IHG Rewards Club, now known as IHG One Rewards, is the loyalty program of the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), offering a range of benefits to its members across their portfolio of brands, from luxury to budget hotels. Here’s an overview:
Overview:
IHG One Rewards is designed to reward members for stays at IHG’s extensive network of hotels, including brands like InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, and more. The program provides points, status tiers, and a variety of redemption options.
Membership Levels:
- Club: The base level, free to join.
- Benefits: Earn points on stays, access to member-only rates, no blackout dates on reward nights.
- Silver Elite: Earned with 10 qualifying nights or 10,000 qualifying points in a calendar year.
- Benefits: Includes Club benefits plus 20% bonus points on paid stays, priority check-in, late checkout (subject to availability), and free internet.
- Gold Elite: Achieved with 40 qualifying nights, 20,000 qualifying points, or 40,000 qualifying base points in a year.
- Benefits: Adds to Silver with 40% bonus points, room upgrades (when available), complimentary weekend night for every 12 nights stayed in a calendar year up to 4 nights, and early check-in (when available).
- Platinum Elite: Requires 60 qualifying nights, 40,000 qualifying points, or 60,000 qualifying base points.
- Benefits: All Gold benefits plus 60% bonus points, guaranteed room availability, enhanced room upgrades, and a welcome amenity.
- Diamond Elite: Attained with 100 qualifying nights or 120,000 qualifying base points.
- Benefits: Encompasses Platinum benefits with a 100% bonus on points, additional reward night for every 10 nights stayed up to 20 nights annually, and a dedicated Ambassador service for personalized support.
Earning Points:
- Points per Stay: Earn points for every dollar spent on eligible hotel stays, with the rate varying by brand and membership tier. Typically, it’s 10 points per $1 spent, but this increases with elite status.
- Promotions: Frequent promotions allow for bonus points, double or triple points on stays, or for achieving certain milestones.
- IHG Credit Cards: Points can also be earned through spending on IHG co-branded credit cards.
- Partners: Points can be earned through partnerships like car rentals, dining, and shopping.
Redemption Options:
- Hotel Stays: Redeem points for free nights, with the cost in points varying by hotel, season, and availability. There’s no blackout dates for award nights.
- Points & Cash: Use a combination of points and cash for hotel stays.
- Airline Miles: Convert points to miles with various airline partners.
- Gift Cards, Experiences: Redeem for gift cards, unique experiences, or merchandise through the IHG Rewards catalog.
Additional Perks:
- Milestone Rewards: Earned for reaching certain nights stayed in a calendar year, offering additional rewards like points or vouchers.
- No Expiry on Points: Points don’t expire as long as you maintain active membership with at least one qualifying activity (earning or redeeming) every 12 months.
- Mobile App: The IHG One Rewards app allows for easy booking, point tracking, and access to exclusive offers.
Considerations:
- Variability: The number of points required for redemption can vary significantly by hotel and time of year, so planning and flexibility can maximize value.
- Program Changes: Benefits, point values, or earning rates can change, so it’s good to stay informed via IHG’s communications.
- Global Reach: With over 6,000 hotels worldwide, the program offers substantial flexibility in terms of where you can use your points.
Maximizing Your Membership:
- Stay Often: The more you stay, the faster you’ll climb the tiers, unlocking more benefits.
- Leverage Promotions: Take advantage of promotions to earn extra points or benefits.
- Co-Branded Card: If you frequently stay at IHG, consider the benefits of an IHG credit card for additional points and elite status boosts.
IHG One Rewards is particularly appealing for those who travel often or prefer IHG’s wide array of hotel brands, offering a robust program for earning and redeeming points across a global network.