If you’re a member of IHG, especially someone who stays at IHG hotels regularly, you’ve probably come across the term Confirmable Suite Upgrade. This exclusive benefit is a fantastic perk offered to IHG One Rewards members. But what exactly is it, how can you earn it, and how can you use it to elevate your stay?
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about IHG’s Confirmable Suite Upgrade. From the basics of how to earn and redeem the voucher to important terms and conditions, this post will equip you with the knowledge to make the most of this luxury upgrade.
You can access IHG’s page for Milestone Rewards here.
What Is IHG Confirmable Suite Upgrade?
IHG’s Confirmable Suite Upgrade is a special benefit that allows IHG One Rewards members to upgrade to an entry-level suite (or a premium room where a suite is not available) during their stay.
Unlike regular room upgrades, which are often subject to availability at check-in, the Confirmable Suite Upgrade guarantees that you’ll get upgraded to a suite (or a premium room) as long as there’s availability when you book in advance.
This is a game-changer for frequent travelers who prefer certainty in their hotel reservations, especially for those who enjoy staying in suites. The suite upgrade voucher is available after meeting specific milestones as part of IHG’s loyalty program.
How to Earn IHG Confirmable Suite Upgrades
The Confirmable Suite Upgrade is a milestone reward available to IHG One Rewards members who complete a certain number of eligible nights. Here’s a breakdown of how you can earn these suite upgrades:
Earn by Completing Nights:
The suite upgrade is available when you complete 20, 40, or 70 nights in a calendar year. Each tier offers the opportunity to choose a suite upgrade as one of your Milestone Rewards.
Eligibility:
Only elite members (Gold, Platinum, or Diamond) are eligible for this benefit. The suite upgrade is part of the elite benefits, so you need to be an active member of the IHG One Rewards program.
Selecting Your Reward:
When you reach the required number of nights, you’ll be able to select your Confirmable Suite Upgrade from a list of available rewards. You can use these upgrades on your future stays, making it an excellent way to get more luxury for your points.
Once you’ve selected the Confirmable Suite Upgrade from your Milestone Rewards, you can find it in your “My Account” → “Rewards Wallet”.
How to Use the Confirmable Suite Upgrade Voucher
Once you’ve earned your suite upgrade voucher, it’s time to book your next stay and enjoy the benefits. Here’s what you need to know about using the voucher:
Booking Your Upgrade:
Advance Booking is Required: You must book your stay at least 14 days in advance, and you’ll need to request the suite upgrade at the time of booking.
The upgrade can be applied to a single room for 1 to 5 consecutive nights.
Combining Vouchers:
If you’ve earned multiple suite upgrade vouchers, you can combine two or more vouchers for a longer stay. This is especially useful if you plan to stay for more than 5 nights and want to use the upgrades for a more extended period of luxury.
Eligible Hotels:
The Confirmable Suite Upgrade is valid at most IHG hotels, including InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, and other brands within the IHG portfolio. However, there are some exclusions (more on that later), so it’s a good idea to check with IHG customer service or the hotel directly.
Upgrading a Room:
You can use your voucher to upgrade from a standard room to a suite or a higher-level room such as a deluxe room if no suites are available. The voucher guarantees you’ll get an upgrade within these parameters, but availability is still key, so it’s important to book early.
Valid on Rewards:
A great benefit of the Confirmable Suite Upgrade is that it is also valid for rewards stays. This means that you can use the voucher to upgrade your room even if you’re redeeming points for a reward stay, adding even more value to your IHG points.
You cannot redeem the suite upgrade voucher online by yourself. Instead, you need to contact IHG customer service or the hotel directly to request the upgrade. Once confirmed, the upgrade will be linked to your reservation.
Simply inform the customer service representative that you’d like to use your suite upgrade voucher and provide your reservation number. The representative will then check if the upgrade is available. If confirmed, you’ll receive a confirmation email.
Key Rules to Keep in Mind
While Confirmable Suite Upgrade is a great benefit, it comes with specific rules you should be aware of to avoid any surprises:
Booking Restrictions:
The suite upgrade voucher applies only to refundable rates and does not apply to special rates like group rates, wholesale rates, or non-refundable rates. So, always make sure you’re booking the right type of room.
Cancellation and Refunds:
If you need to cancel your reservation and do so before the hotel’s cancellation deadline, your suite upgrade voucher will be returned to your account. However, if you cancel after the deadline or do not show up, you will lose the voucher.
One Voucher Per Stay:
The voucher is valid for one room only, and it can only be used on one reservation. You cannot use multiple vouchers for separate nights in one stay. However, as mentioned earlier, you can combine multiple vouchers for stays longer than 5 nights.
No Room Service Perks:
Even if you’re upgraded to a suite on a club level or similar premium floor, the suite upgrade does not include access to amenities like lounge access or free breakfast. These perks are subject to the hotel’s policies and may require additional status (like Diamond or Ambassador status).
Not All Brands Participate:
Some IHG hotel brands are excluded from the suite upgrade program, such as avid, Atwell Suites, Six Senses, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, and others. Always check if the hotel where you’re staying participates in the program before booking.
Expiry:
The suite upgrade voucher is valid for 12 months from the time you select it as a reward, so be sure to use it before it expires. If you can’t use it within that time, you can contact IHG customer service to request an extension, but it’s not guaranteed.
Is the Confirmable Suite Upgrade Worth It?
If you’re someone who frequently stays at IHG properties and enjoys the luxury of a suite, the Confirmable Suite Upgrade can be a game-changer. With guaranteed upgrades (as long as the hotel has availability), you can enjoy a higher level of comfort without the uncertainty of a standard room upgrade.
Additionally, the upgrade provides excellent value, especially for long stays or in higher-end hotels where suite upgrades can cost hundreds of dollars per night. If you’re booking a stay at a luxury hotel like the InterContinental New York Barclay or a premium property in an expensive city, using a suite upgrade voucher can save you a lot of money.
IHG Confirmable Suite Upgrade Terms and Conditions
Confirmable Suite Upgrade: Confirmable Suite Upgrades will be applicable for one room upgrade to an entry-level suite or premium room where a suite is not available.
https://www.ihg.com/content/gb/en/customer-care/member-tc/2nd-page.html
- Confirmable Suite Upgrade is valid for 12 months from milestone selection
- Confirmable Suite Upgrade may only be selected once at 40 and 70- night milestone choice
- Confirmable Suite Upgrade can only be applied to stays that are on an eligible rate, e.g., Best Flexible, Member Discount, Reward Night, Government, and select Corporate and package rates
- Confirmable Suite Upgrades cannot be used with the following rate types:
- Group rates, package tour or convention where charges are being paid by a third party
- Free Night or Ambassador Complimentary Weekend Night (eligible at a future date)
- Non-Qualified rate, e.g., Wholesale and OTA
- Employee rate
- Prepaid rates if deposit is already applied
- Some hotel defined packages
- Confirmable Suite Upgrade must be redeemed by contacting IHG Customer Care
- Confirmable Suite Upgrade can be made starting 14 days before arrival up to 24hrs before Check-In
- Valid for stays up to a maximum of 5 nights
- Confirmable Suite Upgrade can only be applied to the Member’s room and is non-transferable
- Suite Upgrade is not exchangeable for cash or other type of credit
- Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite 72-hour guarantee availability is not applicable
- Confirmable Suite Upgrade will be reinstated to Member’s Rewards Wallet if cancelled in advance of hotel’s cancellation policy timeframe, and original validity dates will apply
- Confirmable Suite Upgrade availability exceptions may apply during special events that result in extraordinary demand, as determined by the hotel
- If a Member uses a Confirmable Suite Upgrade and ‘no-shows’ for their reservation, the Confirmable Suite Upgrade will be forfeited
- Confirmable Suite Upgrade cannot be stacked with guaranteed upgrades for Royal Ambassador, Ambassador, and Inner Circle Members, any additional upgrades are at the discretion of the hotel
- Confirmable Suite Upgrade is available at all IHG brands, except avid hotels, Atwell Suites, IHG Army Hotels, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, IHG Residences, including but not limited to InterContinental Residences, voco Residences, Crowne Plaza Residences, and Six Senses Hotels Resort Spas. The benefit also is not available at InterContinental Alliance Resorts (Las Vegas and Macau) or at participating Iberostar Beachfront Resorts.
- Confirmable Suite Upgrades to Club rooms, Club REGENT or Club InterContinental rooms / floors do not include Club level amenities, facilities, or services, e.g. Club Lounge access, free pressing, airport transportation, etc.
- Suite inventory is not available at all properties or is limited at others; where suite inventory is limited or not available, premium rooms will be offered if available
- Confirmable Suite Upgrades cannot be applied to reservations booked through https://www.anaihghotels.co.jp/ and Japan hotels’ independent site.
Final Thoughts
IHG’s Confirmable Suite Upgrade is an exceptional benefit for IHG One Rewards members. It provides certainty and luxury during your stays, making it a top-tier perk for those who travel frequently. Whether you’re booking a relaxing weekend getaway or a long business trip, these upgrades can elevate your travel experience to new heights.
Remember to check the terms, book early, and always confirm your upgrade through customer service to ensure a smooth and enjoyable stay. If you haven’t earned your suite upgrades yet, aim for those milestone nights, and don’t forget that luxury is just a room away with IHG’s Confirmable Suite Upgrade.