tboons

The package includes upgrade of status by 1 tier. Does this upgrade extend the status validity by another year? Let say I am gold till 2017. Does buying the package upgrades me to Plat till 2018 or my status still remain till 2017?

Stealthmode

NO WAY! I went from Plat to Spire Amb in September '15, renewed Spire Amb in Jan '16. Regardless of repeated requests still no new Amb packs for either, no points vouchers, no bogo certs, no nothing!

Exleftseat

Mrs EX's and my AMB membership needs to be renewed. If I renew during a stay at an IC is there any benefit compared with just direct renewal?

Tony300S

It's a beautiful thing... Hope to see my rebate soon. I rolled my Spire Choice benefit of 25,000 point into an AMB membership just today which all said and done will only cost 23,800 after rebate and included 5K cert. ^

My screen shot of the membership transaction says "may take up to 72-hours to reflect this new balance" meaning the points I used (32K) but not sure if the same goes for status change.

It's been awhile since your post, how long did it take BlueHorizonUK?

Side note, my screen showed "Pending Gold Ambassador" even though I had been Platinum all year and actually turned Spire this morning... anybody else experience this?

wilma

I just contacted the Cozumel Presidente about using my BOGO cert and credit card free night. The last time I stayed there I reserved a basic pool room and was upgraded (PLat Ambassador) in advance to the reef room. This time the concierge tells me no upgrades on BOGOs so would need to reserve the reef room ($600 + 17%tax) and no upgrades on CC night so would have to pay $300/night for a reef room. Is this something new or did I just luck out on my last stay?

Tim O'Brien

i suggest paying more for your fist night for a nice room/suite, one category under what you want (if ambassador, two if RA), then back your BOGO night on to that and your free night after, they shouldn't move you after two nights.

you shld get the upgrade on the first night? i've never heard of not getting Ambassador/RA upgrade on the BOGOs, the first night is paid.

Mauibaby2008

I think the issue is they aren't going to promise you a good upgrade against policy. But of course it does sometimes happen. You never know , I guess, that's the approach I take

wilma

OK, then is the the official policy "no upgrades on BOGOs"? That is one thing the hotel is telling me.

Tony300S

UPDATE: Just got the blank AMB email and my account is now updated to reflect Spire Ambassador in about 28-hours since sign up online. ^

lotrbfme

I renewed last year with the option of getting 10% back on my points, I also have the ihg credit card 10%, if I renew this year for 24k points will I get 2,400 + 2,400 points back?

Fanjet

Just a comment on the ongoing mystery regarding status extention when renewing Ambassador membership. My Ambassador year ends on 30 Sept. So, I renewed it yesterday. Prior to that, on my account status page, it had my (Platinum) elite status expiring on 12/31/2016. And now it has my Platinum Ambassador status expiring in September 2017. And my elite status expiring on 12/31/2017. BTW, I don't have enough YTD elite status points to even earn Gold status on its own.

scubaccr

BOGO counts as a normal paid stay to the best of knowlege, after all first night is booked at the highest nightly FLEX rate.
You are entitled to the normal paid stay benefits on the night, ie Upgrade, Movie, etc etc
You are also entitled to the same upgrade on the 2nd free night under a BOGO usage

If hotel incorrectly refuses upgrade/bennies on a bogo stay, at checkin, ask to see the gm/duty manager and if answr is still no, ask that manager to check with Amb Services whilst you wait, as you know full benefits apply on a bogo stay.

Regards CC free night, hotel is correct, no entitlement to Upgrades.

nb
warning, if as Ambassador/RA you ask/pay an upsell on a pair of bogo nights, eg Lounge Access, further room upgrade, that upsell fee is due for both the nights.
As such if wanting Club Lounge access, best advice is book room category including lounge access on first paid night , and you then get same lounge access foc on 2nd night (unlike if you upsell on arrival for lounge paying for 2nights lounge)

Tony300S

Yes, you will as long as that 10% AMB renewal option is still available. The IHG CC 10% is automatic on any points spend whether that be for reward nights, magazines or AMB memberships.

mitchwebb

Ambassador member

Have been reading the board for months and appreciate all the information.
I have a question on my upcoming IC stay. We are heading to Pairs with family and have payed for Executive room and have a standard room on points at Le Grand. I would prefer the upgrade on the standard room for the girls. What is the likely hood of them upgrading both rooms? My other thought is contacting the Hotel and asking if our Executive room upgrade can be applied to our standard room. Worst case one of the girls will bunk with us.

lotrbfme

I have had up to three rooms upgraded in all IC I have been. Some IC are very generous