Diamond renewal via buying InterContinental Ambassador – still works?

[CraigV]

Due to post-COVID brain fog, I accidentally lapsed my Ambassador membership last July. I haven’t done enough travel in 2022 to retain Diamond. Does anyone know please whether a new Ambassador signup (rather than a renewal) will generate an extension to Diamond?

[NorthernLass]

It has done in the recent past!

[meta]

If you are no longer Diamond Elite then no. If you are still Diamond Elite at the time of purchasing the Amb membership, then yes.

[NorthernLass]

I assumed OP is still Diamond as he said “extension” to Diamond – aren’t IHG statuses valid till February or did I dream that?!

[danimal]

I literally just renewed a lapsed Ambassador membership – I got 15000 points and Diamond extended from 31/12/23 to 31/12/24. That’s a lot of free breakfasts and upgrades for $200.

[CraigV]

My Diamond was to 31 Dec 2022. Website still lists me as Diamond.
Thank you all will give it a go.

[NorthernLass]

danimal wrote:

I literally just renewed a lapsed Ambassador membership – I got 15000 points and Diamond extended from 31/12/23 to 31/12/24. That’s a lot of free breakfasts and upgrades for $200.

It is. I made my $200 back on one stay – 3 nights at the Kimpton Seafire where breakfast is $94 per day for 2!

[CraigV]

And it worked! I now have Diamond status through 31 Dec 2024. Thanks to all for your support.

[Tracy]

@CraigV, thanks for the confirmation. I did this last year and it worked fine. OH needs to do it this year, presumably before he loses diamond as like @NorthernLass, we both have nights booked at Kimpton Seafire in March….

[danimal]

Kimpton Seafire is great for ludicrous upgrades! It’s a shame that Kimpton are no longer part of the Ambassador program, easily my favourite hotel brand.

[NorthernLass]

+1, always have loads of fun at Kimptons. @Tracy, you’ll love it, make sure you hammer the morning coffee and wine hour (and valet parking if applicable) to get some value out of that $80 resort fee! Also if you want a lounger at the front of the beach (instead of 3rd row back with a view of the back of the lounger in front), go and get your coffee from the lobby by 8am, get them to set you up on your chosen lounger, then use the 90-minute grace period to go and enjoy the breakfast!

[Tracy]

@NorthernLass, looking forward to our trip now. It bloody better not snow in London on 16th March though 😂. Thanks for the tips on the hotel, will definitely enjoy the wine hour but I’m more a breakfast as late as possible person and don’t make it to the beach until lunchtime…

[NorthernLass]

Lol – I have a very stubborn body clock so I’m always up at the crack of dawn when travelling west! It’ll be interesting to see how I fare in Dubai and Doha in December as we haven’t been east for about 14 years. As I recall breakfast was served till 11 so quite civilised for late risers!

[RonnieB]

NorthernLass wrote:

Lol – I have a very stubborn body clock so I’m always up at the crack of dawn when travelling west! It’ll be interesting to see how I fare in Dubai and Doha in December as we haven’t been east for about 14 years. As I recall breakfast was served till 11 so quite civilised for late risers!

Even if you travel West….you need to travel East at some point?

[NorthernLass]

Yes, but when arriving back home there’s no dilemma about hotel breakfast and getting to the beach, sadly!

[NorthernLass]

Data point from a friend who was IHG Platinum via the free Creation MC until last year – she bought Ambassador hoping to stay Platinum this year and appears to have actually been promoted to Diamond as of January 1st. She’s not earned it via stays so it must be the IHG IT fairy at work!

[Cx]

Decided to purchase ambassador ststus. What is the link to use that will enable the diamond extension?

[Peter K]

Cx wrote:

Decided to purchase ambassador ststus. What is the link to use that will enable the diamond extension?

If you were diamond already then it happens automatically.

[Cx]

Peter K wrote:

Cx wrote:

Decided to purchase ambassador ststus. What is the link to use that will enable the diamond extension?

If you were diamond already then it happens automatically.

I meant I can just login to my IHG and submit my payment on the link.

https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/ambassador/gb/en/enrollment/payment

[stevenhp1987]

@Cx, yes.

You can pay using either 40k IHG points or $200.

Signing up today may extend existing status to the end of 2024.

[Cx]

stevenhp1987 wrote:

@Cx, yes.

You can pay using either 40k IHG points or $200.

Signing up today may extend existing status to the end of 2024.

Purchased and straightaway confirmed diamond extended to end of 2024

[ClaireF]

My ambassador membership was due to run out in April. Thanks to hfp I have managed to renew early and lock in diamond ambassador till 31st Dec 3024. We have ihg stays planned for singapore and potentially Thailand next year so very pleased I will have maximum status.

[iEimis]

ClaireF wrote:

My ambassador membership was due to run out in April. Thanks to hfp I have managed to renew early and lock in diamond ambassador till 31st Dec 3024. We have ihg stays planned for singapore and potentially Thailand next year so very pleased I will have maximum status.

Wow 101 year extension!

[NorthernLass]

I’m no maths wizz but wouldn’t that be 1001 year extension?! Lifetime Diamond, anyway 😂

[ClaireF]

Sorry should have been 2024 but still very happy with the result. 😁