Intercontinental Ambassador
What is it?
- It’s the elite program for Intercontinental branded hotels resorts. It’s recently (Feb 2009) been tweaked and rebranded – essentially the same as before except that you can no longer use your Free Weekend Night certificate on suites – but on the plus side the coupon now lasts for 12 months!
How do I get it?
- Sign up here and pay US$200 for your first year’s membership – renewal is US$100.
- Part with 28,000 points via Calling Priority Club service centre and asking for the exchange
- Occasional promotions come along – such as stay 3 nights in an Intercontinental hotel and get free ambassador status – but don’t you want the status before you arrive not after you leave!
What do I get when I join?
- Membership card (which I’ve never need to show)
- Free weekend night certificate
- Luggage tags that disappear on planes
- 5,000 point voucher
- Instant Gold Status! But you still need 60,000 points to hit Platinum
And when I stay (officially Paid Stays only)?
- 4 p.m. late check-out
- Complimentary Pay TV film per stay
- Instant Check-Out
- Guaranteed room upgrade
- Fresh fruit and mineral water (often after the occasional prompt)
I’ve been Platinum for almost 10 straight years now, but about 5 years ago, went to Royal Ambassador. It got me absolutely NOTHING. I originally paid for Ambassador at the Sydney Aus. Intercontinental and after a few stays here and there, found myself at the Kowloon IC. I showed the clerk my RA card and he looked at it and said “So what?” Needless to say, I never joined that program again.
@Greg Shoesmith
You should have got at least an opportunity to empty the mini-bar free of charge. If not then you must have had a poorly trained member of staff.
I would have complained to the powers above.
It is now 32.000 points ! Regards
@Greg Shoesmith
i agree, it gets you zip.
they just look at it and go “don’t see these very often”
its a waste
I wonder if the hotel’s propensity to award room upgrades is based on the room level originally booked. I recently stayed for a third time at the IC Hong Kong. Was already Priority Gold. Booked a Deluxe Jnr Suite, then discovered Ambassador status for a fee (and paid just in time), was upgraded the day before I arrived to a Deluxe Executive Room, and then opted to pay the nightly surcharge (AUD320) to get me from there to the Executive Suite (sitting/dining room, separate bedroom, enormous marble bathroom with spa that overlooked Victoria Harbour.) Not cheap, I grant you, but worth every penny.
I have stayed at IC Burswood Perth (Reward Points) and IC Sydney (Free Night). Was not upgraded at either even after I requested it. I referred them to the leaflet on the Front Desk saying “Get a Room Upgrade every time you stay”!. No asterixs or qualification. They said it does not apply to Reward Nights. Which part of “every” is confusing?
And from their website,
“Guaranteed room upgrade
Enjoy an immediate upgrade to a superior room each time you stay.”
Paul
I only joined a short while ago and i note the info now says every PAID stay ( another little tweak) i wonder ?????
Dear customer service,
I am Mrs A AL ABBASI a gold ambassador # 448 416 278 at present am staying in IC/Kaula Lumpur room #2725+2723 where I have certain issues which have really disappointed us on our stay here in KL:
Firstly we had been given an upgrade to suite room interconnecting with my childrens room on the most noisest side of the hotel where major constructions are taking place in spite of raising this to the reception they said that the hotel is and old structure and do not have other vacant suite interconnecting which i could understand although need do seriously draw your attention that the hotel is in immensely in need of refurbishment since it is really old in every aspect and not conveniant at all from the furniture to the lighting system.
Secondly, i had sent my clothes to the Laundry and to my utter DISAPPOINTMENT my elegant night gown which was originally a beautiful peach colour came back grey-blue
It was a very expensive night gown from montreal and a precious gift from my aunty too!
i immediately called the duty manager Mr Brian who tried his best to apologise and just cover themselves and believe me if you could see the laundry no one would believe it is a 5star hotel laundry in fact even a road side laundry would have NEVER make a disaster like this and even the clothes didnt smell fresh at all and according to the duty manager MR BRIAN he said every thing is HAND WASHED! it felt so disgusting!
Is this the service we deserve as ambassador members ?!
I really regret sending my clothes to this 1 star laundry where they have ruined my most expensive night gown and no telephone call even came from the laundry to apologise even the duty manager although a sweet man but didnt know how to rectify their mistake and was so indifferent to the situation.
Lastly the housekeeping needs alot to be taken seriously if you dont call the operator requesting things to be replaced i assure you that none of the toilet amenities get replaced even if used and finished. this is so disappointing!
In summary IC/KL LACKS CLASS.
I am very depressed my most expensive night gown has been ruined here in KL/Malaysia.
sincerely,
Mrs A AL ABBASI
20/11/2011.
According to the Membership T&Cs, room upgrades are not available for reward nights.
“When staying on Reward Nights, all Ambassador and Royal Ambassador privileges apply with the exception of upgrades, free Pay TV film per stay, 24 hour guaranteed room availability, 8:00am early check-in and complimentary mini bar beverages.”
how did you enjoy kowloon? Would you suggest it for romance?
@Greg Shoesmith