IHG Rewards Club Reduces Point/Night Requirements for Elite Qualification due to Covid-19 Outbreak
Most travel plans have been put on hold right now with the Covid-19 outbreak and while members in Greater China have gotten a status extension across most major hotel loyalty programmes, the rest of us are also affected in various ways. In recognition of that, IHG Rewards Club has reduced the number of required nights (or elite-qualifying points) in 2020, so members can attain (and retain) their elite status with fewer nights and lesser spend.
Photo Credit: InterContinental Yokohama Pier 8
According to the Travel Advisory Policy that IHG Rewards Club has put out, they will be reducing the Elite membership criteria requirement by at least 25% this year. Under the newly-revised 2020 criteria, these are the requirements to obtain (or retain!) your elite status with the program through to the end of 2021:
Gold Elite: 7 Nights or 7,000 Qualifying Points (down from 10 Nights/10,000 Points)
Platinum Elite: 30 Nights or 30,000 Qualifying Points (down from 40 Nights/40,000 Points)
Spire Elite: 55 Nights or 55,000 Qualifying Points (down from 75 Nights/75,000 Points)
As a quick reminder, the InterContinental Ambassador membership (priced at USD 200 or 40,000 points a year) gives you immediate Platinum Elite status with the IHG Rewards Club program and you will keep it for as long as your membership is active. It also comes with a range of benefits when staying at InterContinental Hotels & Resorts which include things like one-category room upgrades, guaranteed 4:00PM late check-out and unique welcome amenities.