IHG member hotels are properties in the InterContinental Hotels Group network where you earn and redeem points with a rewards card

IHG member hotels are part of the InterContinental Hotels Group, a collection of hotel brands across different price points and locations. When you stay at an IHG member hotel and have an IHG rewards card, you earn points on that stay. Those points can later be redeemed for free nights, room upgrades, or other perks at the same network of hotels.

The IHG network includes brands like InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Kimpton, and Voco. A single rewards card works across all these brands — you do not need separate cards for each one. The number of points you earn per dollar spent depends on which card you hold and which hotel brand you stay at.

Key Takeaways

  • IHG member hotels span multiple brands at different price levels, and one rewards card earns points across all of them.
  • Points earned on stays can be redeemed for free nights, room upgrades, or other hotel perks at any IHG member property.
  • Different IHG rewards cards offer different earning rates, sign-up bonuses, and annual benefits like free night certificates.
  • You must link your rewards account to your card before you check in to earn points on that stay.
  • Point values vary by hotel and season, so the same number of points may cover a night at a budget property or require additional points at a luxury location.

The main IHG hotel brands and what to expect at each

InterContinental Hotels are the luxury tier of the IHG network. These properties are typically in major cities and business districts, with higher nightly rates and full-service amenities. A stay here will cost more points to redeem than at a lower-tier brand, but the property itself offers more services.

Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express are the mid-range and budget options. Holiday Inn locations have full restaurants and bars; Holiday Inn Express properties are smaller and focus on breakfast and basic rooms. These are the most common IHG properties and often the easiest to redeem points at because they require fewer points per night.

Crowne Plaza sits between Holiday Inn and InterContinental in price and amenities. Hotel Indigo is a boutique brand with design-focused rooms and local character. Kimpton is an upscale brand known for pet-friendly policies and personalized service. Voco is a newer brand positioned as an upper-midscale option. Each brand has its own nightly rate range, and redemption point costs reflect that range.

How to earn points with an IHG rewards card

You earn points by staying at an IHG member hotel and charging the stay to your IHG rewards card. The earning rate depends on which card you hold. Most IHG cards earn between 10 and 25 points per dollar spent on the room rate itself, not on taxes or resort fees. Some cards offer bonus earning rates during promotional periods or at specific hotel tiers.

You must link your rewards account number to your card before you check in. If you do not do this, the hotel will not know to credit the points to your account, and you will not earn them even if you paid with the card. You can link your account through the IHG website or by calling the rewards program directly.

Points are typically posted to your account within a few days of checkout. Some cards also earn points on purchases made outside the hotel — for example, dining at a restaurant or buying groceries — at a lower rate, usually 1 to 2 points per dollar. Check your specific card's terms to see what categories earn bonus points.

Redeeming points for free nights and other rewards

Free night redemptions are the most common use of IHG points. Hotels are assigned to point categories based on their location, brand, and demand. A budget Holiday Inn Express in a small town might cost 10,000 points per night, while a luxury InterContinental in a major city could cost 50,000 or more. The same number of points does not buy the same night everywhere.

When you redeem points for a free night, you pay no room rate, but you are still responsible for taxes and resort fees if the hotel charges them. Some cards include an annual free night certificate as a benefit — this is a separate reward that comes with holding the card, not something you earn through stays. These certificates usually have a point value cap, such as "good for one free night up to 50,000 points."

Beyond free nights, you can redeem points for room upgrades, lounge access, or airline miles through transfer partners. The point value for these redemptions varies. You can also donate points to charity or use them to purchase gift cards, though these options typically offer lower value than a free night.

Understanding point categories and blackout dates

IHG assigns each property to a point category that determines how many points a free night costs. Categories range from 1 to 5 or higher, with category 1 being the cheapest and higher categories being more expensive. A property's category can change seasonally — a beach resort might be category 3 in winter and category 5 in summer. The IHG website shows the current category for each property and the point cost for each night.

Blackout dates are rare in the IHG program compared to some other hotel chains. Most properties allow point redemptions year-round, though some luxury properties may have limited availability during peak seasons. You can check availability and point costs for specific dates on the IHG website before you commit your points.

Some IHG cards come with a "free night certificate" that lets you book one free night per year at a property in a specific point category. These certificates have an expiration date, usually one year from when you receive them. If you do not use the certificate before it expires, you lose it — it does not convert to points.

Comparing different IHG rewards cards

IHG offers several rewards cards through different banks, and each has different earning rates, sign-up bonuses, and annual benefits. The most common cards are issued by Chase. A typical IHG card might offer 10 points per dollar on hotel stays, 2 points per dollar on dining and gas, and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. Sign-up bonuses usually range from 50,000 to 150,000 points, depending on the card and current promotions.

Annual benefits often include a free night certificate, elite status upgrades, and statement credits toward stays. Some cards waive the annual fee for the first year or offer the fee waived if you spend a certain amount. Higher-tier cards typically have higher annual fees but also offer more generous benefits and higher earning rates.

The best card for you depends on how often you stay at IHG hotels and whether you value the annual free night certificate and elite status benefits. If you stay fewer than two or three times per year, a card with a lower annual fee or no annual fee may make more sense than a premium card with a high fee.

Linking your card and account to earn points on every stay

Before your first stay, create an IHG Rewards account on the IHG website if you do not already have one. This account is separate from your credit card account — the card is just the payment method. You will need an email address and password to set up the rewards account.

Once your account is created, link your IHG rewards card to it. You can do this through your account settings on the IHG website or by calling IHG Rewards customer service. You will need your card number and the rewards account number you want to link it to. You can link multiple cards to the same rewards account if you have more than one IHG card.

When you book a hotel stay, make sure your rewards account number is attached to the reservation. If you book online through the IHG website, this usually happens automatically if you are logged in. If you book through a travel agent or by phone, give the agent your rewards account number and ask them to confirm it is on the reservation. At check-in, provide your rewards account number or the phone number associated with your account so the hotel can credit the points correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I earn points if I book through a third-party travel website instead of the IHG website?

You may earn points, but the earning rate is often lower or you may earn no points at all, depending on the website and the hotel's policy. Booking directly through the IHG website or calling the hotel directly usually guarantees you earn the full rate. Always check the terms before booking through a third party.

What happens to my points if I do not use them for several years?

IHG Rewards points do not expire as long as you have account activity at least once every 24 months. Account activity includes earning points, redeeming points, or even logging into your account. If your account goes inactive for more than 24 months, your points may be forfeited, though you can sometimes reactivate an account by contacting customer service.

Can I transfer my points to someone else or combine points from two different accounts?

You cannot transfer points to another person's account. You can combine points from multiple cards into a single rewards account if they are all registered to you. Contact IHG Rewards customer service to request a consolidation, and they will merge the accounts for you.

What is elite status and how does it relate to my rewards card?

Elite status gives you perks like room upgrades, late checkout, and bonus points on stays. Many IHG rewards cards grant automatic elite status as a cardholder benefit, or they accelerate your progress toward elite status based on spending. Check your card's terms to see what status level you receive and what benefits come with it.

Can I use points to book a hotel for someone else?

Yes, you can redeem points for a free night and give the certificate or booking confirmation to another person. The reservation must be in their name, and they will need to check in. You cannot transfer the points themselves, but you can use them to book a stay for anyone.