Club room vs Club rate?
 

IHG newbie here. IC Nha Trang has club room rate, says it comes with lounge access and free breakfast. And it also listed another Club InterContinenal rate. US$100 more but it's unclear to me what's included and how's different. Internet said free airport transport, but what else? My question is, club room = access to club lounge, right? I don't want to just pay extra for a room on club floor.

The Club Intercontinental rate is almost certainly a flexible rate that can be cancelled with no penalty up to 24 hours before arrival. The cheaper rate you quote is probably a non refundable rate with payment at time of booking.

Otherwise I would expect the Club benefits to be the same, ie you will get lounge access in both cases.

I have in the past tried to work out the difference between the Best Flex. rate and the club rate and failed to see what it is. It didn't include airport transfers in other hotels

Basically both club room or any room with club rate grant you access to the club lounge.
The problem is, sometimes hotel sells club room with club rate which charge you twice for the access to the club. Just beware about it and you will be fine.

Make sense. Thanks all.