IHG One Rewards went through a program refresh this past spring that included a slight name change (IHG Rewards Club), a benefits upgrade, and the launch of Milestone Rewards.
Then IHG introduced an interesting Straight To Diamond promotion (read more here and here) that allowed members to get Diamond for 90 days and keep it through the end of 2023 by consuming 10 nights, but there is also an easier way that requires $200. The offer was promptly retired.
You can access IHG’s page for the Ambassador program here.
READ MORE: IHG One Rewards Rate & Bonus Points Offers
IHG also has a guest recognition program called Ambassador which benefits only apply to stays at InterContinental Hotels.
There has been a quirk, or some may call a feature of IHG One Rewards, that purchasing or renewing the Ambassador membership has also extended your status by an additional year.
As far as I can recall, you have retained your elite status (you need to reach it at least once) through the Ambassador program.
The IHG has never disclosed this, and if you try to get confirmation from customer service, the answer is and has always been no. In reality, however, it does work.
The “net” price of the Ambassador membership is $125 if you factor in the value of the IHG One Rewards points that you get (15,000).
Few breakfasts at higher-end IHG-affiliated hotels (InterContinental, Kimpton & Regent) are more than this + all the other potential benefits, such as late check-out and upgrade, are just gravy.
The Ambassador membership comes with its own set of benefits that can be useful for those that stay at InterContinental hotels:
- Guaranteed 4 PM check out at InterContinental Hotels
- Guaranteed one-category upgrade at InterContinental Hotels
- Free Weekend Night Voucher (second night free when paid first at best flexible)
- IHG One Rewards Platinum status
- $20 F&B credit per stay (amount varies by market)
My Ambassador Renewal (December 30, 2022):
You can renew your Ambassador membership within 90 days of its expiry. Mine was set to run out at the end of March 2023, but I decided to pay today because I will get an additional 20,000 points (read more here) by staying two nights at select brands by the end of January due to IHG’s promo.
The 15,000 bonus points are posted to your account instantaneously.
As is the Ambassador free weekend night vouchers.
I had already qualified for the Diamond status through the end of 2023 by staying enough nights, but Ambassador renewal pushed the expiry until December 31, 2024!
Extending Spire Elite (IHG’s Previous Name for Diamond) Through Ambassador:
IHG Rewards Spire Elite Extension By Buying Or Renewing InterContinental Ambassador
IHG Rewards Club Spire Elite Status Extensions For Ambassador Renewals Or Sign Ups
IHG Rewards Club Spire Elite Status Extension When Buying Ambassador Membership
Extending IHG Rewards Club Spire Elite Status By Buying Ambassador Membership?
As you can see from the articles above, this status extension by the Ambassador program is nothing new.
IHG Loyalty Program Refresh in 2022:
IHG Annual Lounge Membership Experience Case: InterContinental Le Grand Paris
IHG Confirmable Suite Upgrade Experience Case: InterContinental Paris Le Grand
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
InterContinental Hotels Renaming Club Lounges To Prevent Free Access?
IHG One Rewards Upgrade Benefit Clarification
IHG Rewards Refresh: Spire Elite Becomes Diamond & New Silver Tier
IHG Rewards Email About Program Refresh In April 2022
Conclusion
We never previously got so many questions about this IHG’s program feature, but then the Spire Elite benefits compared to the new and enhanced Diamond weren’t great (you got a 100% stay bonus versus 50% for Platinum).
Many are confused because IHG won’t confirm the status extension before purchasing or renewing the Ambassador.
You have to remember that those working at IHG’s customer service have likely never set foot at any of the affiliated hotels and don’t know how the program works beyond what they were told.
As this program feature is unofficial, it can be withdrawn without any announcement. However, I would guess that the Diamond status extension is the primary driver of new Ambassador sign-ups and renewals.
