In 2022, we saw IHG revamp its loyalty program, with the introduction of IHG One Rewards. I’d argue that the updated program represents a significant improvement over the old program, thanks to the new suite of benefits that have been introduced.
In this post, I wanted to take a closer look at the benefits of IHG One Rewards Platinum status, which is the program’s upper mid-tier status (I’ve separately written a guide about IHG One Rewards Diamond status). How do you earn the status, what are the benefits of being a member, and is it worth it?
In this post:
How to earn IHG One Rewards Platinum status
There are several ways to earn IHG One Rewards Platinum status — you can earn it based on the number of nights you stay, you can earn it based on how much qualifying spending you have at IHG properties, or you can earn it by having a co-branded credit card.
Earning IHG Platinum status with hotel stays
IHG One Rewards Platinum status can be earned either based on the number of nights you stay or the number of qualifying points you earn, as follows:
- Stay 40 qualifying nights in a calendar year; even award nights count toward that total
- Earn 60,000 qualifying points in a calendar year; you ordinarily earn 10x base points per dollar spent, so you’d earn that after spending $6,000 at most IHG brands
Earning IHG Platinum status with credit cards
IHG has three co-branded credit cards, and two of them offer Platinum status just for being a cardmember. This includes the following two cards:
There’s no spending requirement, but rather this benefit applies for as long as you keep one of these cards open. Given all the awesome perks these cards offer, plus their low annual fees of under $100, this could be an excellent reason to pick up an IHG card.
On top of that, the United Club℠ Infinite Card (review) also offers IHG Platinum status for as long as you’re a cardmember.
IHG One Rewards Platinum status benefits
With the requirements to earn status out of the way, what are the benefits of IHG One Rewards Platinum status? Below are the benefits and perks, roughly in the order in which I value them (I’m putting Milestone Rewards at the end, because the value is so dependent on how much you stay and how you earn your status).
60% IHG bonus points
IHG Platinum status offers a 60% points bonus on all eligible stays. Since you ordinarily earn 10x IHG points per dollar spent at most IHG brands, you’d earn an extra 6x points per dollar spent, which will make your points add up quickly. This is in addition to any points earned through IHG One Rewards promotions.
Room upgrades (subject to availability)
IHG Platinum members are entitled to room upgrades, subject to availability at check-in:
- Upgrades are offered up to standard suites, though this is at the hotel’s discretion; that’s to say that a hotel doesn’t have to make a suite available for an upgrade, even if it’s empty
- Unfortunately many IHG properties aren’t great about proactive upgrades; however, hotels are coached to confirm upgrades up to 48 hours before arrival, though that doesn’t mean it always happens
Personally I wouldn’t count on a suite upgrade as a Platinum member, though hopefully you receive some sort of an upgrade if there’s availability. No matter what, it can’t hurt to ask at check-in.
Welcome amenity at check-in
IHG Platinum members are entitled to a welcome amenity at check-in. This could include bonus points or a drink or snack, though the exact details will vary by brand, region, etc. Don’t get too excited, this will probably be worth $10 at most.
Reward night discounts
IHG Platinum members get access to award night discount promotions several times per year. There’s no specific timeline with which this happens, though a few times per year we see brief periods where you can get a 15-20% discount on awards. Since IHG has dynamic award pricing, there’s definitely value to redeeming during these promotions.
Early check-in & late check-out (subject to availability)
IHG Platinum members receive early check-in (no exact cutoff specified) and late check-out (as late as 2PM). The catch is that this is subject to availability, so it isn’t guaranteed as it is with some other hotel groups. Don’t count on this being granted, though it’s something you can definitely ask for.
Guaranteed room availability
IHG Platinum members get guaranteed room night availability when booking at least 72 hours in advance. This could come in handy if you’re trying to book at a sold out hotel, but expect that you’ll pay a very high rate for this privilege.
The main issue is that this benefit doesn’t apply “during special events that result in extraordinary room demand, as determined solely by the hotel.” That would typically be the time when something like this would be most valuable.
Access to Milestone Rewards program
Arguably the most exciting aspect of the new IHG One Rewards program is Milestone Rewards, which is only somewhat tied to elite status. With Milestone Rewards, members can be rewarded for every 10 elite nights they earn in a calendar year, starting at 20 elite nights and all the way up to 100 elite nights. Potential rewards include confirmed suite upgrades, club lounge passes, food & beverage vouchers, and more.
At 20 elite nights, IHG members can choose one of the following:
- 5,000 bonus IHG points
- Two food & beverage rewards worth $20 each
- A confirmable suite upgrade
At 30 elite nights, IHG members can choose one of the following:
- 5,000 bonus IHG points
- Two food & beverage rewards worth $20 each
At 40 elite nights, IHG members can choose two of the following:
- 10,000 bonus IHG points
- Five food & beverage rewards worth $20 each
- A confirmable suite upgrade (limit one)
- An annual lounge membership (limit one)
At both 50 and 60 elite nights, IHG members can choose one of the following:
- 10,000 bonus IHG points
- Five food & beverage rewards worth $20 each
At 60 elite nights, IHG members can choose one of the following:
- 10,000 bonus IHG points
- Five food & beverage rewards worth $20 each
At 70 elite nights, IHG members can choose two of the following:
- 10,000 bonus IHG points
- Five food & beverage rewards worth $20 each
- A confirmable suite upgrade (limit one)
- An annual lounge membership (limit one)
At 80, 90, and 100 elite nights, IHG members can choose one of the following:
- 10,000 bonus IHG points
- Five food & beverage rewards worth $20 each
These are almost without a doubt the most valuable elite perks offered by IHG One Rewards. Confirmed suite upgrades can each be used for a stay of up to five nights, while an annual lounge membership gets you club lounge access for an entire year.
Is IHG One Rewards Platinum status worth it?
As far as mid and upper tier hotel status goes, I think that IHG Platinum status is still among the weakest out there, at least if you take out Milestone Rewards. There’s no guaranteed late check-out, no free breakfast, and hotels have a lot of discretion with upgrades.
The value of the program really starts to increase if you earn Milestone Rewards, since you can already earn a confirmed suite upgrade after just 20 elite nights in a year. For example, if you earn 40 elite nights in a year, you’d receive club lounge access for the entire year, plus two confirmed suite upgrade. That’s huge value right there.
If you stay at IHG properties with any frequencies, then earning IHG Platinum status with the IHG Premier Card or IHG Premier Business Card makes perfect sense, as these cards are well worth it for the anniversary free night certificates alone.
One other thing worth mentioning is that if you frequently stay at InterContinental and Six Senses properties, there’s separately the InterContinental Ambassador program. This is a paid membership program that offers additional perks at these properties, somewhat separate from the IHG One Rewards program.
But I think there are some other compelling options out there — if you’re actually pursuing status through nights, I might consider Marriott Bonvoy Platinum or World of Hyatt Globalist. Top tier Hilton Honors Diamond is also worth considering, since you can get that status simply for having the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express (review).
The information and associated card details on this page for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by OMAAT and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bottom line
IHG One Rewards is a pretty compelling program, and Platinum status is probably the most popular status with the program, as it’s offered as a perk of the IHG Premier Card and IHG Premier Business Card.
IHG Platinum status is better than nothing, and offers 60% bonus points, room upgrades, and a welcome amenity. Unfortunately it lacks some of the guaranteed perks that you get with some other programs, but those can be unlocked with Milestone Rewards, which potentially offers perks like confirmed suite upgrades, club access, and more.
If you’re an IHG One Rewards Platinum member, what has your experience been with the status?
Can you advise what constitutes “Qualified Points” when determining Tier is it just base points or do bonus points qualify?
We recently stayed at the Holiday Inn Resort in Aruba. With IHG Platinum status we were given free Palapa rentals at the beach. This was a $30/day value. Not sure if this is hotel specific or a hidden benefit of IHG Platinum but a welcome value since we could reserve every day without needing to justify staying on the beach for hours and hours.
This seems like gold status with other programs. Just look at how many tiers IHG has and there are not the benefits as there are in other platinum levels.
Been Plat with IHG via the original credit card for a while. In Europe and most of the time in Canada upgrades were achieved. If you spend the $200 for Ambassador status it can be really good. Spent a week at the IHG in Bordeaux, upgraded to a junior suite for the week. That's tough to beat. In Paris for two days the same thing. Then book it with the Amex Plat and red carpets roll out. Upgraded at Le Grand around the holidays also without the Ambassador status.
Stayed at a Holiday Inn in Ocean City, MD. Wasn't able to check in until 2:45, way past normal check-in time. Asked about the Perks, was told, "We don't participate in any of that stuff." Late check out instead of 4 was told it was 2.
US hotels really do suck. I have had similar experiences with Marriot Westins. "TS" is the attitude. Go to a different country and all that changes.
I regularly stay at two Holiday Inns in Sydney. At one I have been consistently upgraded to a suite but at the other, never. At my most recent stay, in the second of them, I didn't get an upgrade, but in a first, they apologised that one wasn't available. Maybe next time ...
What holiday inn do you usually get upgraded at, I'm staying at the potts point one?
I never ever got upgraded as IHG Platinum - not in many dozens of stays. Except one time where I almost fell out of my chair. Had booked a 2 queen room at the Intercontinental Tahiti and at checkin was calmly informed that as Platinum elite we are being upgrade to an overwater bungalow. I seriously couldn't believe it. that was in 2020 though during covid, hotels were not full. No other IHG hotel ever upgraded us again.
My experience has been different, I have always been upgraded with IHG platinum, mostly the upgrades are minor like "room with a view" or higher floor but sometimes it is a suite (my IHG stays were in France, Switzerland, Poland, Azerbaijan, Colombia and Thailand over the last 2 years).
I find the recognition to be much better at IHG than other brands, and easier to redeem nights. Also there are always multiple promos to get extra points.
I have a question about IHG hotels, not the rewards program. I am interested in what people think of IHG mid-line brands. I have a lot of experience with Hilton and Marriott; I recently ventured out and tried Choice...big disappointment so far. I am thinking of trying IHG's and would appreciate input on brands such as Crowne, Holiday Inn and HI Express, the all-suites brands, etc.
HIE and HI are similar to a Hampton or a Fairfield. Honestly, they are a solid road hotel, but nothing special. It has been a while since I've stayed in a Crowne Plaza, but they were decent.
I'm with you on Choice. Comfort Inn and Suites can be good, but no guarantee. Clarion in the US is very hit and miss. The Radisson portfolio will probably help them out a lot, and I'm no fan...
HIE and HI are similar to a Hampton or a Fairfield. Honestly, they are a solid road hotel, but nothing special. It has been a while since I've stayed in a Crowne Plaza, but they were decent.
I'm with you on Choice. Comfort Inn and Suites can be good, but no guarantee. Clarion in the US is very hit and miss. The Radisson portfolio will probably help them out a lot, and I'm no fan of the Radisson brand. The bottom 2/3 of the Choice brand portfolio is unusable (similar to Wyndham).
The drink coupon can be a decent option in expensive cities and/or upscale properties. A beer/wine/spirit could cost $15+ each, plus tax and service. The coupon usually comes with nuts/crisps and includes taxes. Seems to be a better value (2x $10-15 = $20-30) than 500 points ($2.50).
As a Diamond with IHG, I get 2000 points per $100 room night paid, and that’s before promotion points. And the breakfast benefit is pretty comparable to what I get with Hyatt as a Globalist. And in terms of upgrades, I get better US upgrades with a $100 room night at a Holiday Inn as a Diamond than I get at a $130 room night at a comparable US Hyatt Place as a Globalist, except...
As a Diamond with IHG, I get 2000 points per $100 room night paid, and that’s before promotion points. And the breakfast benefit is pretty comparable to what I get with Hyatt as a Globalist. And in terms of upgrades, I get better US upgrades with a $100 room night at a Holiday Inn as a Diamond than I get at a $130 room night at a comparable US Hyatt Place as a Globalist, except the breakfast is better at the Holiday Inn.
While I’m not sure I’ll be IHG Diamond after this year unless I can extend it by paying for it with money (without paying for additional nights with my head in the beds), I’ll be Globalist until 2025 at least.
Curious what hotel is in the pictures?
I'm Platinum Elite with IHG. It's nice not life changing.