- Your Diamond status is set to expire on December 31, 2022, and you don’t have enough nights or qualifying spend to qualify.
- You sign up or renew InterContinental Ambassador at any time during 2022 (preferably when there is a promotion for doing so).
- The Diamond elite is extended through December 31, 2023.
Note that there is no guarantee that IHG continues to extend the Diamond tier based on purchasing or renewing the InterContinental Ambassador.
The main change in the recent benefit enhancement was that Diamond elite members can now choose breakfast for two as their amenity choice.
Club lounge access and suite upgrades are based on nights consumed as they are part of IHG’s Milestone Rewards.
Main InterContinental Ambassador benefits:
- IHG One Rewards Platinum Status
- Guaranteed One Category Upgrade
- Guaranteed 4 PM Check-Out at InterContinental Hotels
- $20 F&B Credit Per Stay
- Free Weekend Night Voucher
Remember that you can easily qualify for the Diamond tier by booking and paying for Bonus Points Packages!
IHG One Rewards Bonus Points Packages (Buying Elite Qualifying Points)
IHG One Rewards Elite Benefits & Milestone Rewards
- HG One Rewards Benefit Clarification Effective June 10, 2022
- IHG One Rewards New Elite Tiers & Benefits Now Live
- IHG One Rewards Milestone Rewards Now Live
- IHG Launches IHG One Rewards With Breakfast, Suite Upgrades & Lounge Access
Spire Elite Extensions Via InterContinental Ambassador
- IHG Rewards Spire Elite Extension By Buying Or Renewing InterContinental Ambassador
- IHG Rewards Club Spire Elite Status Extension When Buying Ambassador Membership
Conclusion
IHG must have concluded that it makes sense to continue extending its top-tier elite status by selling InterContinental Ambassador memberships.
The Diamond tier alone doesn’t come with too many benefits beyond bonus points and breakfast. The more lucrative ones can only be earned by putting nights into the IHG system and then choosing them as Milestone Rewards options.
The InterContinental Ambassador program itself is light on benefits for those who can qualify for Diamond and can choose suite upgrades and lounge access as their Milestone Reward. In addition, it guarantees 4 PM check out and one category upgrade when staying at InterContinentals.
Let’s hope that IHG continues its “silent” status extension policy for those that buy or renew their InterContinental Ambassador.
