Originally Posted by MichaelA380

I would suggest that you approach the Ambassador Customer Service Team directly. If you have not had any extensions in the past, I would say that you have very good chance to get this one.

I had a similar need earlier this year, whereby I had booked a stay, part of which was covered by my certificate, however my flights got messed up shortly before departure and there was no way I would have been able to make my stay. Of course, I could have cancelled my stay at no cost, however then the certificate would have just lapsed. I contacted the team (via email) and explained the situation, they were really accommodating (actually, one of the best examples of customer service I have ever experienced) without even asking for any proof of the flight mishap, proactively extended my Ambassador membership with one month, which also extended the validity of the certificate and I could then use it two weeks later.

Of course, there were all kinds of disclaimers that this is a one-time exception, curtsey of IHG, implying no such further actions would be taken in the future, etc. - and that is all fine with me. I learnt my lesson and I will definitely not wait again to use the certificate until just a few days prior to its expiry.