InterContinental Hotels Group or IHG is one of the largest Hotels Chain in the world with 6061 hotels and 8,88,147 rooms worldwide. It has a total of 17 brands that collectively form the InterContinental Group or IHG. Recently, IHG made changes to its loyalty program. The hotel loyalty program from IHG is “IHG One Rewards” which is a great loyalty program for Indian Travelers. Here’s everything an Indian Traveler needs to know about IHG One Rewards.
Firstly on IHG Hotels & Resorts in India and worldwide
Of all the 6000+ hotels worldwide there are very few hotels in India of IHG brands as only a handful of IHG brands have a presence in India. However, it is a work in progress. But the best thing is IHG One Rewards gives access to properties across the world. Even if you earn points here in India you can redeem the points anywhere on this planet. There are still some great properties that IHG has in India. Especially, the Crowne Plaza Brand which we believe is better than Holiday inn, and the InterContinental Hotel Brand speaks luxury. You are likely to find an IHG hotel in all major metro cities.
Also, with the partnership between Mr & Mrs. Smith Boquete hotels and IHG, you can now book some amazing Mr & Mrs. Smith hotels at prominent tourist destinations in India and worldwide. The Crowne Plaza Hotels are worth a stay as they offer luxurious comfort and stay. Even the famous hotel Six Senses Fort Barwara where recently Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif got married is also a part of the IHG group.
IHG One Rewards: Tiers, Eligibility, and Validity
“IHG one rewards” is a free-to-join loyalty program from the IHG group, meaning there are no joining or annual fees. The IHG one rewards offer great value for its loyal customers and allow customers to earn reward points on hotel spending. You can then redeem these points for hotel stays. However, IHG is now exploring the possibility of using points for the settlement of food bills, but it is still not active worldwide and in India.
IHG One Rewards Tiers
Upon joining IHG One Rewards, you become a “Club Member”. However, based on the number of Qualified Nights stays or Qualified Points Earned you are upgraded to the next tier. The IHG One Rewards have Five tiers:
- Club Member
- Sliver Elite
- Gold Elite
- Platinum Elite
- Diamond Elite
IHG One Rewards tier eligibility criteria
The IHG one rewards tier is calculated based on the number of qualified night stays or the qualified points earned. So, the higher the number of nights you stay or earn points the higher tier you will be in. Here are the tier-wise eligibility criteria for IHG One Rewards:
Club Members: No Eligibility Criteria, Just registration is needed.
Silver Elite: 10 Qualified Night Stays
Gold Elite: 20 Qualified Nights Stays or 40000 One Rewards Points
Platinum Elite: 40 Qualified Nights Stays or 60000 One Rewards Points
Diamond Elite: 70 Qualified Nights Stays or 120000 One Rewards Points
Qualified Nights Stays:
The Qualified Nights mean the number of nights as against the number of rooms so even if you book five rooms for a day it is considered one qualified stay. Also, a minimum rate of Rs.2500 ($30) should be paid for a qualified stay.
Qualified Points Earned:
Every member earns 10 IHG One Rewards Points for every Rs. 83 ($1) spent on room rates though on some properties the points earned may be reduced to 5 rewards points per $1 spent. However, any bonus points earned are excluded, but specific bonus points are included for qualified points earned which we will tell you about later in this post. Also, you can earn qualifying points only for nine rooms for a day.
IHG One Rewards tier validity:
An IHG One rewards tier remains valid from the day you achieve it to the end of the following year. So, If you achieved a Status (Tier) in 2022, it would remain so until the end of 2023 until you are eligible to be upgraded to the next tier. That means if you achieved Gold in 2022, you would remain a Gold Elite until the end of Next year, which is Dec-2023.
Rollover Nights
The additional number of qualified nights is rolled over to next year, so you don’t start from zero. These rollover nights are valid only for a year. So, if you have stayed 50 nights in a year then ten nights will be rolled over as only 40 nights are required for Platinum Elite. But at present only Gold, Platinum, and Diamond Elite members have access to this benefit. The Base member of Silver Elite members always starts from zero.
Now, let’s find out the tier-wise benefits of IHG One Rewards.
Tier-wise IHG One Rewards Benefits
The benefits of IHG One Rewards vary and are enhanced based on your tier. Here are the tier-wise benefits available to members.
Club Members Benefits:
A Club Member of IHG One Rewards doesn’t get any significant benefit except that there are no blackout dates for using your points for rewards nights. Also, a 5-10% discount on room rates is good as normally IHG properties do not offer any discount on third-party websites.
Here are the complete benefits for Club Members:
- Membership Rates: Normally Discount of 5-10% on room rates
- Free Internet
- 2 PM Late check-out (Subject to Availability)
- No Blackout dates for rewards nights
- Earn Points for Rewards Nights
Silver Elite Members Benefits:
Silver Elite Member benefits are similar to Club member benefits except that you get 20% bonus points which means 12 points, ten regular tier points, and two bonus points for spending $1. However, the most significant benefit would be the no expiry of points, so you can accumulate points and use them when you have enough points. Anyway, you need to remain Silver so that points don’t expire.
Here are the complete benefits for Silver Elite Members:
- Membership Rates: Normally Discount of 5-10% on room rates
- Free Internet
- 2 PM Late check-out (Subject to Availability)
- No Blackout dates for rewards nights
- Earn Points for Rewards Nights
- 20% Bonus Points
- Points don’t expire
Gold Elite Members Benefits:
The Gold Elite is the minimum status tier needed to benefit from IHG One Rewards truly. As 40% bonus points and rollover of nights make it more rewarding. The more points, the less cost and rollover means you still achieve silver without doing anything if ten nights are rolled over. Here are the complete benefit of Gold Elite members:
- Membership Rates: Normally Discount of 5-10% on room rates
- Free Internet
- 2 PM Late check-out (Subject to Availability)
- No Blackout dates for rewards nights
- Earn Points for Rewards Nights
- 40% Bonus Points
- Points don’t expire
- Rollover nights for next year’s status
Platinum Elite Members Benefits:
The complimentary upgrades are undeniably an incredible benefit. You can quickly get a confirmed suite upgrade from a basic room. Another benefit that makes you happy is the welcome amenity since you can get 600 points without any costs. The drinks or snacks welcome amenity looks good, but 600 points are great.
Even you are eligible for a 15% discount on a rewards night stay, so you burn fewer points. However, this is not a regular benefit as it is open for a particular period of time which is communicated via email.
Here are all the benefits for Platinum Elite IHG One Rewards members:
- Membership Rates: Normally Discount of 5-10% on room rates
- Free Internet
- 2 PM Late check-out (Subject to Availability)
- No Blackout dates for rewards nights
- Earn Points for Rewards Nights
- 60% Bonus Points
- Points don’t expire
- Rollover nights for next year’s status
- Reward Nights Discount, you can get an offer for 15% discount
- Welcome Amenity: 600 Points or drink/snacks
- Complimentary Upgrades (Subject to Availability)
- Guaranteed Room Availability (72 Hours)
- Early Check-in (Subject to Availability)
Diamond Elite Members Benefits:
The Diamond Elite members only get two meaningful benefits over platinum members. A complimentary breakfast is undeniably a great benefit since a breakfast costs over Rs. 1000 per person in a five-star hotel, so you save Rs 2000 per day. Even the 100% bonus is a great added benefit since you earn 20 points per $1 spent.
Here are the complete benefits of being a Diamond Elite Member of IHG One Rewards:
- Membership Rates, Normally Discount of 5-10% on room rates
- Free Internet
- 2 PM Late check-out (Subject to Availability)
- No Blackout dates for rewards nights
- Earn Points for Rewards Nights
- 100% Bonus Points
- Points don’t expire
- Rollover nights for next year’s status
- Reward Nights Discount, you can get an offer for 15% discount
- Welcome Amenity: Free Breakfast, 600 Points, or drink/snacks
- Complimentary Upgrades (Subject to Availability)
- Guaranteed Room Availability (72 Hours)
- Early Check-in (Subject to Availability)
- Dedicated Diamon Support
Difference between tier-based bonus points and booking-based bonus points
Generally, there are three ways you earn bonus points over regular points of 10 points per $1 spent. These are:
- Bonus Points on Purchase of Points: Not Qualified Points
- Bonus Points as a member benefit: Not Qualified Points
- Bonus Points Package: Qualified Points
As an IHG One Rewards Elite member, you get bonus points between 20% to 100%, but these points are not counted toward your elite status. Even the bonus points received on the purchase of points are not counted towards elite status. However, the bonus points purchased while booking a room on the IHG website or app are counted towards elite status. Buying these bonus points varies and may even cost you INR 0.5 per point or INR 0.3 per point in a few cases.
For every base point, you are eligible to earn bonus points based on your Elite Status. However, these Bonus Points are not considered for your tier qualification.
Complimentary Upgrades for Platinum and Diamond Members (Suites on the way)
All Platinum and Diamond members are eligible for Complimentary upgrades. If you have booked a room in advance, it is always better to drop an email to the hotel to ask for an upgrade before arrival. You will probably be upgraded to a higher floor room that’s the bare minimum if the hotel is packed however on better days you can get a confirmed suite upgrade even if you have booked a Standard room of Rs. 5000.
Pro Tip: Never hesitate to ask for an upgrade irrespective of your tier.
Milestone Benefits with IHG One Rewards: Rewards Every 10 Nights You Stay
The IHG upgraded its One Rewards program and introduced milestone benefits, offering benefits over and above regular member benefits. These milestone benefits increase the value you receive for your spending. After your 20th night, you are eligible for milestones rewards. However, after the 20th night, you get milestone rewards every 10th night with a cumulative night stay of 100 nights. The below table summarizes the additional benefits available for reaching milestones:
| Nights>>> | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80* |
| Choose | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Bonus Points | 5k | 5k | 10k | 10k | 10k | 10k | 10k |
| Food & Beverage Reward | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Suite Upgrade | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Lounge Membership | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Note: For the 90th and 100th nights benefits are the same as for the 80th night.
Limitations:
- Timeline to choose: 90 days else the benefit will expire
- 5000 Bonus Points are not considered for Elite Tier Status
- Food & Beverages Rewards are worth $20 per voucher, 12 months validity
- Suite Upgrade:
- Two-time selection with an option between the 40th & 70th night
- Maximum 5 Days Stay
- 12 months validity from the selection
- Not on Reward Nights, Third Party Booking
- use 24 Hours before check-in
- Annual Lounge Membership:
- 12 months from the end of the year in which you availed of the lounge membership
- Some hotels may not have lounges
- Access may be denied at some premium hotels
However, The best part about milestones rewards is that you’re rewarded for achieving Platinum Elite at 40 nights or Diamon Elite at 70 nights as you can choose two options that further increase the return on your spending.
Value of Milestones Rewards:
Here is the value of Milestones Rewards:
- 5000 Bonus Points: Rs. 2500
- 1 Food & Beverage Rewards: Rs. 1600
- 1 Suite Upgrade: Rs. 8000 Over standard room charges
- Lounge Access Membership:
- Value varies based on the number of times you stay in a standard room in a year
- If the Hotel has a Lounge, then you can get a lot of value in terms of complimentary breakfast, snacks, etc
How to Earn IHG One Rewards Points?
Multiple options allow you to earn rewards points redeemable for an excellent night’s stay. Here is the list of spending which allows you to earn points:
- Room Rate Paid on Direct Booking
- Other Charges Paid like food and beverages, spa, etc.
- Bonus Points Packages
- Sign-up Bonus or App Sign-in (Time-to-Time)
- Purchases from Partners (Limited in India)
- Points Transfer from Credit Cards, Members, etc
- Bonus Points based on Tier elite status
- IHG Dining Deals
- Points Purchases
By default, you earn 10 points for every $1 spent at most IHG hotels except at Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites where you earn 5 points.
Related: 11 Ways to Earn IHG Points in India.
How to maximize IHG One Rewards points earning?
There are a few ways that can help you get more rewards points and here are the best ones:
Bonus Package: Buy points while booking a room. You can get 3000 bonus points, sometimes even at Rs. 300, a great deal.
Purchase of Points: Offer to get 100% bonus points on the purchase of points is indeed a great offer; however, the higher points you buy, the higher number of bonus points and the lower the per points cost.
IHG Dining Deals:
The IHG Dining deals is a dining rewards program from IHG which is linked to IHG One Rewards. It allows you to enjoy meals at select IHG Group restaurants at a discount and at the same time gives you 250 Points for every $25 spent.
Related: Current IHG Promotions
The Platinum Elite and Diamon Elite members save 30% on dining bills at participating restaurants whereas other except club member saves 25% on dining bills. Further, increasing the value of Silver Elite and above members. The offer is available till 30th December 2022.
Amex Reward Multiplier:
You can 2x to 5x Amex Points on using Amex Reward Multiplier.
Use IHG One Rewards Points
At present, you can use IHG One Rewards Points for reward nights at any IHG hotel in India and worldwide. You can even use points to buy from catalogues or transfer points as miles to all major world airlines. However, transfer of points to airlines is not advisable as you get 2000 airmiles for every 10000 points transferred.
Related: How to find IHG’s Lowest Points Redemption Rate?
Reward Nights
IHG allows the booking of a single room at a time with points however the number of days can be more than one. The points for reward nights vary based on availability and may not even be redeemable if the property is sold out. However, we have seen the IHG properties being available even on packed dates except on a few occasions.
Inclusion of Taxes for Stays redemption:
Most international hotel chains absorb the taxes applicable on reward nights. So in the case of IHG, you don’t have to do anything additional apart from using your points.
Reward Value of IHG One Rewards Points
IHG One Rewards points value varies anywhere between Rs. 0.4 to Rs. 0.7. However, Rs. 1 value per point may be available on rare occasions.
Typically, the average value of one IHG One Rewards point is Rs. 0.5 giving reward rate of 6% which increases further for silver elite and above members as they are able to earn bonus points on top of default points.
Pro Tip:
Buy Bonus Points while booking on the website if the cost per point is less than Rs. 0.3 per point.
IHG One Rewards Points Value calculation for Domestic Hotel
We checked for ten hotels in Delhi for a night stay of 6th Feb. Then we compared the price per night and the reward points. The minimum value per point was INR 0.47 and the maximum value was INR 0.71, averaging INR 0.58 across all hotels.
IHG One Rewards Points Value calculation for International Hotel
We checked for 12 hotels of IHG Group in Berlin, Germany for a night stay of 6th Feb. The minimum value per point was INR 0.44 and the maximum value was INR 0.59, averaging INR 0.52 across all hotels.
Bonus: Status Challenge for IHG One Members
The IHG group has been generous in 2022 by offering a Status challenge on multiple occasions in 2022. In a Status challenge, you have to stay for a particular number of nights by paying a qualifying rate, and you will be upgraded to the status.
Gold Elite: Stay two nights
Platinum Elite: Stay five nights
The status challenge saves a lot of time and money, making it worth it. However, it is not an ongoing offer and may come back in a while. You can always check Points Math for such updates.
Bottomline
It takes no time to decide whether to go for IHG One Rewards or not. Simply because it is a free-to-register hotel loyalty program. Also, with milestones rewards the value a member gets has increased decently. Even lots of offers going on every now and then makes it more rewarding. All credit goes to the revamped rewards program. Also, the best part about IHG hotels they are less expensive than Marriott hotels. Then with a good number of points in the rewards wallet and over 6K+ hotels to choose from you are never left off choices. If it does not make sense now for you, then wait for the offers, like a platinum elite status by staying for five nights and many more. For us Indians, with a limited number of choices for five-star hotels IHG One Rewards does make its space.
