Everything you need to know about IHG One Rewards' annual lounge membership
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
With the launch of the IHG One Rewards program in 2022 came IHG's Milestone Rewards program. You can earn IHG points or food and beverage rewards at most Milestone Rewards tiers. You can also choose an IHG annual lounge membership at the 40-night and 70-night tiers.
Most IHG hotels and resorts don't offer club lounges, but if you want to access the club lounge at IHG properties that do have one, you'll need to do one of the following:
- Book a room that includes lounge access or purchase lounge access during your stay
- Have an IHG annual lounge membership
- Stay at an InterContinental property while having Royal Ambassador status
Also, keep in mind that even if an IHG property upgrades you to a club-level room, you won't automatically get access to the lounge. At IHG club lounges, you typically get complimentary breakfast and nonalcoholic drinks throughout the day. You will sometimes even get afternoon tea, evening drinks and hors d'oeuvres.
Here's everything you need to know about IHG's annual lounge membership, including how to earn and use it.
Related: The 19 best IHG hotels in the world
What is IHG annual lounge membership?
IHG's annual lounge membership — which you can earn through IHG's Milestone Rewards program — provides lounge access for one member and a guest, if you stay at an IHG property with a club lounge.
An annual lounge membership gets you access to the club lounge and its amenities during your stay. However, IHG's terms and conditions allow for lounge access to be restricted "due to renovations, closures, or other facility limitations." This membership also doesn't include Club Regent or Club InterContinental amenities or services beyond the physical lounge.
According to IHG's terms and conditions, an annual lounge membership provides access to club lounges on qualified stays, including reward nights, free nights and stays booked through online travel agencies. During stays at participating Iberostar Beachfront Resorts, an annual lounge membership gives you access to the Star Prestige facilities and services (but not to Star Prestige rooms). However, an annual lounge membership doesn't provide lounge access at InterContinental Alliance Resorts in Las Vegas and Macau.
Unfortunately, there's no quick way to determine which IHG hotels in a particular city have club lounges. Instead, I've found it most efficient to simply check whether a specific hotel displays rooms with lounge access in the room's name or description.
Related: The top InterContinental hotels across the world
How to earn an IHG annual lounge membership
The only way to earn an IHG annual lounge membership is to select it as a 40-night or 70-night Milestone Reward. You'll earn IHG Milestone Rewards as you reach the following tiers each calendar year:
- 20 nights: 5,000 bonus points, two $20 food and beverage rewards or one confirmable suite upgrade
- 30 nights: 5,000 bonus points or two $20 food and beverage rewards
- 40 nights (choose two): 10,000 bonus points, five $20 food and beverage rewards, one confirmable suite upgrade (limit one) or one annual lounge membership (limit one)
- 50 nights: 10,000 bonus points or five $20 food and beverage rewards
- 60 nights: 10,000 bonus points or five $20 food and beverage rewards
- 70 nights (choose two): 10,000 bonus points, five $20 food and beverage rewards, two confirmable suite upgrades (limit one) or one annual lounge membership (limit one)
- 80 nights: 10,000 bonus points or five $20 food and beverage rewards
- 90 nights:10,000 bonus points or five $20 food and beverage rewards
- 100 nights: 10,000 bonus points or five $20 food and beverage rewards
Once you select an annual lounge membership as a Milestone Reward, it will be valid through the end of the following calendar year. So, if you select an annual lounge membership at any point this year, the pass will be valid through Dec. 31 of next year.
Since you have 90 days to select a Milestone Reward after reaching a specific milestone, Frequent Miler discovered you can earn an annual lounge membership valid for almost two calendar years if you reach the 40-night or 70-night milestone on or after Oct. 3 and select an annual lounge membership at the beginning of January.
Related: How much value does IHG One Rewards status provide when you book directly?
How to use an IHG annual lounge membership
Between earning an IHG annual lounge membership and its expiration, there's no limit to the number of times you can use your membership.
When you check in to an IHG hotel or resort with a club lounge, show the front desk staff your annual lounge membership. You can find your memberships in your IHG account's Rewards Wallet under "Rewards to enhance your stay." Click "Redeem," and show the resulting page to the front desk staff. The staff will then add club lounge access to your room key or tell you how to access the lounge.
You can only use your annual lounge membership if you are the primary member of a qualifying stay. An IHG spokesperson told TPG that the member with the annual lounge membership must be the primary member on the reservation so "the hotel will be able to confirm the existence of the Annual Lounge Pass in the account."
In addition to brands like InterContinental, where you might expect to find a club lounge, you'll occasionally find that other IHG brands (like Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn) offer lounges.
Related: Best IHG beach hotels ranging from family-friendly resorts to luxury stays
Is it worth earning an IHG lounge membership?
So, should you select an annual lounge membership at the 40-night or 70-night milestone? And should you strive to stay 40 nights at IHG hotels to earn an annual lounge membership as one of your Milestone Rewards choices?
Unfortunately, the answer isn't always a clear "yes" or "no." My husband redeemed an annual lounge membership in early 2023, and I've gotten to experience a few IHG lounges since then. All the club lounges I've visited offered a good selection of food and drinks, including complimentary alcoholic drinks in the evenings. So, I've been satisfied with our decision to select an annual lounge membership at the 40-night Milestone Rewards tier.
However, you'll also want to consider how much you think you'll use an IHG annual lounge membership. Specifically, you may want to consider how important club lounge availability is to you in the destinations you'll visit. For example, we chose the InterContinental Cartagena de Indias in Colombia and the Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium in Singapore primarily because their award rates were reasonable and we knew the properties had club lounges.
Once you decide the value you think an annual lounge membership would provide, consider the value you'd get from the other Milestone Rewards choices at the 40-night or 70-night tier. For example, at the 40-night milestone tier, would you value having 10,000 bonus points, five $20 food and beverage rewards or one confirmable suite upgrade more than an annual lounge membership? TPG's June 2024 valuations peg the 10,000 bonus points at about $50, while five $20 food and beverage rewards will be worth around $100.
Related: What credit card should you use for IHG stays?
Bottom line
I've been very happy with IHG's annual lounge membership. If you stay at several IHG hotels with club lounges each year, I expect you'll also find it worth selecting an annual lounge membership through IHG's Milestone Rewards program after staying 40 or 70 nights in a calendar year.
However, if you rarely stay at IHG hotels and resorts with club lounges, frequently travel with more than one other person or don't value lounge access, you might not get enough value from an annual lounge membership to justify selecting it over other Milestone Rewards at the 40-night or 70-night tiers.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.