How much value does the IHG One Rewards program provide when you book directly?

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

When IHG launched the IHG One Rewards loyalty program in 2022, it added a new elite status tier, refreshed elite earning rates on stays, added several new elite status perks and introduced the ability to earn Milestone Rewards starting at just 20 nights per calendar year.

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.

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.

Related: What credit card should you use for IHG stays?

Value of on-site perks

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.

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.

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.

Related: Breakfast, upgrades and more: 9 TPG staffers reveal their favorite elite status perks

Value of Milestone Rewards

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:

• 20 nights: 5,000 bonus points, two $20 food-and-beverage rewards or one confirmable suite upgrade
• 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

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.

Related: Best hotel rewards programs in the world: Which one is right for you?

Which stays qualify?

Like most hotel chains, IHG One Rewards generally only provides benefits or earnings on bookings made directly with IHG or through other approved channels.

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.

Related: How to maximize award redemptions with the IHG One Rewards program

How to earn IHG elite status

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

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 and IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card: 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℠ Infinite Card: Enroll in IHG Platinum Elite status as a cardholder perk.
• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: 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.

I love having the IHG Premier card, as it offers an anniversary night certificate with a point redemption value of 40,000 points or less and provides access to the valuable fourth-night-free reward benefit.

Best of all, if you apply for the IHG Premier card by March 19, you can earn a welcome bonus of 170,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening.

Related: Why you should get (and keep) the IHG One Rewards Premier card

Bottom line

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.