HotelChatter

At the other IC hotels you also get Platinum Priority Club Status. I have purchased the $150 version 3 times when I have been going to stay at an IC hotel. In all 3 instances an "upgrade" was not available.

A few clarifications about the Ambassador program:

First, Royal Ambassador is the elite tier of the Ambassador program and generally is offered when an Ambassador has over 50 nights at IC properties (at least 3 different IC branded properties must be included in these nights, though stays at Holiday Inns and Crowne Plazas -- other InterContinental Hotels Group brands -- also count) which is considered to be the top 1% of Ambassadors.  Or another Royal Ambassador may recommend you with a referral voucher which is received every year upon free renewal.  The referred person would pay the basic $200 initiation if not already an Ambassador.  

So your reference to the Royal Ambassador kit above is incorrect.  This is the basic Ambassador kit.

Second, while $200 is the initiation year cost (or 32K Priority Club points) for basic Ambassador membership -- which runs for 12 months from the month of registration, not on a calendar year basis -- annual renewal is $150.  Royal Ambassadors get free annual renewals, or if they fail to achieve the required number of nights, a free year of Ambassador.

Third, basic tier Ambassadors also receive Gold status in the Priority Club awards program (and Royal Ambassadors receive top tier Platinum status).

Fourth, the BOGO night is for the second weekend night after paying a rate equivalent to ICG's "Best Flexible Rate" as it appears on the web site booking engine, but must be booked through a special area of that site.

Fifth, upgrades for Ambassadors are available at check-in to the next higher category of room.  Royal Ambassadors generally receive an upgrade to a Club Intercontinental room with lounge privileges or a regular suite (if a normal category room has been booked).  This latter upgrade varies by property.

As noted in the article these stay benefits are available only at InterContinental branded hotels and not at ICG's other brands,  However, because of the elite tier Priority Club status received as part of the Ambassador/Royal Ambassador benefits, upgrades would be available to better rooms (though not always suites or club rooms) at the other brands based on inventory at check in.

I have been an Ambassador since the program transitioned from IC's old Six Continents Club, a similar enhanced stay benefits program before the upscale chain joined up with Holiday Inn's parent company.  I was a SCC member since the 1980s, and a Royal Ambassador since that tier was created in the early 2000s and have never regretted paying the initiation fee or annual renewal fee when I had to pay it (though back then initiation was $100 and renewal $50...but that was a long time ago!).

Great program!