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InterContinental Launches Status Extension for Ambassadors Experiencing a Life Event

Aug. 14, 2019
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3 min read
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InterContinental Launches Status Extension for Ambassadors Experiencing a Life Event
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From welcoming a new baby to dealing with a family emergency, sometimes life can get in the way of travel. Airlines and hotels are starting to recognize that some of their most valuable and loyal members can be sidelined from travel for a time period, but they don't want to have to start over from the bottom elite tier level when they resume their normal travel patterns.

A small but increasing number of travel providers are allowing elite members to pause their status when a qualifying life event occurs. And now, InterContinental Ambassador is joining the movement.

Starting today, August 14, InterContinental Ambassador members can apply for up to a six-month extension of their annual membership when their travel plans are interrupted. This once-per-lifetime exception is available to members experiencing a life event — whether it’s starting a new job or welcoming a baby.

Members that are in at least their second consecutive InterContinental Ambassador membership year are eligible for the full six-month extension. The terms indicate that if you signed up on July 1, 2018 and renewed by July 1, 2019, you'd be eligible to apply for this full extension. Otherwise, members will only be granted a two-month extension. In addition, if your membership has already expired, no extension is allowed. And once the extension is applied to your account, that action is considered final and not reversible.

To apply for the extension, head to this landing page to submit a request.

Unlike other elite status programs that require a certain number of stays or miles, it's easy enough to sign up for InterContinental Ambassador at the end of your life event. So, it's not as critical that the program offers a date extension like this. So, it's a nice gesture that InterContinental Ambassador is adding this — especially considering the program can pay off in just one or two stays.

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If you're unfamiliar with the InterContinental Ambassador program, its the paid elite status program of the InterContinental Hotels and Resorts brand of IHG. For $200 or 40,000 IHG Rewards points per year, you'll get guaranteed perks when staying at InterContinental hotels, including guaranteed room upgrades, a weekend free night, 4pm checkout, IHG Platinum Elite status and a $20 food and beverage credit per stay.

The weekend free night alone can justify signing up. For example, I signed up for the program ahead of my trip to Fiji in June and saved $286 off of the cheapest available rate by utilizing the weekend free night at the InterContinental Fiji. Since then, I have gotten even more value out of my membership by scoring upgrades at other InterContinental hotels.

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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.