AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers.
IHG Hotels & Resorts has one of the largest global footprints, with more than 6,000 properties across 20 brands. That means you’ll find everything from affordable roadside stays at Holiday Inn Express to high-end wellness retreats at Six Senses.
If you’re staying with IHG more than a couple of times a year, it’s worth looking into IHG One Rewards elite status. Even mid-tier status can unlock perks like bonus points, late checkout, or room upgrades. Even better, top-tier Diamond Elite brings extras like free breakfast and dedicated support.
The good news: you don’t have to spend 70+ nights in hotels to get there. Several credit cards offer a shortcut to Platinum or even Diamond status — sometimes just by holding the card, other times through spending.
Here’s how you can use credit cards to put IHG elite benefits within reach.
Page Contents
What Is IHG Elite Status?
In the IHG One Rewards program, there are four tiers of IHG elite status:
- Club member: free to sign up
- Silver Elite: 10 nights
- Gold Elite: 20 nights or 40,000 points
- Platinum Elite: 40 nights or 60,000 points
- Diamond Elite: 70 nights or 120,000 points
Club members (those without elite status but part of IHG One Rewards) receive perks such as complimentary internet and late checkout, subject to availability. As you earn elite status, you get additional perks. For instance, Silver Elite members earn 20% bonus points on stays, and their points never expire.
Gold Elite members earn more bonus points, Hertz Five Star Status, and an IHG Milestone Rewards choice for every 10 nights stayed. Once you reach Platinum and Diamond Elite status, you start receiving the most valuable benefits, like complimentary upgrades, reward night discounts, early check-in, welcome amenities, and dedicated support.
Which Credit Cards Offer a Spending Path to IHG Diamond Elite Status?
IHG Diamond comes with some of the best benefits, so if you’re serious about staying loyal to IHG, it’s worth aiming for. Traditionally, you’d need 70 nights a year at IHG hotels to qualify for Diamond Elite status. That’s nearly a week each month in a hotel, which isn’t realistic for everyone. Fortunately, you can also earn IHG Diamond Elite status through credit card spending.
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (Rates & Fees) has a $99 annual fee, but it comes with numerous perks that make it worthwhile.
Cardholders receive automatic IHG Platinum Elite status. You'll receive complimentary upgrades and early check-in (both subject to availability), reward night discounts, and your choice of a welcome amenity at check-in. Cardholders also receive perks like an anniversary free night valued up to 40,000 points, and the opportunity to earn a $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 each calendar year.
Plus, if you spend $40,000 in a calendar year, you'll receive Diamond Elite status through December 31 of the following year. That means to hit this threshold, you'd need to spend an average of $3,350 on your card each month to achieve Diamond Elite status.
- Limited Time Offer! Earn 165,000 Bonus Points
- Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Plus, enjoy a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay.
- Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
- Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier cardmember
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $120 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
- IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at Hotels & Resorts such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- Earn up to 26 points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
- 5X points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, gas stations, and restaurants
- 3X points per $1 spent on all other purchases
The earning for spending at IHG hotels breaks down as follows:
- Earn 10X points for being a IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card member
- Earn up to 6X points from IHG® with Platinum Elite Status, a benefit of having this card
- Earn up to 10X points from IHG® for being an IHG® One Rewards member (Being a cardholder is not required to earn this bonus for participating in the IHG® loyalty program)
IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
Similar to the personal IHG Premier card, the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card (Rates & Fees) grants cardholders automatic Platinum Elite status. It delivers most of the same benefits, like an anniversary free night valued at up to 40,000 points, fourth night free on award stays, and a $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 each calendar year.
Like on the personal card, you'll earn Diamond Elite status through December 31 of the following year by spending $40,000 in a calendar year. For small businesses that frequently travel for work, the IHG One Rewards Business Card can be an excellent option.
- Limited Time Offer! Earn up to 200,000 Bonus Points. Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, earn 60,000 Bonus Points after spending a total of $9,000 in the first 6 months from account opening.
- Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Plus, enjoy a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay.
- Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels and Resorts
- Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, select advertising, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier Business cardmember
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $120 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
- IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at hotels such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- Earn up to 26X total points per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
- 5X points per $1 spent on travel, dining, social media search engine advertising, and at office supply stores and gas stations
- 3X points per $1 spent on all other purchases
The earning for spending at IHG hotels breaks down as follows:
- Earn 10X points for charging your stay to your IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
- Earn up to 6X bonus points for having IHG®Platinum Elite Status, a benefit of having this card
- Earn up to 10X base points for being an IHG® One Rewards Member (Being a cardholder is not required to earn this bonus for participating in the IHG® loyalty program)
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The newly revamped Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees) now offers cardholders automatic IHG Platinum Elite status through December 31, 2027. Then, you can unlock IHG Diamond Elite status through the following calendar year by spending $75,000 on your card in a calendar year.
While this spending threshold may not be attainable for everyone, it is a great way to earn IHG Diamond Elite status while also earning rewards that can be transferred to several hotel and airline partners.
In exchange for a $795 annual fee, you'll also receive up to a $300 flexible travel credit, up to $300 dining credit, up to $300 in StubHub credits, a DoorDash DashPass membership, and more.
- Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music - all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 - a value of $250 annually
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
- 3x points on dining worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
Sapphire Reserve for Business℠
The Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (Rates & Fees) charges a $795 annual fee, but blends personal and business benefits to create a solid business credit card.
For instance, you'll receive up to $200 in statement credits each year on Google Workspace purchases, up to $400 annually in ZipRecruiter credits, and up to $100 each year in gift card credits. These credits are in addition to the $300 annual travel credit and DashPass membership.
Just like the personal version, you'll receive complimentary IHG Platinum Elite status through December 31, 2027. However, if you want to pay your way to Diamond Elite, you'll need to spend $120,000 in a calendar year to receive status through the following calendar year.
- Earn 200,000 bonus points after you spend $30,000 on purchases in your first 6 months from account opening and with more than $2,500 in annual value, there's no competition.
- Earn 8x points on Chase Travel℠ for airline tickets, hotels, including The Edit℠, car rentals, cruises, activities and tours.
- Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
- Earn 4x points on flights & hotels booked direct.
- Earn 3x points on social media & search engine advertising.
- Get the most flexible travel credit compared to any other card, with up to $300 in statement credits each anniversary year on travel purchases.
- Enjoy complimentary access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club network and Priority Pass™ Select membership. Two guests may accompany the Primary Cardmember to the lounges free of charge.
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 8X points on all Chase Travel℠ purchases
- 5X total points on eligible Lyft rides through 9/30/2027
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
- 3x points on advertising purchases made with social media platforms and search engines
- 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases
Other Cards That Offer IHG Elite Status
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card (Rates & Fees) is the no-annual-fee IHG card offered by Chase. It grants cardholders automatic Silver Elite status and a path to Gold Elite. Each calendar year you spend $20,000 or more on your card, you'll qualify for Gold Elite through December 31 of the following year.
You also receive benefits like a fourth night free on award stays and 10,000 bonus points once you spend $10,000 each calendar year. For a no-annual-fee card, it's a great deal. Unfortunately, you're limited to reaching Gold Elite through credit card spend alone, so you'll need to stay at IHG properties several times throughout the year to reach Diamond Elite status.
- Limited Time Offer! Earn 2 Free Nights + 40,000 Bonus Points
- No Annual Fee
- Earn up to 17 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on purchases on monthly bills, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- Redeem 3 Nights, Get the 4th Night Free
- IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at Hotels & Resorts such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- Earn up to 17X points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
- 3X points per $1 spent on dining, utilities, select streaming services, and at gas stations
- 2X points per $1 spent on all other purchases
The earning for spending at IHG hotels breaks down as follows:
- Earn 5X points for being a IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Cardmember
- Earn up to 2X points from IHG® with Silver Elite Status, a benefit of this Card
- Earn up to 10X points from IHG® for being an IHG® Rewards Club Member (Being a cardholder is not required to earn this bonus for participating in the IHG® loyalty program)
The New United Club℠ Card
The New United Club℠ Card (Rates & Fees) holders receive automatic Platinum Elite status.
Although you pay a $695 annual fee, you get a suite of statement credits, including up to $150 on rideshare purchases, up to $240 in Instacart credits, up to $200 on JSX purchases, up to $200 on prepaid bookings with Renowned Hotels and Resorts, and up to $100 in United travel credits for Avis or Budget car purchases.
Cardholders also receive numerous benefits when flying United, including a United Club membership, complimentary first and second checked bags, and Premier Access travel services. Unfortunately, you can't spend your way to IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status, but Platinum Elite still provides plenty of benefits for frequent guests.
- Earn 80,000 bonus miles
- 4x miles on United® purchases
- 2x miles on dining and all other travel
- 1x mile on all other purchases
- United Club℠ card membership - at least a $750 value
- Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $360 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and Premier Access® travel services
- Earn a 10,000-mile award flight discount after $20,000 in purchases to use toward an eligible award flight - up to two times each calendar year
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Is IHG Elite Status Worth It?
IHG Silver and Gold Elite status offer minimal benefits. You likely aren't working your way toward these two tiers, and that's okay. However, you can receive some substantial perks once you reach Platinum and Diamond Elite status. For those who frequently stay at IHG properties, complimentary upgrades, a welcome amenity, and early check-in can seriously enhance your stay.
The most affordable way to pay for IHG Diamond Elite status is through the IHG One Rewards Premier Card. With just a $99 annual fee, you can spend $40,000 on the card throughout the year and receive Diamond Elite status.
Plus, it's a great card to use in your day-to-day anyway, as it earns five points per dollar on travel, dining, and gas purchases, and three points per dollar on all other purchases. You can easily earn a significant amount of points while also working your way toward status.
The Sapphire Reserve also gives you a path toward Diamond Elite status, albeit at a much higher annual fee and spending threshold. If you think you can spend enough to earn Diamond Elite status, it may be worthwhile to hold a card that earns a transferable point currency.
Final Thoughts
Unlike some other hotel loyalty programs, earning top-tier IHG status can be attainable for just about anyone. It'll take some planning to make sure you spend enough throughout the year, but once you do, you receive Diamond Elite perks for the entire next year. If you don't feel like calculating your spending, you can enjoy all the perks of automatic Platinum Elite status with select cards.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (Rates & Fees), IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card (Rates & Fees), Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees), Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (Rates & Fees), IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card (Rates & Fees), and The New United Club℠ Card (Rates & Fees)
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.