IHG Ends Diamond Extensions Through InterContinental Ambassador Program

IHG runs three partially separate loyalty and guest recognition programs: Ambassador for InterContinental hotels, Kimpton InnerCircle, and IHG One Rewards (chain-wide).

There has been a silent feature of the program that you have been able to renew your IHG status, first Spire Elite and then Diamond, by merely signing up or renewing your InterContinental Ambassador membership for $200 or 40,000 points.

You can access IHG’s page for the Ambassador program here.

READ MORE: IHG One Rewards Rate & Bonus Points Offers

We have now had several readers contacting us in the past week who have inquired if this feature has ended, as their status has not been extended through the end of 2024 when they have signed up or renewed their Ambassador membership. It seems that these extensions ended in early September, as they were still in place last month.

We have been asked to confirm this with the IHG, but unfortunately, that is not possible. IHG has never officially confirmed that the status IS extended through this Ambassador feature, so there is nothing to announce.

InterContinental Ambassador has always come with Platinum status, and first, the Spire Elite and, later, Diamond renewals have just happened.

Platinum Versus Diamond Benefits:

There are two main differences:

1. Bonus Points

Platinum elite members receive a 60% bonus on earned points, while this is upped to 100% for Diamonds

2. Welcome Amenity (breakfast for Diamonds)

This is the main differentiator. Diamond members can choose a hot breakfast for two as their amenity choice:

Diamond Elite Members’ Welcome Amenity choice also includes Free Breakfast at full-service and select-service brands (REGENT, InterContinental, Vignette, Hualuxe, Hotel Indigo, voco, Crowne Plaza, Even, Holiday Inn, and Kimpton)

Available for Member and one guest registered to the same room for each night of stay

Includes one main menu item with unlimited non-alcoholic beverages or full buffet with unlimited non-alcoholic beverages per person

Select Breakfast menu items may be excluded (such as specialty/local-themed items)

Alcoholic beverages and certain specialty drinks excluded

Not available for In-Room dining or at specialty restaurants

Lounge Access

This has been a sticking point to some who have complained that the Diamond status doesn’t come with lounge access.

IHG launched the Milestone Rewards in 2022 with the program refresh, and you now have the ability to choose the Annual Lounge pass as one of the choice benefits at 40 or 70 nights (and if you choose in January 2024 – the pass is valid through the end of 2025 – let’s see if this feature sticks).

Previously, the lounge access was only provided to Royal Ambassador members at the InterContinental hotels, and some other hotels also extended it, not required, to Spire Elites/Diamonds.

Nights Versus Points

You can qualify for Diamond status by either on nights (70) or status points ($12K or 120,000).

Status Fast Track (Bonus Points Packages):

IHG One Rewards Bonus Points Packages – Fast Track To Elite Status

You can qualify for IHG One Rewards status by NIGHTS or POINTS, and the latter is easy if your stays are expensive.

There is still a way to fast-track your IHG One Rewards status by utilizing the Bonus Points Packages that are ELITE QUALIFYING, and this is an implicit and well-communicated benefit. You can pay an inflated rate that comes with up to 5,000 bonus award points per night that are also elite qualifying.

Conclusion

Whenever we have covered the status extension by signing up or renewing the InterContinental Ambassador membership, I have noted that this may end at any point, as it is not an official feature of the program.

Readers considering paying the fee if it also extends the status have been frustrated as IHG customer service has never confirmed it (likely the CS people in the Philippines have not even been aware of it).

The extension has been one of the selling points of this Ambassador program that benefits only apply to InterContinental hotels (guaranteed upgrade, 4 PM check out, and F&B credit), and indeed, the leadership designed it so. I imagine there will be far fewer signs up for Ambassador if this status extension feature is permanently terminated.

The hot breakfast for two can be a valuable benefit for those who stay at IHG’s higher-end hotels. I feel that 70 nights to reach Diamond status is rather rich because the other status benefits themselves are still weak compared to Hyatt and Marriott. The Milestone Benefits, such as the suite upgrade certificates and annual lounge pass, have been a way to offset what others offer.

IHG has also had status fast tracks that have included the Diamond status (read more here), and I would not be surprised if these return periodically.