The IHG Ambassador Elite card gives you points on hotel stays, free night certificates, and lounge access through the IHG Rewards program

The IHG Ambassador Elite credit card is a co-branded card issued by Chase in partnership with InterContinental Hotels Group. When you use it, you earn points on purchases that you can redeem for stays at IHG properties — which include brands like Holiday Inn, InterContinental, Kimpton, and Voco. The card also comes with annual perks like a free night certificate and access to certain hotel lounges, though the specific benefits depend on which version of the card you hold.

This guide explains what comes with the card, what it costs, and how the rewards and benefits actually work in practice. It does not cover how to open an account or whether you personally should get one — those are decisions based on your own travel patterns and finances.

Key Takeaways

  • The IHG Ambassador Elite card earns points on every purchase, with bonus points on IHG hotel stays and other categories that vary by card version.
  • You receive a free night certificate each year, though the certificate has a points cap that limits which hotels you can book with it.
  • The card charges an annual fee, and the value of the free night certificate and other perks determines whether the rewards outweigh that cost for your travel habits.
  • Points can be redeemed for hotel nights, but they can also be transferred to airline partners or used for other redemptions through the IHG Rewards program.
  • Elite status with IHG Rewards comes automatically with the card, which unlocks room upgrades, late checkout, and other hotel benefits beyond what the card itself provides.

How points work on the IHG Ambassador Elite card

Every dollar you spend on the card earns a set number of points. The exact earning rate depends on which version of the card you have — there are multiple IHG credit cards with different earning structures. A common version earns 10 points per dollar on IHG hotel stays, 2 points per dollar on other travel and dining purchases, and 1 point per dollar on everything else. Other versions may have different rates or bonus categories.

Points accumulate in your IHG Rewards account, which is separate from the credit card account itself. You can check your balance anytime through the IHG Rewards website or app. There is no limit to how many points you can earn or hold, and points do not expire as long as your account remains active — though IHG defines "active" as earning or redeeming at least once every 24 months.

The value of each point varies depending on what you redeem it for. A point used toward a hotel night at a budget property is worth less than the same point used at a luxury property. This is why the free night certificate matters: it lets you use points in a way that might give you better value than booking a cheaper room.

Understanding the annual free night certificate

Each year on your card anniversary, you receive a free night certificate. This certificate lets you book one night at an IHG hotel without paying points or cash — but it comes with a cap. The certificate is valid for hotels up to a certain points value, which varies by card version. For example, one version caps the certificate at 50,000 points, while another caps it at 40,000 points.

The cap matters because it determines which hotels you can actually use the certificate at. A luxury InterContinental in a major city might require 80,000 points per night, which is above the cap — so you could not use the certificate there. A Holiday Inn Express in a smaller city might require 25,000 points, which is below the cap — so you could use it there. You can check the points cost of any hotel on the IHG Rewards website before you book.

If you do not use the certificate before your next card anniversary, it expires. You cannot combine multiple certificates or carry one over to the following year. The certificate is also non-transferable — only you can use it, not a family member or travel companion.

Annual fees and other costs

The IHG Ambassador Elite card charges an annual fee, which is charged to your account each year on your card anniversary. The amount varies by card version. Some versions charge $99 per year, while others charge more. This fee is separate from any interest charges or late fees — it is a cost of holding the card itself, whether or not you use it.

The card does not charge foreign transaction fees if you use it outside the United States, which can save money if you travel internationally. It also does not charge an annual fee for an authorized user, though the authorized user does not earn their own points — all points go to the primary cardholder's account.

Whether the annual fee is worth it depends on whether you use the free night certificate and earn enough points to offset the cost. If you stay at IHG hotels regularly and can use the free night certificate at a property that would otherwise cost you $100 or more per night, the certificate alone may cover the fee. If you rarely travel or never stay at IHG properties, the fee is a pure cost with no benefit.

Elite status and hotel benefits

Holding the IHG Ambassador Elite card automatically gives you Diamond Elite status with IHG Rewards. This status is separate from the credit card benefits — it is a tier within the loyalty program itself. Diamond Elite comes with perks that explore whenever you stay at an IHG hotel, whether you pay with the credit card or not.

These perks typically include room upgrades (when available), late checkout, complimentary breakfast at some properties, and access to certain hotel lounges. The exact benefits vary by hotel brand and location. A Kimpton hotel may offer different perks than a Holiday Inn, and a luxury property may offer more than a budget one. You can see the full list of Diamond Elite benefits on the IHG Rewards website.

Elite status also earns you bonus points on every stay. With Diamond Elite, you earn a percentage bonus on top of the base points for each night. This bonus stacks with the points you earn from the credit card, so a stay paid with the card earns both the card's points and the elite bonus points.

How to redeem points for hotel stays

To book a hotel with points, you log into your IHG Rewards account and search for your desired hotel and dates. The search results show the points cost for each night, which varies by season, demand, and hotel category. You can filter by points cost to see only hotels within a certain range. Once you find a hotel, you can book it using points, cash, or a combination of both.

Points-only bookings do not earn additional points, and they are not may be able to access for refund if you cancel — though you can usually move the booking to a different date without losing the points. Cash bookings earn points and are refundable according to the hotel's cancellation policy.

You can also transfer points to airline partners, though the transfer rate is typically not favorable — you usually lose value when you transfer. Some readers find it worthwhile to transfer points to a specific airline if they are close to a free flight, but for most people, redeeming points directly for hotel nights offers better value.

Comparing card versions and alternatives

IHG offers multiple credit card versions through Chase, each with different earning rates, annual fees, and perks. The Ambassador Elite is the premium version, but there is also a standard IHG card with a lower annual fee and fewer perks. The choice between them depends on how much you travel and how much you value the elite status and free night certificate.

If you stay at IHG hotels frequently and can use the free night certificate every year, the Ambassador Elite card may deliver more value than the standard card. If you travel occasionally or prefer other hotel chains, a different card or no hotel card at all may make more sense. The comparison guides on this site can help you see how different hotel cards stack up against each other.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the free night certificate at any IHG hotel?

No, the certificate is capped at a certain points value, which limits which hotels you can book. You can check the points cost of any hotel on the IHG Rewards website before you book to see if it falls within your certificate's cap. Luxury properties and hotels in major cities often exceed the cap.

Do points expire if I do not use them?

Points do not expire as long as your IHG Rewards account remains active, which means you earn or redeem at least once every 24 months. If your account goes inactive, points may be forfeited, though you can usually reactivate an account by logging in or making a transaction.

What happens to my elite status if I close the card?

Your Diamond Elite status ends when you close the card, unless you have earned elite status through hotel stays separately. If you close the card and do not have elite status from another source, you lose the elite benefits and bonus points on future stays.

Can I earn points on the annual fee itself?

No, annual fees do not earn points. Only purchases and hotel stays earn points. The annual fee is charged separately and does not contribute to your points balance.

What if the free night certificate is worth less than the annual fee?

Then the card may not be worth the cost for you. If you rarely travel or cannot use the certificate at hotels you actually want to stay at, the annual fee becomes a net cost. You would need to earn enough points through regular spending to make up the difference, which depends on how much you spend and how you redeem.