One of the main benefits of the InterContinental Ambassador program is the complimentary room upgrade when staying at IC hotels. However, you have to be well informed to make best use of it.
It is always confusing to figure out what upgrades you are entitled to with your Ambassador program membership. Different locations have different upgrade policies, and one location might give you Club access while others might give you a full upgrade to another room category, plus a few bells and whistles.
We’ve contacted some of the InterContinental hotels in the region for their policies and worked up a table of room types and amenities on offer with Ambassador membership.
These and their contact details will hopefully help anyone with membership make the most of it. If in doubt, always ask the reservations team for exactly what you’re after – they will generally be able to help out.
| Hotel Name | Point Hacks Review link | Entry Level Room to book for club upgrade | Room to book for better room type | Upgrades confirmed in advance | Example welcome amenity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intercontinental Sydney (email) | InterContinental Sydney Review - June 2011 | Harbour Executive Suite | Harbour Executive Suite and get Club Access | YES - As per T&C | Fruit bowl Water |
| InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto (email) | InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto Review - January 2012 | Junior Suite | Upgrade policy is linear, i.e. book the room below for the room size you want. | Contact soon after booking. Otherwise it will depend on availability upon arrival | Voucher for a glass of Wine Fruit water |
| InterContinental Adelaide (email) | InterContinental Adelaide Review - May 2012 | No upgrades to Club rooms from non-club bookings | King Club river view room for an upgrade to a King Intercontinental Suite with Club access. The Intercontinental suite has a bed room with separate lounge room vanity and 2nd toilet. | YES | Changes weekly. Options depends on availability on the day such as Chocolate,Cookies, Balsamic vinegar or popcorn |
| InterContinental Wellington (email) | N/A | No upgrades to Club rooms from non-club bookings | King Club InterContinental Guest room to be upgraded to Club InterContinental Harbor View Guest Room | YES - can be confirmed after booking. | Fruit Bowl Water |
| InterContinental Fiji (email) | A contrasting experience – moving up in the world to stay at the Club InterContinental Fiji - January 2015 | No upgrades to Club rooms from non-club bookings | 1 Bedroom Club Suite to be upgrade to 1 Bedroom Club Suite with plunge pool | YES | Local newspaper, Fresh fruit Mineral water Standard wifi In room welcome card |
| InterContinental Singapore (email) | InterContinental Singapore Review - October 2011 | Business Room or Above | Business Room and upgrade to newly renovated Premier Suites - additional $60++/night | YES - Automatic upon booking | Fruit platter Minibar Priority check-in |
| InterContinental Sanctuary Cove (email) | N/A | No upgrades to Club rooms from non-club bookings | King Club Marina View to be upgraded to a Suite with Club access | YES | Changes from time to time. Although guaranteed to receive fresh fruits and water |
| InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong (email) | N/A | No upgrades to Club rooms from non-club bookings | Normal Floors: Premier Side Harbour View Room to be upgraded to Premier Full Harbour View Room Club Access: Club InterContinental Sea view Room to be upgraded to Club InterContinental Special View Room | YES | Welcome Drink Coupon Late check-out until 4:00 pm Fresh fruits Mineral water One free Pay-Movie per stay Instant Check-Out Daily Newspaper |
| InterContinental Bali (email) | N/A | Singaraja Duplex Suite | Upgrade policy is linear, i.e. book the room below for the room size you want. | YES | did not specify |
| Intercontinental Jakarta Midplaza (email) | N/A | Any Room - Automatic upgrade to Club access. Comes with free daily buffet breakfast. | Club InterContinental for an upgrade to Studio Suite | YES | Fresh Fruit In The Know Amenities (local snacks such as; manisan papaya, manisan manga, emping manis pedas, etc) Cookies Water In-Room Gift |
| InterContinental Sydney Double Bay (email) | N/A | No upgrades to Club rooms from non-club bookings | King Club Intercontinental Room | No - will be allocated upon check in | Private Registration for Check-in and Check-out, Fruit Platter upon arrival, Bottle of San Pellegrino/Aqua Panna, Range of Daily Newspaper |
Most responded within a day or two and were very helpful. Only Hong Kong Intercontinental Spa did not respond so far but I will update the table as soon as I hear back.
If you have any other experiences of Ambassador membership to share, please add them in the comments and we’ll update the details in the post.
Hope this helps in your quest for the best room at the lowest possible cost. If you know of any incorrect info, or the details change, please leave a comment and I’ll update the table.
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Seem to be upgraded with lounge access. Room wasn’t suite.
Is there a minimum room to book to receive a club upgrade?
Thanks
As to upgrades to club, this has been stopped throughout the programme, due to a somewhat ambiguous interpretation of the wording by the hotels. I think the wording is supposed to stop AMB holders gaining access to lounge without an upgrade, or AMB holders flashing their card and expecting unilateral entrance to lounges. To stop upgrades to club, I think is poor.
Also I am noticing the exchange rate to US$ is not the official rate, well certainly not from Australian dollars.
Just think the only benefit as a platinum Amb is late check out !
Intercontinental Wellington told me recently there will no longer be upgrades that give Club access from non Club Class rooms. As Ian mentioned above this covers both New Zealand and Australia.
Just stayed at the Intercontinental Sydney and received free club by booking a suite, which I have done many times previously but was told this is not going to happen anymore. They will just give an additional discount off your room.
Ian
Regards
Phil
I’m Hilton and Hyatt Diamond but heavily considering signing up for IC Ambassador.
We have updated the table to include the IC Jakarta’s response. We’re not able to include the IC Bangkok since we couldn’t get details from them by email without referencing an existing booking.