IHG Rewards Club Overview
IHG Rewards Club, formerly known as Priority Club, is the Intercontinental Hotels Group loyalty program. It allows you to earn rewards at more than 5,000 properties within IHG’s extensive network of hotels, including InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Candlewood and Staybridge Suites properties.
The program has some unique features such as “PointBreaks” and a great “Best Rate Guaranteed” Feature.
This in-depth guide will provide you with a complete overview of the program and some great tip for how to earn more points and maximize the redemption options!
IHG Rewards Club Levels: Elite Status and Benefits
The IHG Rewards Club program has three levels of elite status: Gold, Platinum and Spire. When you first enroll in the IHG Rewards program, you will be at the Club level, which does count as “Status” and has some benefits, but not “Elite Status” since it is awarded automatically upon joining.
Join the IHG Rewards Club Program Here…
Hotel Nights and Points Required for Rewards Club Elite Status
- Club – Just sign up and you’re at the Club Level
- Gold – 10 qualified nights or 10,000 Elite Qualifying Points
- Platinum – 40 qualified nights or 40,000 Elite Qualifying Points
- Spire – 75 qualified nights or 75,000 Elite Qualifying Points
**Qualifying Points are points earned from Qualifying Rates paid for hotel stays, spend on IHG Rewards Club credit cards, select partner activity, IHG Rewards Club Bonus Points Packages, and Qualified Spend through IHG Business Rewards are considered Qualifying Points and are counted towards Elite status
IHG Rewards Gold Benefits
After staying 10 qualifying nights or earning 10,000 qualifying Rewards Club points, you will reach IHG Rewards Gold Status. Some of the benefits that come with Gold Elite Status are:
- Late Check out
- Free WiFi
- Points don’t expire (although this is a bit of a false benefit – by definition, if you are staying enough to earn Gold Status you are keeping you account active and therefore would not lose points due to inactivity in a 12 month period)
- Reward nights count toward elite status
- 10% Bonus on top of base point earnings
IHG Rewards Platinum Benefits
After staying 40 qualifying nights or earning 40,000 qualifying Rewards Club points, you will reach IHG Rewards Platinum Status. Platinum members receive all the benefits that come with Gold Elite Status, plus:
- 50% Bonus on top of base point earnings
- Elite Rollover Nights
- Complimentary Room Upgrades (subject to availability – includes rooms on higher floors, corner rooms, newly renovated rooms, or rooms with preferred views – hotels are not required to upgrade to suites)
- Guaranteed Room Availability (with 72 hours advanced notice)
IHG Rewards Spire Benefits
After staying 75 qualifying nights or earning 75,000 qualifying Rewards Club points, you will reach IHG Rewards Spire Status. Spire members receive all the benefits that come with Platinum Elite Status, plus:
- 100% Bonus on top of base point earnings
- Exclusive Choice Benefit upon earning Spire Status (choose to either receive a 25,000 annual point bonus or to gift Platinum Elite to a family member or friend)
Intercontinental Ambassador Status
As an IHG Rewards Club member, you may also purchase InterContinental Ambassador status. This status entitles you to higher levels of recognition and only applies to stays at Intercontinental hotels.
Intercontinental Ambassador Status will cost you $200/year and provides the following benefits when you stay at Intercontinental Hotels:
- Guaranteed room upgrade
- Fresh fruit upon arrival
- In-room water
- In-room gift
- Single-room rate for double occupancy
- Extended checkout—up to 4pm
- Dedicated Ambassador check-in area
- Complimentary pay-TV film per stay
- Complimentary newspaper, delivered daily
- Complimentary weekend night certificate
- Elite status in IHG Rewards Club
- 5,000 bonus IHG Rewards Club points
Intercontinental Ambassador Status Levels
- Gold Ambassador
- Platinum Ambassador
- Spire Ambassador
- Royal Ambassador
Upon purchase of InterContinental Ambassador status, IHG Rewards Club members who are Club or Gold Elite members will receive Gold Ambassador status upon enrolment. All InterContinental Ambassador members can earn Platinum Ambassador or Spire Ambassador or be invited to Royal Ambassador status.
When staying at IHG properties, other than Intercontinental Hotels, Gold Ambassador members will receive Gold Elite benefits; Platinum Ambassador members will receive Platinum Elite benefits; and Spire Ambassador and Royal Ambassador members will receive Spire Elite.
Royal Ambassador status is the highest level of Ambassador status and is offered by invitation only. For Royal Ambassador member stays at InterContinental Hotels and Resorts in US, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe a room upgrade to a category two tiers higher than the original booking shall be available to all Royal Ambassador members. Club lounge access must also be given.
Kimpton Karma Rewards Program
Even though Kimpton was acquired by IHG on December 16, 2014, they are currently keeping their rewards programs separate. From a rewards program standpoint, the only similarity is that they are ultimately owned by the same parent. There are no reciprocal arrangements for IHG Rewards members at Kimpton or for Kimpton Karma members at IHG properties. You can’t earn or redeem IHG points at Kimpton properties, and vice versa.
That said, there has been a lot of conversation that the two programs will merge sometime in 2017. As of now, no details have been released.
How to Earn IHG Rewards Club Points
You can earn IHG Rewards Club Points by staying at IHG hotels, participating in promotions, buying goods and services through IHG partners and via credit cards – both IHG Co-Branded and Chase Ultimate Rewards Cards.
Earn IHG Rewards Points from hotel stays
You will earn 10 points for every dollar you spend when staying at IHG properties, other than Staybridge and Candlewood Suites where you will earn 5 points for every dollar spent.
Earn IHG Rewards Club Points at The Venetian and Palazzo in Las Vegas
The Venetian and Palazzo are not part of the Intercontinental Alliance Resort program, so you will earn 2,000 points for each qualifying stay.
IHG Rewards Club Promotions
IHG offers promotions on a quarterly basis to help you earn more points, faster.
| Promotion Description | Register | |
|---|---|---|
 | IHG Rewards Club "Accelerate" Promotion - Q1 2017: Earn at least 30,000 Bonus IHG Rewards Club Points when you stay at IHG Hotels Worldwide. Exact details of the offer will vary from member to member. Register to find out your offer! Expires 4/15/2017 |  |
| IHG Bonus Point Package Book an IHG Rewards Club Bonus Points Package and earn up to 5,000 bonus points on your stay at a participating hotel | |
| IHG "PointBreaks": Find great IHG Properties with Reward Nights for only 5,000 points per night | |
IHG Rewards Club Dining
You can earn IHG Rewards club points every time you eat at select restaurants by signing up for the IHG Rewards Dining program with Rewards Network. All you have to do is sign up and register your credit card. When you visit any one of the 11,000+ participating restaurants and bars and pay with your registered credit card you will earn up to 8 points for every dollar you spend on dining, including taxes and tip.
One of the best ways to use this program is to keep your points active. If you have been inactive in the IHG Rewards program, you won’t want your lose your points due to 12 months of inactivity. Just register a card, go buy a pizza from a participating pizza shop and you will ensure you don’t lose any of those IHG Rewards Club points you have built up.
Earn IHG Rewards Club Points with Hertz Car Rental
IHG Rewards Club members can save 35% and earn at least 1,500 points when renting with Hertz.
As an IHG Rewards Club Elite Status member, you can get further benefits and more points with your rental.
Credit Cards That Earn IHG Rewards Club Points
There are two ways to earn IHG Rewards Club points from credit cards – co-branded loyalty cards and cards with transfer options.
The IHG Rewards Club Co-Branded Credit Card will allow you to earn IHG points on every purchase you make. The points will show up automatically in your IHG Rewards Club account each month
Transfer points through Chase. Chase Ultimate Rewards Points can also be transferred to IHG Rewards at a rate of 1:1. The following cards earn Chase Ultimate Rewards Points:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
- Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card
- Chase Freedom Credit Card
- Chase Ink Plus Business Credit Card
Transfer points through Diners Club. Diners Club “Club Rewards” can also be transferred to IHG Rewards Points at a ratio of 1,500 Club Rewards Points: 1,250 IHG Rewards Club Points. The following cards earn Diners Club “Club Rewards”:
How to use your points – IHG Rewards Club Redemption Options
You can use you IHG points for anything from free nights, to frequent flyer miles to shopping, gift cards and more. Just be careful, so options get a much better “return” on your points than others.
Use your points for Free Hotel Nights
You can use your points for free nights at IHG hotels and resorts for as little as 10,000 points per night, up to 60,000 points per night for high-end Intercontinental properties.
IHG Rewards Points and Cash – If you are coming up a little short on points you can use the Cash and Points option. These rates will automatically show up when you search for award nights.
There is also a Travel Hack called the Points and Cash Trick, where you can use this method to get IHG points for less than $0.70 each
IHG Rewards Club PointBreaks
Every three months or so IHG will release a list of properties that are available for only 5,000 points per night – these are called IHG Rewards Club PointBreaks. The generally well over 100 hotels on the list many of which are Holiday Inn Express, but you can also find some Intercontinental Hotels and a couple of nicer Holiday Inn’s and Crowne Plaza hotels. The value can be great – at a minimum you are getting the lower end hotels at 50% off and you can get getting some propertied that go for 25,000 – 30,000 points per night for 5,000 point – that 80%+ off the “points price” of a room!
The challenge with this is getting the location and timing lined up with your schedule. Additionally, their are a limited number of rooms available for PointBreaks at the featured properties, so you need to sign up fast when the list comes out Most times it will not work, but every once in a while the stars align and you will have a great deal!
Transfer IHG Rewards Points to Frequent Flyer Miles
IHG Rewards Points can be transferred to a large number of airlines for frequent flyer miles. The point to mile ratio varies, but the majority are 10,000 IHG points for 2,000 frequent flyer miles. The transfer time can take 4-6 weeks, so if you need miles quick, this is not the best option.
Use IHG Points for Shopping
IHG has a shopping portal where you can use your points to buy magazines, coffee makers, jewelry, electronics, and much more.
IHG Discounts and Promo Codes
If you have plans to stay at an IHG property in the near future make sure to check out the latest discounts and best rate guarantee offers below:
| Coupon Description | Coupon Link | |
|---|---|---|
 | IHG Deals Worldwide! Get the latest deals and discounts at all IHG Hotels Worldwide! |  |
| IHG Rewards Club Member Deals IHG Rewards Club Members Only - Special Discounts, Promotions and Offers | |
| IHG Bonus Point Package Book an IHG Rewards Club Bonus Points Package and earn up to 5,000 bonus points on your stay at a participating hotel | |
| Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America Deals Make an escape to Mexico, Latin America or the Caribbean with a romantic, weekend getaway, or family vacation packages at the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts! | |
 | Save by Booking Early at Candlewood Suites Save up to 30% at Candlewood Suites when you book early | |
| Book One, Two and Three Bedroom Suites and feel at home at Candlewood Suites! | |
| Military and Government Rates Special rates for military and government employees at Candlewood Suites! | |
 | Save by Booking Early at Crowne Plaza Save at least 20% at Crowne Plaza Hotels when you book early | |
| AARP / Senior Citizen Rates at Crowne Plaza Members of AARP receive a minimum of 10% off regular rates at Crowne Plaza locations. | |
| Crowne Plaza Best Rate Guarantee Get Crowne Plaza's Best Price Guarantee or your first night is free! | |
| Crowne Plaza Best Flex Rate Book your hotel stay with Crowne Plaza's Best Flex with Breakfast rate and enjoy all your morning favorites! | |
 | Save with Early Bookings at EVEN Hotels Save between 10-30% off at EVEN Hotels when you book early! | |
| Get Bonus IHG Rewards Points at EVEN Hotels NYC Discover EVEN Hotel Midtown East in New York City and earn up to 10,000 IHG Rewards Club bonus points on your stay. Expires 3/31/2017 | |
 | Holiday Inn Best Rate Guarantee Get Holiday Inn's Best Price Guarantee or your first night is free! | |
| Dinner, B&B Deals Get Holiday Inn Dinner, Bed and Breakfast Deals | |
| Save with Early Bookings at Holiday Inn Save 10-30% when you book early at Holiday Inn! | |
| Free Breakfast and Free Wi-Fi at Holiday Inn | |
| Kids Stay & Eat Free at Holiday Inn! | |
| Military and Government Rates Special rates for military and government employees at Holiday Inn! | |
 | Save with Early Bookings at Holiday Inn Express Save between 10-30% when you book early at Holiday Inn Express | |
| Holiday Inn Express Best Rate Guarantee Get the Holiday Inn Express Best Price Guarantee or your first night is free! | |
| Military and Government Rates Special rates for military and government employees at Holiday Inn Express! | |
 | Save with Early Bookings at Holiday Inn Resorts Save up to 20% when you book early at Holiday Inn Resorts! | |
 | Save with Early Bookings at Hotel Indigo Save between 10-30% at Hotel Indigo when you Book Early! | |
| Hotel Indigo Best Rate Guarantee Get Hotel Indigo's Best Price Guarantee or your first night is free! | |
 | Intercontinental Best Rate Guarantee Get Intercontinental's Best Price Guarantee or your first night is free! | |
| Intercontinental Hotel Deals Book your next getaway with Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts and treat yourself with spa services in stunning locations. | |
 | Last Minute Deals Save with Kimpton Last Minute Deals | |
| AAA Rates Save up to 10% with Kimpton AAA Rates | |
 | Save with Early Bookings at Staybridge Suites Save between 10-30% at Staybridge Suites when you Book Early! | |
| AAA Rates Members of the AARP members receive a minimum of 10% off regular rates at Staybridge Suite locations. | |
| Staybridge Suites Best Rate Guarantee Book your hotel stay with Staybridge Suites' Best Price Guarantee or your first night is free! | |
