InterContinental Hotels: Priority Club & Inter-Continental Ambassador - Upgrade on reward nights?

I read that some of you with Platinum, Ambassador or Royal Ambassador status were upgraded to better rooms on reward nights. If my interpretation of the terms and conditions is correct, complimentary upgrade is not a benefit on reward nights.

How is it worked out? Is it related to the rate of occupancy, length of stay or past records of the traveler?

I am currently in a Holiday Inn on a reward stay and have been offered full Club benefits during my stay, infact I am posting this from the Club Lounge.

There is nothing in the Terms & Conditions to suggest hotels should offer additional benefits but individual properties will use discretion.

The owners of this hotel own numerous IHG franchises and I have stayed in them all over a 10 year period.

I've been upgraded to a suites on points stays, its just down to the property if they want to do this.

Glad to know that! I would like to know if my friend can buy the Ambassador package right at the hotel for the upgrade. He is using 40000 points bought from Daily Getaways a month ago for a 8-night stay in Crowne Plaza Bratislava in early June.

If it fails (which should be expected), is it possible to upgrade rooms by paying? Again, I know that it is outside rules but may be possible. Any experience on it?

.......is it possible to upgrade rooms by paying? Again, I know that it is outside rules but may be possible. Any experience on it?

One thing I have learned over the years is hotels do not miss an opportunity to earn a little extra revenue.

They will be delighted to offer your friend an upgrade in return for more cash.

Post #4 mentions a Crowne Plaza hotel, don't forget they are not part of the Ambassador program they're more likely to recognize PC Platinum.

It is very hit and miss, I have had lovely upgrades oin reward nights, and also some rooms that were prob the worse in the hotel (more the former rather than the latter though).

However, in CP's they will almost always have an option to pay extra and get access to the club lounge. As midnight says, they do like to take advantage of earing revenue.

I would like to know if my friend can buy the Ambassador package right at the hotel for the upgrade. He is using 40000 points
formally, ambassador status gives no extra benefits at a crowne plaza compared with those enjoyed by pc gold members. if ur friend's 40k points were earned this year, then he has gold status already and he can consider buying 20k points for $250 to reach platinum status, which usually gives good benefits at crowne plaza. check the priority club elite sticky thread to see whether individual hotels are likely to upgrade platinum guests.

ian. :)

formally, ambassador status gives no extra benefits at a crowne plaza compared with those enjoyed by pc gold members. if ur friend's 40k points were earned this year, then he has gold status already and he can consider buying 20k points for $250 to reach platinum status, which usually gives good benefits at crowne plaza. check the priority club elite sticky thread to see whether individual hotels are likely to upgrade platinum guests.

ian. :)

Yes, his points were bought in the Daily Getaways about a month ago. Let me ask him to consider this. Thanks!

Just for future reference. Is it usually possible to "negotiate" with the hotel for the benefit not entitled for certain status (Platinum, Ambassador, etc)?

Yes, his points were bought in the Daily Getaways about a month ago. Let me ask him to consider this. Thanks!

Just for future reference. Is it usually possible to "negotiate" with the hotel for the benefit not entitled for certain status (Platinum, Ambassador, etc)?

Everything is negotiable.

The T&Cs give no entitlement to an upgrade on reward nights; however, I find that my upgrade rate on such nights tends to be 90%+. Right now I am on a 3 night point breaks stay at Stratford upon Avon (UK). I've been upgraded to a King Executive room.

Is it usually possible to "negotiate" with the hotel for the benefit not entitled for certain status (Platinum, Ambassador, etc)?
yes. as an example, on a reward stay, the front desk might choose to upgrade a platinum guest to a club room (there is no entitlement to upgrades on reward stays, even if there is lots of availability), but ask whether he wants to pay for access to the club lounge.

ian. :)

Ug's on anything in the PC program is very YMMV.

I got upgraded as Platinum about 70% of all my stays

If I'm on a Reward Night it's invariably a leisure stay so I make more of an effort and write to the Hotel, making the email title Confirmation #X for Platinum Ambassador Member #Y.

I introduce myself, say I'm really looking forward to staying in their fantastic Hotel and ask if there are any additional benefits for loyal IHG members like myself.

Almost always works and takes 5 minutes.