Learn the Secrets of the IHG One Rewards Program — and How to Maximize Your Points

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) is the world's leading hotel and hospitality organization, with over 6,000 hotels in more than 100 countries around the world. Wherever you’re traveling, there's a good chance that one of IHG’s 18 brands has a hotel there. With that in mind, it makes sense to get to know the IHG One Rewards program.

Read on to learn more about how this program works and why becoming a member makes sense.

What is the IHG One Rewards program?

IHG One Rewards is the hotel loyalty program for IHG. It’s free to join, and it offers members the opportunity to earn valuable rewards that can be redeemed for hotel stays, exclusive events, airline travel, and more.

The more often you stay at IHG properties, the bigger the loyalty benefits. The basic membership offers perks like complimentary internet, a $30 in-room spa credit, and two free Amazon Kindle books every year. Top-tier members get spoiled with complimentary room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout, and Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Five Star Status.

How to earn IHG One Rewards program points

There are several ways IHG One Rewards members can earn points, including the following:

Spend on Chase IHG One Rewards credit cards

Chase has two IHG One Rewards credit cards – the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card and the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card.

The IHG One Rewards Premier is the best hotel credit card of the two. The annual free night that comes with the Premier Card warrants paying the higher annual fee of $99 (vs. $0 for the Traveler card). But there are additional benefits that make this card a great choice. These perks include automatic Platinum Elite status, points bonuses, and Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $120 every 4 years. 

Stay at an IHG hotel or resort

With more than 6,000 hotels and resorts around the world, finding an IHG property where you want to stay is simple. There are 18 IHG hotel brands to choose from — each catering to a different type of traveler.

During your stay, you'll earn IHG One Rewards points based on the number of dollars you spend on your room and on dining. During most stays at IHG hotels, you earn 10 points for every dollar you spend, but Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites only offer five points per dollar.

You can also earn an additional 500 points on stays of two nights or more when you decline housekeeping at participating hotels.

Book meetings at IHG properties

If you're planning a meeting for your office or an event for family and friends, consider hosting that event at an IHG hotel or resort.

As the meeting organizer, you'll receive triple IHG One Rewards points for qualified group stays, meetings, or events. If there are 10 or more qualified guest rooms per night, then your event will receive a complimentary meeting space. You must be a registered IHG Business Rewards Member to take advantage of this offer.

Purchase points

You can purchase IHG One Rewards points to increase your balance and redeem for hotel reservations and other goodies. However, these points don’t count toward Elite status.

Points purchases and transfers are handled through Points.com and may take up to 72 hours to post to your account. You can buy a maximum of 100,000 points per year. And the most that you may receive as a gift is also 100,000 points per year.

Prices start at $13.50 for 1,000 IHG One Rewards points. But IHG offers quantity discounts if you buy more in a single transaction. Promotions are also available at different times of the year where you'll receive bonus points based on the size of your purchase.

IHG partner programs

IHG One Rewards partner programs also provide opportunities to earn even more points. For example, you can score additional rewards on meals at participating restaurants when you sign up for the IHG One Rewards Dine & Earn program. Signing up for both the IHG One Rewards and IHG One Rewards Dine & Earn can help you maximize your total points.

Additional ways to earn include purchasing Apple products, completing surveys, and booking rental cars with Hertz.

How to redeem your IHG One Rewards program points

Although you have several options to redeem points, you get the most bang for your IHG One Rewards buck by booking at an IHG hotel.

Book a room with IHG

To book a room using IHG One Rewards points, start your search at IHG.com. Before clicking “Search," set your rate preference to "Reward Nights." This will tell IHG that you want to use points to book your room.

Rooms range from 10,000 points to 70,000 points per night, and premium rooms may cost extra. IHG has some incredible hotels like the Kimpton Seafire Resort in Grand Cayman (70,000 points per night) and the InterContinental Paris - Le Grand (70,000 points per night).

Reservations booked with points count toward Elite status qualification.

Points & Cash reservations

Even with the great welcome offer and earning options through the Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, you may still run out of points eventually. This is where Points & Cash Reservations come in.

With these reservations, you can book hotel rooms at IHG properties even if you don't have enough points. When performing a normal search, click the "Points & Cash" button to see if your desired hotel is participating. If so, you're effectively buying the missing points for 0.72 cents each, which is lower than the price Points.com charges.

PointBreaks offers

IHG PointBreaks are limited-time offers at selected hotels where the cost is as low as 5,000 points per night. If the locations fit your travel plans, these are excellent redemptions for your points that can really stretch your balance further. These hotel rooms sell out quickly, so if you see a room you want to book, reserve it right away.

Prices for these PointsBreak offers are 5,000; 10,000; or 15,000 points per night. You’re limited to booking a maximum of two reservations at each hotel during the promotional period.

Transfer to airline partners

IHG points transfer to 39 different airlines. Most exchanges are 10,000 IHG points for 2,000 miles, but these numbers vary by airline. Some airlines you might recognize include Air France, Delta, JetBlue, and United.

Because you’re giving up so many points to receive so few miles, I recommend only transferring points to top off your account to book an award flight.

IHG One Rewards tiers explained

There are five Elite tiers with the IHG One Rewards, and the fifth is a paid membership. Members start out as a Club Member and can earn their way to Spire Elite status. Spire Elite members are rewarded for their loyalty with complimentary room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout, and custom stay preferences.

Spire Elite members also have the option to become InterContinental Ambassadors. This membership tier costs $200 per year and offers benefits for staying at InterContinental hotels, such as one free weekend night per year and complimentary breakfast each day. Additionally, Kimpton Inner Circle membership has unpublished criteria and is available by invitation only. Benefits from this program, such a customized welcome amenity, are offered for stays at Kimpton properties.

Common questions about the IHG One Rewards program

Although the IHG One Rewards program is pretty straightforward, questions still come up. Here are some of the most common questions we hear from travelers:

How to sign up for the IHG One Rewards program

Signing up for IHG One Rewards is simple. It’s free to join and only takes a couple of minutes. Here's how to create your account so you can start earning valuable IHG One Rewards points:

1. Go to the IHG One Rewards site
2. Click "Join Now"
3. Provide your personal information and create a PIN code
4. Receive email confirmation with your member number

Now you're ready to book your first stay and start earning points with IHG and its partners.

The final word on the IHG One Rewards program

The IHG One Rewards program is a solid option for travelers. There are several ways to earn rewards, and you can maximize your points when you sign up for this program and open one of the best travel credit cards linked to this program, like the Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card. Once you’re approved for the Premier Card, you’ll automatically earn Platinum Elite status, and you'll be treated like a loyal IHG member from your first stay.

Earn an Annual Free Night

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

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IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

Compare Credit Cards

Current Offer

Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Annual Fee

$99

Rewards Rate

up to 26X total points on stays at IHG hotels & resorts; 5X points on travel, gas stations, and restaurants; and 3X points on all other purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Up to 26X total points at IHG hotels & resorts
• Earn 5X points on travel, gas stations, and restaurants, 3X points on all other purchases
• Free night every year
• Fourth reward night free

Drawbacks

• Has annual fee

Card Details

• Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• up to 26X total points on stays at IHG hotels & resorts; 5X points on travel, gas stations, and restaurants; and 3X points on all other purchases