Act Fast: How I Scored IHG Diamond Elite Status for Less With This Targeted Promotion

Over the past 5 years, I’ve averaged more than 150 days annually backpacking around the globe. Naturally, this means I’ve stayed at various hotels within some of the world’s largest chain hotels.

My frequent travels also meant it was worth pursuing hotel elite status I stay at to earn additional rewards and benefits. As such, I have earned top-tier hotel status with several major hotel chains through a combination of hotel stays and carrying the right co-branded hotel credit cards.

However, there’s one program in particular that has always made it difficult to achieve top-tier status: IHG One Rewards. But now, the ball game has changed completely. Here’s a look at how I earned top-tier Diamond Elite status with IHG One Rewards for just $200.

New Targeted Promotion for IHG Diamond Status

Although IHG One Rewards is one of the largest hotel loyalty programs in the world, it isn’t as well-received as many other programs. The program has dynamic pricing for award redemptions with lower-than-average point values and limits free breakfast to only those with top-tier Diamond elite status.

However, savvy award travelers know the program still offers plenty of value. The loyalty program has among the largest footprints of hotels worldwide, solid perks for those with elite status, flexible redemption options, consistently provides promotions on buying points, and offers several valuable co-branded IHG credit cards.

Since I hold the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card in my wallet, I automatically have IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status — the second highest tier. There are several noteworthy benefits, including priority check-in and extended checkout, complimentary room upgrades, 60% bonus points earned on IHG stays, and a welcome amenity at check-in.

However, achieving top-tier Diamond Elite status has always been challenging. To reach Diamond Elite status, IHG One Rewards members must stay 70 qualifying nights or earn 120,000 qualifying points — both of which are relatively high requirements.

I had only earned 4,000 elite-qualifying points so far, leaving me over 115,000 points short of achieving Diamond status. (Even with the IHG One Premier card, I’d essentially have to start from scratch to elevate my status from Platinum to Diamond.)

Fortunately, IHG just released a targeted promotion that makes earning top-tier Diamond status easier than ever. With this incredible deal, members can essentially buy their way to Diamond Elite status — and it could very well be worth it for many travelers.

Until December 31, 2024, targeted IHG One Rewards members can purchase elite qualifying points to earn status through the end of 2025. The elite status you maintain (or buy) for 2025 was determined by your elite status tier as of December 6, 2024.

Unfortunately, this promotion seems highly targeted with varying prices for those who are eligible. Fortunately, I was eligible and took full advantage of this promotion.

With the promotion, I purchased 120,000 qualifying points to achieve IHG One Rewards Diamond elite status for the first time ever. Since I had an eligible IHG One Rewards co-branded credit card, I also received a nice 20% discount.

According to IHG, the new elite status earned through this promotion will be awarded within 5-10 business days of purchase. However, after logging out and back into my IHG One Rewards account, I was pleasantly surprised to see that IHG had updated my account to Diamond Elite status immediately.

Of all the major U.S. hotel chains, I’ve stayed with IHG the least — but that should definitely change in 2025.

Why This Promotion Is Such an Incredible Deal

Of course, hotel elite status is most valuable when you frequently stay with a particular hotel brand. Fortunately, I travel often with several chains, although I stay at IHG hotels the least.

Still, this promotion was an absolute no-brainer for me. Although the IHG qualifying points I purchased were towards achieving status, they can also be redeemed toward award stays. In other words, in addition to now having Diamond elite status, I also have 120,000 IHG points that I can use for hotel stays.

We value IHG One Rewards points at 0.5 cents apiece, so 120,000 points are $600 for redemptions. This means that I basically spent $200 to achieve top-tier IHG Diamond Elite status.

I typically redeem hotel points at more luxurious properties or when cash prices are high, which allows me to get even greater value from my points. I am confident that I can redeem 120,000 IHG One Rewards points for well above $600. For example, by taking advantage of the fourth-night-free benefit (a perk I receive from carrying the IHG Premier card), I can redeem 153,000 IHG points for a 4-night stay at the InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas in South Korea.

This is an incredible redemption, considering the cash price for the same 4-night stay stay is over $1,600. If I chose to make this exact redemption, I would get 1.05 cents per point, more than double our valuation of 0.5 cents per point.

Why IHG Diamond Elite Status Is Worth It

As previously mentioned, IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status comes with a host of valuable benefits. One standout perk for me is complimentary breakfast for 2, a significant money-saver that will motivate me to choose IHG properties more often. Additional benefits include:

• 100% IHG bonus points on points earned
• Room upgrades up to standard suites (subject to availability)
• Hertz Five Star elite status
• Dedicated Diamond Elite customer support
• Guaranteed room availability when booking at least 72 hours in advance

Final Thoughts

This promotion is highly targeted and not available to all travelers. If you’re wanting to get in on the fun, make sure to check if you’re eligible to enroll. Fortunately for me, I was able to get IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status for the first time ever.

Although I purchased 120,000 status-qualifying points for $800, I can also redeem those points for award stays at IHG hotels worldwide. I will definitely take full advantage of my new Diamond Elite and these points for maximum value.