IHG One Rewards (rebranded from IHG Rewards Club in 2022) is the loyalty programme for the InterContinental Hotels Group — InterContinental, Six Senses, Regent, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn. The programme has improved substantially in 2022-2024 but remains a secondary choice for most luxury travellers.
The status tiers
Five tiers:
Member (default)
Standard earning.
Silver Elite (10 nights, 20,000 points, or via credit card)
10% bonus points. Limited practical benefit.
Gold Elite (40 nights, 60,000 points, or via Premier credit card)
20% bonus points, late check-out subject to availability, welcome amenity at upper-tier brands.
Platinum Elite (40 nights, 60,000 points, or via Premier credit card)
40% bonus points, room upgrade subject to availability, late check-out, welcome amenity, complimentary internet.
Diamond Elite (70 nights, 120,000 points, or via Premier credit card)
100% bonus points, complimentary breakfast at most properties, suite upgrade subject to availability, 4pm late check-out guaranteed, executive lounge access at most properties.
What IHG One Rewards delivers
Three honest assessments:
Strength: InterContinental and Six Senses portfolio
InterContinental at major cities (London, Paris, Hong Kong, Sydney) is genuinely strong. Six Senses (now within IHG) has built a strong wellness-luxury reputation. Travellers focused on these specifically benefit from IHG.
Strength: 4th-night-free on points stays
IHG includes a 4th-night-free benefit for points stays. For travellers who frequently book 4+ night points stays, this is a meaningful value driver.
Weakness: brand range below upper tier
The IHG portfolio below Six Senses and InterContinental (Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn) is mid-market. The benefits at these brands are less meaningful than at Marriott's or Hilton's mid-tier brands.
The IHG credit card play
The senior IHG card:
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card ($99/year)
Includes Platinum Elite status. Free night certificate at properties up to 40,000 points annually. 4th-night-free benefit on cash stays.
For IHG-loyal travellers, this is the obvious card. The annual fee is recouped through the free night certificate alone.
IHG redemption strategy
Three rules:
Rule 1: focus on InterContinental and Six Senses
Points value at upper-tier IHG brands is dramatically higher than at Holiday Inn. Save points for the InterContinental in major cities and Six Senses properties.
Rule 2: use the 4th-night-free aggressively
The 4-night-free benefit produces 25% effective discount on extended points stays. Plan trips to take advantage.
Rule 3: status match to Hilton Diamond when relevant
IHG's Diamond Elite status matches against Hilton Diamond. If you're a Hilton Diamond holder and want IHG access, the match is straightforward.
Where IHG underperforms
Three specific scenarios:
- The single primary loyalty programme for travellers who do not specifically use InterContinental or Six Senses (Marriott or Hyatt is better)
- High-volume mid-market business travel (Hilton's mid-tier benefits exceed IHG's)
- Pure points-redemption optimisation (Hyatt's redemption math is better)
For IHG to be the right primary programme, the traveller needs to specifically benefit from InterContinental or Six Senses brands.
Five rules for IHG One Rewards use
- Hold the Premier card for automatic Platinum status
- Use IHG as a secondary programme alongside Hyatt, Marriott, or Hilton
- Redeem points specifically at InterContinental in major cities or Six Senses properties
- Use the 4th-night-free benefit on extended stays
- Status match to Hilton Diamond if you also hold Hilton status
For more, see the loyalty pillar.
