The Benefits of IHG One Rewards Elite Status [Silver, Gold, Platinum & Diamond]

Key Takeaways

• IHG Rewards offers benefits across 4 elite tiers, including points bonuses, late checkout, and points that don’t expire.
• Platinum and Diamond members enjoy even more perks, such as room upgrades, reward night discounts, and early check-in.
• Diamond members enjoy the exclusive benefit of being given Hertz Five Star elite status.

IHG Hotels & Resorts, headquartered in England, is an established hotel brand dating back to the 1700s. The brand has nearly 6,000 hotels across over 100 countries, similar to the footprint you’ll find with the Hilton and Marriott brands.

The highlight of the IHG One Rewards loyalty program is its global footprint. What the program lacks in elite benefits it makes up for by having properties across the world. IHG also has 17 brands, ensuring its members have the option to book stays at luxury brands like InterContinental Hotels & Resorts or mainstream brands like Holiday Inn.

In this article, we’ll cover all of the IHG One Rewards elite tiers, as well as the benefits offered at each tier. The goal is to have an understanding of all of the nuances of the IHG One Rewards loyalty program. You’ll be armed with the information you need to decide if IHG One Rewards elite status makes sense for you. 

IHG One Rewards Elite Status Levels

Club Member

Club Member is the lowest level in the IHG One Rewards program and there are no requirements for this level. In addition to member rates and promotions and free internet, Club Members have the ability for reward nights to count toward elite status with no blackout dates.

Late Checkout

Subject to availability and not available in all regions, 2 p.m. late checkout is a benefit provided to Club level members.

IHG One Rewards Silver Elite

Silver Elite status is the entry-level elite tier in the IHG One Rewards program. This status is earned after staying 10 qualifying nights in a calendar year or by holding the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card.

Points Expiration

Members who earn IHG One Rewards elite status enjoy the benefit of their points not expiring. However, if the elite member drops down to Club status, the points expire after 12 months if there’s no activity in the account.

20% Bonus Points

Silver Elite members earn a 20% bonus on earned points. Members 10 points per dollar spent at most IHG properties, resulting in Silver Elite members earning an additional 2 points per dollar spent (12x total).

Hot Tip: While IHG One Rewards members earn 10x points per $1 spent at most IHG hotels there are 2 exceptions — Candlewood Suites and Staybridge Suites stays earn 5x points per $1 spent.

IHG One Rewards Gold Elite

This status is earned after staying 20 qualifying nights or earning 40,000 elite-qualifying points in a calendar year. Members can also qualify for Gold Elite status by spending $20,000 plus an additional purchase in a calendar year on the IHG Traveler card.

40% Bonus Points

Gold Elite members earn a 40% bonus on points earned. IHG One Rewards members earn 10 points per dollar spent at most IHG properties, resulting in Gold Elite members earning an additional 4 points per dollar spent (14x total).

Rollover Nights

Any nights earned in excess of the 20 required for Gold Elite status can be rolled over to count toward the next year’s status.

Milestone Rewards

Once a member earns 20 nights they can choose one of the following Milestone Rewards:

• 5,000 bonus points
• 2 food and beverage rewards
• 1 confirmable suite upgrade

Once a member earns 30 nights they can choose one of the following Milestone Rewards:

• 5,000 bonus points
• 2 food and beverage rewards

IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite

Members can earn Platinum Elite status by staying 40 qualifying nights or by earning 60,000 elite qualifying points in a calendar year. Alternatively, you can get Platinum Elite status by holding one of the following credit cards:

• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
• IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
• IHG^® Rewards Club Select Credit Card (no longer open to new applicants)
• United Club℠ Infinite Card

Room Upgrades

Subject to availability and as determined by the hotel, Platinum Elite members will be offered a complimentary upgrade. Room upgrades include corner rooms, newly renovated rooms, rooms on higher floors, or rooms with preferred views.

Hot Tip: The upgrade only applies to the member’s room and not other rooms booked by the member. Suites and specialty rooms are excluded.  

60% Bonus Points

Platinum Elite members earn a 60% bonus on points earned. IHG One Rewards members earn 10 points per dollar spent at most IHG properties, resulting in Platinum Elite members earning an additional 6 points per dollar spent (16x total).

Guaranteed Room Availability

Platinum Elite members are guaranteed 1 room on reservations made at least 72 hours in advance. Room availability is determined solely by the property and is not guaranteed during times of extraordinary demand. Reward nights are excluded from this benefit and the member must make a reservation through the IHG One Rewards Service Center.

Welcome Amenity at Check-In

Platinum Elite members will receive a welcome amenity of either points or a drink/snack at check-in. At Kimpton Hotels, the amenity will be a Raid the Bar credit.

Early Check-In

Platinum Elite members can get an early check-in, if available.

Milestone Rewards

Once a member earns 40 nights they can choose 2 of the following Milestone Rewards:

• 10,000 bonus points
• 5 food and beverage rewards
• 1 confirmable suite upgrade (limit 1)
• Annual lounge membership (limit 1)

Once a member earns 50 or 60 nights they can choose one of the following Milestone Rewards at each milestone:

• 10,000 bonus points
• 5 food and beverage rewards

Hot Tip:

InterContinental Ambassador is a status that can be bought for $200 annually and comes with IHG Platinum Elite status and perks at InterContinental Hotels and Resorts.

IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite

You’ll need to earn 70 qualifying nights or 120,000 elite qualifying points in a calendar year to get top-tier Diamond Elite status. You can earn it by spending $40,000 on the IHG Premier card or IHG Premier Business card in a calendar year.

Diamond Elite status members enjoy all of the perks of the preceding elite tiers, plus these additional benefits.

100% Bonus Points

Diamond Elite members earn a 100% bonus on points earned. IHG One Rewards members earn 10 points per dollar spent at most IHG properties, resulting in Diamond Elite members earning an additional 10 points per dollar spent (20x total).

Hertz Five Star Elite Status

Diamond Elite members will get Hertz Five Star elite status.

Welcome Amenity

Diamond Elite members can get a free hot breakfast for 2 as a welcome amenity. There are some Kimpton locations that will be excluded from this benefit.

Dedicated Diamond Support

This is a new benefit for Diamond Elite members, but details of this perk haven’t been released yet.

Milestone Rewards

Once a member earns 70 nights they can choose 2 of the following Milestone Rewards:

• 10,000 bonus points
• 5 food and beverage rewards
• 2 confirmable suite upgrades (limit 1)
• Annual lounge membership (limit 1)

Once a member earns 80, 90, and 100 nights they can choose one of the following Milestone Rewards at each milestone:

• 10,000 bonus points
• 5 food and beverage rewards

Bottom Line: Diamond Elite members, IHG One Rewards’ top-tier elite status, can get a free hot breakfast for 2 as a welcome amenity.

Final Thoughts

In terms of footprint, the IHG One Rewards program looks and feels similar to the Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy programs. Each of these brands has a ton of properties across the world. The goal is to ensure its members will come to its brand first, knowing one of its hotels is likely located in the city they are traveling to.

The new IHG One Rewards program introduced a new elite status tier and some new benefits, overall making the program more appealing for travelers.

For those of you who take on IHG One Rewards elite status, we recommend holding the IHG Premier card that comes with Platinum Elite status. That puts you at least within striking distance of the nights or points required to earn top-tier Diamond Elite status.