Is the Latest Intercontinental Ambassador Sign-up Bonus Worthwhile?

Every few months, Intercontinental hotels – part of IHG – offers a bonus to new (or renewing) members of its Ambassador loyalty program.

New sign-ups or renewals that take place between September 2 and December 31, 2022 will be able to participate. Eligible participants can earn 20,000 bonus points by staying two paid nights at an InterContinental, Kimpton, or Regent hotel before January 31, 2023 (two separate one-night stays also works fine).

 

The Highlights of Ambassador

Signing up for Ambassador costs $200 or 40,000 IHG points.

You immediately become a Platinum member with IHG Rewards, as well as:

I could not find a landing page for this promotion. Details are simply buried in the standard Terms & Conditions for Ambassador membership.

Worth it?

In 2021, we saw two Ambassador sign-up promotions that offered a free night certificate worth 40,000 points after one stay. This promotion is clearly worse…

However, the T&Cs make clear that the The ‘Ambassador Complimentary Weekend Night’ rate is a Qualifying Rate. This means that you could:

  1. Sign up for Ambassador by paying $200 or spending 40,000 IHG points
  2. Book a weekend stay using your Complimentary Weekend Night certificate – i.e. pay for one night, stay two nights – and stay before the end of April
  3. Receive 20,000 points back

Effectively spending 20,000 points to get a free weekend night at an Intercontinental hotel could be an excellent deal. And you would enjoy the benefits of Ambassador status for a year, as well as IHG Platinum status…