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IHG One Rewards is the loyalty program for InterContinental Hotels Group, which includes over 6,000 properties across 19 brands in more than 100 countries. While IHG’s program historically lagged behind competitors like Hyatt or Marriott, recent upgrades have made it far more compelling—especially with the introduction of Milestone Rewards, elite breakfast benefits, and better ways to earn and redeem points.
Whether you're booking a luxury InterContinental or an affordable Holiday Inn Express, this guide breaks down how to get the most out of IHG One Rewards.
What is IHG One Rewards?
IHG One Rewards is the free to join loyalty program for all IHG properties. Members earn points through hotel stays, co-branded credit cards, promotions, and partners. Points can be redeemed for free night awards, and elite status can be earned for benefits across the program.
IHG uses dynamic award pricing (no fixed chart), so award nights can fluctuate significantly based on cash price and demand. And unlike a program like Hilton, there is no hard cap on IHG award prices.
IHG’s portfolio spans everything from budget-friendly options to high-end luxury resorts. The 19 brands fall roughly into these categories:
- Luxury: Six Senses, Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels
- Premium: HUALUXE, voco, EVEN Hotels, Crowne Plaza
- Midscale: Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, avid hotels
- Extended Stay: Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites
Redeeming IHG Rewards Points
IHG uses dynamic pricing with no fixed award chart. Hotel award rates typically range from 5,000 to 120,000+ points per night, depending on brand, location, and date.
However, there is no max, and some of the top Six Senses properties can go for over 150,000 points per night.
Award redemptions are available for standard rooms, which are defined individually by each hotel.
4th Night Free Awards
One of the best perks for cardholders: if you book 4 consecutive nights with points, you’ll only pay for 3.
Those with the IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card, IHG Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, or IHG Rewards Traveler Credit Card booking a 4-night award stay get every 4th night for free. For IHG, the way this works is if you book a 4-night stay at a hotel that costs 20,000 points per night, you would only pay 60,000 points total since the 4th night is free. You can find great value with this perk if you time up the 4th night of your stay on a particular expensive night, due to the nature of dynamic pricing. Given dynamic pricing, the 4th night may cost more than the first 3 nights – but cardholders get the 4th night free on an award stay even when the 4th night is more expensive. This benefit can be used an unlimited number of times.
Free Night Certificates
IHG Rewards Premier and IHG Rewards Premier Business cardholders get a free night certificate each year, valid at properties costing up to 40,000 points. You can also top off the cert with additional points if your desired hotel costs more than 40K.
How to Earn IHG One Rewards Points
IHG members earn points in a variety of ways, but the most common are hotel stays and credit card spend.
1. IHG Credit Cards
IHG cards are issued by Chase. All cards offer the 4th Night Free perk, elite status, bonus points on IHG stays, and more.
2. Staying at IHG Hotels
Base members earn 10x points per dollar at most IHG brands (excluding taxes and fees), with some exceptions: Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites earn 5x per dollar and points can’t be earned on award stays
Elite members earn a bonus on top of the base rate:
- Silver: 12x per dollar
- Gold: 14x per dollar
- Platinum: 16x per dollar
- Diamond: 20x per dollar
IHG frequently runs global promotions offering additional bonus points.
3. Other Ways to Earn Points
IHG offers other, less common ways to earn points, including:
- Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards (1:1 ratio)
- Book IHG experiences
- Use IHG’s shopping or dining portals
How to Earn IHG Free Nights
IHG One Rewards Credit Cards
IHG Rewards Premier and IHG Rewards Premier Business cardholders get a free night certificate each year, valid at properties costing up to 40,000 points. You can also top off the cert with additional points if your desired hotel costs more than 40K.
InterContinental Ambassador Status
Members with InterContinental Ambassador elite status (more on that later) earn a free weekend night award each year. Members of the Royal Ambassador program (invitation only) receive a 70,000-point free night annually.
IHG Elite Status & Benefits
IHG status is not as valuable as many other award programs. One of the main elite status perks of the IHG One Rewards program is increased earnings on paid stays. In addition to earnings boosts, elite members enjoy other perks such as points not expiring, late checkout, early check-in, and complimentary upgrades (subject to availability and hotel discretion).
Here’s a breakdown of IHG's elite status levels and benefits:
BRAND
Status Level
How to earn status
Key Benefits
Silver
10 elite qualifying nights or hold the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
20% bonus on base points, points don't expire
Gold
20 elite qualifying nights or 40,000 elite qualifying points
40% bonus, priority check-in
Platinum
40 elite qualifying nights or 60,000 elite qualifying points, or hold the IHG One Rewards Premier or Premier Business Credit Card
60% bonus, 2pm late checkout, room upgrades
Diamond
70 elite qualifying nights or 120,000 elite qualifying points
100% bonus, free breakfast, 24/7 Diamond support
InterContinental Ambassador Status
The IHG Ambassador program is a paid program that can offers solid value if you are a big IHG fan and you make good use of the free weekend night certificate. Guaranteed room upgrades and 4pm late checkout can also be quite valuable under the right circumstances. The $20 per stay food & beverage credit is a nice bonus as well.
The InterContinental Ambassador elite status program has two levels: InterContinental Ambassador and Royal Ambassador. InterContinental Ambassador costs either $225 or 45,000 IHG points. Royal Ambassador is invitation only.
IHG Milestone Rewards
Once you hit 20 nights in a calendar year, you’ll unlock Milestone Rewards every 10 nights—choose from the following perks:
Courtesy of IHG
IHG Points Expiration Policy
IHG points expire after 12 months of inactivity. However, almost all points activity reset the clock, and points never expire if you have Silver Elite status or above.
Final Thoughts
While IHG still isn’t as generous as Hyatt on the redemption side, the program’s huge footprint and credit card benefits can make it a viable program for frequent travelers.
The IHG One Rewards hotel program is especially valuable for travelers who hold one of the co-branded Chase cards. With elite status perks, Milestone Rewards, and solid redemption value through the 4th night free benefit, there’s a lot to like—even without a fixed award chart.
Editorial note: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
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