Originally Posted by AndyMe
I've recently asked on this board how the hotels guarantee the upgrade but have not yet had an answer. I've also asked the Ambassador scheme but again have not yet had a reply.
The terms and conditions clearly state "A room one category higher than purchased will be assigned to InterContinental Ambassadors."
I have yet to stay in an IC hotel although I have two stays shortly. One is for a Club Room - so I am expecting an upgrade to a Junior Suite - the other is for a Superior Room - so I am expecting an upgrade to a Club Room.
You got the right answer when you posted this last time.
In IC-land, a one category upgrade means one category on their secret internal list of good and bad rooms! It does not always mean you will get upgraded by one category based on the list you see when you book.
In Vienna, for eg, which was my first AMB stay, you seem to get a guaranteed park view room. Same size etc as all the others. That said, other hotels interpret the rules more liberally. And, indeed, I've seem other Ambassadors post on here who got better upgrades in Vienna.
In any event, it is very rare to be upgraded to a Club room. Even Royal Ambassador's cannot be certain of Club access, even if they are upgraded to a suite.