IHG One Rewards has now rolled out the new elite tier benefits with an effective date of June 8, 2022. The new Milestone Rewards were also activated yesterday (read more here).
Priority Club, later IHG Rewards Club, then IHG Rewards, and now IHG One Rewards has undergone a quite transformation to better match what other hotel loyalty programs offer.
You can access IHG One Rewards here.
READ MORE: IHG One Rewards Rate & Bonus Points Offers
You have to remember that IHG intends to keep the Ambassador and Inner Circle programs along with IHG One Rewards, but I have doubts whether this will be the case.
Email From IHG:
There is not much information on the email that IHG sent.
Elite Tiers:
The Spire Elite (who came up with this name in the first place) has been renamed, Diamond.
Elite Benefits:
You have to remember that select benefits are part of Milestone Rewards, such as Club Lounge access and Suite Upgrade Awards.
The main benefit of the Diamond status is a complimentary HOT breakfast for the member + 1 that you must choose as an amenity choice.
Diamond Elite members can now choose Free Breakfast as their Welcome Amenity at Check-in. What does this include? How does it work?
As part of the Welcome Amenity choice at Check-In, beginning June 8, Diamond Elite members1 can have the additional choice of a free daily hot breakfast for the member and one registered guest. For example, at a participating property that has a full-service restaurant, a Diamond Elite member and their registered guest would each receive a choice of one main menu item with unlimited non-alcoholic beverages OR full buffet with unlimited non-alcoholic beverages. Hotels reserve the right to exclude certain menu items, such as alcoholic beverages or specialty coffee, from the free breakfast benefit.
This benefit is available at all IHG brands, except limited-service brands that already offer breakfast, and at Candlewood Suites, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, InterContinental Alliance Resorts (Las Vegas and Macau) , Six Senses and Mr. and Mrs. Smith properties. Note there is not a capped dollar value associated with the menu item.
The breakfast benefit is NOT included at InterContinental Alliance Resorts, Six Senses, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith properties. The latter are only loosely affiliated with IHG.
IHG is very clear that you either get a buffer OR can choose a hot item from the menu without a price cap. Only specialty coffees and alcoholic beverages are excluded.
What are Reward Night Discounts?
Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite members can stretch their points further with exclusive access to discount promotions on Reward Nights, or nights they book with IHG One Rewards points, subject to eligibility.
IHG has already had several promotions for discounted award nights that have often been available for co-branded cardholders.
What is the difference between a Complimentary Upgrade (subject to availability) and a Confirmable Suite Upgrade?
Complimentary Upgrades are offered to Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite members, subject to availability, and are assigned by the hotel team at check-in. Confirmable Suite Upgrades are offered as a Milestone Reward and can be confirmed up to 14 days prior to check-in by calling IHG Customer Care.
IHG is somewhat vague when it comes to Platinum and Diamond member upgrades.
Conclusion
This is the most significant change I have seen to the IHG’s guest loyalty programs over the past 11 years that we have covered.
In the end, it all boils don’t to the execution of how hotels deliver on the promises that IHG has made to elite members and hopefully exceed them.
There are often hotels, not just with IHG, that don’t quite get the loyalty part of the equitation of being part of the chain and are reluctant to deliver.
I can confidently say that the benefits are great in Asia, good in Europe, acceptable in the Americas, and awful in the United States if past with IHG and other chains is of any indication.
Frequently asked questions by IHG:
Elite Tiers
1. What is happening to members’ statuses in 2022?
All Elite (Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond) statuses have been extended through February 2023. This means that any member who, as of January 1, 2022, was Gold Elite will remain Gold Elite, any member who was Platinum Elite will remain Platinum Elite, and any member who was Spire Elite will automatically become Diamond Elite beginning March 17, 2022. Members will need to earn Elite status based on the new criteria during 2022 to earn or retain status for 2023.
2. What is the current tier qualification structure?
The following tier structure has been in place since the IHG One Rewards launch on April 13, 2022:
Nights
QualificationPoints
QualificationBonus
Points0
0
N/A
10
N/A
20%
20
40K
40%
40
60K
60%
70
120K
100%
3. What happens to members’ Qualified Nights stayed from January 1, 2022 until now? Do they count towards Elite status and/or Milestone Rewards?
Yes, all Qualified Nights stayed from January 1, 2022 will count towards Elite status in 2023. They will also count towards Milestone Reward achievement in 2022.
4. What constitutes an Elite Qualifying Night?
This includes nights stayed on loyalty Qualifying Rates, Reward Nights and Free Nights.
5. What constitutes a loyalty Qualifying Rate?
Qualifying Rates include Reward Nights/Free Nights and most business and leisure rates, such as Advance Saver rates, Best Flexible rates, Global Sales negotiated rates (including but not limited to Corporate Gold rates), national/regional/local government rates, and specified leisure rates as confirmed by IHG’s reservation systems. In Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Greater China (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan), Qualifying Rates include all locally negotiated rates.
Please see the program Terms and Conditions for details.
Note: In Greater China, Qualifying Rates also include all corporate negotiated rates settled with hotels via regular payment. In all other parts of the world, locally negotiated rates are classed as Qualifying Rates if the rate is discounted less than 30%.
6. Will a member’s status change to a lower tier if they haven’t achieved the new nights threshold? For example, will any members who are currently Gold Elite be downgraded to Silver Elite if they do not meet the new Gold Elite criteria?
No, all 2021 Elite statuses were extended through 2022. If you were a Gold Elite, Platinum Elite or Spire (now Diamond) Elite member as of December 31, 2021, your status will not be downgraded in 2022. Additionally, if you have already achieved the 2021 reduced tier criteria for Gold Elite, Platinum Elite, or Spire (now Diamond) Elite before April 13, 2022, you will keep at least that status through December 2023. However, beginning April 13, 2022, to achieve a higher Elite tier, a member must meet the new Qualified Nights or Points threshold for the relevant tier based on activity between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022. Otherwise, their status will be downgraded after December 2023.
7. A member’s status was gifted or earned during a promotion – what will happen to their status in 2022?
All Elite statuses, including those gifted and earned during promotions, have been extended through February 2023.
Elite Tier Bonus Earn
1. How is Elite tier bonus earn calculated?
Elite tier bonus earn is the points Elite members earn, over and above the base points earned for each dollar spent, based on their status. Elite members receive an additional bonus based on their tier status, which is 20% for Silver Elite, 40% for Gold Elite, 60% for Platinum Elite, and 100% for Diamond Elite. These bonus points are calculated against the points earned on Qualifying Stays, and the percentage earned is determined by Elite tier. For example, a Silver Elite member earns 20% bonus points on all Qualified Stays. This means if a Silver Elite member completes a stay that qualifies for 10,000 IHG One Rewards points, they will earn an additional 2,000 Elite Tier Bonus points on the same stay, bringing their total point earn to 12,000 for their stay.
2. Do IHG One Rewards promotions qualify for Elite Tier Bonus Earn and/or Elite status?
Unless otherwise stated in a promotion’s terms and conditions, points earned as part of a promotion do not count towards Elite status.
3. Is IHG’s Points Expiration policy changing?
As a key benefit of our program, points never expire for Elite members (now Silver Elite, Gold Elite, Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite). Points expire for Club members after 12 months of inactivity.
Member Benefits
1. Are there new benefits associated with the new and improved loyalty program?
Yes – in addition to the new tier structure, we are introducing the following additional benefits, available beginning in early June:
- Free Breakfast as a Welcome Amenity choice at Check-In for Diamond Elite members (subject to certain restrictions)
- Dedicated Diamond Support for Diamond Elite members
- Exclusive Access to Reward Night Discount Promotions for Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite members
- Early Check-In now offered to Platinum Elite members (subject to availability), in addition to Diamond Elite members
- Elite Rollover Nights now offered to Gold Elite members, in addition to Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite members
- Expanded Late Check-Out for all tiers (subject to availability)
- Milestone Rewards for Elite members, starting at 20 nights (additional details below)
More information on benefits can be found here.
2. When will the new and improved benefits be available to members?
Members will start receiving the new and improved benefits beginning on June 8, 2022.
3. Diamond Elite members can now choose Free Breakfast as their Welcome Amenity at Check-in. What does this include? How does it work?
As part of the Welcome Amenity choice at Check-In, beginning June 8, Diamond Elite members1 can have the additional choice of a free daily hot breakfast for the member and one registered guest. For example, at a participating property that has a full-service restaurant, a Diamond Elite member and their registered guest would each receive a choice of one main menu item with unlimited non-alcoholic beverages OR full buffet with unlimited non-alcoholic beverages. Hotels reserve the right to exclude certain menu items, such as alcoholic beverages or specialty coffee, from the free breakfast benefit.
This benefit is available at all IHG brands, except limited-service brands that already offer breakfast, and at Candlewood Suites, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, InterContinental Alliance Resorts (Las Vegas and Macau) , Six Senses and Mr. and Mrs. Smith properties. Note there is not a capped dollar value associated with the menu item..
4. What does Dedicated Diamond Support mean?
Beginning June 8, Diamond Elite members will have access to a dedicated support line to connect with agents who can assist with their travel needs. Diamond Elite members can access the dedicated support line by logging into their account management page on the IHG app or website.
5. If a member is a Diamond Ambassador, which dedicated line should they use?
Diamond Elite members, including Diamond Ambassadors, should use the Diamond Elite dedicated line for all IHG One Rewards questions.
6. What are Reward Night Discounts?
Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite members can stretch their points further with exclusive access to discount promotions on Reward Nights, or nights they book with IHG One Rewards points, subject to eligibility.
7. How have the Early Check-In and Late Check-Out benefits changed?
Beginning June 8, if Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite members request an Early Check-In, hotels will do their best to have the rooms ready, subject to availability. And all members will be able to request Late Check-Out up to 2 p.m., also subject to availability.
8. What are Elite Rollover Nights?
Elite Rollover Nights are a way for our Gold Elite, Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite members to earn Elite status faster. Platinum Elite, Diamond Elite and now Gold Elite members can earn status faster by rolling extra Qualifying Nights over to the next year.
For example, if a Silver Elite member stays 25 Qualifying Nights in 2022, they will earn Gold Elite status for the 2023 calendar year. However, Gold Elite status only requires 20 Qualified Nights, so the additional 5 nights that the member stayed over and above the Gold Elite qualification, will be rolled over in their account and count towards their progress to the next Elite tier in 2023.
9. How does a hotel determine if Late Check-Out is available?
Our hotels will do their best to accommodate requests for Late Check-Outs, however Late Check-Out availability does depend on available rooms and housekeeping resources, so extending Check-Out may not always be possible.
10. When will the new and improved Elite tier benefits be available to members?
The new and improved Elite tier benefits will be available starting June 8.
11. Are any current benefits going away as part of the loyalty program changes?
Beginning June 8, Gold Elite members will no longer receive a Welcome Amenity choice at Check-In. The Welcome Amenity choice
for Gold Elite members will be replaced with other benefits such as:
- Enhanced point earn opportunities, e.g. 40% Bonus Point earn on all Qualified Stays, an increase from the previous point earn of 10%
- Access to the Elite Rollover Nights benefit
- Access to Milestone Rewards starting at 20 nights stayed As of April 13, 2022, members no longer receive an Exclusive Spire Choice Benefit upon reaching Spire (now Diamond) Elite status. However, all members can now choose rewards that matter most to them via our new Milestone Rewards benefit choices.
12. Can members gift their IHG One Rewards benefits to someone else?
No, all benefits are non-transferrable.
13. Has IHG seen any changes for members as a result of Dynamic Reward Night pricing?
Since the launch of Dynamic Reward Night pricing, on average the points required to book IHG hotels has decreased by 15%.
14. How do InterContinental Ambassador, Royal Ambassador, Kimpton Inner Circle and Business Rewards fit in?
While we aren’t currently announcing any changes to Business Rewards, InterContinental Ambassador, Royal Ambassador or Kimpton Inner Circle, we made sure to incorporate benefits that appeal to our Luxury hotel guests and business travelers into the IHG One Rewards program and will continue to build upon this with future enhancements.
Milestone Rewards
1. What are Milestone Rewards?
Starting June 8, Milestone Rewards will offer a new way for members to choose rewards that matter most to them. Members will be able to make a Milestone Reward benefit choice every 10 Qualifying Nights, starting at 20 Qualifying Nights, according to the following chart:
20 NightsYou can choose one of the following:
- 5,000 Bonus Points
- 2 Food & Beverage Rewards
- 1 Confirmable Suite Upgrade
30 NightsYou can choose one of the following:
- 5,000 Bonus Points
- 2 Food & Beverage Rewards
40 NightsYou can choose two of the following:
- 10,000 Bonus Points
- 5 Food & Beverage Rewards
- 1 Confirmable Suite Upgrade (limit 1)
- Annual Lounge Membership (limit 1)
Bonus Choice 50 NightsYou can choose one of the following:
- 10,000 Bonus Points
- 5 Food & Beverage Rewards
60 NightsYou can choose one of the following:
- 10,000 Bonus Points
- 5 Food & Beverage Rewards
70 NightsYou can choose two of the following:
- 10,000 Bonus Points
- 5 Food & Beverage Rewards
- 2 Confirmable Suite Upgrades (limit 1)
- Annual Lounge Membership (limit 1)
Bonus Choice 80 NightsYou can choose one of the following:
- 10,000 Bonus Points
- 5 Food & Beverage Rewards
90 NightsYou can choose one of the following:
- 10,000 Bonus Points
- 5 Food & Beverage Rewards
100 NightsYou can choose one of the following:
- 10,000 Bonus Points
- 5 Food & Beverage Rewards
2. How do members earn Milestone Rewards?
From January 1, 2022, members can earn towards Milestone Rewards benefit choices on Qualifying Nights, including Reward Nights and Free Nights, within the calendar year (note that Rollover Nights do not count towards Milestone Rewards benefits). Starting June 8, members will be able to track their Qualifying Nights activity for Milestone Rewards benefit choices in their IHG One Rewards account in either the IHG app or website. Once a milestone is reached, members have 90 days to select a Milestone Rewards benefit choice on the IHG website or IHG One Rewards mobile app. If a Milestone Rewards benefit is not selected within 90 days, the Milestone Rewards benefit choice for that milestone expires and will no longer be available. All Milestone Rewards benefit choice selections are final.
3. What are the Milestone Reward choices?
The Milestone Rewards benefit choices now available include:
- Bonus Points – available as a choice every 10 Nights starting at 20 Nights (up to 100 Nights)
- Food & Beverage Reward – coming soon! Available as a choice every 10 Nights starting at 20 Nights (up to 100 nights nights). While Food & Beverage Rewards are not available for use at hotels quite yet, you can still select this reward for use later this year. Stay tuned for more details.
- Confirmable Suite Upgrade – available as a choice at 20, 40 and 70 Nights
- Annual Lounge Membership – available as a choice at 40 and 70 Nights
4. What does the Bonus Points Reward include?
If a member selects Bonus Points as their Milestone Rewards benefit choices at 20 or 30 Nights, they will receive 5,000 IHG One Rewards points. If a member selects Bonus Points as their Milestone Rewards benefit at 40 Nights through 100 Nights, they will receive 10,000 IHG One Rewards points if selected.
5. What does the Food & Beverage Reward include?
Food & Beverage Rewards are coming soon! While Food & Beverage Rewards are not available for use at hotels quite yet, members can still select this reward for use later this year. Stay tuned for more details.
Once available, if a member selects Food & Beverage Rewards as their Milestone Reward, each Food & Beverage Reward can be redeemed for up to $20 USD for eligible food and beverage charges, as long as the charges were applied to the member’s room bill.
6. What purchases are eligible for the Food & Beverage Reward?
The Food & Beverage Reward can be redeemed towards food & beverage charges on a member’s room folio, such as restaurant, bar, minibar, or in-room dining charges. Marketplaces are excluded at this time.
7. Can a Food & Beverage Reward be used for a dining experience not associated with a stay?
At this time, a Food & Beverage Reward can only be used in conjunction with a stay and only when applied to a member’s room bill.
8. Can multiple Food & Beverage Rewards be combined and used together at one time?
Yes, members can apply more than one Food & Beverage Reward to a single stay room bill, as long as the reward is redeemed prior to check-out. Ambassador members can also apply their Ambassador Food & Beverage credits (where eligible) in addition to any Food & Beverage Rewards.
9. What does the Confirmable Suite Upgrade include?
If a member selects the Confirmable Suite Upgrade as their Milestone Reward benefit choice, they will be able to confirm an upgrade to an entry-level suite, at most 14 days and at minimum 24 hours prior to check-in, subject to suite availability. The reward is valid for a stay up to 5 nights and available for 1 room per stay. If an entry-level suite is not available, a member has the option to confirm a premium room as an alternative. This benefit is available at all IHG brands except avid hotels, Atwell Suites, IHG Army Hotels, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, and Six Senses properties. The benefit also is not available at IHG Residences, Mr & Mrs Smith properties or at InterContinental Alliance Resorts (Las Vegas and Macau).
10. How does the Confirmable Suite Upgrade work?
Members can book a stay for up to 5 nights through IHG’s website or mobile app on a qualifying base rate2. In order to use their Confirmable Suite Upgrade, members must then call IHG Customer Care at most 14 days and at minimum 24 hours prior to check-in to request their Confirmable Suite Upgrade. The IHG Customer Care representative will confirm if there is suite availability for the member’s requested stay dates and upgrade their stay to a suite. Once the upgrade is confirmed, the member will receive an updated reservation confirmation email. If there is not suite availability for the member’s requested stay dates, the IHG Customer Care representative will offer a premium room alternative, which the member can accept or choose to decline. If they decline, their Confirmable Suite Upgrade will remain valid and they can choose to apply it to a different stay.
11. Can members use a Confirmable Suite Upgrade and an Ambassador Guaranteed Upgrade for the same stay?
No, Ambassador, Royal Ambassador and Kimpton Inner Circle members will need to choose which type of suite upgrade they want to use for their stay. For example, if an Ambassador member has redeemed their Confirmable Suite Upgrade for an upcoming stay, they cannot request their Guaranteed Ambassador Upgrade upon check in for that stay.
12. Why can’t members redeem Confirmable Suite Upgrades via the app?
We know suite upgrades are one of the most important benefits for our members . While many members prefer digital and self-serve options, we are introducing Confirmable Suite Upgrades via a higher-touch service model as members learn more about the benefit.
13. What is the difference between a Complimentary Upgrade (subject to availability) and a Confirmable Suite Upgrade?
Complimentary Upgrades are offered to Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite members, subject to availability, and are assigned by the hotel team at check-in. Confirmable Suite Upgrades are offered as a Milestone Reward and can be confirmed up to 14 days prior to check-in by calling IHG Customer Care.
14. What does the Annual Lounge Membership include?
If a member selects the Annual Lounge Membership as their Milestone Reward at 40 or 70 Nights, they will receive Club Lounge access where available, for the registered member plus one additional guest during any stay. Once the Annual Lounge Membership is selected, it will be valid for the rest of the calendar year plus an additional 12 months thereafter . Annual Lounge Membership is not able to be used at Mr & Mrs Smith properties or at InterContinental Alliance Resorts (Las Vegas and Macau).
15. Can a member use their Annual Lounge Membership if they are not currently staying at a property?
No, at this time, an Annual Lounge Membership can only be used in conjunction with a current stay.
16. Is there a limit to the length of stay when using the Annual Lounge Membership?
No, there is no limit to the length of stay while using the Annual Lounge Membership.
17. Can members select the same Milestone Reward more than once?
When a member has reached 40 and 70 Nights, they will be able to make two Milestone Reward choices. Bonus Points and Food & Beverage Rewards can each be selected twice at these milestones, while Confirmable Suite Upgrade and Annual Lounge Membership can only be selected once at these milestones.
18. How often are Milestone Reward choices available?
Milestone Rewards are earned every 10 Qualifying Nights, beginning at 20 Nights through 100 Nights. Additionally, when a member has reached 40 and 70 Nights, they will be able to choose two Milestone Rewards options, with the exception of Confirmable Suite Upgrades and Annual Lounge Membership which can only be selected once per milestone.
19. Can members gift their Milestone Rewards to someone else?
No, Milestone Rewards are non-transferable.
New IHG One Rewards Mobile App
1. When will members have access to the new IHG One Rewards app?
Now! Existing app users have already received their new app update automatically from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. New app users will receive the new IHG One Rewards app when the download it for the first time.
2. How is the new IHG One Rewards Mobile App different from the old app?
The new app has a modern look-and-feel, faster, streamlined booking, and enhanced loyalty features and functionality. It also modernizes our technology, which will allow for future growth and transformation.
IHG One Rewards Brand
1. Why is IHG changing the name of the loyalty program?
With a new program comes a new name! IHG One Rewards celebrates that no two individuals are the same, with rewards designed for every ONE.
Chase Cardmembers (US only)
1. What do these changes mean for Chase Co-Brand Cardmembers in the US?
Regarding Refreshed Cards: In March we announced exciting product enhancements to the Chase IHG Rewards Credit Card portfolio; IHG Rewards Traveler, Premier and Business Premier credit cards now offer new benefits. To learn more, please visit ihg.com/creditcard.
Regarding Benefits: Benefits as an IHG Rewards Credit Card member will continue to apply under the new loyalty program. The benefits enjoyed based on tier will be enhanced per the loyalty program changes.
Regarding IHG Rewards Credit Card + Automatic Status:
- Chase Select Card: Platinum Elite
- Chase Classic Card: Silver Elite**
- Chase Premier Card: Platinum Elite; Diamond Elite (after you spend $40K in a calendar year)
- Chase Traveler Card: Silver Elite**
- Chase Premier Business Card: Platinum Elite; Diamond Elite (after you spend $40K in a calendar year)
Holiday Inn Club Vacations
1. What do these changes mean for Holiday Inn Club Vacations owners in the US?
As of April 13, 2022, Holiday Inn Club Vacations owners were converted from Gold Elite to Silver Elite status, unless they had qualified for a higher Elite status, through Qualified Nights or Points, before the new tiers took effect.
Where should members go if they have additional questions about IHG One Rewards?
Click here for a full list of IHG One Rewards Service Centers phone numbers by country. Additional information is also available here.
*Exceptions include Greater China region where Welcome Amenity will be offered for Silver Elite and Gold Elite members, MLAC region where we have removed Welcome Amenity for both Club and Gold Elite members, and Six Senses properties where all members will receive an in-room Wellness Platter at check-in.
**Confirmable Suite Upgrade qualifying base rates include Best Flexible, Member Discount, Government and select Corporate and package rates. Bookings that require advance payment do not qualify.
***In 2022, Chase Classic and Chase Traveler Credit Cardmembers will receive new Gold Elite status through 2022.