IHG One Rewards: In-Depth Guide to IHG’s Loyalty Program

IHG One Rewards Overview

IHG One Rewards, formerly known as both IHG Rewards Club and Priority Club, is the Intercontinental Hotels Group loyalty program.  It allows you to earn rewards at more than 6,000 properties within IHG’s extensive network of hotels, including Kimpton, InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Candlewood and Staybridge Suites properties.

This in-depth guide will provide you with a complete overview of the program and some great tips for how to earn more points and maximize the redemption options!

IHG One Rewards Levels: Elite Status and Benefits

The IHG Rewards program has four levels of elite status:   Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond.  When you first enroll in the program, you will be at the Club level, which does count as “Status” and has some benefits, but not “Elite Status” since it is awarded automatically upon joining.

Join the IHG One Rewards Program Here…

Requirements for IHG Elite Status

• Club – Just sign up and you’re at the Club Level
• Sliver – 10 qualified nights
• Gold – 120 qualified nights or 40,000 Elite Qualifying Points
• Platinum – 40 qualified nights or 60,000 Elite Qualifying Points
• Spire – 70 qualified nights or 120,000 Elite Qualifying Points

**Qualifying Points are points earned from Qualifying Rates paid for hotel stays, spend on IHG One Rewards credit cards, select partner activity, IHG Rewards Bonus Points Packages, and Qualified Spend through IHG Business Rewards are considered Qualifying Points and are counted towards Elite status

IHG One Rewards Benefits by Tier

Below is a chart that summarizes the benefits associated with each tier.

Intercontinental Ambassador Status

As an IHG Rewards member, you may also purchase InterContinental Ambassador status. This status entitles you to higher levels of recognition and only applies to stays at Intercontinental hotels. 

Intercontinental Ambassador Status will cost you $200/year (or 40,000 IHG points) and provides the following benefits when you stay at Intercontinental Hotels:

• Guaranteed one category room upgrade
• Guaranteed extended 4pm check-out
• Complimentary weekend night
• Platinum Elite status in IHG One Rewards, and the corresponding benefits
• Restaurants & bars credit of up to USD20 for every stay
• Complimentary mineral water
• Complimentary internet
• Dedicated check-in area
• Single room rate for double occupancy
• Mainland China Only: Complimentary breakfast for one each night you stay

How to Earn IHG Rewards Points

You can earn IHG Points by staying at IHG hotels, participating in promotions, buying goods and services through IHG partners, and via credit cards – both IHG Co-Branded and Chase Ultimate Rewards Cards.

Earn Points from hotel stays

You will earn 10 points for every dollar you spend when staying at IHG properties, other than Staybridge and Candlewood Suites where you will earn 5 points for every dollar spent.

IHG Promotions

IHG offers promotions on a quarterly basis to help you earn more points, faster.

IHG One Rewards Dining

You can earn IHG points every time you eat at select restaurants by signing up for the IHG Dining program with Rewards Network.   All you have to do is sign up and register your credit card.  When you visit any one of the 11,000+ participating restaurants and bars and pay with your registered credit card you will earn up to 8 points for every dollar you spend on dining, including taxes and tips.

One of the best ways to use this program is to keep your points active.  If you have been inactive in the IHG Rewards program, you won’t want to lose your points due to 12 months of inactivity.  Just register a card, go buy a pizza from a participating pizza shop and you will ensure you don’t lose any of those IHG Rewards Club points you have built up.

Earn IHG Points with Hertz Car Rentals

IHG members can save 35% and earn at least 1,500 points when renting with Hertz.

As an IHG Elite Status member, you can get further benefits and more points with your rental.

Credit Cards That Earn IHG Points

There are two ways to earn IHG One Rewards points from credit cards – co-branded loyalty cards and cards with transfer options.

The IHG Co-Branded Credit Card will allow you to earn IHG points on every purchase you make.  The points will show up automatically in your IHG account each month

1. IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card

Transfer points through Chase.   Chase Ultimate Rewards Points can also be transferred to IHG Rewards at a rate of 1:1.   The following cards earn Chase Ultimate Rewards Points:

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card
2. Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
3. Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card
4. Chase Freedom Credit Card
5. Chase Ink Plus Business Credit Card

How to use your points – Redemption Options

You can use your IHG points for anything from free nights, to frequent flyer miles to shopping, gift cards, and more.   Just be careful, so options get a much better “return” on your points than others.

Use your points for Free Hotel Nights

You can use your points for free nights at IHG hotels and resorts for as little as 10,000 points per night, up to 60,000 points per night for high-end Intercontinental properties.

IHG Rewards Points and Cash – If you are coming up a little short on points you can use the Cash and Points option.  These rates will automatically show up when you search for award nights.

There is also a Travel Hack called the Points and Cash Trick, where you can use this method to get IHG points for less than $0.70 each

Turn IHG Points into Frequent Flyer Miles

IHG One Rewards Points can be transferred to a large number of airlines for frequent flyer miles.   The point-to-mile ratio varies, but the majority are 10,000 IHG points for 2,000 frequent flyer miles.  The transfer time can take 4-6 weeks, so if you need miles quick, this is not the best option.

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