IHG will be bringing back a generous offer for joining or renewing its Ambassador program, which is the chain’s paid status program for Intercontinental hotels.

InterContinental® Ambassadors who enrol in the programme or renew their programme between 15 April 2021 – 31 July 2021 and then complete one Qualifying Stay at InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants, or Regent® Hotels by 31 August 2021 will be awarded a Reward Night redeemable for a Reward Night priced at 40,000 points or less.

• Join or re-up April 15 – July 31
  
• Then stay once by August 31 at an Intercontinental, Kimpton, or Regent property
  
• Receive a free night certificate for a redemption costing up to 40,000 points

Intercontinental Tahiti

Benefits of joining the $200 program for 12 months include a guaranteed one room category upgrade, 4 p.m. late checkout, and a one a year free weekend night in conjunction with a paid night at Intercontinental hotels along with platinum status in IHG Rewards.

The program can be worth it for those making multiple stays at Intercontinental properties, and it’s generally best to join right before making a stay. You can also redeem 40,000 IHG points to join the program as well.

Some of my very best stays were as an Intercontinental Royal Ambassador member years ago, there used to be an opportunity for those who had earned the top status in the program to refer others to that status, and referred members got referral certificates to give as well creating a perpetual status machine. That yielded upgrades to Presidential suites and unlimited raiding of the hotel minibar, plus guaranteed 8 a.m. check-in which was hugely valuable after a long flight to Europe or Asia.

Mere Ambassador status is more mundane, but if you’ll use the free weekend night you’ll get your money’s worth and make the one category upgrade and late checkout take care of itself.

(HT: strayersong)