6 things to know about IHG’s little-known hotel brand offering on-post lodging
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
If you frequently stay at IHG Hotels, you’re probably familiar with most of the program’s brands. However, have you heard of IHG Army Hotels? You may be surprised to learn that there are IHG Army Hotels available at 40 U.S. Army posts.
The Privatization of Army Lodging program led to the creation of IHG Army Hotels, founded in 2009. Since then, IHG has renovated existing hotels and built new properties on Army posts. Here’s what you need to know about IHG Army Hotels, including who can stay and what to expect during stays.
Who can stay at IHG Army Hotels?
IHG Army Hotels are on Army posts, so only individuals who can access posts can stay at these hotels. In general, IHG Army Hotels serve:
- Active-duty service members and their families
- Department of Defense employees
- Military contractors
- Military retirees
Each post sets its access requirements. Guests without Department of Defense ID cards should check the post access contact list to determine access requirements before their stay.
Related: Best IHG beach hotels ranging from family-friendly resorts to luxury stays
Benefits at IHG Army Hotels
Many IHG Army Hotels are branded as Candlewood Suites or Holiday Inn Expresses. Guests staying at IHG Army Hotels will find the same perks they’d normally expect from these IHG One Rewards brands. Also, guests can enjoy the following benefits at all IHG Army Hotels regardless of brand:
- Complimentary hot breakfast
- Fitness centers
- Internet access
- Pet-friendly rooms
Many IHG Army Hotels also offer on-post shuttles at select locations, weekly socials and self-service laundry facilities. Contact the specific property you're interested in to learn what amenities they offer.
Related: IHG elite status: What it is and how to earn it
Earning points at IHG Army Hotels
When staying at IHG Army Hotels, you’ll earn 3 IHG points per dollar. Based on TPG’s valuation of IHG points at 0.5 cents each, this equals a return of 1.5%. Note this earning rate is much lower than what you’ll get at most IHG properties located off-post.
However, you can boost the number of IHG points you earn by paying for your stay with a cobranded IHG credit card, such as the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (see rates and fees), IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card (see rates and fees) or IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card (see rates and fees).
Related: How to earn IHG points via stays, credit cards and more
Redeeming points at IHG Army Hotels
You can earn IHG points at IHG Army hotels. However, you usually can’t redeem IHG points at these properties. So, you’ll typically have to redeem your IHG points with IHG One Rewards partners or for IHG stays off-post.
Related: How to maximize redemptions with the IHG One Rewards program
Locations of IHG Army Hotels
Currently, you'll find IHG Army Hotels on 40 posts. You can stay at most IHG Army Hotels for leisure if you can access Army posts. But, in most cases, you would stay at these properties because you must visit a particular post.
Here are the current locations and the number of IHG Army Hotels at each post:
- Alabama: Fort Novosel (2) and Redstone Arsenal (1)
- Alaska: Fort Wainwright (1)
- Arizona: Fort Huachuca (2) and Yuma Proving Ground (2)
- California: Fort Hunter Liggett (1), Parks RFTA (1) and Presidio of Monterey (1)
- Colorado: Fort Carson (1)
- Georgia: Fort Eisenhower (2), Fort Moore (2), Fort Stewart (1) and Hunter Army Airfield (2)
- Hawaii: Tripler Army Medical/Fort Shafter (2)
- Kansas: Fort Leavenworth (2) and Fort Riley (2)
- Kentucky: Fort Campbell (1) and Fort Knox (4)
- Louisiana: Fort Johnson (1)
- Maryland: Aberdeen Proving Ground (1) and Fort Meade (1)
- Missouri: Fort Leonard Wood (4)
- New Mexico: White Sands Missile Range (1)
- New York: Fort Drum (1), Fort Hamilton (1) and West Point (2)
- North Carolina: Fort Liberty (2)
- Oklahoma: Fort Sill (3)
- Pennsylvania: Carlisle Barracks (1)
- Puerto Rico: Fort Buchanan (1)
- South Carolina: Fort Jackson (4)
- Texas: Fort Bliss (2), Fort Cavazos (2) and Joint Base San Antonio (5)
- Utah: Dugway Proving Ground (1)
- Virginia: Fort Belvoir (2), Fort Gregg-Adams (2) and Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (1)
- Washington: Joint Base Lewis-McChord (4)
- Wisconsin: Fort McCoy (1)
Related: The best credit cards for active duty military: Get waived annual fees
IHG military discount
Even if there isn’t an IHG Army Hotels property at your destination, you may still be able to save by staying with IHG.
U.S. government, state and local personnel can use the Government Discount rate for extra savings when traveling on official business. Active-duty and veteran military personnel can book using the Military Appreciation rate when traveling for personal reasons.
Related: The best military travel discounts and perks for service members
Bottom line
IHG Army Hotels is a brand most travelers may not realize exists. However, these hotels can provide eligible travelers with an affordable and convenient option when visiting Army posts. So, if you have access to Army posts, you may find IHG Army Hotels useful for both official and leisure stays.
TPG featured card
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| 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
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- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
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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.