If you’re an IHG One Rewards member, you’re probably wondering how many points you’ll earn each time you stay at an IHG hotel. Whether you’re aiming to accumulate points for free nights or working toward elite status, understanding how points are calculated is key.
In this guide, I’ll break down exactly how IHG points are earned per hotel stay, explain the different types of points you can accumulate, and provide a clear formula to help you calculate your points with confidence.
Types of Points You Can Earn Per Stay
When you stay at an IHG hotel, you can earn several types of points, depending on your membership level and any promotions you’ve registered for. Here’s a breakdown:
Base Points (Elite Qualifying Points)
What Are Base Points?
Base points are the foundation of your earnings. You earn them based on your “qualifying spend,” which includes your room rate and any extras (like dining or laundry) charged to your room. To qualify, you must book directly through IHG’s official channels (website, app, or call center).
How Many Base Points Do You Earn?
The number of base points varies by hotel brand:
- Most IHG Brands: 10 points per $1 USD spent (e.g., InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza).
- Staybridge Suites & Candlewood Suites: 5 points per $1 USD.
- IHG Army Hotels: 3 points per $1 USD.
- Venetian Resort & The Palazzo in Las Vegas: A flat 2,000 points per stay, regardless of spend.
Important Notes:
- Points are earned on pre-tax spending only—taxes, fees, tips, and other surcharges are excluded.
- You can earn points on up to 9 rooms per stay, as long as they’re booked under your name and you’re paying.
- If you’re redeeming points for a free night, you won’t earn base points on the room rate, but you can still earn points on incidental charges.
Why They Matter:
Base points count toward elite status, helping you climb the membership tiers.
Elite Tier Bonus Points
What Are Elite Bonus Points?
If you hold elite status (Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Diamond), you earn extra points on top of your base points. The higher your tier, the larger the bonus.
Bonus Rates:
- Silver Elite: 20% bonus.
- Gold Elite: 40% bonus.
- Platinum Elite: 60% bonus.
- Diamond Elite: 100% bonus.
How It Works:
The bonus is calculated based on your base points. For example:
- If you earn 1,000 base points and you’re a Platinum Elite (60% bonus), you’ll get an additional 600 points.
- Total points: 1,000 (base) + 600 (bonus) = 1,600 points.
Why They Matter:
Elite bonuses can significantly increase your points haul, especially for frequent travelers.
Promotional Bonus Points
What Are Promotional Bonus Points?
IHG frequently runs seasonal promotions that allow you to earn extra points. These might include double or triple points, or a fixed bonus (e.g., 2,000 points per stay). Promotions typically require registration and may have specific terms, such as a minimum number of nights.
How Points Are Calculated:
Most promotions base the bonus on your base points. For example:
- A “double points” promotion means you earn 100% extra base points.
- If you earn 1,000 base points, you’d get an additional 1,000 bonus points, for a total of 2,000 points.
Key Details:
- Award nights do not qualify for promotional bonuses.
- These bonuses often stack with elite tier bonuses, allowing you to earn even more.
Why They Matter:
Promotions are a great way to boost your points balance, especially if you time your stays accordingly.
Bonus Points Package
What is Bonus Points Package?
When booking a “Best Available Rate”, IHG sometimes offers the option to purchase a Bonus Points Package for an additional fee. You can buy 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, or 5,000 points per stay.
How It Works:
- The cost is typically around 0.5 cents per point.
- These points are Elite Qualifying Points, meaning they count toward elite status.
Why They Matter:
Bonus Points Packages are useful if you’re close to reaching the next elite tier or want to top up your points balance without additional stays.
IHG Co-Branded Credit Card Points
What Are IHG Co-Branded Credit Card Points?
If you hold an IHG co-branded credit card, you can earn additional points on your hotel spending. There are three IHG credit cards, each offering different earning rates:
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Earn 5x points per $1 spent.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Earn 10x points per $1 spent.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card: Earn 10x points per $1 spent.
How It Works:
These credit card points are earned in addition to the base points and any elite or promotional bonuses you qualify for. This means you can stack your credit card earnings with your membership earnings for even more points.
Stacking Example:
Let’s say you’re a Platinum Elite member (60% bonus) and you hold the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (10x points per $1). If you spend $100 at an IHG hotel:
- Base Points: $100 × 10 points per $1 = 1,000 points.
- Elite Bonus Points: 1,000 × 60% = 600 points.
- Credit Card Points: $100 × 10 points per $1 = 1,000 points.
- Total Points: 1,000 (base) + 600 (elite bonus) + 1,000 (credit card) = 2,600 points.
Why They Matter:
Using an IHG co-branded credit card can significantly boost your points earnings, especially when combined with other bonuses. It’s an excellent way to accelerate your points accumulation for future rewards.
Other Bonus Opportunities
IHG occasionally offers additional bonuses, such as targeted offers—personalized bonuses based on your stay history.
Unless otherwise specified, these bonuses can stack with other earnings, further increasing your total points.
How to Calculate Your Total Points Per Stay
To determine how many points you’ll earn per hotel stay, use this formula:
Total Points = Base Points + Elite Bonus Points + Promo Bonus Points + Bonus Points Packages + Credit Card Points + Other Bonuses
Example Calculation
Imagine you’re a Platinum Elite member (60% bonus) staying at a Crowne Plaza. You spend $150 pre-tax, register for a “double points” promotion, don’t buy a Bonus Points Package, and pay with an IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Base Points:
- Crowne Plaza: 10 points per $1 USD.
- $150 × 10 = 1,500 points.
- Elite Bonus Points:
- Platinum Elite: 60% bonus.
- 1,500 × 60% = 900 points.
- Promo Bonus Points:
- “Double points” promo: 100% of base points.
- 1,500 × 100% = 1,500 points.
- Credit Card Points:
- Premier Credit Card: 10 points per $1 USD.
- $150 × 10 = 1,500 points.
- Any Other Bonuses:
- No Bonus Points Package or other bonuses in this example.
- Total Points:
- 1,500 (base) + 900 (elite) + 1,500 (promo) + 1,500 (credit card) = 5,400 points.
For this $150 stay, you’d earn 5,400 IHG points.
Key Factors That Affect Your Points Calculation
To ensure your points calculation is accurate, keep these factors in mind:
- Pre-Tax Spending Only: Points are earned on the amount before taxes, fees, tips, and other surcharges. Always check your bill for the qualifying total.
- Currency Conversion: For stays outside the U.S., your spending is converted to USD using IHG’s exchange rate. When booking online, note the USD equivalent shown—it’s what IHG uses for points calculation.
- Booking Channel: Only bookings made directly through IHG (website, app, or call center) qualify for points. Third-party bookings (e.g., Expedia) do not earn points.
- Multiple Rooms: You can earn points on up to 9 rooms per stay, provided they’re booked under your name and you’re paying for them.
- Award Nights: If you’re staying on a free night using points, you won’t earn base points on the room rate, but you can still earn points on incidental charges.
Why It’s Important to Calculate Your Points
IHG’s system isn’t perfect, and errors in points calculation can occur due to:
- Human error when hotel staff enter your spending data.
- System glitches, especially after new promotions are launched.
What to Do if Your Points Are Incorrect
- Wait for Points to Post: Base and elite bonus points typically post within 5 business days after checkout. Promotional points may take up to 6 weeks.
- Check Your Account: Log in to your IHG One Rewards account to verify the points earned.
- Request a Correction:
- Submit a Missing Points Form: Visit the IHG website and fill out the online form with your stay details and folio (receipt) to request missing points.
- Contact Customer Service: Alternatively, reach out to IHG’s customer service team directly via phone or email, providing your stay information and folio for assistance.
- Keep Records: Always save your hotel folio as proof of your stay in case you need to dispute a points issue.
Tips to Maximize Points Per Stay
To get the most points out of each stay:
- Register for Every Promotion: It’s free and can significantly boost your earnings.
- Consider Bonus Points Packages: If you’re close to elite status or need extra points, they’re a cost-effective option.
- Stack Earnings: Combine elite bonuses, promotions, and packages when possible.
- Stay at Brands with Higher Earning Rates: Opt for hotels that offer 10 points per $1 USD if points are your priority.
Final Thoughts
Calculating how many IHG points you’ll earn per hotel stay is straightforward once you understand the components: base points, elite bonuses, promotional points, and any additional bonuses. By using the formula and tips provided, you can accurately estimate your points and ensure you’re getting the rewards you deserve. Whether you’re a casual traveler or a points enthusiast, knowing how to maximize your earnings will help you make the most of every stay.