In the miles & points world, Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, and World of Hyatt, seem to be the loyalty programs that get the most attention. However, IHG One Rewards is also potentially worth a look, given the group’s large hotel footprint, plus reasonably compelling loyalty program.
Continue reading: Guide To IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite Status: Better Than Nothing
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I’ve been a Platinum member for about two years and in about 20 different stays in Europe and Asia, I’ve got a room upgrade (including suites) every single time (except at Holiday Inn Express properties since they don’t have suites). I’ve even got welcome room amenities at several properties. Overall I’m very satisfied with this status and I’ve found IHG hotels (at least outside of the US) to be consistently very good.
Wanted to point out one additional way to receive IHG Platinum status: you can just buy it outright, as it comes with IHG Ambassador status ($225 or 45,000 points for a year).
To share my data point: I currently have Platinum status, and while I rarely stay with IHG, I've had pretty decent luck with upgrades - at Staybridge and Candlewood Suites, of all brands - where I often book a standard studio room and get upgraded to a 1-bedroom suite, sometimes even proactively (as was the case with my most recent Staybridge stay a couple months ago). I've been less fortunate at Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza properties, even when they've had suites available, but I also don't think I ever really pushed for an upgrade at those brands. Not much experience with other IHG brands, so can't comment on them. (US traveler here.)
@ Chris_W -- Great point about Ambassador, I just updated the post to reflect that. Thanks!
Maybe I'm just lucky but as an IHG Platinum staying primarily in Africa and Asia, I almost always get very good upgrades (including speciality rooms and suites). Late checkout is also proactively offered most of the time. The only challenge is that hotels often default to giving the welcome drink amenity rather than the points, so I sometimes need to specifically ask about that and turn down the voucher they hand with the keycard.
Not quite Hilton Gold, but definitely a step up above Bonvoy status at the mid-levels.
"Better Than Nothing"
Step aside, IHG marketing department. Great new tagline just dropped.
When you stay in Asia or África any status is great. The question is who want to stay at IHG properties? Not for someone looking for aspirational properties…more for someone looking for a cheap bed to sleep.
While similar on paper, I've had much better experiences with IHG Platinum compared to Hyatt Explorist or Marriott Gold or Hilton Gold (other than the breakfast benefits which has been much depreciated). Stayed as Hyatt Explorist multiple times and had absolutely received nothing other than the much lower bonus points percentage than IHG Platinum.
Lucky is just completely out of touch, and disconnected from what actual travelers deal with.
At my local Intercontinental in California, as an Ambassador, I am getting upgraded rooms for every stay. It helps to be a repeat guest too.
I like the guaranteed 4pm check out as an Ambassador, that is super convenient for personal stays.
The value of the drink voucher varies by property. I had been offered any drink that is on the menu on some occasions. It’s not a big but nice benefit.
Holiday Inns were my asperational stay growing up in the '50s and 60' I'm an Ambassador for years Love your pictures from the Park Lane InterContinental, London! beautiful Club Lounge One stay I got upgraded to the bilevel Londn Suite.
I've enjoyed Ambassador wekend in London, Sydney, Hong Kong, Tokyo (ANA & The Strings), SFO Mark Hopkins (Upgrade to Suite with Outdoor Terrace), NY Times Square (booked room with no upgrade so got free room service breakfast), Both LA ICs, & Staycations at the Willard and new IC@Wharf 🙂
Also have the Credit Card + the old Car with free room for just $49 Annual Fee
Haven't really noticed the Platinum Bennies
as usual the perks in Europe are much better than in the States. Got an awesome suite upgrade at Salzburg and executive room in Switzarland. In the US there are times where I am not even acknowledged
I'll say this for IHG. They're remarkably consistent with delivering benefits. Welcome amenity? Yup. 14:00 check-out? Always, or a proactive apology that XYZ is the best they can do. As for upgrades, ironically, HIEX properties seem to try the hardest, especially if they have "suites." If you're not Ambassador, ICs are stingy.
Yes, better than nothing. I've been Platinum since the Before Times, but just reverted to Gold. I've consistently been upgraded to a suite in one HI and rarely in another in the same city (the 'not' one is the more convenient). Amenity, yup, late check-out when I've asked and occasionally proactively. So far. So I'm happy with it.
I have the option of a one-off upgrade to Platinum from Virgin Australia status (or Hilton Diamond - I'm already Gold and rarely use Hilton properties here so no contest). Otherwise I'd consider IC Ambassador.
Too bad Hilton not good for you. Hiltons Diamond much better, IMOl
I enjoy my Ambassador membership even it’s just once a year for the weekend 2 4 1 so far I’ve been able to renew using points - had a bunch from cc sub and various earning. Also get two cc free nights Best Wishes
Safe travels
I think Ben is aiming at a subset of “actual travelers” who he is “in touch” with 😉
Ben, technology issue
Using iPhone. Every time I click on Like in comments, I get sent back to top of the article. So I have scroll down back to end and click on comment button. Any idea if the is on my end or yours?
Thanks. And as always. Best to Miles!
"Welcome amenity at check-in"
I have been Diamond / Platinum now for a few years and my main problem is the "Welcome amenity"
If I stay one night I get one voucher for a "small beer", if I stay 2 weeks I still get one voucher for a small beer, Its silly and insulting really
Look like Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit card is about to begin offering Platinum as a perf for that card.
Platinum is free with the credit, which is $95/yr. For that $95, you get a free night up to 40k. This used to be ANY property amd for the $95, we got a suite at the Venetian. Now they've capped it at 40k. We have usually gotten an upgrade, a couple of times into a family suite when we had the kids with us. I'm looking at a higher fee card when this one expires (because they keep watering down the points; 20k for a bottom tier room).
I have your Marriott reviews up right now and comparing that to the $695 AmEx. With the Delta Amex, got upgraded to first class twice for flights to Asia - that was worth far more than the fee. But no big plans for the next couple of years so their $650 is no longer worth it.
I’ve been a Platinum member for about two years and in about 20 different stays in Europe and Asia, I’ve got a room upgrade (including suites) every single time (except at Holiday Inn Express properties since they don’t have suites). I’ve even got welcome room amenities at several properties. Overall I’m very satisfied with this status and I’ve found IHG hotels (at least outside of the US) to be consistently very good.
Wanted to point out one additional way to receive IHG Platinum status: you can just buy it outright, as it comes with IHG Ambassador status ($225 or 45,000 points for a year).
To share my data point: I currently have Platinum status, and while I rarely stay with IHG, I've had pretty decent luck with upgrades - at Staybridge and Candlewood Suites, of all brands - where I often book a standard studio room and get upgraded to a 1-bedroom suite, sometimes even proactively (as was the case with my most recent Staybridge stay a couple months ago). I've been less fortunate at Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza properties, even when they've had suites available, but I also don't think I ever really pushed for an upgrade at those brands. Not much experience with other IHG brands, so can't comment on them. (US traveler here.)
@ Chris_W -- Great point about Ambassador, I just updated the post to reflect that. Thanks!
Maybe I'm just lucky but as an IHG Platinum staying primarily in Africa and Asia, I almost always get very good upgrades (including speciality rooms and suites). Late checkout is also proactively offered most of the time. The only challenge is that hotels often default to giving the welcome drink amenity rather than the points, so I sometimes need to specifically ask about that and turn down the voucher they hand with the keycard.
Not quite Hilton Gold, but definitely a step up above Bonvoy status at the mid-levels.
"Better Than Nothing"
Step aside, IHG marketing department. Great new tagline just dropped.
😂 yeah comparing a status to nothing is not exactly a great selling point. Platinum status is better than a stick in the eye or kick in the crotch... 🤣
When you stay in Asia or África any status is great. The question is who want to stay at IHG properties? Not for someone looking for aspirational properties…more for someone looking for a cheap bed to sleep.
While similar on paper, I've had much better experiences with IHG Platinum compared to Hyatt Explorist or Marriott Gold or Hilton Gold (other than the breakfast benefits which has been much depreciated). Stayed as Hyatt Explorist multiple times and had absolutely received nothing other than the much lower bonus points percentage than IHG Platinum.
Lucky is just completely out of touch, and disconnected from what actual travelers deal with.
At my local Intercontinental in California, as an Ambassador, I am getting upgraded rooms for every stay. It helps to be a repeat guest too.
I like the guaranteed 4pm check out as an Ambassador, that is super convenient for personal stays.
The value of the drink voucher varies by property. I had been offered any drink that is on the menu on some occasions. It’s not a big but nice benefit.
Holiday Inns were my asperational stay growing up in the '50s and 60' I'm an Ambassador for years Love your pictures from the Park Lane InterContinental, London! beautiful Club Lounge One stay I got upgraded to the bilevel Londn Suite.
I've enjoyed Ambassador wekend in London, Sydney, Hong Kong, Tokyo (ANA & The Strings), SFO Mark Hopkins (Upgrade to Suite with Outdoor Terrace), NY Times Square (booked room with no upgrade so got free room service breakfast), Both LA ICs, & Staycations at the Willard and new IC@Wharf 🙂
Also have the Credit Card + the old Car with free room for just $49 Annual Fee
Haven't really noticed the Platinum Bennies
as usual the perks in Europe are much better than in the States. Got an awesome suite upgrade at Salzburg and executive room in Switzarland. In the US there are times where I am not even acknowledged
I'll say this for IHG. They're remarkably consistent with delivering benefits. Welcome amenity? Yup. 14:00 check-out? Always, or a proactive apology that XYZ is the best they can do. As for upgrades, ironically, HIEX properties seem to try the hardest, especially if they have "suites." If you're not Ambassador, ICs are stingy.
Yes, better than nothing. I've been Platinum since the Before Times, but just reverted to Gold. I've consistently been upgraded to a suite in one HI and rarely in another in the same city (the 'not' one is the more convenient). Amenity, yup, late check-out when I've asked and occasionally proactively. So far. So I'm happy with it.
I have the option of a one-off upgrade to Platinum from Virgin Australia status (or Hilton Diamond - I'm already Gold and rarely use Hilton properties here so no contest). Otherwise I'd consider IC Ambassador.
Too bad Hilton not good for you. Hiltons Diamond much better, IMOl
I enjoy my Ambassador membership even it’s just once a year for the weekend 2 4 1 so far I’ve been able to renew using points - had a bunch from cc sub and various earning. Also get two cc free nights Best Wishes
Safe travels
Ben, technology issue
Using iPhone. Every time I click on Like in comments, I get sent back to top of the article. So I have scroll down back to end and click on comment button. Any idea if the is on my end or yours?
Thanks. And as always. Best to Miles!
"Welcome amenity at check-in"
I have been Diamond / Platinum now for a few years and my main problem is the "Welcome amenity"
If I stay one night I get one voucher for a "small beer", if I stay 2 weeks I still get one voucher for a small beer, Its silly and insulting really
Look like Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit card is about to begin offering Platinum as a perf for that card.
Platinum is free with the credit, which is $95/yr. For that $95, you get a free night up to 40k. This used to be ANY property amd for the $95, we got a suite at the Venetian. Now they've capped it at 40k. We have usually gotten an upgrade, a couple of times into a family suite when we had the kids with us. I'm looking at a higher fee card when this one expires (because they keep watering down the points; 20k for a bottom tier room).
I have your Marriott reviews up right now and comparing that to the $695 AmEx. With the Delta Amex, got upgraded to first class twice for flights to Asia - that was worth far more than the fee. But no big plans for the next couple of years so their $650 is no longer worth it.
Question is which card stacks elite nights? Is it one business and one personal? Can two personal cards stack elite nights?
If it comes with the card, it's fine; but, that's all about to change (due to the card revamp). However, Platinum doesn't include breakfast (Diamond does), so that's the real status you want. I wouldn't put real effort into obtaining Platinum; if it happens, great; if not no worries.
I just have IHG Plat through the CSR, but the one time I stayed at an Intercontinental this year they gave me a nice corner room and one of those Byredo gift sets as a welcome gift (as long as OMAAT is going to gleek out about SQ's new Byredo kit - may as well acknowledge Intercontinental's partnership with them). Was also an Edit stay fwiw. I think 99% of hotel status is mostly worthless and don't care for more than the low level status that the credit cards give me, but eh, nice enough upgrade and perk on this occasion.