What IHG Friends and Family discounts are and how to get them
IHG Friends and Family is a periodic discount program run by InterContinental Hotels Group that offers reduced room rates at participating hotels worldwide. Unlike a loyalty program you join permanently, Friends and Family opens for set windows — usually a few times per year — and requires a promotional code to book. The discount typically ranges from 10% to 20% off the best available rate, though the exact percentage and which hotels participate changes with each promotion.
You do not need to be an IHG member to use a Friends and Family code, but you do need the code itself. These codes are distributed through IHG's email list, partner websites, and sometimes through travel agents or corporate programs. The code is entered during booking on IHG.com or through the IHG app, and it applies to your room rate at checkout.
Key Takeaways
- Friends and Family codes are time-limited promotions that IHG releases several times per year, each with its own discount percentage and participating hotel list.
- You enter the promotional code during booking on IHG.com or the mobile app; the discount applies automatically if your chosen hotel and dates are may be able to access.
- Not all IHG properties participate in every promotion, so you should check the terms to see which brands and locations are included.
- The discount stacks with IHG membership benefits like points earning, but typically cannot be combined with other promotional codes or rate types.
- Booking directly through IHG rather than third-party sites ensures the code works and you receive any loyalty points you have earned.
How to find and receive Friends and Family codes
The most reliable way to receive a Friends and Family code is to be on IHG's email list. If you have an IHG Rewards account, you can sign up for promotional emails in your account settings. IHG typically announces new promotions via email before they go public, so subscribers often see codes first.
Codes also appear on IHG's main website during the active promotion window, usually on the homepage or in a dedicated banner. Travel blogs, deal aggregator sites, and IHG's social media accounts often post codes as well. If you have an IHG credit card, your card issuer may send you a code directly or post it in your online account. Corporate travel programs and some travel agencies also distribute codes to their clients.
Once you have a code, write it down or save it in your phone — you will need to enter it exactly as written during booking. Codes are case-sensitive in some cases, so copy and paste when possible rather than typing by hand.
Which IHG hotels participate and what rates you can discount
IHG Friends and Family promotions typically cover most of the group's major brands: InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Kimpton, Voco, and others. However, not every property in every brand participates. New properties, recently renovated hotels, and properties in high-demand locations sometimes sit out individual promotions. The terms document for each promotion lists which brands are included and which specific properties are excluded.
The discount applies to the "best available rate" at the time of booking, which means it works on standard room rates but not on rates that are already deeply discounted or restricted. If a room is already on sale, the Friends and Family discount may not stack on top of that sale price. Blackout dates are common during peak travel seasons, holidays, and major events in specific cities. You should check the specific dates you want to book before assuming the discount will work.
Some promotions exclude certain room types, such as suites or premium rooms. The promotion terms will specify what is and is not may be able to access. If you are unsure whether your specific hotel, dates, and room type may have access to, contact IHG customer service with your code and dates before booking.
How Friends and Family stacks with IHG Rewards membership
If you are an IHG Rewards member, the Friends and Family discount applies to your room rate, and you still earn points on the discounted price. This means you get both the lower nightly rate and loyalty points toward future stays or redemptions. The points earning rate depends on your membership tier — Elite members earn at a higher rate than standard members.
The discount does not stack with other promotional codes. You can use either the Friends and Family code or another promotion code, but not both on the same booking. If IHG is running multiple promotions at the same time, compare the value of each before booking. Sometimes a different promotion offers a better deal, especially if you are a high-tier member earning bonus points.
If you have an IHG credit card, you may earn additional points or cash back on the booking itself, depending on your card's benefits. This benefit applies on top of the room rate discount and loyalty points, so check your card's terms to see what you earn.
Booking steps and what to watch for
Start by visiting IHG.com or opening the IHG app. Search for your hotel, check-in date, and check-out date. Once you see available rooms and rates, look for a field labeled "Promo Code" or "Promotional Code" — the exact label varies by device and browser. Enter your Friends and Family code exactly as provided. The system will validate the code and show you the discounted rate before you complete payment.
If the code does not work, the system will usually tell you why: the hotel may not participate, the dates may be blacked out, or the code may have expired. Do not assume the code is invalid — check the promotion terms first to confirm your hotel and dates are may be able to access. If they are, try clearing your browser cache and entering the code again. If it still does not work, contact IHG customer service with your code and booking details.
Book directly through IHG rather than through a third-party booking site. Third-party sites do not always honor promotional codes, and you may not receive your loyalty points. Once your booking is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation email with your reservation number. Save this email — you will need it at check-in.
Timing and frequency of Friends and Family promotions
IHG typically runs Friends and Family promotions three to four times per year. Promotions often align with travel seasons: spring break, summer vacation, fall holidays, and winter holidays. Each promotion lasts between one and four weeks, though the booking window for travel dates may extend beyond the promotion period itself. For example, a promotion might run for two weeks in March, but the discounted rates may be available for travel through June.
The discount percentage and participating hotels change with each promotion. A spring promotion might offer 15% off at select properties, while a summer promotion offers 10% off at a broader set of hotels. There is no way to predict which discount will be best for your travel dates, so it pays to check each promotion as it launches if you are flexible on timing.
If you miss a Friends and Family promotion, another one typically arrives within a few months. Signing up for IHG's email list ensures you do not miss the next one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Friends and Family code if I am not an IHG member?
Yes. The code works whether or not you have an IHG Rewards account. However, if you do not have an account, you will not earn points on the booking. Creating a free account takes two minutes and lets you earn points on this stay and future stays, so it is worth doing before you book.
What happens if I book with a Friends and Family code and then the promotion ends?
Your rate is locked in at the time of booking. If the promotion ends the next day, your discounted rate remains valid for your stay. You can also cancel and rebook if a better rate becomes available, though you should check IHG's cancellation policy first to make sure you do not lose the discount.
Can I use a Friends and Family code for a group booking or event block?
Group bookings and event blocks typically have their own rate structures and promotional rules. Contact IHG's group sales team directly to ask whether a Friends and Family code can be applied. Standard promotional codes usually do not work on group rates.
Do I need to enter the code at check-in, or only during online booking?
Enter the code during online booking. The discount is applied to your reservation at that time. You do not need to mention the code at check-in, though you can reference your confirmation email if there are any questions about your rate.
What if the Friends and Family rate is higher than a rate I found elsewhere?
Compare the final price, including taxes and fees, across all sources before booking. Sometimes third-party sites show lower rates, though you will not earn IHG points on those bookings. If IHG's discounted rate is still higher, book through the cheaper source — the Friends and Family discount is only valuable if it saves you money.