In this post:
IHG relaunches its Rewards Scheme – what’s changed?
IHG Hotels & Resorts say they saw an opportunity to relaunch their Rewards scheme during Covid “to reconnect and learn from its guests and owners”. Normally this sounds very much like we’ll pick the comments that help us save money and implement them even if most people hate it. So let’s look at what this actually means.
At the moment we only have a few details about the structure of the tiers, their requirements and bonus points. There could be more changes to come in terms of benefits. Let’s hope they change it for the better as personally, I find IHG the weakest of the hotel schemes both in choice of luxury hotels and also in perks.
The new tier and bonus point earning structure will go live during March and allegedly is designed to help members earn more points faster and have more ways to use them than ever before. All of your stays beginning 1 January 2022 will count toward your new status when it goes live in March.
These changes include:
- Introducing a new Gold Elite tier starting at 20 nights, with a 40% bonus point structure. The old Gold tier is now renamed Silver Elite and still requires 10 nights.
- Renaming of the ‘Spire Elite’ tier to ‘Diamond Elite’
- Improving bonus point earn levels across all other Elite tiers
As usual, there are several negative changes making it harder to get status for higher tiers if you rely on points rather than nights. The base points requirement for Platinum is rising from 40,000 to 60,000, and for Diamond (formerly Spire) you will need to complete 70 nights (down from the current 75) or 120,000 base points (up from 75,000).
Keith Barr, Chief Executive Officer, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “If there’s anything that has united the world in the last two years, it’s the realization that no virtual platform can replicate the value of travel and making memories with those we love. Travel is its own biggest reward, and that’s really at the heart of what we’re doing with our loyalty program. Each time our members choose to stay at our hotels, we are increasing their opportunity to travel more, experience more, and reap benefits they won’t get anywhere else. Our distinct portfolio of brands recognizes no two travelers are the same, helping guests and members make the right decision for all their travel needs.
We’ve made a lot of developments in the loyalty space over the years, but travel and hospitality have evolved considerably, and our guests’ needs are changing. These changes are just the start as we prepare to fully relaunch a truly transformed program later this year. We’ll continue elevating and enhancing our loyalty offerings with iconic brand partnerships and extensions, tailored experiences for our customers, enhanced benefits and so much more.”
IHG Rewards members’ stays beginning January 1, 2022 will count toward the new-and-improved status when the program launches. To learn more, please visit here.
New IHG Rewards Bonus scheme launches
Well, even if the new scheme doesn’t help your status level, then at least you can get a new bonus! The new bonus is unlimited double points on stays from your first stay at IHG® Hotels & Resorts which include Intercontinental, Kimpton, Regent, Six Senses, Crowne Plaza and Hotel Indigo among others. You also need to allow up to 6 weeks for the bonus points to be posted to your account.
To qualify, you need to register here and stay by 31 March 2022. The bonus counts on stays between 1 February 2022 – 31 March 2022. It’s valid for one room per stay and existing bookings count as long as you register before you stay.
2 comments
I took out an IHG credit card from creation. The card has never worked properly so now I I no longer stay at IHG hotels.
I also have the IHG card from Creation and while it does give me points it’s annoying that creation cards don’t work with Apple Pay so I can’t add it to my smart phone like my BA Amex. When you call their call centre you feel like you’re chatting with kids who can’t speak English properly. Not a premium experience.
Comments are closed.