The free weekend night is my only motivation to purchase the Ambassador membership. The InterContinental hotels outside of US are reasonably priced both for cash and points stays. When I stayed at the InterContinental as a plt (benefit of getting an IHG credit card), the only benefit I get is the free weekend night from the certificate as a part of Ambassador membership purchase. I don't remember ever got upgraded or received any welcome amenities at the Intercontinental hotels. At the lower end hotels, I do get 500 points per stay as the welcome amenity. With the IHG hotels, there are very little elite benefits until you hit the diamond level. A friend, who is diamond and stays regularly at the InterContinental, often get amazing upgrades.