IHG One Rewards hotel loyalty program guide
IHG One Rewards is the loyalty program for IHG Hotels & Resorts, which includes brands like Holiday Inn, Hotel Indigo, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants and Crowne Plaza. It’s become one of my go-to hotel loyalty programs, especially after it added new features in 2022 when the loyalty program rebranded to IHG One Rewards.
The IHG Hotels & Resorts portfolio includes a mix of luxury and mainstream brands. I love the high-end Six Senses brand, but even less prestigious properties like Candlewood Suites, Avid and Holiday Inn Express provide acceptable quality.
Here’s what you need to know about the IHG One Rewards program — including how to earn and redeem IHG points.
IHG One Rewards elite status
There are five IHG elite status tiers. Plus, IHG offers two additional membership programs: InterContinental Ambassador and Kimpton Inner Circle. Here’s an overview of each of these membership options.
IHG One Rewards Club member
You’ll become a Club member simply by signing up for the IHG One Rewards program. Club members get the following benefits:
- Access to member rates and promotions
- Points earned when paying qualifying rates for stays
- Free internet access
- 2 p.m. late checkout, upon request and subject to availability
Related: The best IHG hotels in the world
IHG One Rewards Silver Elite member
Silver Elite membership typically requires 10 qualifying nights per calendar year. However, those with the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card get automatic Silver Elite status if their account is open and in good standing.
On top of the benefits available to Club members, Silver Elite members also get the following perks:
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- 20% bonus earnings on top of base points
- Points don’t expire while you have elite status
Related: IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card review: Hotel perks for no annual fee
IHG One Rewards Gold Elite member
Gold Elite membership typically requires 20 qualifying nights or 40,000 qualifying points per calendar year. However, those with the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card can earn Gold Elite status through the end of the following calendar year if they spend $20,000 or more on their card within the current calendar year.
On top of the benefits available to Silver Elite members, Gold Elite members also get the following perks:
- 40% bonus earnings on top of base points
- Qualifying nights that surpass what you need for status during a particular year roll over to the next year (although rollover nights are only valid for one calendar year)
IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite member
Platinum Elite membership typically requires 40 qualifying nights or 60,000 qualifying points per calendar year, but those with the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card or IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card get automatic Platinum Elite status.
You’ll also get complimentary Platinum Elite status if you buy an InterContinental Ambassador membership. Further, those with a United Club℠ Infinite Card can register for complimentary IHG Platinum Elite status.
On top of the benefits available to IHG One Rewards Gold Elite members, Platinum Elite members also get the following perks:
- 60% bonus earnings on top of base points
- Occasional reward night discounts
- Complimentary upgrades, subject to availability
- Welcome amenity at check-in, usually consisting of points or a drink and a snack
- Early check-in, upon request and subject to availability
IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite member
Diamond Elite membership typically requires 70 qualifying nights or 120,000 qualifying points per calendar year. However, those with the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card or IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card can earn Diamond Elite status through the end of the following calendar year if they spend $40,000 or more on their card within the current calendar year.
On top of the benefits available to IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite members, Diamond Elite members also get the following perks:
- 100% bonus earnings on top of base points
- Dedicated support phone line for Diamond Elite members
- Welcome amenity at check-in of free breakfast (per night for up to two people), points (per stay), or a drink and snack (per stay)
Related: How to earn and redeem IHG food and beverage rewards
InterContinental Ambassador
You can purchase a 12-month InterContinental Ambassador membership for $225 or 45,000 IHG points. InterContinental Ambassador members get extra perks at InterContinental hotels and resorts, including a guaranteed one-category room upgrade and 4 p.m. late checkout.
In addition, membership comes with IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status and a complimentary weekend night at an InterContinental hotel or resort (valid on the second night of a minimum two-night paid weekend stay booked using a special rate).
Even if you already have Platinum Elite or higher status, purchasing InterContinental Ambassador status can be worth it if you frequently stay at InterContinental properties. It can also make sense if you get more than $225 of value from your complimentary weekend night.
IHG invites select InterContinental Ambassadors to become Royal Ambassadors based on their qualifying activity at InterContinental hotels and resorts. Royal Ambassadors get even more perks, including Club InterContinental lounge access.
Related: Everything you need to know about IHG One Rewards’ annual lounge membership
Kimpton Inner Circle
If you’re an IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite member and frequently stay at Kimpton hotels, you might be invited to the Kimpton Inner Circle.
Kimpton Inner Circle members get various extra perks when staying at Kimpton hotels, including personalized treats upon arrival, guaranteed one-category room upgrades, waived amenity and destination fees, guaranteed 10 a.m. early check-in, and guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout.
Related: Invitation-only airline and hotel elite status: What it is and how to earn it
Which bookings are eligible for IHG elite benefits and earnings?
You usually have to book directly with IHG to use elite benefits and earn points on your hotel stay. Specifically, IHG’s terms and conditions state you can book qualifying stays eligible for benefits and points earning “through IHG’s websites (including mobile sites), the IHG One Rewards app, IHG WeChat mini program, IHG Customer Care, Iberostar website, Iberostar Contact Center, IberostarPro, or directly with an IHG branded hotel.”
Related: What credit card should you use for IHG stays?
How to earn IHG points
There are many ways to earn IHG points. Here’s a quick overview of some of the most popular ways.
Hotel stays
All IHG One Rewards members earn base points as follows when paying a qualifying rate at participating IHG hotels and resorts:
- 3 points per dollar spent at IHG Army Hotels (a 1.5% return based on TPG’s January 2025 valuations)
- 5 points per dollar spent at Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites and Residences (a 2.5% return)
- 10 points per dollar spent at other IHG properties (a 5% return)
Only select Six Senses properties and Iberostar Beachfront Resorts participate in IHG One Rewards. Check if your desired hotel participates before you book if you’d like to earn IHG points and elite nights.
As discussed above, elite members earn bonus points on top of these base points. Specifically, Silver Elite members receive a 20% bonus, Gold Elite members receive a 40% bonus, Platinum Elite members receive a 60% bonus and Diamond Elite members receive a 100% bonus.
IHG often offers bonus promotions that let members earn even more points on stays.
Related: Best IHG beach hotels, from family-friendly resorts to luxury stays
Credit cards
IHG currently offers three credit cards — here are their welcome offers, annual fees and earning rates.
| Card | Welcome offer | Earning rates on purchases with the card | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card | Earn 170,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening | 10 points per dollar spent on qualifying purchases made at hotels participating in IHG One Rewards 5 points per dollar spent on other travel, gas stations and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) 3 points per dollar spent on all other purchases | $99 |
| IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card | Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | 5 points per dollar spent on qualifying purchases made at hotels participating in IHG One Rewards 3 points per dollar spent on utilities; select streaming services; dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services); gas stations; and internet, cable and phone services 2 points per dollar spent on all other purchases | None |
| IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card | Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening | 10 points per dollar spent on qualifying purchases made at hotels participating in IHG One Rewards 5 points per dollar spent on other travel, dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services), office supply stores, gas stations, and social media and search engine advertising 3 points per dollar spent on all other purchases | $99 |
You can also transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points and Bilt Rewards Points to IHG One Rewards at a 1:1 ratio.
Related: Why you should get (and keep) the IHG One Rewards Premier card
Meetings and events
The IHG Business Rewards program allows you to earn IHG points when you book rooms, meetings and events for others at participating IHG hotels and resorts.
First, you must register for IHG Business Rewards on IHG’s website. Then, you can earn 3 points per dollar spent on the following:
- Guest rooms
- Meetings and events
- Conference rooms
- Food-and-beverage service linked to meetings and conferences
- All-inclusive meeting packages
However, you can’t earn more than 60,000 points on a meeting or event in most cases.
Related: What hotel loyalty program is best for business travelers?
IHG Trip Extras
IHG Trip Extras is a booking platform that allows you to earn IHG points on select bookings. Specifically, you’ll earn as follows when you book through the IHG Trip Extras portal:
- Hertz car rentals: Earn 1,500 points per rental plus 500 points per day for elite members and 125 points per day for Club members.
- Dollar and Thrifty car rentals: Earn 125 points per day.
- Tours and activities: Earn 1,000 points per activity booking.
- OpenTable reservations: Earn up to 500 points when you make an OpenTable restaurant reservation.
- Ground transport services: Earn up to 1,000 points per transportation booking.
Most of these bounties are relatively small. So, you’ll generally only want to book through the IHG Trip Extras portal when it matches or beats the lowest-priced competitor.
IHG One Rewards Dine & Earn
The IHG One Rewards Dine & Earn program lets you earn IHG points on dining. To earn points at participating restaurants, join the program and enroll at least one credit or debit card. You’ll earn IHG points when you use an enrolled card to pay at participating restaurants, bars and clubs.
Your earning rate will depend on your elite status level within the IHG One Rewards Dine & Earn program:
- VIP members earn 8 points per dollar spent
- Select members earn 5 points per dollar spent
- Basic members earn 1 point per dollar spent
To earn Select status, opt in to receive emails. You’ll earn VIP status when you opt in to receive emails and complete 11 qualified transactions in a calendar year. Once you’ve earned VIP status, you’ll keep it for the rest of the current year and the following calendar year.
However, you can only enroll each card in one dining rewards program at a time. So, if you use another program, such as American Airlines’ AAdvantage Dining or Hilton Honors Dining, you’ll need to decide whether IHG One Rewards Dine & Earn will provide more value.
Buying points
You can also boost your account balance by buying IHG points. You can periodically buy points during promotions for as little as 0.5 cents apiece.
You can generally purchase no more than 150,000 IHG points per calendar year, but IHG sometimes increases this limit during promotions.
Related: The best credit cards for buying points and miles
Which points qualify for elite status?
Some of the activities above produce elite qualifying IHG points, while others provide non-elite qualifying points. Both types of points are redeemable, but only elite qualifying points count toward earning elite status.
Based on IHG’s terms and conditions, the following activities produce points that are redeemable and qualify for elite status:
- Qualifying rates paid for hotel stays
- Hertz car rentals, OpenTable reservations and Viator experiences
- IHG One Rewards bonus points packages
On the other hand, the following activities produce points that are redeemable but do not qualify for elite status:
- Purchases on U.S.-issued IHG One Rewards credit cards
- Transfers of Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards points to IHG
- New-cardmember bonuses and bonus points promotions through IHG One Rewards credit cards (unless otherwise indicated)
- IHG Dine & Earn
- Points earned from IHG promotions and select partner promotions
- Elite tier bonus points
- Points vouchers, purchases, deposits and transfers (unless otherwise indicated)
If you aren’t looking to earn IHG elite status through elite qualifying points, you don’t have to worry about which points qualify.
Related: The best IHG all-inclusive resorts, from Jamaica to Mexico
How to redeem IHG points
You’ll generally get the most value when you redeem IHG points for hotel stays, but other options exist. Here’s what you need to know.
Reward nights
In 2020, IHG gradually switched to dynamic award pricing. The number of points required to book a reward night at a particular property may vary from night to night and may change at any point.
You can use points to book reward nights at most IHG properties. However, you may be unable to redeem points at IHG Army Hotels and Six Senses properties. The lowest rate I’ve seen for any IHG property recently is 5,000 points per night.
TPG’s January 2025 valuation of IHG points pegs their value at 0.5 cents each. So, you should generally aim to get at least this value when redeeming IHG points.
If you have an eligible IHG One Rewards credit card, you can get more value from your points by utilizing the fourth-night-reward benefit. This benefit lets you effectively pay zero points for every fourth night when you redeem points for a stay of four nights or longer.
Related: How to maximize award redemptions with the IHG One Rewards program
Points + Cash
If you’re looking to conserve points, you may want to book using Points + Cash. As the name implies, you’ll pay partially with points and partially with cash on a Points + Cash booking. The cost to pay partially with cash through Points + Cash bookings varies, so consider whether the rate at which you’d be purchasing points provides good value.
One additional caveat about Points + Cash bookings: You don’t get the cash portion back if you cancel the stay. Instead, IHG refunds the cash copay as points deposited in your IHG One Rewards account.
Related: Top IHG pet-friendly hotels for animal lovers
IHG One Rewards Access
IHG One Rewards Access is an auction platform where you can redeem IHG points for experiences. There are usually some experiences you can bid on and some experiences you can obtain by redeeming a set number of points.
IHG members with a Mastercard can also redeem IHG points for Mastercard Priceless Experiences.
Digital Rewards
You can redeem IHG points for a wide selection of e-magazines, movies, e-books, games and software through IHG’s Digital Rewards program. If you only have a few points to redeem, Digital Rewards could be a worthwhile option.
Redeem for airline miles
Finally, you can redeem IHG points for airline miles with select partners by calling the IHG One Rewards Service Center. However, you can usually only redeem in increments of 10,000 IHG points, and it may take up to six weeks for the miles to be posted to your airline loyalty account.
How to book an IHG award
Booking award nights through the IHG website is easy. From the homepage, type in your destination, dates, number of guests and number of rooms. Before clicking “Search,” click the “Rate Preference” drop-down and select “Reward Nights.”
Once you click “Search,” you’ll see bookable options within a set radius of your destination. You can filter these options by brand and amenities. You can sort your results by distance, price or rating.
Click “Select Hotel” to see award rates for each room type. By selecting the applicable tiles, you can see paid rates and Points + Cash rates. This will help you decide if redeeming points is worthwhile.
In this case, you could pay 27,000 IHG points per night or $171 per night for a reservation you could cancel without charge until one day before your stay. So, you’d be getting 0.63 cents per point if you redeem points for this stay.
Frequently asked questions
How much are IHG points worth?
Based on TPG’s January 2025 valuations, IHG points are worth about 0.5 cents each. So, it would be best if you generally tried to get at least 0.5 cents of value per point when redeeming IHG points.
How many IHG points do you need for a free night?
IHG uses dynamic award pricing, so you can’t determine how many points you’ll need for a free night until you search. However, you can generally expect to redeem 5,000 to 150,000 points per night at most IHG hotels and resorts.
Do IHG points expire?
Points don’t expire for IHG elite members. However, they expire for Club members after 12 months without earning or redeeming points.
Related: How to keep your airline, hotel and rental car points and miles from expiring
Can I transfer my IHG points to someone else?
You can usually transfer your IHG points to another member in 1,000-point increments for a fee of $5 per 1,000 points. This means you’ll pay a fee of 0.5 cents per point transferred.
However, IHG One Rewards members with Diamond Elite status or who belong to the IHG Business Rewards program can transfer up to 500,000 IHG One Rewards points per calendar year to other members without paying any transfer fees.
Related: Family points pooling: How to transfer and maximize your rewards
Bottom line
IHG improved its loyalty program by adding breakfast for Diamond Elite members and Milestone Rewards during its 2022 program overhaul. I also appreciate that getting at least 0.7 cents per point when redeeming IHG points for stays is usually easy. Plus, IHG occasionally offers sales that let you buy IHG points for just 0.5 cents apiece.
It’s worth having the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card or IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, even if you only stay with IHG hotels and resorts a few times per year. Both cards provide automatic Platinum Elite status and access to the valuable fourth-night-reward benefit when you redeem IHG points for stays of four nights or longer.
