Do IHG One Rewards bonus points count toward elite status?

Bonus points and base points are the 2 types of points in the IHG One Rewards program. Bonus points are primarily earned through things like promotions and elite level bonuses. Base points are earned for hotel stays, as well as several partner programs. In addition to being used for award stays, base points count toward your elite status and qualify you for member-level upgrades. Bonus points do not count toward your elite status. Points earned from the IHG-branded credit cards do not count toward elite status.

What does IHG One Rewards Gold Elite get you?

The main benefit of IHG One Rewards Gold Elite status is the 40% bonus points, the ability to earn rollover nights, and late checkout based on availability.

What are the benefits of being an IHG One Rewards member?

Benefits offered include no blackout dates for reward nights, reward nights counting toward elite status, late checkout, and free internet.

How long does IHG One Rewards elite status last?

Once you have earned IHG One Rewards elite status in any calendar year, you maintain that status through the end of the following calendar year. For example, if you earn elite status in 2026, you hold that status through the end of 2027.

How many IHG One Rewards points does it take for a free night?

Hotel stays can be booked for as few as 15,000 points per night. Sign up for IHG One Rewards email alerts and you’ll have the opportunity to book hotels on the cheap in various markets around the world.

Do purchased IHG One Rewards points count toward elite status?

No, purchased points don’t count toward IHG One Rewards elite status.

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

Updated: October 2, 2026, 7:18am CDT

Edited by:

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Table of Contents

Key Takeaways
IHG One Rewards Elite Status Levels
Club Member
IHG One Rewards Silver Elite
IHG One Rewards Gold Elite
IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite
IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite
Final Thoughts

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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 get 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 over 7,000 hotels across over 100 countries, similar to the footprint you find with Hilton and Marriott.

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 21 brands, ensuring its members can book stays at luxury brands like InterContinental Hotels & Resorts or budget 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

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Benefit	Club Member	Silver Elite	Gold Elite	Platinum Elite	Diamond Elite
Member rates and promotions	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
No blackout dates for reward nights	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Reward nights count toward elite status	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Free internet	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Late 2 p.m. checkout (when available)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Points don’t expire		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Bonus earnings on top of base points		20%	40%	60%	100%
Elite rollover nights			Yes	Yes	Yes
Room upgrades (when available)				Yes	Yes
Guaranteed room availability (72 hours)				Yes	Yes
Reward night discounts				Yes	Yes
Welcome amenity at check-In				Points or drink or snack	Free breakfast, points, or drink or snack
Early check-in (when available)				Yes	Yes
Dedicated Diamond support					Yes
Hertz Five Star Elite status					Yes

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.

Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa in Grand Cayman — IHG One Rewards members can get late checkout at Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa. Image Credit: Katie Seemann

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 you stay 10 qualifying nights in a calendar year or by holding the IHG One Rewards Credit Card.

Points Expiration

Members who earn IHG One Rewards elite status have points that do not expire. 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 earn 10 points per $1 spent at most IHG properties, resulting in Silver Elite members earning an additional 2 points per $1 spent (12x total).

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

IHG One Rewards Gold Elite

InterContinental Khao Yai lake — Gold Elite members earn 40% more points at IHG hotels, including the stunning InterContinental Khao Yai in Thailand. Image Credit: Lori Zaino

This status is earned after staying 20 qualifying nights or earning 40,000 elite-qualifying points in a calendar year, or by holding the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card. Members can also qualify for Gold Elite status and 10,000 points by spending $15,000 in a calendar year on the IHG One Rewards card.

40% Bonus Points

Gold Elite members earn a 40% bonus on points earned. IHG One Rewards members earn 10 points per $1 spent at most IHG properties, resulting in Gold Elite members earning an additional 4 points per $1 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 & 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 & Beverage Rewards

Hot Tip:

Holders of the IHG Premier Select, Premier, or Business card also earn 2 Elite Night credits for every $5,000 spent on their card, allowing them to not only reach elite status faster but also earn Milestone Rewards faster.

IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite

Balcony View at the Kimpton Seafire — IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite members get a welcome amenity of points or a drink or snack at the Kimpton Seafire. Image Credit: Andrew Kunesh

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 Select Credit Card
IHG One Rewards Business Credit Card
IHG^® Rewards Club Select Credit Card (no longer open to new applicants)
United Club℠ Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve^®
Sapphire Reserve for Business℠

You can also earn Platinum Elite status by holding the IHG Premier card and spending $15,000 in a calendar year, in addition to 15,000 bonus points.

Hot Tip:

Read our full coverage of the changes to IHG’s credit cards that took effect on October 1, 2026.

Room Upgrades

Subject to availability and as determined by the hotel, Platinum Elite members may 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 $1 spent at most IHG properties, resulting in Platinum Elite members earning an additional 6 points per $1 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 receive a welcome amenity of either points or a drink or snack at check-in. At Kimpton Hotels, the amenity is 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 two of the following Milestone Rewards:

10,000 bonus points
5 Food & 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 & Beverage Rewards

Hot Tip:

InterContinental Ambassador is a status that can be bought for $225 or 45,000 IHG points annually. It comes with IHG Platinum Elite status and perks at InterContinental Hotels and Resorts.

IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite

InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping King Classic Room — Diamond Elite members are eligible for a room upgrade at the Chiang Mai The Mae Ping. Image Credit: Ranjan Sahu for Upgraded Points

You 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 also earn it via spending on IHG credit cards, including by spending $25,000 on the IHG Premier Select card or $40,000 on the IHG Premier card or $50,000 on the IHG Business card in a calendar year.

Diamond Elite status members get 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 $1 spent at most IHG properties, resulting in Diamond Elite members earning an additional 10 points per $1 spent (20x total).

Hertz Five Star Elite Status

Diamond Elite members get Hertz Five Star elite status.

Welcome Amenity

Diamond Elite members can get a free hot breakfast for 2 guests as a welcome amenity. There are some Kimpton locations 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 two of the following Milestone Rewards:

10,000 bonus points
5 Food & 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 & Beverage Rewards

Bottom Line: Diamond Elite members, IHG One Rewards’ top-tier elite status, can get a free hot breakfast for 2 guests 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 come to its brand first, knowing one of its hotels is likely in the city they are traveling to.

For those of you who take on IHG One Rewards elite status, we recommend holding the IHG Premier Select card, which 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.