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

FYI: We may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through a link on our site, at no additional cost to you. Please refer to our Disclosure for more details.

Table of Contents[Hide][Show]

IHG One Rewards is the loyalty program for InterContinental Hotels Group, covering brands such as InterContinental, Kimpton, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, and Staybridge Suites. Members earn points on paid stays, redeem those points for free nights, and unlock elite status benefits that can enhance both business and leisure travel.

This article is designed to be a detailed, practical guide to how IHG One Rewards works. It goes beyond the basics to explain how points are earned, how elite status actually performs in real-world stays, how promotions affect value, and where travelers tend to get the most—and least—out of the program.

If you are looking for a high-level overview of IHG One Rewards, including links to current promotions, elite status summaries, discounts, and tools, start with our IHG One Rewards overview and strategy hub.

In this in-depth guide, we focus on the details that matter once you are actively using the program, including:

How IHG points are earned and credited on different types of stays
How elite status benefits work in practice, not just on paper
How promotions, discounts, and special rates interact with points and status
When redeeming points makes sense—and when paying cash is the better option

Whether you stay at IHG properties a few times per year or rely on them regularly for work travel, this guide is intended to help you understand the tradeoffs, opportunities, and limitations of IHG One Rewards so you can make informed decisions on every booking.

How to Use This Guide

This guide is designed for travelers who want to understand how IHG One Rewards actually works in practice, not just the marketing highlights. Rather than repeating high-level summaries, this article focuses on mechanics, tradeoffs, and real-world value.

If you are new to the program or looking for a consolidated overview with links to promotions, elite status summaries, discounts, and tools, start with our IHG One Rewards overview and strategy hub.

In the sections below, we go deeper into:

How points are earned and posted
How elite status benefits perform in real stays
Where the program offers strong value—and where it does not

IHG One Rewards Membership Tiers and Benefits

IHG One Rewards has four elite status tiers above basic club membership: Silver Elite, Gold Elite, Platinum Elite, and Diamond Elite. Elite status is earned each calendar year based on qualifying nights or elite-qualifying points, and once earned, it remains valid through the end of the following year.

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 Nights
Gold – 20 Nights or 40,000 Elite Qualifying Points
Platinum – 40 Nights or 60,000 Elite Qualifying Points
Spire – 70 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

IHG One Rewards members earn bonus points and receive enhanced benefits based on elite tier:

Club: Free Wi-Fi, member rates, and points earned on qualifying stays
Silver Elite: 20% bonus points on base points earned and priority late checkout (when available)
Gold Elite: 40% bonus points and enhanced late checkout availability
Platinum Elite: 60% bonus points and complimentary room upgrades (subject to availability)
Diamond Elite: 100% bonus points, enhanced upgrades, and increased recognition at participating properties

Benefits such as room upgrades and late checkout are subject to availability and may vary by brand and property.

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

Milestone Rewards

In addition to earning points with your stays, IHG also has milestone rewards. Starting at 20 nights, you’ll get to choose a reward every 10 nights you stay each calendar year, up to 100 nights.

Milestone Reward options may include:

Bonus points
Confirmable suite upgrade certificates
Annual lounge membership
Food and beverage credits or vouchers

Milestone Rewards allow frequent IHG guests to customize benefits based on their travel preferences and stay patterns.

Intercontinental Ambassador Status

InterContinental Ambassador is a separate, paid program designed specifically for guests who frequently stay at InterContinental Hotels & Resorts. Ambassador benefits include guaranteed one-category room upgrades, late checkout, and a complimentary weekend night certificate on paid stays.

Ambassador members may also receive complimentary breakfast for two at participating InterContinental, Six Senses, and Regent hotels, though benefits can vary by property and region. Ambassador status can be held independently or alongside IHG One Rewards elite status.

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 IHGOne 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 IHG One Rewards Points Are Earned

IHG One Rewards points are primarily earned through paid stays at participating IHG hotels. Most members earn points based on the room rate before taxes and fees, with elite members receiving additional bonus points depending on their status level.

Points are typically earned on:

Eligible paid hotel stays booked directly with IHG
Qualifying room rates, including many corporate and promotional rates
Incidental charges billed to the room at some properties

Points are generally not earned on:

Free night award stays
Some deeply discounted or ineligible third-party rates
Certain employee or industry-specific rates

Because eligibility can vary by rate type, understanding how a stay is booked is just as important as how often you stay. This becomes especially relevant when combining promotions, corporate rates, or special discounts.

For a high-level explanation of the program structure and earning rules, see our IHG One Rewards overview and strategy hub.

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

Promotions are a central part of the IHG One Rewards program and often represent the largest source of incremental value for frequent travelers. Most IHG promotions run for a limited time and award bonus points, bonus elite nights, or both.

Key things to know about IHG promotions:

Registration is usually required
Bonus points are awarded only for stays completed during the promotional period
Promotions can often be stacked with elite status bonuses and qualifying paid rates

Because promotions change frequently, staying current is essential. Missing a registration window or misunderstanding eligibility rules can result in lost value, even on stays you would have booked anyway.

For current offers and registration details, see our current IHG One Rewards promotion details.

The Current IHG One Rewards Promotion

Earn double points on your second stay and triple points on your third stay and beyond. October 1 to December 31, 2025. Registration is Required.

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 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

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:

Buy IHG Points

IHG often runs promotions where you can buy points for as little as .5 cents per point. While it is normally not a great idea to buy points, this can be a good value if you have a planned a trip to one of IHG’s higher end properties like Six Senses or Kimpton, where the redemption value is often over 1 cent. The value can be even greater when combined with IHG’s fourth night free benefit (for select IHG Cardholders)!

Redeeming IHG Points: Value, Tradeoffs, and When It Makes Sense

IHG uses dynamic award pricing, meaning the number of points required for a free night fluctuates based on demand, seasonality, and cash rates. As a result, IHG points do not have a fixed value, and redemption quality can vary significantly from one booking to the next.

In general, IHG points tend to deliver the most value when:

Cash rates are unusually high
You are booking stays of multiple nights
You want flexibility and the ability to cancel without penalty

Conversely, points often deliver poor value when:

Cash rates are low
You are redeeming for short, one-night stays
You redeem without comparing the cash price

Because of this variability, it is rarely a good idea to redeem points without first understanding how much value you are receiving per point.

To estimate the value of a redemption or compare earning scenarios, use our IHG points earning and calculation guide.

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 to over 100,000 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.

IHG Cash and Point Rates — The IHG Website offers the cash rate for a room, the rewards rate, and multiple “cash and points” options

One of the most common mistakes travelers make with IHG One Rewards is assuming that points should always be used as soon as they are earned. In reality, paying cash—especially during promotions—can often be the better long-term strategy.

Paid stays can be advantageous when:

A promotion is offering bonus points or bonus elite nights
You are working toward elite status qualification
The cash rate is low relative to the points required

Award stays may make more sense when:

You want to avoid high seasonal pricing
You need flexible cancellation terms
You are not pursuing elite status in the current year

Because paid stays can earn both base points and promotional bonuses, they often contribute more to long-term value than a low-value redemption.

To see how a paid stay compares to an award stay in points terms, refer to our IHG points earning and calculation guide.

IHG Discounts, Special Rates, and Points Eligibility

IHG offers several discounted rate programs that can significantly reduce the cost of a stay, but not all discounted rates earn points or elite credit. Understanding which rates qualify—and which do not—is critical to avoiding surprises after checkout.

Common IHG rate types include:

Corporate and negotiated rates
Employee rates
Friends and family rates
Travel agent rates
Small business discounts

Some discounted rates earn full points and elite credit, while others earn partial credit or none at all. In addition, misuse of certain rates can result in account audits or forfeited benefits.

For a detailed explanation of negotiated rates and eligibility rules, see our IHG corporate discount codes and booking guide.

Additional rate-specific guides include:

How to Stack Points, Promotions, and Discounted Rates

When used correctly, IHG One Rewards allows travelers to stack multiple benefits on a single stay. In many cases, it is possible to book a discounted rate, register for a promotion, and still earn both base points and elite bonuses.

Successful stacking typically involves:

Booking a qualifying paid rate
Registering for promotions before the stay
Avoiding ineligible third-party booking channels

However, not all discounted rates qualify for promotions, and eligibility rules can change. Travelers should always confirm terms before assuming a stay will earn points or elite credit.

For current promotions and eligibility details, see our current IHG One Rewards promotion details.

Common Mistakes to Avoid With IHG One Rewards

Even experienced travelers can lose value by misunderstanding how IHG One Rewards works. Common mistakes include:

Redeeming points without comparing cash rates
Booking ineligible rates that do not earn points
Forgetting to register for promotions
Assuming elite benefits are guaranteed at every property

Because the program relies heavily on promotions and rate eligibility, attention to detail matters more with IHG than with some competing hotel loyalty programs.

For a high-level framework that ties together points, status, promotions, and discounts, return to the IHG One Rewards overview and strategy hub.

Who Should (and Should Not) Focus on IHG One Rewards

IHG One Rewards tends to provide the most value for travelers who:

Stay at IHG brands multiple times per year
Are willing to track promotions and register consistently
Prioritize point accumulation over guaranteed luxury perks

Travelers who value consistent suite upgrades, guaranteed breakfast, or predictable elite treatment may find other programs a better fit. For travelers who prioritize earning flexibility and frequent promotional bonuses, IHG remains competitive.

Fourth Night Free

This is a great perk that allows IHG members with certain IHG credit cards to pay zero points for every fourth night when redeeming IHG points for award stays of four nights or longer. So if you have a four night stay, you will only have to use points for three of those nights!

Marriott has a similar program where you can get your fifth night free, but I have not been able to use that much because I typically stay 4 nights or less. I like the IHG model much better!

The following three IHG credit cards provide access to the valuable fourth-night-free reward:

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card,
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card and
IHG One  Rewards Premier Business Credit Card.

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.

Is IHG One Rewards Right for You?

Now that we have covered the basics of the IHG One Rewards program, let’s go over the important things to think about when considering what hotel program is best for you.

1. Number of hotels in the portfolio to earn and use points

As one of the five largest hotel companies in the world, IHG is in good shape here. They 19 hotel brands in 6,000+ destinations. Finding an IHG property nearby is very easy.

2. Luxury hotel and resort options in the portfolio

IHG has several luxury brands, but they are not all consistent. Six Senses, Regent and Kimpton are consistently great properties in great locations. IHG markets Intercontinental as a luxury brand but many of their properties are dated and living off their reputation from 20-30 years ago. I find this brand to be very inconsistent.

3. Ability to earn points

It’s very easy to earn IHG points through hotel stays, promotions, credit cards and partners. Like Hilton Honors, IHG is a very easy program to earn points with.

4. Ability to use points

IHG no longer offers a published award chart so knowing how may points you will need for a stay can be a bit tricky. Redemptions range from as low as 10,000 points for a budget property to over 100,000 points for a luxury Six Senses resort.

5. Ease of earning elite status

You can earn IHG Platinum status just by having some of their credit cards and you can earn their top tier Diamond status by spending $40,000 on the IHG premier card. Outside of Hilton, this is one of the easiest programs to earn elite status.

6. Benefits of elite status

IHG has some pretty good benefits for having top tier elite status. The 100% points bonus for stays is a nice benefit for frequent travelers. On top of that there are room upgrades and free breakfast. Naturally, the benefits are more valuable then you are staying at IHG high end properties, vs the mid-tier options.

7. Credit Card option for earning points

IHG credit cards are very good in terms of elite status and availability. IHG has several co-branded credit cards with Chase, including both personal and business options. They also are a transfer partner of Ultimate Rewards so there are a ton of ways you can earn IHG points from your credit card spend.

How to Use This Guide