IHG has had three loyalty and guest recognition programs over the years: IHG One Rewards, InterContinental Ambassador (paid), and Inner Circle (Kimpton).
The invitation-only Royal Ambassador level ranges from endless referral certificates (used to get other referrals even by referred members) to simply visiting 3 ICs and earning a certain amount of IHG total nights. There have been various qualification and re-qualification requirements over the years.
Visit IHG’s Ambassador Program page. here.
read more: IHG One Rewards Rates and Bonus Points Offers
IHG tends to do the initial Royal Ambassador and Kimpton Inner Circle procedures in December, with 2023 appearing to be a week earlier than 2022. Again, IHG has not notified renewed or upgraded members yet, but as you can see. This information can be found on your online account statement.
In 2020, IHG revealed that for at least that year, spending at Six Senses, Regent, InterContinental and Kimpton was considered for renewals and upgrades, but this was a temporary measure during the coronavirus era. It is possible that
IHG’s communication does not even clarify whether spending at InterContinental hotels alone will count toward Royal Ambassador status or renewal in 2024. At least in 2022, spending big at Six Senses was enough to get an invite.
There are also variations in the level of spending requirements across different IHG markets, with mainland China, for example, often having lower requirements.
While it is unclear what the exact re-qualification requirements will be for the 2024 membership year, we hope readers will be able to find out approximately how much they spend and how many nights they spend with the Sixth Sense, Regent, InterContinental, and Kimpton brands. It would be helpful if you could share the numbers.
There is a thread on FlyerTalk (access here), it seemed like it was enough to spend $12,000 to $15,000 on the InterContinental Hotel.
Royal Ambassador requirements and renewal scope:
2023 IHG InterContinental Royal Ambassador renewal and downgrade email sent (share stats) (January 2023)
IHG InterContinental Royal Ambassador 2023 Update (Share Statistics) (December 2022)
IHG InterContinental Royal Ambassador 2021 Renewal and Invitations Ended (December 2020)
Updated: IHG InterContinental Royal Ambassador & Kimpton Inner Circle Renewal through January 2022 (Currently Processing) (May 2020)
IHG InterContinental Royal Ambassador and Kimpton Inner Circle renewed until January 2022 (April 2020)
IHG Rewards InterContinental Royal Ambassador and Kimpton Inner Circle renewals completed (December 2019)
InterContinental Royal Ambassador update processed on January 4, 2018 (Please post your number!) (January 2018)
InterContinental Royal Ambassador Renewal 2016 (September 2016)
InterContinental Royal Ambassador Eligibility Requirements (and My Updates) (September 2015)
Updated: InterContinental Royal Ambassador Eligibility Requirements (Confirmed) (August 2015)
InterContinental Royal Ambassador October 2014 renewal (in my case) (October 2014)
InterContinental Royal Ambassador Requalification Requirements: Three Different InterContinental Hotels (July 2013)
Ambassador or Royal Ambassador renewal (or downgrade)? (May 2013)
InterContinental Royal Ambassador Renewal Requirements (September 2012)
conclusion
Royal Ambassador renewals and qualification renewals are always fraught with drama and may only be processed if the member requests a manual review. There is anecdotal evidence that stays that required manual intervention from her IHG to post were being missed during these automated reviews.
The Royal Ambassador, Ambassador and IHG One Rewards programs have changed over the years, from unlimited minibar to $100 credit, from confirmed suite upgrades to two-category suites, and from guaranteed 8am check to Royal. Ambassador perks are watered down. until 10am.
IHG One Rewards benefits have been enhanced through Milestone Rewards and Diamond Tiers.
If you stay 40 nights in a calendar year and select it as a Milestone Reward, you now have lounge access at InterContinental and all other hotels with lounges.
Suite Upgrade Certificates are a 20-night (1 night), 40-night (1 night), and 70-night (2 night) Milestone Rewards option. Each certificate can be used to upgrade up to a five-night stay and guarantees two category upgrades at many InterContinentals above Royal Ambassador (also applies to other iHG brands).
I plan to spend 69 nights with IHG in 2023, 20-30 of which were booked during last year’s award flash sale (at great point rates), and my entire cash spend will be on Royal Ambassador. less than half of the amount. .
My goal for 2023 was to earn a Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond (achieved after 1,000 nights). Maybe in 2024, I’ll probably be spending more nights at Hyatt (I’m currently on 2 nights) to get my Lifetime Globalist spending closer to the $200,000 needed. there is).