In 2022, IHG revamped its loyalty program, with the introduction of IHG One Rewards. These changes were overwhelmingly positive, and I’d consider the program to be more compelling than ever before.
For those interested in earning elite status, IHG One Rewards is introducing a new status fast track promotion. The good news is that this opportunity is even open to those who don’t have status with a competing program, though unfortunately there’s no way to earn Diamond status with this offer.
In this post:
IHG One Rewards status challenge basics
IHG One Rewards is introducing a status challenge program, with no requirement to have elite status with a competitor. Members who register have the opportunity to earn either Gold or Platinum status based on how many nights they stay within 90 days:
- If you stay two nights during the offer period, you earn Gold status through December 2024
- If you stay five nights during the offer period, you earn Platinum status through December 2024
This promotion is open for registration between February 1 and April 30, 2023, and then you’ll have 90 days from when you register to complete the stays. So you’ll want to put some thought into when you register. Registration is required prior to check-in of your first qualifying stay, though it’s fine if you booked your stay prior to registering.
For the purposes of this offer, a qualifying stay is one booked directly with IHG where a member is paying cash and the rate exceeds $30 per night.
Is this IHG One Rewards status challenge worth it?
For some context on what’s normally required to earn IHG One Rewards Gold and Platinum status:
- IHG Gold status requires 20 elite nights or 40,000 qualifying points per year, and offers a 40% points bonus
- IHG Platinum status requires 40 elite nights or 60,000 qualifying points per year, and offers a 60% points bonus; you can also get this simply by having the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (review) or IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card (review), or by enrolling in the InterContinental Ambassador program
A couple of thoughts:
- IHG Platinum status is easy to earn in the United States with co-branded credit cards, but for those outside the United States, this is a pretty good opportunity
- One thing to keep in mind is that the most value with status comes from Milestone Rewards, and those are unlocked based on how many nights you stay, so you’d only earn suite upgrades and club lounge access at the “regular” rate with this status challenge
Bottom line
IHG One Rewards is introducing a new publicly available status challenge. If you register and then stay two or five nights within a 90 day period, you can earn IHG Gold or Platinum status through December 2024. It’s not the most generous offer we’ve ever seen, but it’s better than nothing. It’s also nice that status is potentially valid for nearly two years.
Do you plan on taking advantage of this IHG status challenge offer?
I tried Promo code 85855 and still can't sign up for this. I get the error "The code you entered is invalid for your membership. Please check the qualification requirements for your country, region or program. For further assistance please visit the IHG® Rewards Club Customer Care Center page." Anyone have an updated promo code?
Oh no! I just missed this challenge. Would anybody happen to know how often IHG has the elite status challenge or can I request it?
I cant register. System error appears...
Anyone getting a "system error" when trying to enroll?
Hi Jason, I also have a system error... I tried with my membership number and also with my mail and nothing...
We were denied lounge access in the IHG Grand Hotel in Paris, the one on top of the Cafe de la Paix. We were told Platinum status was not enough to grant lounge access. That was Oct/22. We are planning to stay again this coming November.
Lucky, can you or someone else knowledgeable comment whether lounge access while in Platinum status is one of those perks that is up to each hotel. The article...
We were denied lounge access in the IHG Grand Hotel in Paris, the one on top of the Cafe de la Paix. We were told Platinum status was not enough to grant lounge access. That was Oct/22. We are planning to stay again this coming November.
Lucky, can you or someone else knowledgeable comment whether lounge access while in Platinum status is one of those perks that is up to each hotel. The article may seem to imply that one should able to get in lounges everywhere if holding Platinum. Apologies if I misread.
No IHG status provides lounge status. Not even IC Ambassador. The only is Royal Ambassador which can only be given from IHG directly.
If you stay a minimum of 40 nights with any IHG property until then, you'll be offered the Annual lounge membership option
You misread.
Hopefully you didn't act like an entitled members who would demand access.
I've had Platinum status via the card for years. Actually I've found I receive nice perks in most cases, like larger rooms, etc. It all depends on the hotel actually. If you stay at a Kimpton, Indigo or Intercontinental then the perks are better. I've also received free breakfast at some establishments too. Again, it all depends.
It requires a promo code
Promo code 85855.
IHG Platinum is useless
You could also get Plat through the ambassador program directly....
What is the promotion code?
Promo code 85855.