Among major hotel groups, Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, and World of Hyatt, all let you transfer points to other members at no cost, with some limitations. This is an area where IHG One Rewards has historically lagged, though that’s finally changing.
In this post:
IHG now lets members transfer points for free
As of December 6, 2023, IHG One Rewards has rolled out a feature whereby members can transfer their points to other members, which can be done at this link. There are some terms to be aware of:
- This is available exclusively to IHG One Rewards Diamond members, as well as IHG Business Rewards members; all other members have to pay $5 per 1,000 transfered points (which is an awful deal, since that’s roughly what I value IHG points)
- Members may make transfers in increments of 1,000 points, up to 500,000 points per calendar year
- A new member can transfer or receive points 30 days after enrollment
Now, admittedly having to earn IHG Diamond status to use this perk is a pretty high threshold, as that’s IHG’s top status tier. However, virtually anyone can join IHG Business Rewards at no cost, and that would allow you to transfer your personal points balance to others at no cost.
Are IHG points transfers between accounts worth it?
While IHG One Rewards hasn’t historically allowed free points transfers, the program has made it easy to redeem points for others.
IHG’s official policy is that you can book a reward night for someone else by making a booking via IHG’s website out of your account, and then adding an additional name to the reservation. In other words, you’re basically just making a reservation for yourself, with a second guest listed. It’s weird that’s the official policy, but it is…
The way I view it, there are two main areas where this could be useful:
- This could be valuable for consolidating points toward a redemption, if a member doesn’t have enough points for an award, but if combining points would allow them to have enough points
- This could be valuable for someone with elite status, since it’ll be easier to take advantage of your own elite perks while redeeming points from others; then again, IHG also has the weakest elite recognition on award stays, so that’s of fairly limited use
Bottom line
IHG One Rewards has rolled out free points transfers for IHG Diamond and IHG Business Rewards members. Members can transfer up to 500,000 points to other members per year at no cost. While IHG Diamond status can be tough to earn, just about anyone can join IHG Business Rewards.
This is something to be aware of, but it’s not exactly that high value, since you could already redeem points for others, just without transferring them.
What do you make of IHG’s new points transfer feature?
P2 signed up for IHG Biz program 18 Dec 2023 and P2 is Platinum
P1 is Diamond + Biz
Try to transfer points after 30 days from P2 to P1, still have fee.
Try it this weekend (2/4) again no fee show up on P2 account, so start the transfer of 160K.
160K deposited to P1 account without any fee
A side note I never call any agent and just wait out for thing to work.
In my opinion calling an agent is the worst thing. Just try then wait.
If it doesn't work on your account just move on it is probably a targeted offer.
As for email P1 did receive an "free transfer" email because of Diamond
P2 never receive"free transfer" email
I posted the same info at flyertalk under username "tling" and people seem to able to take advantage of at least 2 people said they now able to transfer
it actually works
log in > go to My Account (name + point balance > click POINTS (same line as My Account) > scroll down to "Buy, gift, or transfer points" > choose "Transfer your own points" > redirect to another site & log in > proceed to fill in recipient's details and left side should show blank for "Total Charge"
IHG agent who seemed to be aware that this information was being circulated asked me whether I received an email regarding no fee transfers from IHG. She said if I did they would honor it but not otherwise.
Not working as of 12-22. Had IHG account for many years. Been a Business Rewards member for several years, Diamond member for almost a year. First tried from within my account today. Didn't work. I then read someone post that it will work if you use the link provided in this article. Okay..so tried that. Didn't work either. So, basically, it ain't working.
Still not working... Also have not received a reply from IHG... ????
It doesn't seem like it is working. I am a Platinum Elite member however, I joined the Business Rewards per the author's instructions 5 days ago. I tried transferring right away but it was still charging me so I waited 5 days, thinking I might need a few days to get the Business Rewards membership to take effect. I tried it just now (5 days later) and it is still charging $5 per 1,000 points...
It doesn't seem like it is working. I am a Platinum Elite member however, I joined the Business Rewards per the author's instructions 5 days ago. I tried transferring right away but it was still charging me so I waited 5 days, thinking I might need a few days to get the Business Rewards membership to take effect. I tried it just now (5 days later) and it is still charging $5 per 1,000 points transferred. Also, there is still 5,000 points limit to transfer. Any clarification on how to properly do this please?
Unless we're mistaken, you have to wait 30 days after signup.
Safe travels!
Data point: I’ve now had Business Rewards over 30 days, and I still can’t do free transfers.
Two separate IHG agents have said over email that you have to be a Diamond **and** a member of Business Rewards to do the free transfers.
Not working for me either. It's been way over 30 days and I can't do free transfers.
I tried both Dimond and Business Rewards.. They both are still charging fees to transfer points...
I can confirm that my Diamond account does seem to show the ability to transfer at no cost (note I have not executed a transfer). However, accounts in our organization that are business rewards members, but only have platinum status, still seem to be being charged to transfer points (note we did not attempt an actual transfer here either but it does show a charge).
Final caveat: The account we looked at which was for...
I can confirm that my Diamond account does seem to show the ability to transfer at no cost (note I have not executed a transfer). However, accounts in our organization that are business rewards members, but only have platinum status, still seem to be being charged to transfer points (note we did not attempt an actual transfer here either but it does show a charge).
Final caveat: The account we looked at which was for a "business rewards member" only (not Diamond) only joined the business rewards program earlier today. I can imagine a scenario in which it takes a few days for IHG to notify points.com and that it may work later. Even points purchases take some time through points.com.
I have spent hour on the phone with IHG over the past two days.
No one that I have taken with (at least 8 people including supervisors) are aware of the no fee transfer of point program.. I do understand that it only applies to Dimond and Business award members.
Can you provide IHG source for the information that was posted on your site.
I would very much appreciate if someone provide IHG source for the information that was posted on this site. I and my husband have been Business reward members for years.
Jane, it appears you are going through the same frustration as me. I have spent hours on the phone with IHG on this subject and have not found anyone in the organization that can verify this article as being correct. I will contact you if I get satisfaction please do the same for me...
it's in the Points.com T&Cs for IHG purchases and transfers: https://storefront.points.com/IHG-rewards-club/en-US/terms-and-conditions (search for Diamond).
That said, it's not working for me, either on my own Diamond account which has been enrolled in Business Rewards for years, or on another account which I enrolled in Business Rewards when this deal was announced last week.
Why are you silent on all the posts. All we are asking for is a source for your article. You will lose your credibility by not commenting...
Gary, I requested the last agent to escalate the issue. I will inform you if I hear anything from IHG business rewards desk. Jane
Ben, I am a silent follower for a long time, and enjoy your blog very much. Thank you. Jane again re: points transfer. A business rewards agent reached out to me again. We went thought together, same results. Fees not waived. Another point. It appears 50K points max transfer limit from my husband's account (Platinum and business rewards member) to my account. Not 500K. Let's wait and see. Time will tell....
Same here. I am a diamond member and business rewards member. I got the email from IHG about this promotion. I tried to transfer my husband's points (Platinum) to my account. I still see fees. I am in contact with business rewards desk, and are waiting for their confirmation. Apparently, agents at the business rewards do not seem to aware of this promotion.
Would you be kind enough to post the email you received from IHG about this promotion???
Looks like they are trying not to encourage it. I wonder why others like Marriott limit it to 100,000 points per year.
Tried today. Signed up for business rewards and then tried to transfer points. It still tried to charge me. It isn’t working.
Tried today as well. All of my accounts are old but they have been upgraded to Business for less than 30 days. It tried to charge me, so I called IHG one rewards to ask. Both people on the phone said they have no knowledge of a new fee-free transfer policy for either Business or Diamond members, and they have no directive from IHG with any information regarding that. Sounds like it’s not really being...
Tried today as well. All of my accounts are old but they have been upgraded to Business for less than 30 days. It tried to charge me, so I called IHG one rewards to ask. Both people on the phone said they have no knowledge of a new fee-free transfer policy for either Business or Diamond members, and they have no directive from IHG with any information regarding that. Sounds like it’s not really being implemented, or at least not made known to their employees and call center people at the one rewards program
December 6 - still not working for Business Rewards - wants $5 per 1000 to transfer.
@ SG -- Have you been a Business Rewards member for at least 30 days, and have all accounts involved been open for at least 30 days?
Account open for years, just signed up for Business Rewards when free transfer news came out.
Hi, I am a Diamond member and signed in for the transfer but this doesn't seem to work since it still wants to charge me
@ Obelix -- Hmm, is the account you're transferring to at least 30 days old?
I am also a Diamond. Points transfer show a charge when I initiate from within my IHG account. However, when I use the link embedded in the article it shows transfers with no charge (note I didn't complete the transfer and so I can't confirm what actually happens).
We tried this with a Business Rewards member (non-Diamond) and it still showed the charge, even using the link in the article.
If you have the Premier card (for years now)...Can you cancel the premier card, wait "XX" amount of days and then reapply and get the bonus again?
I signed my wife up to the business rewards program, it shows as "accepted" in her profile, but it still wants to charge. Maybe because it's not the 6th yet?
Thanks for the tip!! I am ambassador, was going to buy ambassador just for our stays using her points but now, no need.
One of our family members just joined IHG Business Rewards now and it’s not showing a free point transfer. They’ve had their regular IHG account open for years. Do you think he will need to wait for his Business Rewards account to be 30 days old too?