IHG Hotels & Resorts Unveils New Rewards Program

IHG Hotels & Resorts debuted a new global loyalty program beginning on 13APR: IHG One Rewards. According to the hospitality company, the new program is designed for guests by giving them increased benefits, more ways to earn, and newly enhanced credit cards as well as a new mobile app.

The re-imagined program connects IHG One Rewards members to IHG Hotels & Resorts’ growing portfolio of 17 brands. The launch follows a previous announcement in JAN 2022 of the program’s
new tier and bonus point earning structure – designed to help members earn more points faster and have more ways to use them.

IHG One Rewards is intended to offer "industry-leading value" and relevant benefits for members to enhance their stays. Highlights of the program include:

• Faster Earn: A new tier and bonus point earning structure will allow members to earn more points faster and gain rewards sooner. The new tier and bonus point earning structure starts on 13APR 2022 and will be reflected in all member accounts on or before 17APR 2022.
• More Benefits: Further enhancements and member 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
  • 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
• Flexible Choices: Recognizing that not all members want to use their points in the same way, IHG One Rewards marks the introduction of Milestone Rewards – a new, technology-enabled platform that will allow members to choose their rewards. Starting at 20 nights stayed, members will be offered a choice from a selection of rewards every 10 nights, through 100 nights stayed. These Milestone Rewards choices include points, USD $20 F&B Rewards, Confirmable Suite Upgrades and Annual Lounge Membership.

In the coming weeks, IHG Hotels & Resorts will also roll out the new IHG One Rewards mobile app, which will power IHG One Rewards. The new experience is intended to be more personalized, and allows members to stay informed, check-in faster, stay connected to the hotel and travel with flexibility. IHG One Rewards members will be prompted to update their app on their device either through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

"The 'One; in IHG One Rewards is a nod to the long-term values of our new program –'One You' – a celebration of individuality and 'One Future' – our commitment to make a positive impact for our people, our communities and our planet," the company explained.

Claire Bennett, Global Chief Customer Officer, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “This is one of the largest and most comprehensive investments that IHG Hotels & Resorts has made in recent years. It’s also the biggest development we’ve made in the loyalty space since introducing the industry’s first loyalty program. We’re truly transforming guest experiences by giving our loyalty members more of what they want, more value and exciting benefits individually delivered via new technology with our new mobile app.”

Existing member stays from 01JAN 2022 will count toward the new status. All member benefits – including the launch of Milestone Rewards – will become available for members in early JUN 2022.

In addition, on 24MAR 2022, Chase and IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the launch of IHG Rewards Premier Business Mastercard and activated new and enhanced benefits across the IHG Rewards Traveler and Premier Consumer Mastercard products. All three cards feature benefits allowing cardmembers to earn points faster, simplified pathways to IHG One Reward’s new Elite tiers and "optimized ways" to use points. This includes the new ability for Premier and Premier Business cardmembers to add unlimited points to Anniversary Free Night certificates, increasing the flexibility of where the Anniversary Free Night certificates can be used across IHG Hotels & Resorts’ global brand portfolio.

For more information on IHG One Rewards, visit its web site.