IHG Hotels & Resorts is taking loyalty to new heights with its redesigned rewards program.
Last April 13, 2022, IHG debuted its revamped global loyalty program, now called IHG One Rewards.
The reimagined rewards program focuses on faster earning with a new tier and bonus point earning structure, making it easier for members to accrue points and enjoy rewards sooner.
It also offers richer benefits, like free breakfast for Diamond elites as a welcome amenity option, which elite members have long requested.
Platinum and Diamond Elite members are also entitled to room upgrades to premium room types. Additionally, elite members can request early check-in and late check-out when available.
On top of that, IHG One Rewards launched Milestone Rewards, a platform that allows members to pick the best rewards for them.
Upon staying 20 nights, you can choose your ideal rewards every 10 nights until 100 nights stayed. Reward selections vary from annual lounge membership and confirmable suite upgrades to $20 food and beverage credits and IHG points.
All of these perks can make your hotel stays much more rewarding, comfortable, and enjoyable.
In this ultimate guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the reinvented IHG One Rewards, from IHG Club status to IHG Diamond Elite status.
IHG One Rewards Status Updates
Before discussing all the perks of each elite status level, here are essential details you should know about rollout dates and validity of the IHG One Rewards elite status.
- The milestone rewards and IHG elite status benefits, like the free breakfast as a check-in welcome amenity and late 2 p.m. check-out, will take effect in early June 2022.
- Stays starting from Jan. 1, 2022 will count toward elite status based on the new requirements.
- Earned status remains valid until the end of the next calendar year. For example, if you obtain IHG One Rewards elite status on June 20, 2022, your status would last until December 31, 2023.
IHG Club Status
IHG Club is the base status for anyone who joins the IHG One Rewards program, and there are no requirements to obtain this level.
Simply complete the form and provide your basic information to create a free account, including your name, email address, and residential address.
IHG Club Benefits
IHG Club members get the following benefits at IHG Hotels:
10 Points Per Dollar – Members earn 10 points per dollar when staying at IHG hotels and 5 points per dollar at Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites.
Free Internet – Club and elite members enjoy free internet at IHG Hotels.
Reward Nights Count Toward Status – The good news is that reward nights count toward elite status, and there are no blackout dates.
IHG Silver Elite Status
The lowest elite tier in IHG One Rewards is Silver Elite status.
How to Earn IHG Silver Elite Status
You can obtain IHG Silver Elite status in 2022 by staying 10 qualifying nights.
You could also get automatic Silver Elite status when you hold the Chase IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card.
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- 5x Points at IHG Hotels and Resorts
- 3x Points on Dining, Utilities, Internet, Phone, Cable, Select Streaming Services, and at Gas Stations
- 2x Points on All Other Purchases
- IHG Rewards Silver Elite Status
- 4th Night Free on Award Stays
- No Annual Fee
Benefits of IHG Silver Elite Status
20% Points Bonus – Silver Elite members earn 12 points per dollar (10 base points plus 2 bonus points) at IHG hotels and 6 points per dollar (5 base points plus 1 bonus point) at Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites.
Points Don’t Expire – IHG points typically expire after 12 months of inactivity, but points never expire for elite members.
Free Internet – All IHG One Rewards members have access to standard internet at IHG hotels.
Reward Nights Count Toward Status – Reward nights count toward elite status without blackout dates.
$30 Spa Credit – Elite members enjoy a $30 in-room spa credit at participating Kimpton properties, which you can apply to any 50 to 80-minute service on the menu.
IHG Gold Elite Status
Gold Elite members enjoy better rewards like 40% bonus points, milestone rewards, and rollover nights.
How to Earn Gold Elite Status
You can earn IHG Gold status in 2022 with any of the following:
- Stay 20 nights
- Earn 40,000 elite-qualifying points in a calendar year
One of the changes in IHG’s loyalty program is that points are now elite-qualifying. You can earn qualifying points based on your spending at IHG properties. You don’t get points on stays booked through an online travel agency.
Unfortunately, points earned from IHG credit card spending no longer count toward status. IHG now provides spending thresholds to reach elite status tiers on select IHG cards. Also, you can no longer transfer points from Chase to earn qualifying points.
If you have the Chase IHG Traveler Card, spending $20,000 in a calendar year on your card plus one additional purchase earns you Gold Elite status.
Benefits of IHG Gold Elite Status
In addition to the basic IHG Club status benefits, Gold Elite members enjoy the following perks:
40% Points Bonus – Gold Elite members earn 14 points per dollar (10 base points plus 4 bonus points) at IHG hotels and 7.4 points per dollar (5 base points plus 2.4 bonus points) at Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites.
Milestone Rewards – Once you earn 20 qualified nights, IHG lets you choose your desired milestone rewards for every 10 nights stayed up until 100 nights. That means you can unlock rewards nine times for staying 100 nights.
IHG offers the following options as milestone rewards:
- 20 Nights (Choose One) – 5,000 bonus points, 2 food and beverage rewards, or 1 confirmable suite upgrade
- 30 Nights (Choose One) – 5,000 bonus points or 2 food and beverage rewards
Here’s what you’ll get with each of the rewards:
- Food and Beverage Rewards – You’ll receive a $20 discount for food and beverages charged to your room. You can choose this reward online through the IHG app or your IHG account.
- Confirmable Suite Upgrade – Your room will be upgraded to an entry-level suite or a premium room type on a paid stay. The suite upgrade applies up to five nights. You may call IHG 14 days before arrival to get the upgrade.
Late Checkout – You can request a late checkout as a Gold Elite member, which is typically 2 p.m.
Points Don’t Expire – IHG points typically expire after 12 months of inactivity, but points never expire for elite members.
Rollover Nights for Next Year’s Status – You can roll over excess nights to count toward next year’s status once you earn 20 nights for Gold status.
Free Internet – All IHG One Rewards members have access to standard internet at IHG hotels.
Reward Nights Count Toward Status – Reward nights count toward elite status without blackout dates.
$30 Spa Credit – Elite members enjoy a $30 in-room spa credit at participating Kimpton properties, which you can apply to any 50 to 80 minute service on the menu.
IHG Platinum Elite Status
Higher up the IHG One Rewards elite status ladder is Platinum Elite status, which offers even more enticing new perks like 60% points bonus, reward night discounts, a check-in welcome amenity, and more.
How to Earn Platinum Elite Status
You must meet any of these requirements to reach Platinum Elite status:
- 40 qualifying nights
- 60,000 elite-qualifying points in a calendar year
If you want to earn IHG Platinum elite status the easy way, check out these cards:
Chase IHG Premier
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- bonus_miles_full
- 10x Points at IHG Hotels and Resorts
- 5x Points on Travel, Dining, and Gas
- 3x Points on All Other Purchases
- IHG Platinum Elite Status
- Anniversary Free Night
- 4th Night Free on Awards
- Baggage and Trip Interruption/Cancellation Insurance
- Purchase Protection for 120 Days
- $99 Annual Fee
The card_name (review) is the easiest shortcut to obtaining IHG Platinum elite status, which is a higher tier that offers a 60% points bonus, complimentary suite upgrades, milestone rewards, and late check-out.
The $99 annual fee is easy to recoup for IHG loyalists, as the card comes with a free anniversary hotel night at hotels costing 40,000 points or at least $125 per night plus a fourth night free that you can use to maximize the 140,000 welcome bonus points earned after spending $3,000.
The IHG Premier offers solid returns on spending, earning 10x points at IHG properties plus 10x points for your IHG Rewards membership and 6x points for having the Platinum Elite status for a total of 26x points on hotel stays, and 5x points on travel, gas, and dining.
This card has a wide array of protections, including trip cancellation, travel accident, baggage delay, purchase, and secondary rental car insurance.
Chase IHG Business Premier
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- 10x at IHG Hotels & Resorts
- 5x Points on Travel, Dining, Select Business, and at Gas Stations
- Free Anniversary Free Night
- IHG Platinum Elite Status
- $99 Annual Fee
The IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card (review) is a good option if you spend a few nights a year at an IHG Hotels and Resorts such as the Holiday Inn, Kimpton, Intercontinental, Hotel Indigo, or Crowne Plaza.
Cardmembers earn 10 points per dollar at IHG Hotel and Rewards, 5 points per dollar on travel, dining, select business, and at gas stations, and 3 points per dollar on all other purchases.
Plus, you get nice perks such as IHG Platinum Elite status, a free anniversary free night, fourth night free on award stays, purchase protection, and Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or a NEXUS statement credit.
Benefits of IHG Platinum Elite Status
Platinum members enjoy the following premium hotel benefits:
60% Points Bonus – Platinum Elite members earn 16 points per dollar (10 base points plus 6 bonus points) at IHG hotels and 8 points per dollar (5 base points plus 3 bonus points) at Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites.
Reward Night Discounts (New) – Platinum and Diamond Elite members enjoy exclusive reward nights discounts at participating hotels.
72-Hour Guaranteed Room Availability – You’re guaranteed one guest room when you make a reservation 72 hours prior to your arrival date. This perk doesn’t apply to reward nights or Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas properties.
Complimentary Upgrades – When available, you may receive upgrades to suites, rooms with better views, newly renovated rooms, or rooms on higher floors.
Welcome Amenity at Check-In – Platinum and Diamond Elite members enjoy a choice of welcome amenity, depending on the hotel brand and region. You can choose points, a drink, or a snack upon checking in at the hotel.
- This perk is non-transferable and only available for qualified stays.
- You’ll only receive points as a welcome amenity if you use digital check-in.
At Kimpton Hotels, you’ll receive a Raid the Bar credit, a $10 credit you can spend at your in-room minibar or the restaurant bar during your qualified stay.
Priority Check-In – Early check-in is available for Platinum and Diamond Elite members. The specific time varies by hotel but you can usually check in as early as 10 a.m.
Late Check-Out – Elite members can request up to 2 p.m. late check-out, subject to hotel availability.
Rollover Nights for Next Year’s Status – You can roll over excess nights to count toward next year’s status once you earn 40 nights for Platinum status.
Milestone Rewards – Once you earn 20 qualified nights, IHG lets you choose your desired milestone rewards for every 10 nights stayed up until 100 nights. That means you can unlock rewards nine times for staying 100 nights.
IHG offers the following options as milestone rewards for Platinum elites:
- 20 Nights (Choose One) – 5,000 bonus points, 2 food and beverage rewards, or 1 confirmable suite upgrade
- 30 Nights (Choose One) – 5,000 bonus points or 2 food and beverage rewards
- 40 Nights (Choose Two) – 10,000 bonus points, 5 food and beverage rewards, 1 confirmable suite upgrade (limit 1), or 1 annual lounge membership (limit 1)
- 50 Nights (Choose One) – 10,000 bonus points or 5 food and beverage rewards
- 60 Nights (Choose One) – 10,000 bonus points or 5 food and beverage rewards
Here’s what you’ll get with each of the rewards:
- Food and Beverage Rewards – You’ll receive a $20 discount for food and beverages charged to your room. You can choose this reward online through the IHG app or your IHG account.
- Confirmable Suite Upgrade – Your room will be upgraded to an entry-level suite or a premium room type on a paid stay. The suite upgrade applies up to five nights. You may call IHG 14 days before arrival to get the upgrade.
- Annual Lounge Membership – You and one guest can enjoy lounge access in the present and next calendar year. This lounge access is available at hotels with club lounges except at Regent properties, Six Senses properties, Mr and Mrs Smith properties, and InterContinental Alliance properties in Las Vegas. You can still have lounge access even on award stays.
Points Don’t Expire – IHG points typically expire after 12 months of inactivity, but points never expire for elite members.
Free Internet – All IHG One Rewards members have access to standard internet at IHG hotels.
Reward Nights Count Toward Status – Reward nights count toward elite status without blackout dates.
$30 Spa Credit – Elite members enjoy a $30 in-room spa credit at participating Kimpton properties, which you can apply to any 50 to 80-minute service on the menu.
IHG Diamond Elite Status
The cream of the crop of the IHG One Rewards loyalty program is the Diamond Elite status, which comes with top-tier perks like 100% points bonus, complimentary breakfast as a welcome amenity, dedicated Diamond support, and reward night discounts.
How to Earn Diamond Elite Status
Obtain the highly coveted top-tier elite status when you meet any of these requirements:
- 70 qualifying nights
- 120,000 elite-qualifying points in a calendar year
Spending $40,000 on your IHG Premier Card within a calendar year automatically earns you Diamond status.
Benefits of IHG Diamond Elite Status
This top-tier status offers a slate of improved benefits:
100% Points Bonus – Diamond Elite members earn 20 points per dollar (10 base points plus 10 bonus points) at IHG hotels and 10 points per dollar (5 base points plus 5 bonus points) at Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites.
Exclusive Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Five Star Status – You’ll get the upgrade once you receive your Diamond Elite status. This Hertz upgrade perk gets you car rental upgrades, better car selection, a free extra driver, and 25% additional Hertz points.
Complimentary Breakfast, Points, or a Drink/Snack as a Welcome Amenity at Check-In (New) – Platinum and Diamond Elite members enjoy a choice of welcome amenity, depending on the hotel brand and region. You can choose points, a drink, or a snack upon checking in at the hotel.
Diamond elites can also have a free breakfast as a welcome amenity.
- You can have a free hot breakfast at full-service brands, including Six Senses, InterContinental, Regent, Holiday Inn, Even, Crowne Plaza, Voco, Hotel Indigo, Hualuxe, and select Kimpton properties.
- You and one guest registered to the same room can have a free breakfast each.
- The complimentary breakfast includes one main menu item and unlimited non-alcoholic drinks or a full buffet with unlimited non-alcoholic drinks per person.
- The perk doesn’t apply to in-room dining and specialty restaurants.
The choice of welcome amenity is non-transferable and only available for qualified stays. Also, you’ll only receive points as a welcome amenity if you use digital check-in.
At Kimpton Hotels, you’ll receive a Raid the Bar credit, a $10 credit you can spend at your in-room minibar or the restaurant bar during your qualified stay.
Rollover Nights for Next Year’s Status – You can roll over excess nights to count toward next year’s status once you earn 70 nights for Diamond status.
Reward Night Discounts (New) – Platinum and Diamond Elite members enjoy exclusive reward nights discounts at participating hotels.
Dedicated Diamond Support (New) – Only Diamond elites enjoy access to dedicated customer support.
72-Hour Guaranteed Room Availability – You’re guaranteed one guest room when you make a reservation 72 hours prior to your arrival date. This perk doesn’t apply to reward nights or Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas properties.
Milestone Rewards – Once you earn 20 qualified nights, IHG lets you choose your desired milestone rewards for every 10 nights stayed up until 100 nights. That means you can unlock rewards nine times for staying 100 nights.
IHG offers the following options as milestone rewards:
- 20 Nights (Choose One) – 5,000 bonus points, 2 food and beverage rewards, or 1 confirmable suite upgrade
- 30 Nights (Choose One) – 5,000 bonus points or 2 food and beverage rewards
- 40 Nights (Choose Two) – 10,000 bonus points, 5 food and beverage rewards, 1 confirmable suite upgrade (limit 1), or 1 annual lounge membership (limit 1)
- 50 Nights (Choose One) – 10,000 bonus points or 5 food and beverage rewards
- 60 Nights (Choose One) – 10,000 bonus points or 5 food and beverage rewards
- 70 Nights (Choose Two) – 10,000 bonus points, 5 food and beverage rewards, 2 confirmable suite upgrades (limit 1), or annual lounge membership (limit 1)
- 80 Nights (Choose One) – 10,000 bonus points or 5 food and beverage rewards
- 90 Nights (Choose One) – 10,000 bonus points or 5 food and beverage rewards
- 100 Nights (Choose One) – 10,000 bonus points or 5 food and beverage rewards
Here’s what you’ll get with each of the rewards:
- Food and Beverage Rewards – You’ll receive a $20 discount for food and beverages charged to your room. You can choose this reward online through the IHG app or your IHG account.
- Confirmable Suite Upgrade – Your room will be upgraded to an entry-level suite or a premium room type on a paid stay. The suite upgrade applies up to five nights. You may call IHG 14 days prior to arrival to get the upgrade.
- Annual Lounge Membership – You and one guest can enjoy lounge access in the present and next calendar year. This lounge access is available at hotels with club lounges except at Regent properties, Six Senses properties, Mr and Mrs Smith properties, and InterContinental Alliance properties in Las Vegas. You can still have lounge access even on award stays.
Complimentary Upgrades – When available, you may receive upgrades to suites, rooms with better views, newly renovated rooms, or rooms on higher floors.
Priority Check-In – Early check-in is available for Platinum and Diamond Elite members. The specific time varies by hotel but you can usually check in as early as 10 a.m.
Late Check-Out – Elite members can request up to 2 p.m. late check-out, subject to hotel availability.
Points Don’t Expire – IHG points typically expire after 12 months of inactivity, but points never expire for elite members.
Free Internet – All IHG One Rewards members have access to standard internet at IHG hotels.
Reward Nights Count Toward Status – Reward nights count toward elite status without blackout dates.
$30 Spa Credit – Elite members enjoy a $30 in-room spa credit at participating Kimpton properties, which you can apply to any 50 to 80-minute service on the menu.
InterContinental Ambassador Program
The InterContinental Ambassador Program is a unique paid elite program offered by IHG exclusively at 200+ InterContinental Hotels and Resorts globally.
IHG One Rewards Club members can join the program by paying $200 per year or redeeming 40,000 IHG points. If you like the benefits of this hotel loyalty program, we recommend paying the annual membership fee rather than using up your points, which offer better value for stays.
The Ambassador Program boasts exclusive perks that outweigh the annual cost and make the elite status worth getting if you frequent InterContinental properties or Six Senses.
InterContinental Ambassador Benefits
The Ambassador Program offers the following excellent benefits:
Free Weekend Night – One of the most appealing benefits of IHG Ambassador Program is a complimentary weekend night certificate, which applies on the second night of a paid weekend stay lasting at least two nights. It is essentially a buy-one-get-one-night-free certificate each year.
Guaranteed Room Upgrade – You’re guaranteed a room at least one level higher than the category purchased. IHG elites can also get space-available upgrades, so this is a nice perk of the program.
- If a room upgrade is unavailable, you are entitled to a restaurant or spa credit of $50 or 10,000 IHG One Rewards points. This compensation doesn’t apply to reward nights.
4 P.M. Late Checkout – You can enjoy a 4:00 p.m. late checkout, which is a very nice perk if you need to freshen up after a meeting or relax for a while after exploring the city.
- If late checkout is unavailable, you are entitled to a restaurant or spa credit of $50 or 10,000 IHG One Rewards points. This compensation doesn’t apply to reward nights.
Club InterContinental Lounge Access – Ambassador members receive complimentary Club InterContinental lounge access.
- If lounge access is unavailable, you can receive a restaurant or spa credit of $100 per night, not exceeding the Club InterContinental upgrade value.
IHG Platinum Elite Status – Ambassador elite members automatically get IHG Platinum Elite status, which allows you to enjoy premium benefits at all IHG hotels.
$20 Food and Drink Credit – You can enjoy a $20 restaurant and bar credit per stay in select hotel restaurants, bars, and minibars.
Free Mineral Water – Bottled water is costly at hotels, but Ambassador members get a complimentary mineral water daily.
Premium Internet – Ambassador members also receive upgraded internet where available, which is great for streaming movies or catching up with friends through video calls.
IHG Ambassador status also offers the following valuable perks at Six Senses, a chain of luxury five star properties that IHG acquired in 2019.
- Free hot breakfast for two in the main restaurant daily
- One category room upgrade when available
- 4 p.m. extended check-out when available
- 10 a.m. early check-in when available
- One complimentary 50-minute spa massage for two or one local experience
The Verdict
IHG’s reinvented loyalty program is more rewarding than ever, now competing head to head with Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, and Marriott Bonvoy.
The world-renowned hotel chain promised to focus on benefits elite members have been craving, especially the addition of complimentary breakfast for top-tier members, and it did not disappoint.
Being an IHG One Rewards elite member means having access to wonderful perks at 6,000+ hotels in more than 100 countries worldwide.
You’ll likely find an IHG hotel for a comfortable stay wherever you go, whether you want an affordable overnight stay at Holiday Inn or a luxurious weekend getaway at InterContinental Hotels & Resorts. Plus, you can boost your points earning easily and get the rewards that matter the most to you.
If you want the fastest route to earning higher status, we recommend getting the IHG Premier Card to enjoy a complimentary Platinum Elite status membership. From there, you can work your way to earn nights/points or spend $40,000 on your Premier Card to instantly obtain the top-tier Diamond Elite status.
Overall, IHG loyalists and even occasional travelers will find something worthwhile to enhance hotel stays in the all-new IHG One Rewards program.
If you like this guide, you should check out our other hotel elite status guides for Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, and Wyndham.
