Ambassador Free Night Question
Nov 10, 2015, 3:41 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 102
Ambassador Free Night Question
Hello,
I will be staying this weekend on the Ambassador Free Weekend rate in Austin. When I booked a few weeks ago, the rate was about $800 total, with each night being $400. Now, the rate is about $160 less, with Friday dropping to $220 and Saturday increasing to $420. Everything I see as far as rules says I pay for the first night, so I am wondering if it is worth calling to change rates (or canceling and rebooking), or will they just charge me for the more expensive of the nights anyway so it doesn't matter. Everything I read says to change, but it almost seems too good to be true.
I will be staying this weekend on the Ambassador Free Weekend rate in Austin. When I booked a few weeks ago, the rate was about $800 total, with each night being $400. Now, the rate is about $160 less, with Friday dropping to $220 and Saturday increasing to $420. Everything I see as far as rules says I pay for the first night, so I am wondering if it is worth calling to change rates (or canceling and rebooking), or will they just charge me for the more expensive of the nights anyway so it doesn't matter. Everything I read says to change, but it almost seems too good to be true.
Nov 10, 2015, 4:27 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Boston, MA, USA
Programs: UA 1K, DL Gold, IHG Diamond AMB, MR Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, National EE
Posts: 1,083
You do in fact pay for the first night of the two night stay. It says so right in the IHG terms and conditions. So you should definitely take advantage.
Save yourself the frustration and don't bother calling IHG. I would book it again with the lower rate. Once everything is confirmed, cancel the other reservation.
Save yourself the frustration and don't bother calling IHG. I would book it again with the lower rate. Once everything is confirmed, cancel the other reservation.
Nov 11, 2015, 5:14 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta Gold, Alaska Gold 75K, LATAM Black
Posts: 3,393
I never, ever thought to check this either. Can't believe OP is getting the $400 night free- I congratulate them!! Just got my new BOGO. Will definitely check this out next time.
Nov 11, 2015, 5:44 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Canary Wharf, London
Programs: MyWaitrose, IC Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond & BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,685
I have a booking in a few weeks with the IC Times Square. Been checking for price drops for a while, then as soon as the price drops, there's no ambassador free night availability. I'll prob head over the road and stay at the Hilton instead.
Nov 11, 2015, 5:53 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: IHG, RC, HH, AA, QF, UA, Aeroplan
Posts: 2,690
Nov 11, 2015, 12:19 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 102
Thanks everyone. Luckily the AMBWeekend rate was available still. I did make the mistake of calling which was a little painful but all worked out well in the end. Next time, I will just rebook online and cancel the old one as recommended. Glad it looks like I turned on a few more people to checking rates before heading out to see if they dropped. I hope it all works out as well for everyone else as it did for me.