IHG started to renew existing InterContinental Royal Ambassador members in late November (read more here). That was a couple of weeks earlier than usual, and they should have done the processing now that all the stays and nights from 2024 are in.
IHG sent out the Royal Ambassador welcome emails last week, and the benefits don’t seem to have been ” enhanced ” in 2025.
You can access IHG’s page for the Ambassador program here, and Kimpton Inner Circle here.
READ MORE: IHG One Rewards Rate & Bonus Points Rates
Readers have shared their requalification numbers on the piece we published in November, and many have also posted them on the FlyerTalk thread (access here).
If your status has been recently renewed or you have been upgraded to the Royal Ambassador tier for the first time, please share your 2024 IHG stay stats in the comments.
The intertwined Royal Ambassador and Kimpton Inner Circle tiers have a slight twist. Royal Ambassador members also get the Kimpton Inner Circle, while those who stay at Kimpton and qualify for the Inner Circle also get the Royal Ambassador tier.
Royal Ambassador Qualifying brands:
- Six Senses
- Regent
- InterContinental
- Kimpton
Then there are IHG One Rewards members who may have had a couple of expensive stays at Six Senses or Regent brands and who get their status upgraded to Royal Ambassador without even setting foot at an InterContinental.
You have to keep in mind that Royal Ambassador benefits are only applicable for stays at InterContinental hotels, and you get nothing from the RA tier at Six Senses or Regent.
Conclusion
There is always some confusion around these Royal Ambassador renewals, as some may get renewed at $15K while others who spent more don’t. There could be some geographical differences in spending requirements.
The InterContinental Royal Ambassador tier is genuinely good, and many hotels offer better upgrades than what is mandated by the program.
Chasing it, however, is a “fruitless” endeavor because the qualification criteria are unclear. An expensive Six Senses stay or two might get you there, but 60 paid nights at InterContinentals not.
If your status didn’t get renewed, remember that you get the majority of the Royal Ambassador benefits by having the Annual Lounge Pass, Diamond status, and Ambassador membership, and using those suite upgrade certificates strategically without having to commit stays and spend that is better diverted to some other hotels.
So, what are your Royal Ambassador renewal, upgrade, or downgrade numbers for 2025? Please share them below.
