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My Intercontinental Ambassador status (you can purchase your own for $200) is due to run out in a couple of months and I’m not really sure whether I should renew it, given the uncertainty that still surrounds travel. IHG may well do the ‘right’ thing and apply an across the board extension for all members, but I’m not banking on that. Fortunately, there is a simple, but little known, way to get IHG to extend Ambassador status for a short amount of time – just ask.
All you have to do is send an email to [email protected] requesting an extension, and as long as you meet the relevant criteria, your status should be extended for either 2 or 6 months.
“FLEXIBILITY TO FIT YOUR LIFE
Life’s adventures can be surprising. You never know what new paths shall reveal. Whether it’s starting a new job or welcoming a new baby, helping a family or heading back to school, life’s exceptional moments deserve exceptional flexibility.
As an InterContinental® Ambassador, you now have the option to extend your membership for two months. Or, if you have been an Ambassador for at least two consecutive years, you have the option to extend your membership for six months.
Contact us to discuss and arrange your optional extension.
Wherever life’s adventures take you, we’ve got you covered.”
You can take a look at the relevant page on the IHG website here.
What are the requirements to extend Intercontinental Ambassador status?
According to the terms and conditions, the rules are as follows.
To be eligible for a two (2) month extension:
“Individuals must have an active Ambassador membership and must not have redeemed a two month extension in the past. Ambassador members whose membership has expired are not eligible for this extension. Eligible Ambassador members may request this benefit once per lifetime. If a member elects to use this offer, their Ambassador membership will extend for an additional two months beyond when it would have otherwise expired. This is a one-time offer per member and once the extension is applied to their account, this action is considered final and is not reversible.”
To be eligible for a six (6) month extension:
“Individual must have an active Ambassador membership that is in its second or greater consecutive membership year and must not have redeemed a six month extension in the past. Ambassador members whose membership has expired are not eligible for this extension. Eligible Ambassador members may request this benefit once per lifetime. If a member elects to use this offer, their Ambassador membership will extend for an additional six months beyond when it would have otherwise expired. This is a one-time offer per member and once the extension is applied to their account, this action is considered final and is not reversible.”
Bottom line
As far as I am aware, it is possible to stack both the 2 month and the 6 month extension, so long as you haven’t used either before. Therefore, even if IHG doesn’t play nicely and automatically extend everyone’s status, you can still get up to 8 months more just for sending a quick email.
It’s not an ideal solution (particularly if you are only eligible for the 2 month extension), but it might provide enough time for the wider travel situation to become a bit clearer.
Have you extended your Intercontinental Ambassador status before? – Did you encounter any problems?
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