3 week stay at Intercontinental -- get IHG credit card/buy Ambassador status?
Jun 13, 2018, 2:35 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SDF
Programs: Delta, Southwest, Hyatt
Posts: 153
3 week stay at Intercontinental -- get IHG credit card/buy Ambassador status?
My husband is set to stay at Intercontinental Suites Cleveland for 3 weeks while he has outpatient treatment at Cleveland Clinic (staying on corporate rate affiliated with the medical program). We are new to IHG and don't currently have any points or status but would like to maximize the experience as much as possible. Would you recommend getting an IHG credit card? (Note he get a Marriott visa a little over a month ago). What about buying the Ambassador status? We don't have any other current plans for IHG stays but certainly would make use of the points in the future if we had them.
Jun 13, 2018, 6:56 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 78
First, add your IHG account number to the reservation. Then, I would recommend emailing the hotel to ask what Platinum status (from the credit card) or Ambassador status would get on your reservation with your specific corporate rate. Different corporate rates might have different T&C restrictions on upgrades.
Jun 14, 2018, 12:36 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,443
With the credit card comes platinum status, platinum status gives you a 50% bonus on earning points, so that might be interesting.
Enroll for the Accelerate promotion, before the stay, so you will also earn more points.
I would only consider Ambassador if you do intent to stay at ICs in the future. Benefits are limited, and not guaranteed when staying on points.
If you would buy Ambassador, make sure to buy it upon check in at the hotel you have this 3 week stay. Ask them upfront what they are willing to throw in (good upgrade) when buying it with them. This might sweeten the deal, and make it worth it even for just this single stay.
Enroll for the Accelerate promotion, before the stay, so you will also earn more points.
I would only consider Ambassador if you do intent to stay at ICs in the future. Benefits are limited, and not guaranteed when staying on points.
If you would buy Ambassador, make sure to buy it upon check in at the hotel you have this 3 week stay. Ask them upfront what they are willing to throw in (good upgrade) when buying it with them. This might sweeten the deal, and make it worth it even for just this single stay.
Jun 14, 2018, 2:09 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Antwerp
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 166
If you would buy Ambassador, make sure to buy it upon check in at the hotel you have this 3 week stay. Ask them upfront what they are willing to throw in (good upgrade) when buying it with them. This might sweeten the deal, and make it worth it even for just this single stay.
Also, I did a random check comparing both regular rates to the corporate clinic rate... on al 5 nights checked the roomrate was identical, with the exception of the corporate identification number added. So instead of you getting a discount with this rate, I rather think that the clinic is receiving a commission on your hotelstay. If this is the case, you're better of booking BAR through a cashback site, for instance there's currently 6% cashback at www.mrrebates.com?refid=1129557, I usually use https://www.shoop.de/invite/fvikdr1s5v/ which currently gives 12% cashback on InterContinental Hotels, but it's a -very efficient- German site which might be challenging for most people whom don't read or write German.
Last edited by Stealthmode; Jun 14, 2018 at 3:09 am
Jun 14, 2018, 7:00 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
Programs: HH Diamond, Sixt Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Marriott/SPG Gold .....
Posts: 3,220
With the credit card comes platinum status, platinum status gives you a 50% bonus on earning points, so that might be interesting.
Enroll for the Accelerate promotion, before the stay, so you will also earn more points.
I would only consider Ambassador if you do intent to stay at ICs in the future. Benefits are limited, and not guaranteed when staying on points.
If you would buy Ambassador, make sure to buy it upon check in at the hotel you have this 3 week stay. Ask them upfront what they are willing to throw in (good upgrade) when buying it with them. This might sweeten the deal, and make it worth it even for just this single stay.
Enroll for the Accelerate promotion, before the stay, so you will also earn more points.
I would only consider Ambassador if you do intent to stay at ICs in the future. Benefits are limited, and not guaranteed when staying on points.
If you would buy Ambassador, make sure to buy it upon check in at the hotel you have this 3 week stay. Ask them upfront what they are willing to throw in (good upgrade) when buying it with them. This might sweeten the deal, and make it worth it even for just this single stay.
Jun 14, 2018, 8:56 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
Programs: HH Diamond, Sixt Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Marriott/SPG Gold .....
Posts: 3,220
And if you reserve a room in the category under a suite it will be noticeable. This isn't really the point .... a one category upgrade is guaranteed as Ambassador and not as you suggest "Benefits are limited and not guaranteed"
Jun 14, 2018, 9:14 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: Hilton credit card Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,653
I would get the $89 IHG card. This will get you an additional 15 points per dollar spent at the hotel (5 for Platinum status, 10 as a credit card benefit). If you spend $3000, this gets you an additional 45000 points, good for a free night at most IHG hotels (as a reference, the IC Cleveland is 30000 points per night).
Jun 14, 2018, 9:16 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,443
If you have a paid stay, and study the room categories upfront, the guaranteed upgrade can give you a great deal, if you are weary about imaginary upgrade categories which too many ICs seem to have.
If you simply book an entry level room, dont get your hopes up of getting a noticeable different room.
Last edited by 336; Jun 14, 2018 at 9:23 am
Jun 14, 2018, 9:23 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SDF
Programs: Delta, Southwest, Hyatt
Posts: 153
First, add your IHG account number to the reservation. Then, I would recommend emailing the hotel to ask what Platinum status (from the credit card) or Ambassador status would get on your reservation with your specific corporate rate. Different corporate rates might have different T&C restrictions on upgrades.
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Also, I did a random check comparing both regular rates to the corporate clinic rate... on al 5 nights checked the roomrate was identical, with the exception of the corporate identification number added. So instead of you getting a discount with this rate, I rather think that the clinic is receiving a commission on your hotelstay. If this is the case, you're better of booking BAR through a cashback site, for instance there's currently 6% cashback at www.mrrebates.com?refid=1129557, I usually use https://www.shoop.de/invite/fvikdr1s5v/ which currently gives 12% cashback on InterContinental Hotels, but it's a -very efficient- German site which might be challenging for most people whom don't read or write German.
This is what I was wondering. We are booked into a 2 dbl suite, there are 2 types of rooms higher than that -- both the same price: "pure room" for people with allergies (not much use to us) and "Ambassador room" which I am guessing is what the upgrade would be and seems to offer not a whole lot in tangible benefits over what we have: "Our Ambassador Rooms offer upgraded accommodations and services with spectacular views of the city skyline. These plush rooms with finer linens, robes, slippers, fruit and waters and upgraded bath amenities provide a level of comfort and privacy demanded by today's sophisticated travelers."
Jun 14, 2018, 9:33 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
Programs: HH Diamond, Sixt Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Marriott/SPG Gold .....
Posts: 3,220
Nope. Benefits are not guaranteed on a reward stay. Which is exactly what I said initially. What did you want to prove with misquoting me intentionally?
If you have a paid stay, and study the room categories upfront, the guaranteed upgrade can give you a great deal, if you are weary about imaginary upgrade categories which too many ICs seem to have.
If you simply book an entry level room, dont get your hopes up of getting a noticeable different room.
Jun 14, 2018, 9:38 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SDF
Programs: Delta, Southwest, Hyatt
Posts: 153
I would get the $89 IHG card. This will get you an additional 15 points per dollar spent at the hotel (5 for Platinum status, 10 as a credit card benefit). If you spend $3000, this gets you an additional 45000 points, good for a free night at most IHG hotels (as a reference, the IC Cleveland is 30000 points per night).
I have two concerns, the main one being his stay starts on Sunday June 17, so even with instant approval the card wouldn't arrive before his stay starts, although I would imagine I could get it to him before he checks out. I didn't know if this could potentially mess with any increased points earning. His stay is broken up into two reservations right now, and could be changed further if that would help (I'm guessing this would have to be done before the cancellation window closes). Second concern: He is under 5/24 but did apply for the chase Marriott card just barely over a month ago. This could affect approval?
Jun 14, 2018, 9:44 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,443
What about buying the Ambassador status?We don't have any other current plans for IHG stays but certainly would make use of the points in the future if we had them.
Looks like you are a very selective reader...
The only irrelevant piece here seems to be to book a category just under a suite, as we are talking about an all suites hotel.
Last edited by 336; Jun 14, 2018 at 9:52 am
Jun 14, 2018, 10:18 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: Hilton credit card Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,653
Is this the same card you are talking about: IHG Premier?
I have two concerns, the main one being his stay starts on Sunday June 17, so even with instant approval the card wouldn't arrive before his stay starts, although I would imagine I could get it to him before he checks out. I didn't know if this could potentially mess with any increased points earning. His stay is broken up into two reservations right now, and could be changed further if that would help (I'm guessing this would have to be done before the cancellation window closes). Second concern: He is under 5/24 but did apply for the chase Marriott card just barely over a month ago. This could affect approval?