Image courtesy of Kimpton St Honoré Paris
IHG One Rewards, InterContinental Hotel Group’s loyalty program, allows you to earn points at hotels around the world. These points can then be redeemed for things like free nights, discounts and airline miles. Below, we break down everything you need to know about IHG rewards and how to maximize your stay at IHG hotels.
IHG One Rewards: How it works and why it’s worth it to sign up (for free)
Signing up for IHG One Rewards is free. Upon joining, you automatically unlock basic Club Member perks, which include free internet, access to member rates and promotions, a guaranteed 2 pm check-out and, of course, the ability to earn points toward future rewards and improved status. For every dollar spent on IHG properties — hotel bookings, on-site dining, shopping and experiences — you earn 10 points. All IHG brands participate in the program, so you earn points whether you stay at a Six Senses property or a Holiday Inn. If you’re a frequent traveler and often choose IHG hotels, you’ll quickly earn points and higher status that will unlock enhanced benefits.
IHG rewards and benefits tiers
Image courtesy of Six Senses Yao Noi
There are five tiers of IHG rewards: Club Member (which is always free), Silver Elite, Gold Elite, Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite. Each new tier carries the benefits of its predecessor in addition to new perks. Statuses reset each calendar year, but there are ways to make the path to improved status more efficient.
“I loved the special attention I received at the InterContinental Osaka this summer!” Fora Advisor Anna Dobrenski said. “As an IHG Rewards member, I earned points while enjoying exceptional service and thoughtful touches that made my stay unforgettable. Who doesn't love an upgrade to a suite with a view?”
Silver Elite
To earn Silver Elite Status, you must spend 10 qualified nights at IHG properties within a calendar year. These don’t have to be consecutive, and all nights count except for those booked using points. Once you hit Silver Elite, your points don’t expire; anything you earn during this period will be saved through next year — or indefinitely if you maintain Silver Elite or better status. Silver Elite status also provides a 20% bonus anytime you earn points (instead of earning 10 points per $1 spent, you’ll earn 12).
Gold Elite
Gold Elite status is achieved once you spend 20 nights at IHG properties or earn 40,000 total points. This status unlocks a 40% points bonus (14 points instead of 10 for every $1 spent), as well as milestone rewards and rollover nights. The former earns you bonus points: After you hit 20 nights, you’ll typically get 5,000 points for every 10 nights you spend at IHG hotels thereafter. The latter allows you to apply any nights after you reach Gold Elite status toward next year’s status. For example, if you stay 23 nights at IHG hotels, the first 20 nights unlock Gold Status for the current year and the last three start counting toward next year. It’s entirely possible to unlock Silver Elite or better status before the next year rolls around.
Platinum Elite
You must stay 40 nights at IHG hotels or obtain 60,000 total points to earn Platinum Elite status. This tier unlocks reward night discounts, a 60% point bonus, complimentary room upgrades and early check-in whenever available as well as a choice between bonus points or a drink or snack as a welcome amenity.
Additionally, Platinum Elite members are offered 72-hour guaranteed room availability. Essentially, you can get a room as late as 72 hours from your reserved night (the room may be of a lesser tier than your desired room). The only exception is during periods of extreme demand, such as the holiday season. The guaranteed room is offered at the hotel’s standard rate rather than its discount rate.
Diamond Elite
Diamond Elite status is IHG One Rewards' top status. It’s unlocked once you spend 70 nights at IHG hotels or earn 120,000 points. This status gets you all the previous benefits, as well as 100% bonus points, dedicated Diamond Elite support and free daily breakfast in lieu of a welcome amenity (if you choose).
InterContinental Ambassador membership
Image courtesy of InterContinental Miami
InterContinental Ambassador memberships are an optional, paid upgrade to IHG One Rewards. This membership automatically unlocks Platinum Elite status and a bevy of additional perks at InterContinental hotels. As of 2025, the annual fee is $225 or 45,000 reward points. Perks include all the benefits of Platinum Elite status, plus:
A guaranteed room upgrade and late (4 pm) check-out whenever available.
One complimentary weekend night that can be attached to any stay.
Complimentary mineral water.
Complimentary premium internet.
A dedicated check-in area.
Single room rates for double occupancy.
China only: complimentary daily breakfast for one.
Have your perks and enjoy them, too: Why book IHG with Fora (even if you’re part of IHG One Rewards)?
IHG One Rewards and ambassador memberships aren’t the only way to enjoy perks at IHG’s top properties. IHG is a preferred partner of Fora, meaning you can unlock exclusive benefits when a Fora Advisor books your stay at select IHG properties, such as InterContinental, Regent and Six Senses. These perks, offered through IHG Destined, often include resort credits (typically worth $100), daily breakfast and complimentary room upgrades. Plus, any booking made through a Fora Advisor still earns you IHG One Rewards points.
“The IHG reward program is a fantastic way for travelers to build their points and enhance their stay. But by working with a Fora Advisor, you can earn points while also receiving elevated IHG perks that you likely would not have access to on your own,” Fora Advisor Megan Freedman said. “Additionally, your Fora Advisor will work directly with the local hotel team to customize your stay and help you feel like a VIP.”
In other words, you can enjoy perks through IHG rewards and through a Fora Advisor. Plus, your advisor will make sure your stay is tailored to your preferences. While a Fora Advisor can’t book reward nights for you, they can book and plan the rest of your trip.
“As an avid points collector, I will encourage my clients to use their free nights and book the remainder with me for the perks,” Fora Advisor Nancy McLaughlin said. “One trick is to book the room with perks the first few days, and then ask to link the reservation [to your reward stay] so you don't have to switch rooms.”
IHG One Rewards: FAQs
Image courtesy of Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown
Read on for more IHG rewards information.
Can IHG points be converted to airline miles?
Yes. You can do so through the IHG One Rewards portal. Each airline partnered with IHG offers a different conversion ratio. For example, you can redeem 10,000 IHG points for 2,000 SkyMiles to put toward your next Delta flight.
Do IHG rewards points ever expire?
IHG rewards points only expire if you haven’t achieved Silver Elite status or higher. Otherwise, they expire after 12 months of inactivity. If you earn more or use points, however, even as a basic Club Member, the counter resets.
Can my spouse use my IHG account?
No. Accounts are limited to one person. If you attain Diamond Elite status, though, you can share points.
How do milestone and bonus rewards work?
Milestone rewards are achieved after you spend 20 nights at IHG hotels, and then after every 10 additional nights up to 100 total nights. Generally, you can choose one of the following: up to 10,000 bonus points, confirmable suite upgrades, complimentary food or beverage vouchers or an annual lounge membership. When you hit 40 nights and 70 nights, you can choose two items from the aforementioned list.
“Even at its highest level, Diamond Elite members only get select perks based on stay milestones or as a choice of welcome amenity,” Fora Advisor Randy Marsden said. “Fora includes perks that would normally be a choice, like $100 property credit or breakfast for two, allowing even the most elite members of the program to get added value by booking with a Fora travel advisor.”