The Ultimate Guide to IHG Elite Status
- Noboundlife
- Mar 24
- 7 min read
IHG has four levels of elite status, which requires a certain number of qualifying points or nights in a year.
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You might recognize the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) from its well-known hotel brands like Holiday Inn, Kimpton, and Crowne Plaza. If you often stay at IHG properties or hold the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, you may want to explore the benefits of their elite status, which can be attained through the IHG One Rewards loyalty program.
In this guide, we'll explain how the IHG elite status program operates, how to achieve the four different elite status tiers, and how it stacks up against other hotel loyalty programs. While IHG’s program is relatively straightforward compared to some others, there’s still a lot to discuss.
How to earn IHG elite status
You can achieve IHG elite status through one of four methods:
Complete a Required Number of Elite Qualifying Nights within a calendar year.
Accumulate Enough Elite Qualifying Points during the calendar year.
Get Elite Qualifying Nights or points from Nobound Life to reach the required nights and points outlined in method 1 and 2.
Purchase an InterContinental Ambassador Membership for $200 annually, which includes automatic IHG Platinum Elite status.
In general, option 1 is the best route for those who spend a lot of nights in low-cost rooms, and option 2 applies to those who stay at high-end properties. If you mostly stay at InterContinental hotels, option 4 — while pricey — could even turn out to be a major money-maker.
If you want to get to IHG diamond directly or is missing some nights to reach Diamond, you can get mattress run from Nobound Life and enjoy the benefits of IHG top tier elite status on your next step.
That said, if you're planning to earn IHG elite status through qualifying nights or points, here's how much you need to get to each status tier:
How to earn status | Points earned per stay | Some of the best perks | |
Club | Just sign up. | 10 base points per dollar spent on qualifying hotel rates at most IHG hotels (5 points at Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites) | Complimentary internet, exclusive member rates, no blackout dates for reward nights. |
Silver Elite | 10 elite qualifying nights, or hold the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card. | 20% bonus earnings on top of base points. | Points no longer expire for as long as status is held. |
Gold Elite | 20 elite qualifying nights or 40,000 elite qualifying points, per calendar year. Or, spend $20,000 in a calendar year on the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card. | 40% bonus earnings on top of base points. | The above plus rollover nights for next year's status. |
Platinum Elite | 40 elite qualifying nights or 60,000 elite qualifying points, per calendar year, or hold the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card. | 60% bonus earnings on top of base points. | The above plus complimentary room upgrades and guaranteed room availability. |
Diamond Elite | 70 elite qualifying nights or 120,000 elite qualifying points, per calendar year, or spend $40,000 on the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card in a calendar year. | 100% bonus earnings on top of base points | The above plus dedicated Diamond support and free breakfast. |
What are IHG elite qualifying nights?
Elite qualifying nights typically refer to non-discounted or corporate rates booked directly through IHG. Nights booked using points (award nights), reservations made through third-party sites like Hotels.com, and promotional nights do not contribute to elite status.
What are IHG elite qualifying points?
Elite qualifying points have a few more nuances. They include:
Points earned from qualifying nights (as mentioned earlier).
Spending on select partner activities (such as Hertz, OpenTable, Grubhub, and Viator).
Bonus point packages.
Spending through IHG Business Rewards.
Points earned from IHG-branded credit card spending, but only in the UK and China.
However, certain activities do not earn elite qualifying points, including:
Elite status bonus points (described below).
Welcome bonuses from co-branded credit cards.
Purchased or transferred points.
Points earned through IHG promotions.
Does IHG offer a status match program?
IHG occasionally offers promotions that allow you to earn IHG One Rewards elite status through a status match from another hotel or airline elite program.
These promotions usually come with strict criteria, such as requiring a stay at an IHG hotel within a specific timeframe. Often, only qualifying stays count, meaning that stays paid with IHG points or through special rates (like employee discounts) may not be eligible.
To check for any available status match offers, visit the IHG member offers page or reach out to customer service.
IHG status levels and benefits
Each elite status tier offers its own set of benefits, with higher tiers providing additional perks. Here’s a breakdown of the most important benefits for each status level:
Silver Elite
20% bonus on base points.
Points don’t expire.
Late checkout of 2 p.m. (when available).
Gold Elite
40% bonus on base points.
Rollover nights for next year's status.
Platinum Elite
60% bonus on base points.
Reward night discounts.
Guaranteed room availability (up to 72 hours in advance).
Free room upgrades (when available).
Welcome amenity (either bonus points or a drink/snack).
Diamond Elite
100% bonus on base points.
Dedicated Diamond support.
Free breakfast.
Get Night credit and qualifying points with Nobound Life to reach IHG status levels
Normally you will need to stay 70 nights or 120,000 elite qualifying points during your stay with an IHG hotel to reach Diamond as outlined in the table earlier. With the help of Nobound Life, you can directly reach Platinum or even Diamond directly without needing to reach the nights requirement.
If you are short a specific numbers of nights or qualifying points to reach your target IHG status tier, you can check how many credits you are missing and get the needed nights or points from Nobound Life as well.
The InterContinental Ambassador program
IHG offers a unique membership level for frequent guests at InterContinental properties called the InterContinental Ambassador program. This is essentially a paid membership that provides elite status perks, costing $200 annually. The benefits include:
Guaranteed room upgrade.
Guaranteed late checkout.
IHG Platinum elite status.
$20 restaurant and bar credit per stay.
Complimentary weekend night when booking a paid weekend night.
Exclusive Benefits at Six Senses Properties
For stays at Six Senses properties, the InterContinental Ambassador program offers additional benefits:
Complimentary breakfast for two in the main restaurant each day.
Signature amenity: either a complimentary 50-minute Six Senses Spa massage for two or a local experience, redeemable once per stay.
Early check-in of 10 a.m. (subject to availability).
This membership tier is particularly appealing for those who prefer to pay for elite status rather than accumulate the necessary stays and expenses. If you're looking for a quick way to achieve VIP status, the InterContinental Ambassador program is an intriguing option.
Earning IHG One Rewards milestone bonuses
If you have IHG elite status, you're likely a frequent guest at IHG hotels, and there's even more to gain through the IHG One Rewards milestone bonuses program. Launched in April 2022, this program allows you to choose from various rewards for every 10 nights you stay, starting at 20 qualified nights. At the 40 and 70-night milestones, you can select two rewards, including the valuable IHG Executive Club Lounge membership.
IHG One Rewards Milestone Bonuses
20 nights: Choose from:
5,000 bonus points
Two food and beverage rewards (worth $20 each)
A confirmable suite upgrade
30 nights: Choose from:
5,000 bonus points
Two food and beverage rewards (worth $20 each)
40 nights: Choose two from:
10,000 bonus points
Five food and beverage rewards (worth $20 each)
A confirmable suite upgrade
An annual lounge membership
50 nights: Choose from:
10,000 bonus points
Five food and beverage rewards (worth $20 each)
60 nights: Choose from:
10,000 bonus points
Five food and beverage rewards (worth $20 each)
70 nights: Choose two from:
10,000 bonus points
Five food and beverage rewards (worth $20 each)
Two confirmable suite upgrades
An annual lounge membership
80 nights: Choose from:
10,000 bonus points
Five food and beverage rewards (worth $20 each)
90 nights: Choose from:
10,000 bonus points
Five food and beverage rewards (worth $20 each)
100 nights: Choose from:
10,000 bonus points
Five food and beverage rewards (worth $20 each)
Selection and Validity
You have 90 days from reaching a milestone to make your bonus selection. Typically, rewards are valid for one year from the point of selection, except for lounge memberships, which are valid through the end of the year they were earned, plus an additional full year.
Food and Beverage Rewards
As far as the food and beverage rewards go, they cannot be used in partial increments, so if you spend $18 at an IHG restaurant, you sacrifice $2 of value. If you spend $22 at an IHG restaurant, you'll owe $2 of your own dollars.
How much is IHG elite status worth?
To determine the estimates below, Nerdwallet performed a comprehensive analysis of the aspects of hotel elite status that offer fairly quantifiable benefits.
By Nerdwallet estimates:
IHG Silver status is worth $14.
IHG Gold status is worth $152.
IHG Platinum status is worth $1,710.
IHG Diamond status is worth $3,807.
By dividing the benefits by the cost, you can determine the elite earning rate for each level and determine what that status is really worth to you.
Value of benefits | Cost to earn | Elite earning rate | |
Silver | $14. | $1,000. | 1.4%. |
Gold | $152. | $2,920. | 5%. |
Platinum | $1,710. | $5,840. | 29%. |
Diamond | $3,807. | $10,220. | 37%. |
Is IHG elite status worth it?
When considering your travel preferences and rewards strategies with IHG, here are some key points to reflect on:
Are You a Low-Frills Traveler?
IHG is generally not known for high-end properties, except for the InterContinental brand. If you prefer basic accommodations and don’t prioritize luxury, IHG can still be a solid choice, especially for its affordability across brands like Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express.
How Often Do You Stay at IHG Properties?
To gain the highest tier, Diamond, you need to stay frequently. This tier offers valuable benefits like club access and free breakfast, making it worthwhile if you're a regular guest at IHG properties.
Do you mainly stay in InterContinental Hotels?
If you plan to stay primarily at InterContinental hotels, joining the InterContinental Ambassador program may be worth the cost, as it provides automatic Platinum status along with additional perks, including a free weekend night certificate.
Do You Value Lower-Level Perks?
If you occasionally stay at IHG hotels, even at lower-tier brands, consider striving for elite status. IHG elite status can earn you bonus points, allowing you to book free nights faster, along with benefits like late checkout and space-available room upgrades. These perks can enhance your overall travel experience, especially for budget-conscious travelers.
