The Ultimate IHG One Guide

Ranked as one of the best hotel loyalty programs in the industry, the IHG® One features four membership tiers and allows participants to earn points on all hotel bookings. These earnings can be redeemed for several options, including Reward Nights, merchandise and gift cards, exclusive experiences, airline miles, and more.

What Hotels Are in the IHG Portfolio?

IHG Hotels & Resorts (also known as InterContinental Hotels Group) has 14 brands, which feature over 5,600 IHG properties and brand hotels located worldwide that range from budget-friendly to upscale luxury.

How to Earn Rewards with IHG One

Staying at IHG hotels offers the easiest route to earning large amounts of points per stay with the IHG One program. The number of points per night members earn with IHG varies depending on their tier status, with higher elite tiers earning a points bonus on the normal rewards rate. That rewards rate is as follows:

• Earn 10X points for every $1 spent at most IHG hotels
• Earn 5X points per $1 spent at Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites

Other Ways to Earn Points

• Dining: Members can earn up to 8X points per dollar spent on dining at eligible restaurants, including tax and tip, through the IHG Rewards Club Dining Program.
• Car Rentals: Earn up to 1,500 points when booking rental cars through the IHG portal.
• Apple: Earn up to 4X points when purchasing through the IHG portal.
• Opt-Out of Housekeeping: Guests receive a maximum of 500 points when they stay at least two consecutive nights and opt out of housekeeping.
• Transfer from Partners: Members can also transfer points from other credit card programs, including Chase Ultimate Rewards.
• Buy points through the IHG Rewards Club points portal

IHG One Elite Tiers

As mentioned, points in the IHG One program are earned on eligible stays, with elite tiers enjoying more points.  The entry tier in the program s  Club Member, offering essential perks, like no blackout dates, access to member rates and promotions, free in-room Wi-Fi, late check-out (2 PM), and more. 

As you earn more points you can progress to higher tiers.  Here is how much is needed to upgrade elite status in IHG One:

• Silver: 10 nights
• Gold: 20 nights or 40,000 points
• Platinum: 40 nights or 60,000
• Diamond: 70 nights or 120,000 points

And here is what members can expect from those elite tiers:

What Are IHG Rewards Points Worth?

How to Redeem Rewards with IHG

Redeeming points for Reward Nights is easily the most useful method of points redemption within the IHG® One. Points can be used for complimentary hotel stays for as little as 10,000 points and for booking reservations at any of IHG’s thousands of properties.

Points & Cash

An alternative points redemption method for hotel stays, IHG One members can use points for partial payment of a hotel booking. This is useful for those who don’t have enough points to cover an entire booking, or for those who want to stretch their points as much as possible. This option requires a minimum of 5,000 points to redeem.

Transfer to Travel Partners

IHG points transfer to dozens of travel partners worldwide, including major airlines:

Other Ways to Redeem

Known as IHG® One Rewards Access, members can bid on unique, members-only experiences that range from vacations to lifestyle and entertainment. Opening bid amounts may vary, but typically they require bid increments of 1,000 points. Not for the easily discouraged, bidding wars can cause costs to go into the hundreds of thousands (in points).

Current IHG Credit Cards