InterContinental Hotels: Priority Club & Inter-Continental Ambassador - Difference between gold ambassor and plat. ambassador?

I just got up'ed to platinum ambassador, received the card last week, is there a difference from a gold ambassador?

thanks for the info.

Hi there. As a platinum you may receive better treatment at non-IC hotels, but you're still an ambassador within IC. You will get the extra 50% bonus points. Wish platinum provided some form of guaranteed perks.

I just got up'ed to platinum ambassador, received the card last week, is there a difference from a gold ambassador?

thanks for the info.

There are a few differences and they can be found in the PLEASE READ FIRST sticky at the top of the forum. Should answer your questions - happy hunting.

Gold is pretty much useless (except for the 10% points bonus), but Platinum is pretty decent. Congrats on the up!

Is platinum status always also Royal Ambassador ?
Or is this working only the other way ? (RA = always PC Platinum)

Is platinum status always also Royal Ambassador ?
Or is this working only the other way ? (RA = always PC Platinum)

Royal Ambassador status for IC's always gets Platinum status in Priority Club.

mxm135 :)

I just got up'ed to platinum ambassador, received the card last week, is there a difference from a gold ambassador?

thanks for the info.

Wow, didn't even know there was a Plat amb card, i was a Plat Amb for months and they never sent me a new card, i've always just had the gold card.

Royal Ambassador status for IC's always gets Platinum status in Priority Club.

yes i Know, but is it the other was also so ?
If you get Platinum status at PC , will you be automatically royal ambassador ?

yes i Know, but is it the other was also so ?
If you get Platinum status at PC , will you be automatically royal ambassador ?

clear and short answer: NO

yes i Know, but is it the other was also so ?
If you get Platinum status at PC , will you be automatically royal ambassador ?

Sorry, I missed part of your question. As boekel replied, the answer is NO. You must first be a member of the Ambassador program (entry membership fee is $150 USD or 24,000 PC points through PC Customer Service Centre).

RA membership is then: "By Invitation Only", with an unstated criteria.

mxm135 :)

I'm not sure if there is any difference between Gold, Platinum or general member really (other than earning some extra points)... it's the most useless elite program out there IMHO.

I'm not sure if there is any difference between Gold, Platinum or general member really (other than earning some extra points)... it's the most useless elite program out there IMHO.

I don't agree. I would say that the benefits from hotels participating in the Priority Club Program are inconsistent because IHG does not police the program and leaves it up to individual hotels to interpret the T&C's and determine what members get. There are lots of loopholes that are undefined in the T&C's.

The same thing can be said of the Ambassador and Royal Ambassador status and benefits at IC hotels.

There are some of us who have been members since the first days of Priority Club (and Holiday Inn Inner Circle before that) who have seen the benefits change over more than 25 years, but we still remain loyal to the PC program, even with its inconsistencies. There is no requirement to remain a member if you don't like the product.

mxm135 :)

I'm not sure if there is any difference between Gold, Platinum or general member really (other than earning some extra points)... it's the most useless elite program out there IMHO.

Worse than Best Western's programme? I think not.

I'll get a load of nights at plush hotels when I get round to redeeming my points - what's useless about that?

I wish Plat. Amb provided room upgrades. I have never been upgraded while GA or PA.

This is poor IMO, compared with other brands. As someone said, it depends on the individual hotels, and the ones I stay at constantly move their goalposts (when I was Gold, they told me I needed to be Platinum, when I was PA, they told me I need to be RA to get some minor upgrade to Club)...

Worse than Best Western's programme? I think not.

I'll get a load of nights at plush hotels when I get round to redeeming my points - what's useless about that?

Every programme gives that though, and some do it a lot better.

I mean, 40k for a night in any resort is pretty poor, when Hyatt charges you 12k for example. Both Hyatt and IC give me 10-20k per 5 night stay.

I wish Plat. Amb provided room upgrades. I have never been upgraded while GA or PA.

This is poor IMO, compared with other brands. As someone said, it depends on the individual hotels, and the ones I stay at constantly move their goalposts (when I was Gold, they told me I needed to be Platinum, when I was PA, they told me I need to be RA to get some minor upgrade to Club)...

It does at IC's (guaranteed Amb perk) and usually at other properties, too (unguaranteed Plat perk) The upgrades are room upgrades, usually no club access. Room upgrades can include other "hidden" perks - if upgraded to e.g. a "business" room, HSIA comes usually free.

Nope. 0% of room upgrades for me, as I asked, I phone customer line, I spoke to manager :) But certain hotels - will not do it for any Amb.

The only hidden upgrade is a bottle of wine.

Nope. 0% of room upgrades for me, as I asked, I phone customer line, I spoke to manager :) But certain hotels - will not do it for any Amb.

The only hidden upgrade is a bottle of wine.

The Ambassador Program guarantees a 1-level upgrade for Ambassador members at Intercontinental branded hotels. This is not discretionary or up to the hotel. Upgrade to club rooms or club access is not an Ambassador member benefit.

The remaining brands of IHG (e.g. HI, HIX, Indigo, CP, SB, CW) recognize the Priority Club status of Platinum for room upgrades.

Would you please elaborate on which IC hotels have refused to give you a room upgrade as an Ambassador member?

mxm135 :)

IC Almaty for example will NOT upgrade you. And I had Ambassador helpline talk to the concierge/reception :)