Compared to Hilton Honors or World of Hyatt, the loyalty program of the Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) has not been very competitive so far. Even with the highest status, you wouldn’t even get free breakfast, let alone executive lounge access.
Now IHG is finally showing some improvement. A new IHG Rewards program was announced in January 2022 and now the details are finally out. In fact, things are changing for the better, especially for very loyal guests (> 70 nights/year).
As part of the transition, the program name will change from IHG Rewards to IHG One Rewards. Visit IHG.com for full details. We have summarized the most important changes and advantages for you.
Table of Contents
IHG One Rewards Status Tiers
The tiers of the new program have already been officially announced. There are now five tiers in the program instead of the previous four. This is made possible by the introduction of a new Silver Elite status (from 10 nights), which replaces the previous Gold status.
Below is a comparison of the new and old tiers. It is noticeable that the points qualification, in particular, is significantly more difficult now. It only gets easier in one place: If you have previously earned the Spire Elite status by the number of nights, you will need 5 fewer nights in the future.
Previously:
- Gold Elite from 10 nights / 10,000 points
- Platinum Elite from 40 nights / 40,000 points
- Spire Elite from 75 nights / 75,000 points
New:
- Silver Elite from 10 nights
- Gold Elite from 20 nights / 40,000 points
- Platinum Elite from 40 nights / 60,000 points
- Diamond Elite from 70 nights / 120,000 points
Travellers receive 10 points per USD of the nightly rate at almost all hotels. For example, the Diamond Elite will require a minimum spend of $12,000 (or 70 nights) instead of the previous $7,500 (or 75 nights).
New Benefits for Status Holders, Including Free Breakfast
Differences between the Silver and Gold status are primarily limited to the point bonus. The previous welcome amenity for Gold members is no longer applicable (although the requirements have increased). We’ve compared the new status perks table with the old one:
- Immediately after registration:
- Late check-out until 14:00, subject to availability *new*
- Silver Elite:
- 20% points bonus
- Points don’t expire
- Gold Elite:
- Late check-out based on availability (old)
- 40% (previously 10%) points bonus
- Rollover nights to reach your status easier *new*
Welcome amenity
- Platinum Elite:
- All the benefits of the Gold status
- Welcome amenity (extra points or snack/drink)
- 60% (previously 50%) points bonus
- Exclusive discounts on award nights *new*
- Early check-in subject to availability *new*
- Upgrade subject to availability *now also suite upgrade*
- Diamond Elite:
- All the benefits of the Platinum status
- 100% points bonus
- Early check-in subject to availability (old)
- Free breakfast for up to 2 people as a welcome amenity *new*
- Exclusive Diamond hotline *new*
Upon reaching status: 25,000 points or Platinum status to give away
Milestone Rewards incl. Lounge Access
The lounge access mentioned at the beginning is not part of the status benefits, which thus excludes, among other things, people who have obtained their status via status matches or credit cards (in the USA). Instead, it is one of the numerous Milestone Rewards that are being introduced.
Already from 20 nights, you get a confirmed suite upgrade for up to 5 nights in a row. Alternatively, there are 2 meal vouchers worth €20 each or 5,000 points. Every 10 nights (up to 100) there is another benefit.
The most interesting is the Bonus Choice from 40 nights per year. There, you will receive a free lounge membership valid for at least one year. With this, you (including a guest) can enter all Club Lounges. These are mainly found in Intercontinental Hotels, but also in some Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inns.
Conclusion
The new IHG Rewards program is actually a lot better. Compared to Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt, the main negative thing so far had been that even the highest status did not grant free breakfast. This mistake has finally been eliminated and further benefits such as lounge access for people who’ve stayed 40 nights or more have been added.
It looks bad for all those who have so far achieved their status through points instead of a certain number of nights. The requirements have been significantly increased there.
Source: Loyalty Lobby
Cover Picture: Ditmar Lange