IHG Hotels and One Rewards Guide
Per Diem Lodging Rewards Center
IHG One Rewards® Guide for Government & Military Travelers
Earn points, elite status and valuable Milestone Rewards from eligible IHG stays while remaining within government per diem rates.
Milestone Rewards
Begin choosing valuable rewards at 20 qualifying nights and continue earning another selection every 10 nights.
Extended-Stay Options
Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites offer kitchens, larger rooms and practical amenities for long assignments.
Elite Status Value
Long government assignments can help travelers reach Platinum or Diamond Elite status during a single calendar year.
Program Overview
IHG One Rewards at a Glance
When you stay at participating IHG hotels through Per Diem Lodging, eligible stays may earn IHG One Rewards points, Elite Qualifying Nights and progress toward elite status while remaining within government per diem rates.
Whether your goal is free hotel nights, complimentary breakfast, room upgrades or Diamond Elite status, IHG One Rewards can provide excellent value during both government and personal travel.
Member Benefits
- Member-only discounted rates on personal travel
- Free Wi-Fi
- Digital and mobile check-in at participating hotels
- Points on eligible stays
- Elite Qualifying Nights
- Milestone Rewards beginning at 20 qualifying nights
Government and military travelers often stay for 30–180 nights.
A single assignment can generate substantial points, elite-night credit and multiple Milestone Reward selections.
Earn More
Earn More From Every Eligible IHG Stay
Whether you are traveling for a few nights or spending several months on a government or military assignment, IHG One Rewards can be one of the most rewarding hotel loyalty programs available.
IHG is especially valuable because you do not have to wait until reaching the highest elite tier to begin receiving meaningful additional rewards.
Beginning at 20 qualifying nights, members can earn Milestone Rewards every 10 nights, allowing travelers to choose benefits that best fit their needs.
Long-Stay Advantage
Why Government Travelers Should Join IHG One Rewards
Milestone Rewards are what make IHG One Rewards especially attractive for travelers completing long assignments.
Instead of waiting until you reach a new elite level, you begin choosing rewards at 20 qualifying nights, with another opportunity every 10 nights through 100 qualifying nights.
Milestone Reward Choices May Include
- Bonus IHG One Rewards points
- Food & Beverage Rewards
- Confirmable Suite Upgrades
- Annual Lounge Membership
Choose Your Rewards
How IHG Milestone Rewards Work
Members begin earning Milestone Reward choices at 20 qualifying nights and continue receiving another choice every 10 nights through 100 nights.
| Qualifying Nights | Reward Choices |
|---|---|
| 20 Nights | Choose 1: 5,000 bonus points, 2 Food & Beverage Rewards, or 1 Confirmable Suite Upgrade |
| 30 Nights | Choose 1: 5,000 bonus points or 2 Food & Beverage Rewards |
| 40 Nights | Choose 2: 10,000 bonus points, 5 Food & Beverage Rewards, 1 Confirmable Suite Upgrade, or Annual Lounge Membership |
| 50 Nights | Choose 1: 10,000 bonus points or 5 Food & Beverage Rewards |
| 60 Nights | Choose 1: 10,000 bonus points or 5 Food & Beverage Rewards |
| 70 Nights | Choose 2: 10,000 bonus points, 5 Food & Beverage Rewards, 2 Confirmable Suite Upgrades, or Annual Lounge Membership |
| 80–100 Nights | Continue receiving another reward choice every 10 qualifying nights, generally bonus points or Food & Beverage Rewards |
Example: A 60-Night Government Assignment
A Navy student or government employee completing a 60-night stay at a participating Staybridge Suites could earn:
- Platinum Elite status
- Five Milestone Reward selections at 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 nights
- Thousands of IHG One Rewards points
- Food & Beverage Rewards
- Potential Confirmable Suite Upgrades
- An Annual Lounge Membership if selected at 40 nights
Milestone Highlights
The Most Valuable Milestone Reward Options
Annual Lounge Membership
- Available as a reward choice at 40 qualifying nights
- Provides access to participating IHG hotel lounges
- Can include breakfast, snacks, refreshments and evening service
- May be used throughout the remainder of the year and into the following year, subject to current program terms
Confirmable Suite Upgrades
- Available at selected Milestone Reward levels
- Allows an eligible room upgrade to be confirmed before arrival
- May apply to qualifying stays of multiple nights
- Subject to participating hotels, availability and current IHG terms
Points Earning
How IHG One Rewards Points Are Earned Through Eligible Stays
The number of IHG One Rewards points earned depends on the hotel brand where you stay.
Most IHG Brands
10 IHG One Rewards points per eligible U.S. dollar spent
Common examples
- Holiday Inn Express
- Holiday Inn
- Crowne Plaza
- Hotel Indigo
- Kimpton
- InterContinental
- Regent
Extended-Stay Brands
5 IHG One Rewards points per eligible U.S. dollar spent
Included brands
- Staybridge Suites
- Candlewood Suites
These brands often provide kitchens, larger accommodations and other long-stay amenities. Staybridge Suites also generally includes complimentary breakfast.
Lower Earning Rate, Strong Long-Stay Value
Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites earn fewer base points per eligible dollar than most IHG brands, but they can still provide excellent overall value for government travelers.
Their extended-stay features, kitchens and continued eligibility for elite-night credit and Milestone Rewards may be worth substantially more than the difference in base-point earning.
Elite Status
IHG One Rewards Elite Status Levels
| Status | Nights | Bonus Points |
|---|---|---|
| Club Member | Free | — |
| Silver Elite | 10 | 20% |
| Gold Elite | 20 | 40% |
| Platinum Elite | 40 | 60% |
| Diamond Elite | 70 | 100% |
When Does IHG Elite Status Expire?
Once earned, IHG One Rewards elite status is generally valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which it was earned and the entire following calendar year.
For example, status earned during 2026 would generally remain valid through the end of 2027, subject to IHG’s current program rules.
Best Elite Benefits
Why Platinum and Diamond Elite Are Worth Targeting
Strong Value at 40 Nights
- 60% bonus points on eligible stays
- Reward Night discounts when offered
- Complimentary room upgrades when available
- Early check-in when available
- Extended 2 p.m. checkout when available
- Guaranteed room availability with advance notice, subject to program terms
IHG’s Highest Earned Elite Tier
- 100% bonus points on eligible stays
- Complimentary breakfast as a welcome amenity at participating brands and hotels
- Enhanced room-upgrade priority when available
- Dedicated Diamond Elite customer support
- Early check-in when available
- Extended 2 p.m. checkout when available
Breakfast Benefit
Diamond Elite Complimentary Breakfast
At participating IHG hotels, Diamond Elite members may select complimentary breakfast as their welcome amenity.
- The benefit is generally available for the member and one registered guest.
- Participation and exact offerings vary by brand, property and location.
- Breakfast may already be included for all guests at brands such as Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites.
- At other eligible brands, the Diamond benefit can provide meaningful additional savings.
Travelers should confirm the available welcome-amenity choices with the hotel at check-in.
Popular With Our Travelers
IHG Brands We Frequently Book
These IHG brands are commonly used by Per Diem Lodging guests because they offer strong value for government and military travel.
| Brand | Best For | Free Breakfast | Kitchen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staybridge Suites | Extended stays | ✓ | Full kitchen |
| Candlewood Suites | Extended stays | — | Full kitchen |
| Holiday Inn Express | Short and medium stays | ✓ | — |
| Holiday Inn | Short and medium stays | Varies | — |
| Crowne Plaza | Full-service stays | Diamond benefit* | — |
| Hotel Indigo | Boutique stays | Diamond benefit* | — |
| Kimpton | Luxury and boutique stays | Diamond benefit* | — |
| InterContinental | Luxury stays | Diamond benefit* | — |
| Regent | Ultra-luxury stays | Diamond benefit* | — |
*Diamond Elite members may be able to select complimentary breakfast as their welcome amenity at participating brands and hotels. Benefits vary by hotel and current program rules.
Lounge Highlight
Annual Lounge Membership
IHG’s Annual Lounge Membership can be one of the most valuable Milestone Reward choices for frequent travelers.
It may be selected at 40 or 70 qualifying nights and provides access to participating IHG hotel lounges, regardless of the member’s elite tier, subject to current program rules.
Not every IHG hotel has a lounge. Participation, access hours and offerings vary by hotel and location.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IHG One Rewards free?
Yes. IHG One Rewards membership is free and does not have an annual membership fee.
Will I earn IHG One Rewards points when booking through Per Diem Lodging?
Per Diem Lodging books directly with participating IHG hotels, so eligible qualifying stays can earn IHG One Rewards points and Elite Qualifying Nights.
Always provide your IHG One Rewards membership number before check-in. Final eligibility depends on IHG’s program rules, the participating hotel and the qualifying rate booked.
How much are IHG One Rewards points worth?
Many travel experts estimate IHG One Rewards points at approximately 0.5 to 0.6 cents per point. Actual redemption value varies depending on the hotel, dates, demand and number of points required.
Can I pool or transfer IHG One Rewards points?
IHG generally permits eligible members to transfer points in specified increments, subject to transfer fees and current program limits. IHG does not offer the same type of free points pooling available through some other loyalty programs.
Can I buy IHG One Rewards points?
Yes. Buying points usually makes the most sense during a strong promotional offer or when you need a limited number of additional points to complete a high-value reward-night reservation.
Do IHG One Rewards points expire?
Points held by base-level Club members generally expire after 12 months without qualifying account activity. Points generally do not expire while the member maintains IHG elite status, subject to current program terms.
What are Food & Beverage Rewards?
Food & Beverage Rewards are Milestone Reward certificates that may be applied toward eligible food and beverage charges at participating IHG hotels. Availability, value, expiration and use are subject to current IHG program rules.
When should I choose Annual Lounge Membership?
Annual Lounge Membership can be particularly valuable when you regularly stay at participating InterContinental, Crowne Plaza or other IHG hotels with lounges.
Travelers who mostly stay at Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites or Candlewood Suites may receive more value from points, Food & Beverage Rewards or Confirmable Suite Upgrades.
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