IHG has introduced its new IHG One Rewards, a revamp of the existing IHG Rewards Club programme. The new IHG One brings in some changes to the tier structure and benefits, which I’ll discuss in detail.
What’s new in IHG One?
Firstly, the new programme finally brings to life the new tier structure which was initially announced in January 2022 and was supposed to go live in March.
The main changes to the tier structure are:
- A new Gold Elite tier starting at 20 nights. Technically the old Gold Elite becomes Silver Elite, while a new Gold Elite is created between Silver and Platinum
- Renaming Spire Elite to Diamond Elite
- Increased bonus points earning
Building on the changes the tier structure, IHG have now launched a new benefits chart:
Key new benefits include:
- Free Breakfast for Diamond Elite members as a Welcome Amenity choice
- Exclusive access to Reward Night Discount Promotions for Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite members (this should be similar to PointBreaks promotion we have seen in the past)
- More opportunities for Elite members to receive early check-in, late check-out (if available) and room upgrades (to suites, if available, or another premium room type for Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite members)
- Dedicated Diamond support
IHG have also introduced new milestone rewards, starting at 20 nights stayed with rewards accruing every 10 nights thereafter, up to 100 nights stayed.
Of all the rewards listed, the confirmable suite upgrades and annual lounge membership look the most interesting. If the lounge membership includes Club Intercontinental (and it appears to), then it’s certainly an enticing prospect. Given that it’s earned at 40 nights, this effectively means Gold Elites could have lounge access at properties that have lounges (if they have opted for this reward).
All the above changes in benefits and the milestone rewards will rollout in June 2022. The new bonus and tier structure has started as of 13 April 2022 with the launch. IHG will also be rolling out a new IHG One Rewards app, so look out for that.
My take on IHG One Rewards changes
Personally, I think most of the changes are quite positive. However these changes are unlikely to sway my hotel loyalty. I do currently hold Platinum Elite status with IHG, which I got from paying for Intercontinental Ambassador since 2019. IC Ambassador comes with IHG Rewards Platinum Elite status and will continue to do so with IHG One. I let my Ambassador membership lapse at the end of 2021 however, while my IHG Rewards Platinum Elite status has extended for 2022 with IHG’s blanket status extensions due to Covid-19.
As mentioned, the lounge membership milestone reward is one of the standout changes for me, but I just can’t see myself staying 40 nights at IHG properties. I would have to shift a bulk of stays to IHG, for quite frankly middling benefits until getting to that 40 nights.
The better defined upgrade policy is also positive. It will be interesting to see how this dovetails with Ambassador upgrades at ICs, given that Ambassadors receive a guaranteed one category upgrade. Will ICs be willing to “go above and beyond” to give suite upgrades to Platinum and Diamond Elites? Having said that, I have had suite upgrades at all the ICs I’ve stayed at while I had Ambassador, with the exception of the IC Robertson Quay in Singapore. so maybe not much change here as well.
I will consider signing up for Ambassador again if I can see myself staying at a couple of ICs and other IHG brands in the future. I found it hard to get sufficient value out of my Ambassador membership the last couple of years, as the IHG portfolio generally doesn’t appeal to me much. I liked the few IHG properties I have stayed in the last few years (both ICs in Singapore, IC Tokyo, IC Bali, Kimpton Taipei, Hotel Indigo Xiamen), but these stays have been too infrequent. IHG Platinum Elite is a useful backup status to have through IC Ambassador, but I’ll be sticking to Hilton Honors for the foreseeable future. (I’ll share my 2022 loyalty status and rationale in a separate post)
Conclusion
Positive changes from the new IHG One Rewards in general, but unless you’re an IHG loyalist who stays enough to earn Platinum or Diamond outright through elite qualifying nights, I doubt you’ll much impact from the changes for the time being.
What do you make of the revamped IHG One Rewards?