IHG Rewards Reduced Elite Status Earning Requirements for 2022

Hot Tip: You now need to meet the minimums outlined in the new IHG One Rewards program that was introduced in April 2022, to earn elite status.

Over the last 2 years, the pandemic has meant that the IHG Hotels & Resorts group, along with most other major hotel chains and airlines, was forced to make changes in relation to elite status earning and qualifications.

Having already lowered qualification requirements for those aiming to reach IHG Rewards Gold, Platinum, and Spire Elite status earlier in the pandemic, IHG Rewards has announced it will extend these requirements for 2022.

Let’s find out what this means for you.

Table of Contents

IHG Rewards Elite Status Tier Earning Reductions for 2022
Other IHG Rewards Program Updates
Final Thoughts

IHG Rewards Elite Status Tier Earning Reductions for 2022

InterContinental Bora Bora. Image Credit: IHG

The reductions for earning IHG Rewards elite status in 2022 are the same as what was announced for 2021.

The IHG website has not yet been updated, but as per the in-app personal Earning Summary, the 2022 qualifying balances are as per the below:

Status Tier	2021/2022	2019
Gold Elite	7 qualifying nights or 7,000 qualifying points	10 qualifying nights or 10,000 qualifying points
Platinum Elite	30 qualifying nights or 30,000 qualifying points	40 qualifying nights or 40,000 qualifying points
Spire Elite	55 qualifying nights or 55,000 qualifying points	75 qualifying nights or 75,000 qualifying points

That’s a reduction in qualifying nights and points for each category of between 25% to 30%.

A qualifying night is a stay that you booked through IHG and paid for by way of an eligible business and leisure rate. Awards nights also count towards your qualifying night count. A qualifying point is the equivalent of the amount of cash you spend on and during your stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts properties.

If you’re not a member of the IHG Rewards program, you can sign up online.

Hot Tip: Check out our guide on the benefits of IHG Rewards elite status for everything you need to know about climbing through IHG Rewards’ elite ranks.

Other IHG Rewards Program Updates

As previously announced, IHG Rewards has extended elite status to all existing members through February 2023 based on status earned in 2019.

Points never expire for Gold Elite, Platinum Elite, and Spire Elite members, but as of January 1, 2022, points will now begin to expire after 12 months of inactivity for Club members (base-level).

Credit card anniversary award nights that were extended due to the pandemic have also expired now as of December 31, 2021.

Final Thoughts

With the Omicron variant on a rampage around the world and prolonging the apprehension surrounding travel, it’s no wonder we’re seeing extensions of reduced status qualification requirements continuing into 2022.

Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, hopefully these reductions by IHG Rewards will help you retain your hard-earned status or even move up to the next level.