Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
PROGRAMME PROFILE
InterContinental Ambassador: IHG's brand programme
InterContinental Ambassador (often called IHG Ambassador) is a loyalty programme specific to hotels within the InterContinental brand, and it forms part of the wider IHG One Rewards programme. [3] IHG's membership terms describe IHG One Rewards as including both InterContinental Ambassador and IHG Business Rewards, and say that terms specific to the Ambassador programme appear in later sections of the same document. [3]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- InterContinental Ambassador is a loyalty programme specific to hotels within the InterContinental brand, and it is included in the IHG One Rewards programme. [3]
- Ambassador benefits belong to the individual member: they are not transferable, cannot be used by other members or non-members, and in-hotel benefits require the member to check in and stay personally. [3]
- Elite status in IHG One Rewards is a separate ladder earned through Elite Qualifying Points or Elite Qualifying Nights in a calendar year. [3]
- Benefits and services may change over time and may vary by hotel, country and region. [3]
How does InterContinental Ambassador fit with IHG One Rewards?
IHG One Rewards is a loyalty programme offered by Six Continents Hotels, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates, which are all IHG companies. [3] A member may hold only one IHG One Rewards account at a time and must be the only person using it, unless IHG expressly permits otherwise. [3]
Joining IHG One Rewards is free, and enrolment is available on the programme website, at IHG-branded hotels, in the IHG One Rewards app and through other IHG-authorised channels. [3] IHG promotes the scheme as a free loyalty programme covering 21 hotel brands across more than 7,000 destinations. [4] InterContinental appears in the list of brands participating in IHG One Rewards. [3]
Ambassador members have their own support channel: the member terms direct members to InterContinental Ambassador Customer Care for account help, and the same team is named in the programme's data-protection provisions. [3] That team also handles queries when a member believes their account activity statement is inaccurate, and point or stay adjustments are not made more than 90 days after the statement date. [3] The general hotel programme terms that govern earning and redemption sit in the same document.
What IHG One Rewards status sits alongside Ambassador?
IHG One Rewards starts at Club level and moves through four elite tiers: Silver Elite, Gold Elite, Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite. [3] A member earns elite status by meeting either an Elite Qualifying Points total or an Elite Qualifying Nights total inside a calendar year, defined as 1 January to 31 December. [3]
| Tier | Elite Qualifying Points | Elite Qualifying Nights |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Elite | Not applicable | 10 |
| Gold Elite | 40,000 | 20 |
| Platinum Elite | 60,000 | 40 |
| Diamond Elite | 120,000 | 70 |
Status earned in a calendar year is maintained through the end of the following calendar year. [3] Reward Nights used by members count as qualifying nights, and only one night per day counts, so two rooms booked for the same night add a single qualifying night. [3] Elite members also receive tier bonus points on qualifying stays of 20% at Silver Elite, 40% at Gold Elite, 60% at Platinum Elite and 100% at Diamond Elite, awarded only to members who collect IHG One Rewards points. [3]
Points held at Club level expire when an account has no earn or redeem transaction for twelve months or longer, while elite members' points do not expire as long as elite status is maintained. [3] Using the one night per year provided to IHG One Rewards credit card holders does not count as earn or redeem activity for that purpose. [3] Reward Nights carry no blackout dates, though room inventory is limited and subject to prior sale, and standard reward pricing starts at 10,000 points. [3] [2]
Who can use InterContinental Ambassador benefits?
IHG's terms state that member benefits, including those for InterContinental Ambassador, are for the individual member only, are not transferrable and cannot be used by other members or non-members. [3] For in-hotel benefits the member must personally check in and stay, and a breach may result in cancellation of the account and in the hotel charging the applicable fees for a non-eligible person's use of member benefits. [3]
Benefits and services may change from time to time and may vary by hotel, country and geographical region. [3] Most benefits are available only when the reservation is made through IHG's own channels: its websites, the IHG One Rewards app, the IHG WeChat mini program, IHG Customer Care, Iberostar channels, or directly with an IHG-branded hotel. [3] Members staying as part of a group booking still receive their on-property tier benefits, such as late check-out, under the same terms. [3]
What limits and exclusions apply?
- Cancelled accounts. Members whose accounts are cancelled, whether by IHG or by the member, forfeit all points, point vouchers, Reward Nights and any other benefits linked to the account. [3]
- Revocation for abuse. IHG may cancel a membership and revoke unredeemed points for reasons that include holding more than one active account, misrepresenting information, abusing benefits, or selling and bartering points or Reward Nights. [3] An account with no activity for five years may be permanently cancelled. [3]
- InterContinental Alliance Resorts. At these properties, members must book through IHG Customer Care, IHG websites, the IHG One Rewards app or the IHG WeChat mini program to be eligible for points. [3]
- Location and employer rules. Some employers restrict or prohibit employee participation, and some countries' laws restrict participation or parts of the programme. [3] Members residing in China are directed to the Chinese translated version of the programme terms. [3]
- Changes to the programme. IHG reserves the right to modify the membership terms and to modify, suspend or cancel the programme at any time, and the "last updated" date at the end of the terms shows when changes were made. [3]
Where the programme publishes an incomplete picture on a point, that gap is left open rather than filled with estimates; see the glossary of programme terms for definitions used across hotel schemes.
Frequently asked questions
Is InterContinental Ambassador the same as IHG One Rewards?
No. IHG One Rewards is the main loyalty programme, and it includes InterContinental Ambassador, which is specific to hotels within the InterContinental brand. [3]
Can I let someone else use my Ambassador benefits?
No. Member benefits, including those for InterContinental Ambassador, are for the individual member, are not transferrable, and in-hotel benefits require the member to check in and stay personally. [3]
Where are the Ambassador-specific rules published?
IHG's member terms say that terms specific to the InterContinental Ambassador programme can be found in later sections of the IHG One Rewards Membership Terms and Conditions. [3]
Do IHG One Rewards points expire while I hold elite status?
Elite members' points do not expire as long as elite status is maintained, while Club-level points expire after twelve months without an earn or redeem transaction. [3]
Who do I contact about an Ambassador account issue?
InterContinental Ambassador Customer Care, which the member terms name for account help and for stay-adjustment queries. [3]
Sources
Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. IHG Business Rewards and hotel programmes outside IHG are not covered here.
- IHG One Rewards programme home page, checked 18 October 2026
- IHG One Rewards Membership Terms and Conditions, checked 18 October 2026
- IHG Hotels & Resorts home page, checked 18 October 2026