How To Use IHG One Rewards Dining to Earn More Points [2026]

There are several ways IHG One Rewards members can earn some extra points, including capitalizing on dining. If you’re already going out to eat or ordering takeout, this method is pretty darned simple!

This article will walk you through everything you need to know about joining and utilizing the IHG One Rewards Dining program.

How To Sign up and Log in

To earn reward points for dining experiences, customers must log in or join the program. This process just takes a quick couple of minutes to complete.

If you are already an IHG One Rewards member, you will still need to fill out a few simple forms to join the dining program. Be sure to use the same name and email that’s on your IHG One Rewards membership.

If you are not an IHG One Rewards member, you will need to sign up (1 basic form) since you must enter your IHG One Rewards membership number to submit on your other forms for the dining program.

Additionally, before your sign-up process can be finalized, IHG will ask you to provide a credit card to link to the program. There is no fee to join the program, and don’t worry — you can link more cards later.

Don’t miss the section below on which credit cards you should link to maximize your earnings in this program.

Basics of Using the Program

There are 3 membership tiers within the IHG One Rewards Dining program. Depending on your tier, you’ll earn a different amount of points and be offered certain additional benefits when you dine.

You’ll see that simply by signing up to receive emails, you’re bumped up to earning 5 points per $1. If you dine 12+ times a year, you’re considered a VIP member and can earn up to 8 points per $1.

To earn points when dining, the restaurant must also be an IHG One Rewards Dining restaurant. You can easily search for these by city, state, zip code, or restaurant name.

You will then be presented with a list view, or you can choose a map view. Many details are listed including neighborhood, member rating, the average price of an entree, days of the week that rewards are applicable, and more.

Once you dine at a participating restaurant, be sure to pay with a card that is registered/linked with your IHG Dining program. You’ll earn bonus points based on the cost of your meal, including tax and tip.

Remember, it may take up to 5 days after dining to view the transaction in your club account.

Each restaurant in the program earns the same ratio of points per dollar depending on your membership status.

Intro Bonuses

At the time of this writing, IHG was offering a new member bonus of 1,000 points if you spend $30 within the first 30 days. To earn any applicable introductory bonus, you’ll need to pay for purchases with your linked card and complete an online review.

If you’re doing this solely for the points, this bonus isn’t especially lucrative. You can just as easily buy 1,000 points for $13.50 straight from the Buy Points section of the website (at the time of writing).

However, if you’re already planning to dine out at one of IHG One Rewards Dining’s participating restaurants, it’s not an awful way to earn 1,000 extra points.

Example Restaurants

As previously mentioned, each IHG One Rewards Dining restaurant earns the same ratio of points to spend. So, whether you spend $30 at a cafe or $30 at a fine dining location, you’ll receive the same number of points.

Regarding example restaurants: at the time of writing this article, a search of the Chicago area revealed 410 participating restaurants within 30 miles of the city center.

Most of these restaurants are smaller, local restaurants rather than chains, so the participating venues will vary quite a bit from city to city.

Similarly, each city may have a vastly different number of participating merchants. For example, at the time of writing, Atlanta had 358 participating restaurants within 30 miles of the city center, while Boston had 247, San Diego had 146, and Dallas had 229.

While most participating restaurants are local spots, you’ll want to note the address in case there is a chain you’re interested in visiting (not every restaurant of the same name may be participating).

This is also applicable for the few regional or national chains you may find — check the address so you’re not disappointed.

Using Credit Cards To Earn Extra Points

You have several card options to link with the IHG One Rewards Dining program to help you earn even more IHG points.

IHG One Rewards Credit Cards

Chase offers 4 credit cards to earn IHG points directly. The IHG One Rewards Credit Card, IHG One Rewards Business Credit Card, and the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card give cardholders bonus points at gas stations and restaurants, while the IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card earns bonus points on dining and travel purchases.

If you link these cards to the IHG One Rewards Dining program, you will earn these extra points for using the card in addition to points earned from the dining program.

Chase Ultimate Rewards Cards

Using a card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards can also help boost your account since you can transfer Chase points to the IHG One Rewards at a 1:1 ratio in up to 24 hours. A couple of these cards even include restaurants as a bonus category.

Recommended Chase Cards (Personal)

BEST FIRST TRAVEL CARD

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

75,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,500

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.49 - 27.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), gas, EV charging, vacation home rentals with top brands, and streaming services.

It offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and strong travel insurance coverage, including primary car rental insurance. If you travel a few times a year and spend on dining, the card is likely to be a good choice, but it’s hard to justify if you don’t dine out or travel often.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via Chase Travel
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), gas, EV charging, vacation home rentals with top brands (such as Airbnb and Vrbo), and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• Subject to Chase’s 5/24 application restrictions

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, 3x on vacation homes at top brands, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.
• Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Emergency Evacuation and Transportation, and more.
• Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 - a value of $180.
• Complimentary DashPass membership, a $120 value for 12 months. Enjoy $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible DoorDash orders, plus exclusive Chase savings on grocery, everyday essentials, and more. Activate by 12/31/29.
• Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck^® or NEXUS application.
• Transfer points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49 - 27.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

100,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$2,000

Annual Fee

$795

APR

19.74% - 28.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Excellent

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like worldwide airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus, it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to cover you at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the more than $2,000 in annual credits, which can offset the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 8x points on all Chase Travel purchases
• 5x points on Lyft rides
• 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly

Cons

• $795 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Get $3,000 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
• Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases.
• $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge^® by The Club with two guests. Plus, a statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck^® or NEXUS application.
• Get up to $150 in statement credits from January through June and again from July through December for a maximum of $300 annually when you dine at restaurants part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
• Get complimentary subscriptions to Apple TV and Apple Music for a minimum of one year when activated by June 22, 2027, a value of $324 annually.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.74% - 28.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

If you’re a business owner, see our list of the best Chase business credit cards.

Final Thoughts

By joining the IHG One Rewards Dining program and linking a couple of credit cards, you can earn some easy IHG One Rewards points.

If you’re already dining out, why not earn a few extra points on your burger and that pint of beer? Grabbing takeout? You might even earn extra IHG One Rewards points at your favorite Thai place.

Plus, if you pair your IHG One Rewards program membership with a credit card that earns a category bonus on dining, you’re earning points on top of points.