The InterContinental Ambassador program offers a range of benefits for frequent guests at InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, and one of its most appealing perks is the Complimentary Weekend Night, also known as the BOGO (Buy One, Get One) Weekend Night. This reward allows you to enjoy a free second night when booking a weekend stay of at least two nights. In this detailed guide, we’ll cover how to earn it, how to use it, and how to maximize its value—ensuring you get the most out of this standout feature.
What is the Complimentary Weekend Night?
The Complimentary Weekend Night is a certificate provided to members of the InterContinental Ambassador program. It’s awarded when you purchase or renew your membership and is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. With this certificate, you can book a minimum two-night weekend stay at any InterContinental Hotels & Resorts property worldwide (excluding InterContinental Alliance Resorts), and the second night is free. It’s a simple yet effective way to stretch your travel budget further.
How to Get the Complimentary Weekend Night
To receive this benefit, you need to join the InterContinental Ambassador program. Membership costs $225 or 45,000 IHG One Rewards points and lasts for 12 months. Once you enroll or renew, the Complimentary Weekend Night certificate is automatically added to your IHG One Rewards account.
No physical certificate is mailed, as the program has gone fully digital in recent years. You can log into your IHG One Rewards account and find the certificate under the “Enjoy your rewards” section.
You can sign up or renew your membership through the official IHG website: InterContinental Ambassador Enrollment. There’s no need to purchase the membership far in advance—consider buying it closer to your planned stay to align the 12-month validity with your travel schedule.
What Else Comes with Ambassador Membership?
The Complimentary Weekend Night is just one part of the Ambassador package. Here’s what else you’ll get:
- Guaranteed one-category room upgrade at check-in
- Guaranteed 4pm late check-out
- IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, unlocking additional perks like bonus points
- Up to $20 credit for restaurant and bar charges per stay
- Complimentary mineral water in your room
- Premium internet access during your stay
- Dedicated check-in area for a smoother arrival
- Single room rate for double occupancy, saving on extra guest fees
- Complimentary breakfast for one each night you stay, for mainland china only
While these perks elevate your experience, the Complimentary Weekend Night alone makes the membership fee worth it.
How to Redeem the Complimentary Weekend Night
Using the certificate is straightforward, but there are specific steps and conditions to follow:
Booking Process
Select the Right Rate: Book the “Ambassador Complimentary Weekend Night” rate through this dedicated link. If it’s not available, try this alternative link. Even without a Complimentary Weekend Night certificate in your account, you can check availability and rates through either link. The booking process doesn’t confirm the certificate upfront—it’s verified at the hotel.
Weekend Requirement: The stay must include at least two consecutive nights over a weekend, defined as:
- Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in most regions
- Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in the Middle East
Check-In Adjustment: When booking, the system shows the total price for all nights. At check-in, present your IHG One Rewards membership number and ID, and the hotel will adjust the second night to $0. If you don’t have a valid certificate at this time, you’ll be charged for both nights. The certificate remains in your account until redeemed at the property.
DESCRIPTION
Ambassador Complimentary Weekend Night: Valid on the second night of a paid stay on the Ambassador Weekend Rate. The full cost of all booked nights will be displayed upon your reservation, but the second weekend night will be credited to your bill at check-in when a valid ID and IHG® One Rewards number are presented. This special rate is available for Ambassador and Royal Ambassadors, only with a valid complimentary night benefit that is not expired or already redeemed. Reservations must be cancelled at least 48 hours prior to the day of check-in in order to avoid a cancellation fee. Excludes Resort, Destination, or Amenity fees.
Room Types
Officially, the certificate applies to standard rooms and excludes suites. However, many InterContinental properties offer this rate for higher-category rooms or even suites. Check availability for your preferred room type when booking.
Cancellation
The rate description states that the Complimentary Weekend Night booking requires cancellation at least 48 hours before arrival to avoid a fee. However, since this rate is based on the Best Flexible Rate, you’ll often find more lenient terms—cancellation is frequently allowed up to one day prior, or even as late as 6 p.m. on the day of arrival, depending on the property. Always review the specific cancellation rules when you book to confirm.
How Pricing Works
The “Ambassador Complimentary Weekend Night” rate is tied to the hotel’s Best Flexible Rate, which might be higher than other available rates. While this can seem like a drawback, the free second night often balances it out.
Let’s see how this works with some real-world examples. Imagine you’re planning a two-night weekend stay at an InterContinental hotel (we’ll assume the rates are the same both nights to keep it simple):
InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong
- Ambassador Rate: $220 per night
- Member Rate: $166 per night
- With Ambassador: Membership ($225) + one night at $220 = $445 total
- Without Ambassador: Two nights at $166 = $332 total
- Difference: $445 – $332 = $113 more with Ambassador
InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay
- Ambassador Rate: $298 per night
- Member Rate: $255 per night
- With Ambassador: Membership ($225) + one night at $298 = $523 total
- Without Ambassador: Two nights at $255 = $510 total
- Difference: $523 – $510 = $13 more with Ambassador
- Ambassador Rate: $402 per night
- Member Rate: $325 per night
- With Ambassador: Membership ($225) + one night at $402 = $627 total
- Without Ambassador: Two nights at $325 = $650 total
- Difference: $627 – $650 = $23 less with Ambassador
These examples show a clear trend: the higher the hotel’s rates, the more value you get from the Complimentary Weekend Night. At a budget-friendly property, you might pay slightly more than the member discount rate. At a pricier location, though, you come out ahead, with the free night offsetting the membership cost as rates climb.
In short, even for just one weekend stay at an InterContinental hotel, the Complimentary Weekend Night can justify the membership cost at upscale properties. You’re essentially getting a year of Ambassador perks—like guaranteed room upgrades and Platinum Elite status—for free.
Tips to Maximize Value
Here’s how to get the most out of your Complimentary Weekend Night:
- Book Early, Buy Later: Reserve the rate without being an Ambassador member to lock in availability. Purchase the membership closer to your stay (just before check-in) to keep your plans flexible and align the 12-month validity with your travel needs.
- Target Higher Room Categories: If the rate applies to suites or premium rooms (e.g., $500 per night), the free second night slashes your average cost—potentially saving you far more than the $225 membership fee in one stay.
- Check Availability: Not all properties offer this rate, especially during peak times. Plan ahead, compare options, and check multiple dates or locations if your first choice isn’t available.
- Compare Rates: The Ambassador rate isn’t always the best deal. For base rooms, a promotional or member rate might be cheaper. But for premium rooms or last-minute bookings, the free night often makes it a winner.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Availability: Not every InterContinental property offers this rate consistently, so don’t assume it’s always an option—check ahead and be ready to adjust your plans.
- Advance Booking: Reservations must be made in advance, and if you join the Ambassador program at the hotel, you can’t redeem the Complimentary Weekend Night for that same stay—plan ahead to use it.
- Rate Details: The price shown online includes both nights and won’t reflect the free night discount until check-in. Don’t worry about the initial total—it’ll be adjusted at the hotel.
- Coverage Limits: The free night covers only the room rate and taxes—nothing more, so extras like dining or parking are still on you.
- Promotion Limits: You can’t pair this with IHG One Rewards Reward Nights or other free night offers, and it’s not stackable with additional promotions.
- Non-Transferable: The benefit is tied to the Ambassador member who books—no sharing or gifting it to others.
- Qualifying Stay: The stay still counts toward IHG One Rewards elite status, earning you credit for two nights even with the second night free.
Is It Worth It?
The Complimentary Weekend Night can easily offset the $225 membership fee, especially if you use it at a high-value property or for a premium room. For example, a two-night stay in a $500-per-night suite becomes $500 total instead of $1,000—a $500 saving that dwarfs the membership cost. Even for a modest stay (like the $298 example), the upgrade and additional benefits make it a break-even deal at worst, and a money-saver at best.
If you stay at InterContinental hotels at least once a year, the math usually works out. Frequent guests will find even more value in the consistent upgrades and Platinum Elite status.
Final Thoughts
The Complimentary Weekend Night is a practical perk that rewards strategic planning. Whether you’re booking a budget-friendly room or splurging on a suite, it’s a chance to save money and elevate your stay. Pair it with the Ambassador program’s other benefits, and you’ve got a solid deal for any weekend getaway at an InterContinental property. Plan ahead, book smart, and enjoy the rewards of being an Ambassador member.