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Guides
How much value does the IHG One Rewards program provide when you book directly?
Featured image by MIGUEL NUNEZ/INTERCONTINENTAL PRESIDENTE COZUMEL/FACEBOOK
Katie Genter is a digital nomad who has traveled full time since June 2017. She writes and edits stories about points and miles, and loyalty programs, often letting her personal experiences color these stories.
February 9, 2025 • 10 min read
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Quick summary
IHG One Rewards offers value through points earned on direct bookings, on-site elite perks and Milestone Rewards for frequent guests.
Points are worth 0.5 cents each as of February 2025 per TPG's valuations, but actual redemption value may vary based on how you use them.
Milestone Rewards start at 20 nights per year and include choices like bonus points, food-and-beverage rewards, confirmable suite upgrades or annual lounge membership.
Booking directly with IHG or approved channels is required to receive earnings and benefits; third-party bookings typically do not qualify.
What to consider
Many elite perks, such as late checkout and room upgrades, are subject to availability and not guaranteed.
Milestone Rewards offer increasing benefits at specific night thresholds, with some options limited to one per year.
Elite status can be earned through qualifying nights or points, and some alternative methods exist for status upgrades.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of Milestone Rewards options and how to estimate the value of elite perks and points based on your travel patterns.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
There's plenty of value to be found in the IHG One Rewards program. However, you'll usually need to book an eligible rate directly with IHG to enjoy earnings and benefits. Here's what you need to know.
What value does IHG One Rewards provide?
When you book directly, the IHG One Rewards program provides value in three primary areas: earnings, on-site benefits and Milestone Rewards. Here are important considerations for each aspect.
Value of points earned on stays
It’s worth considering how much the points you’ll earn will be worth if you book a qualifying rate directly. As an IHG member, you’ll earn points at a set rate for qualifying stays booked directly with IHG. Plus, members with IHG elite status earn bonus points on top of these rewards.
Here’s a look at the earning rates for stays based on the brand and your elite status.
Property
Club member
Silver Elite (20% bonus)
Gold Elite (40% bonus)
Platinum Elite (60% bonus)
Diamond Elite (100% bonus)
Most IHG-branded hotels
10 points per dollar
12 points per dollar
14 points per dollar
16 points per dollar
20 points per dollar
Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites and Residences
The Venetian Resort Las Vegas and The Palazzo at The Venetian Resort (only for bookings made before Jan. 1 for stays through March 31)
2,000 points per stay
2,400 points per stay
2,800 points per stay
3,200 points per stay
4,000 points per stay
Based on TPG's February 2025 valuations, IHG points are worth 0.5 cents each. This means that on $1,000 of qualifying expenses at most IHG-branded hotels, a Club member would earn 10,000 points worth $50, a Silver Elite member would earn 12,000 points worth $60, a Gold Elite member would earn 14,000 points worth $70, a Platinum Elite member would earn 16,000 points worth $80 and a Diamond Elite member would earn 20,000 points worth $100.
So, you'll want to consider the value of the IHG points you'll earn when you decide how to book your stay. This becomes even more important if you usually get more value from your IHG points than TPG's valuations indicate. For example, I usually get around 0.75 cents per point when redeeming IHG points, which means 20,000 points would be worth around $150 to me instead of the $100 indicated by TPG's valuations.
It’s not easy to estimate how much value you’ll get from on-site perks since the value will be different for each IHG member. So, I recommend considering the elite status perks you plan to use during each stay to determine the value of those on-site perks for yourself.
InterContinental Phuket Resort in Thailand. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
For example, even as a Club member, you can request late checkout (subject to availability) up to 2 p.m. If approved, this benefit could provide significant value. However, as late checkout is subject to hotel availability and upon request, you often won't know whether your request is approved until your checkout morning.
The benefits become more valuable at the Platinum Elite tier, where you're eligible for complimentary upgrades (subject to availability), early check-in (subject to availability) and a check-in welcome amenity choice of points or drink and snack. Room upgrades are given at the hotel's discretion but, according to the program's terms and conditions, may include "suites, rooms on higher floors, corner rooms, newly renovated rooms, or rooms with preferred views."
The top-tier IHG elite status — Diamond Elite — doesn't get many incremental on-site benefits compared to Platinum Elite status. But Diamond Elite members get an additional welcome amenity choice at full service and select service hotels of daily breakfast for the member and a guest registered to their room. This benefit alone can easily provide at least $20 per night of value in most destinations — and significantly more value at some properties.
Breakfast at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia in Georgia. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
However, the value of on-site benefits will vary. Many benefits are subject to availability, which means they may not be available when you want or need them most. Although I usually get a higher floor or better view, I've rarely gotten spectacular upgrades at IHG hotels and resorts without using a confirmable suite upgrade. But if you frequently stay at brands like Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites that offer complimentary breakfast for all guests, the breakfast option for Diamond Elite members won't provide much value.
One important benefit IHG added to its loyalty program during the 2022 rebrand is Milestone Rewards. Through IHG Milestone Rewards, members can earn additional benefits for every 10 nights they stay, starting at just 20 nights in a calendar year.
Here's a look at the Milestone Rewards you can earn at specific milestones each calendar year:
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
Club InterContinental Lounge at the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort in Australia. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
TPG's valuations peg the value of 10,000 bonus points at $50, and you can value food-and-beverage rewards at around face value. Meanwhile, the value of a confirmable suite upgrade or annual lounge membership will vary depending on how you use it. I value confirmable suite upgrades around $200 each and an annual lounge membership around $500.
Like most hotel chains, IHG One Rewards generally only provides benefits or earnings on bookings made directly with IHG or through other approved channels.
Six Senses Yao Noi in Thailand. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
The IHG One Rewards terms and conditions state the following are eligible booking methods for qualifying stays: "IHG Customer Care, IHG websites, the IHG One Rewards app, IHG WeChat mini program, Iberostar website, Iberostar Contact Center, IberostarPro, authorized travel agents (excluding online travel agents such as Expedia.com and booking.com, and unauthorized agents on online vertical travel portals), or directly at the hotel."
So, don’t expect to get earnings or benefits when you book through an online travel agent. For this reason, I almost always book my stays at IHG hotels and resorts directly.
All IHG members are at least Club members, but you can earn IHG elite status through the end of the following calendar year each calendar year you meet the following requirements:
Silver Elite status: 10 qualifying nights
Gold Elite status: 20 qualifying nights or 40,000 qualifying points
Platinum Elite status: 40 qualifying nights or 60,000 qualifying points
Diamond Elite status: 70 qualifying nights or 120,000 qualifying points
Holiday Inn Johannesburg Airport in South Africa. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
There are also other ways to earn IHG elite status. For example, you’ll be upgraded to Platinum Elite status if you purchase InterContinental Ambassador status. You can also get IHG elite status as a benefit of the following IHG credit cards:
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (see rates and fees) and IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card (see rates and fees): Get automatic Platinum Elite status as a cardholder perk and earn Diamond Elite status through the end of the following calendar year each calendar year you make purchases totaling $40,000 or more with your card.
United Club℠ Card (see ): Enroll in IHG Platinum Elite status as a cardholder perk.
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card (see rates and fees): Get automatic Silver Elite status as a cardholder perk and earn Gold Elite status through the end of the following calendar year each calendar year you make purchases totaling $20,000 or more with your card.
Best of all, if you apply for the IHG Premier card, you can earn a welcome bonus of 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
I continue to get good value from the IHG One Rewards program. I enjoy choosing breakfast as a welcome amenity at select-service and full-service hotels with Diamond Elite status. However, I primarily continue to use the IHG One Rewards program for its Milestone Rewards and the value I can get when redeeming IHG points.
If you only stay with IHG occasionally, you might not find a reason to book directly. But booking your stays directly is likely worthwhile if you stay enough to earn even the first Milestone Reward at 20 nights per calendar year. After all, you could select a confirmable suite upgrade after just 20 nights, which could let you secure an entry-level suite or premium room type up to 14 days before arrival for a stay of up to five nights.
