IHG One Rewards:
The Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about IHG One Rewards — tiers, earning, dynamic pricing, the brand portfolio, and how to maximise your points value as a UK traveller. Updated for 2026.
Programme Overview
IHG One Rewards is free to join and covers nearly 7,000 properties across 21 brands in over 100 countries. With over 160 million members and 355 hotels in the UK alone, IHG is one of the largest hotel loyalty programmes in the world.
Points are earned primarily through hotel stays at any IHG-branded property worldwide. IHG surpassed 1 million open rooms globally in August 2025. The programme is headquartered in the UK (Denham, Buckinghamshire).
Points expire after 12 months of inactivity for base Club members. Once you achieve Silver Elite or above, points do not expire while you maintain status.
Important: You must book directly with IHG (via IHG.com, the IHG app, or by calling the hotel) to earn points. Bookings through Booking.com, Expedia, or other OTAs do not qualify.
Tier Structure
IHG One Rewards has six membership tiers, plus the paid InterContinental Ambassador programme. Status is valid through the end of the following calendar year once earned.
Club
Base Tier — Free to join
Base points on qualifying stays, member-exclusive rates, free Wi-Fi, and guaranteed 2pm late checkout. Points expire after 12 months of inactivity at this tier.
Silver Elite
10 nights per year
- 20% bonus points on top of base earning rate
- Points no longer expire while status is maintained
- Priority check-in where available
Gold Elite
20 nights or 40,000 qualifying points
- 40% bonus points on base earning
- Rollover nights — excess nights carry to the following year
- Milestone Rewards every 10 nights from 20 to 100
- Welcome amenity at check-in
- Hertz Five Star rental status
Platinum Elite
40 nights or 60,000 qualifying points
- All Gold perks, plus:
- 60% bonus points on base earning
- Complimentary room upgrade when available
- Early check-in when available
- Guaranteed room availability when booking 72+ hours ahead
- Discounted Reward Night pricing
- At 40-night milestone: option to select annual club lounge membership
Diamond Elite
70 nights or 120,000 qualifying points
- All Platinum perks, plus:
- 100% bonus points — double your base earning on every stay
- Welcome amenity options including daily hot breakfast for two
- Dedicated Diamond support line
- Hertz President's Circle status
- At 70-night milestone: two benefit selections
InterContinental Ambassador
£177.75/year or 45,000 points (paid add-on)
- Automatic Platinum Elite status across all IHG brands
- Guaranteed one-category room upgrade at InterContinental properties
- Guaranteed 4pm late checkout
- Restaurant and bar credit up to £15.8 per stay
- Complimentary weekend night certificate (one per year, at InterContinental)
Worth considering if you frequently stay at InterContinental properties. The weekend night certificate alone can offset the annual cost.
How to Earn IHG One Rewards Points
Hotel Stays
The foundation of earning. Most IHG brands earn 10 points per $1 spent. Elite bonuses stack on top: Diamond earns 100% more, effectively doubling your rate.
| Brand Category | Base Points per $1 |
|---|---|
| InterContinental, Kimpton, Six Senses, Regent, voco, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, EVEN, avid, Atwell, Garner, HUALUXE | 10 points |
| Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites | 5 points |
American Express Membership Rewards (UK)
IHG is a transfer partner for Amex Membership Rewards at a 1:1 ratio — 1 Amex point becomes 1 IHG point. However, this is generally considered poor value. IHG points are worth approximately 0.4p each, so you get far less per Amex point than transferring to airlines like British Airways Avios (where 1p+ per point is achievable).
Buying IHG Points
IHG periodically offers 100% purchase bonuses, halving the cost to ~0.4p per point. Buy during promotions and redeem at 0.5p+ for genuine savings.
No UK IHG Credit Card
Despite being headquartered in the UK, IHG has no co-branded UK credit card. The US-only Chase IHG cards offer the 4th night free benefit — unavailable to UK travellers.
Promotions
IHG runs regular promotions including double base points, bonus points at specific brands, and targeted offers based on your stay history. Always register before your stay.
Always register for promotions before your stay. Unregistered promotions are not credited retroactively.
How Redemption Works: Dynamic Pricing
IHG abolished its fixed award chart in 2019 and moved fully to dynamic pricing. There is no published chart — the points cost of any night fluctuates based on cash rate, demand, and seasonality.
Typical Points Ranges
| Budget (avid, Holiday Inn Express) | 10,000 -- 25,000 pts |
| Midscale (Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza) | 20,000 -- 50,000 pts |
| Premium (voco, Hotel Indigo) | 25,000 -- 60,000 pts |
| Luxury (InterContinental) | 40,000 -- 160,000 pts |
| Ultra-luxury (Six Senses) | 80,000 -- 500,000 pts |
Elite Reward Night Discounts
Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite members receive discounted Reward Night pricing — typically 10–15% off the standard award cost. This is applied automatically.
The 4th Night Free (US Only)
Holders of US-issued IHG Chase credit cards get the 4th night free on award stays of 4+ consecutive nights — a 25% saving. This benefit is not available to UK travellers as there is no UK-issued IHG credit card.
Points & Cash
Members can combine points with a cash payment for award nights. The cash portion is non-refundable if cancelled; points are returned.
Understanding IHG Point Values
The best redemption values arise when you:
- Redeem at luxury properties (InterContinental, Kimpton, Six Senses) where cash rates are high
- Be flexible on dates — dynamic pricing means large day-to-day variation
- Book new or renovated hotels for 15% off Reward Nights
- Leverage Platinum/Diamond discounts for reduced award pricing
Avoid: Transferring IHG points to airlines (5:1 ratio destroys value), transferring Amex points to IHG routinely (poor value at 1:1), and redeeming when the per-point value drops below 0.3p.
IHG's Brand Portfolio
IHG operates 21 brands as of February 2026, covering ultra-luxury through economy.
Luxury & Lifestyle
Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas
Ultra-luxury wellness resorts. 27 properties. The most expensive redemptions in the portfolio.
Regent Hotels and Resorts
Classic luxury. Named 3rd most loved hotel brand in Travel + Leisure 2025.
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
IHG's flagship luxury brand. Globally iconic properties in landmark destinations.
Vignette Collection
Soft brand for independent luxury hotels retaining their own identity.
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
Boutique luxury/lifestyle. Known for distinctive design and food/beverage.
Hotel Indigo
Boutique lifestyle. Each property reflects its local neighbourhood. 19 in UK & Ireland.
Premium
voco Hotels
Premium conversion brand. IHG's fastest-growing premium brand. 13+ UK properties.
Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts
Business-focused premium. Strong UK presence including London, Manchester, Newcastle.
EVEN Hotels
Wellness-focused premium brand with fitness-forward design.
Ruby
Premium urban lifestyle. Acquired February 2025, integration into IHG began January 2026.
HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts
Premium brand designed for Chinese travellers. Primarily in Greater China.
Noted Collection
IHG's 21st brand (launched February 2026). Premium soft brand for independent hotels.
Essentials & Extended Stay
Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts
The classic midscale brand. Familiar, reliable, and widely available.
Holiday Inn Express
IHG's largest brand. 3,200+ hotels globally. Dominant UK presence. Complimentary breakfast.
Garner Hotels
Midscale conversion brand launched August 2023. First UK signings announced March 2025.
avid Hotels
Economy/budget brand. Simple, clean, and affordable.
Staybridge Suites
Extended-stay with full kitchen. Earns 5 pts/$1.
Candlewood Suites
Budget extended-stay. Earns 5 pts/$1.
Atwell Suites
Upscale extended-stay with flexible living spaces.
UK-Specific Considerations
No UK Co-Branded Credit Card
Despite being headquartered in the UK, IHG does not offer a co-branded credit card in the UK market. The US-only Chase IHG cards provide the 4th night free benefit, which is not available to UK travellers. This is a genuine competitive disadvantage for UK-based IHG loyalists.
355 UK Hotels
IHG has 355 hotels in the UK — its largest European market — spanning from budget Holiday Inn Express to luxury InterContinental and Kimpton properties. You are rarely far from an IHG hotel in the UK.
Notable UK IHG Properties
London
InterContinental London Park Lane
Flagship luxury overlooking Hyde Park. One of IHG's most prestigious properties globally.
Kimpton Fitzroy London
Boutique luxury in Bloomsbury. TripAdvisor rating 4.7/5.
Ruby Lucy London
New premium urban lifestyle at Waterloo. First Ruby on IHG in the UK.
voco London Marylebone
Premium boutique in central London.
Edinburgh
InterContinental Edinburgh The George
Luxury in Edinburgh's New Town.
Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel
184 rooms across seven Georgian townhouses with Edinburgh Castle views.
Manchester
Kimpton Clocktower Manchester
Boutique luxury in the city centre. InterContinental Manchester also signed in 2025 (opening TBD).
Coming Soon: InterContinental Manchester
IHG signed its first InterContinental in Manchester in 2025, bringing the flagship luxury brand to one of the UK's largest cities. Opening date to be confirmed.
Recent Changes 2025–2026
Dynamic Pricing Devaluation (November 2025)
IHG negatively changed its award pricing algorithm, with users reporting 10–30% increases in points required. Award caps were also raised — InterContinental London Park Lane now costs up to 160,000 points/night.
Ruby Hotels Integration (January 2026)
Acquired for EUR111 million. Integration into IHG booking and One Rewards began January 2026. Note: No breakfast welcome amenity at Ruby properties, and no suite upgrades.
Noted Collection Brand Launch (February 2026)
IHG's 21st brand — a premium soft brand for independent upscale hotels. Initial focus on the EMEAA region. Target: 150+ hotels globally within a decade.
Ambassador Price Increase (October 2024)
Annual fee increased from £158 to £177.75 (or 40,000 to 45,000 points).
Declining Point Values
Average redemption value has fallen from approximately 0.9p per point in 2021 to 0.4–0.5p per point in late 2025. Redeem sooner rather than later.
Practical Tips for UK Travellers
Book directly, always.
Points are only earned on direct bookings. OTA bookings forfeit all earning and elite benefits.
Register for promotions before you stay.
Promotions are not credited retroactively. Check the IHG One Rewards promotions page before every trip.
Buy points during 100% bonus promotions.
At ~0.4p per point, buying during promotions and redeeming at 0.5p+ delivers genuine savings.
Target InterContinental and Kimpton for best value.
At luxury properties where cash rates are high, the points cost often represents better value per point.
Be flexible on dates.
Dynamic pricing means large day-to-day variation. Shifting a stay by one or two days can save thousands of points.
Book new or renovated hotels.
The ongoing 15% Reward Night discount at new properties is an easy saving.
Don't transfer Amex points to IHG routinely.
At 1:1, Amex points are worth far more transferred to airline partners. Only transfer for specific, high-value IHG redemptions.
Search Rewardo before booking.
Check current award availability and points pricing on Rewardo. Community-sourced data helps you find the best value dates.
Is IHG One Rewards Worth It?
Yes — particularly for UK travellers who value breadth and accessibility. IHG's 355 UK properties mean you are rarely far from an IHG hotel, whether on a work trip to Birmingham or a weekend in Edinburgh.
The programme's main weakness is the lack of a UK credit card, which means UK members miss the 4th night free benefit that US members enjoy. Dynamic pricing has also eroded value over the past few years.
But the programme still rewards loyalty appropriately: Diamond Elite's 100% bonus points and daily breakfast are valuable, the milestone rewards add flexibility, and InterContinental Ambassador remains worthwhile for those who favour the flagship brand. Search smart, redeem strategically, and use Rewardo to find the best availability before you book.
How IHG One Rewards compares
IHG One Rewards spans 21 brands from Holiday Inn Express to Six Senses, but for UK travellers its value sits at the lower end. Here's how it compares with Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt and Marriott Bonvoy.
| Feature | Hilton Honors | IHG One Rewards | World of Hyatt | Marriott Bonvoy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical value per point (UK) | ~0.3–0.4p | ~0.4p | ~1.4p | ~0.6p |
| Award pricing | Dynamic — no chart | Dynamic — no chart | Category award chart | Dynamic — no chart |
| Points expire after | 24 months inactivity | 12 months (never at Silver+) | 24 months inactivity | 24 months inactivity |
| UK Amex Membership Rewards transfer | 1 : 2 | 1 : 1 | Not a partner | 1 : 1.5 |
| UK co-branded credit card | No (Gold via Amex Platinum) | No | No | Yes (Amex + Currensea debit) |
| Consecutive-night perk | 5th night free (Silver+) | 4th night free (US cards only) | None | 5th night free (all members) |
Where IHG wins
Breadth of brand and a strong elite ladder. Diamond Elite effectively doubles base earning and adds daily breakfast, while the paid InterContinental Ambassador add-on brings a guaranteed one-category upgrade, 4pm checkout and an annual weekend-night certificate. The programme is free to join, points stop expiring once you reach Silver Elite, and there are around 355 IHG hotels in the UK including London, Edinburgh and Manchester flagships.
Where it falls short
Points value (~0.4p) is on par with Hilton and well below Hyatt and Marriott. There's no UK co-branded IHG card, so the 4th-night-free benefit (US Chase cards only) is unavailable to British members, and transferring Amex at 1:1 is poor value at that rate. A November 2025 dynamic-pricing devaluation pushed many award costs up 10–30%, with InterContinental London Park Lane reaching 160,000 points a night.
Compare the others in depth: Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt and Marriott Bonvoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Guides
Understanding Loyalty Points
New to points? Learn what loyalty points are, how they work, and how to start earning and redeeming across hotel and airline programmes.
Hilton Honors Guide
The complete UK guide to Hilton Honors — tiers, earning, dynamic pricing, the fifth night free, and how to get the best value from your points.
World of Hyatt Guide
The complete UK guide to World of Hyatt — Park Hyatt, Andaz, Grand Hyatt, the category-based award chart, and why it is often considered the best programme.
Marriott Bonvoy Guide
The complete UK guide to Marriott Bonvoy — 40+ brands, dynamic pricing, UK credit and debit cards, airline transfer partners, and the fifth night free.
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