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IHG One Rewards just launched the ability for members to start redeeming Food & Beverage Rewards earned through the Milestone Rewards program. Upon reaching set night thresholds, IHG members can now choose to get up to $100 in food and beverage credits redeemable during stays at IHG hotels.
The move is great news for IHG aficionados and further rewards those who spend a lot of time in IHG properties. However, initially, Food & Beverage Rewards are only applicable at certain IHG brands in the US and Canada.
What Are Milestone Rewards
IHG One Rewards introduced Milestone Rewards to reward loyal fans who actually stay at their properties with perks beyond what's earned through elite status.
Members earn the ability to choose one of several options every ten nights they stay starting from the 20th night each calendar year. Currently, IHG members have a choice between four types of Milestone Rewards:
- Bonus points: Choose to receive bonus points between 5,000 and 10,000, depending on the level.
- Food & Beverage Rewards: Receive either 2 or 5 Food & Beverage Rewards — depending on the milestone level.
- Confirmable Suite Upgrades: Choose between 1 or 2 confirmable suite upgrades — depending on the milestone level.
- Annual lounge membership: Get the choice of a lounge membership when you reach the 40- and 70-night milestones.
IHG Food & Beverage Rewards Milestone Rewards Overview
- Each IHG Food & Beverage Reward provides up to $20 in value.
- Food & Beverage Rewards are valid for 365 days from the date of issue.
- Currently, you can only use the reward in the US and Canada at Luxury, Lifestyle, and Premium hotels such as:
- InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
- Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
- Hotel Indigo
- voco
- EVEN Hotels
- Crowne Plaza
- Rewards can only be used once — even if the charges are less than the value of the reward.
- You can use multiple rewards during your stay, and each one certificate can be used to cover multiple food and beverage purchases.
- Food & Beverage Rewards must be redeemed prior to checkout.
- To use your reward, your IHG member number must be associated with your stay.
- Generally, the reward can be applied to restaurant purchases, in-room dining, minibar food and drink items, and associated tax and gratuity charges. However, this may vary by property.
- Charges normally exclude marketplace items and 3rd party restaurants and delivery services.
- Rewards are non-transferable and cannot be applied to multiple rooms.
- Food & Beverage Rewards are only available at participating IHG hotels.
One thing to keep an eye out for is the current restriction to only the US and Canada and certain IHG brands. However, IHG has indicated that Food & Beverage Rewards will soon be available in other locations and brands.
How To Use a Food & Beverage Reward
- Charge your food and beverages to your room during your stay.
- Before checking out, log into the IHG One Rewards App or website and head over to the Rewards Wallet.
- Confirm your hotel and room number.
- Apply the reward to any qualifying charges.
- Once applied, you will see the reward credit to your hotel bill.
How Valuable Are Food & Beverage Milestone Rewards?
The Food & Beverage Reward is reasonably valuable and can be the best choice when you hit certain milestones. However, other milestones offer more valuable rewards.
For instance, after 20 nights, you can choose one of the following rewards:
- 5,000 bonus points.
- 2 Food & Beverage Rewards.
- 1 confirmable suit upgrade.
On average AwardWallet users have been able to leverage IHG points for 0.73¢ per point. That means the 5,000-point bonus option is worth around $37. Alternatively, you can choose the Food & Beverage Reward to get two certificates worth up to $20 each — for a total value of $40.
However, you could also choose a confirmable suite upgrade that can be used on a stay of up to 5 nights. This Milestone Reward would end up being worth several hundred dollars if your travel plans allow you to maximize its use.
There's no wrong choice. Instead, the most valuable option comes down to how you'll utilize these rewards. If you can maximize the confirmable suite upgrade, that could easily be the most valuable option. If you need a few more points to book a valuable award, the bonus points could be the best fit. Of the three options, getting up to $40 in food and beverage credits is the safest option.
Our Take
Through IHG's loyalty program revamp and launch of IHG One Rewards in 2022, the hotel group sought to reward members for staying at its properties — even if they have elite status through a co-brand credit card.
The initial launch of Milestone Rewards was welcome news for IHG regulars. However, it was frustrating that the Food & Beverage Rewards couldn't be redeemed quite yet. Now that these Food & Beverage Rewards are live — albeit only in the US and Canada and at select brands — the program is even more appealing.
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“1 confirmable suit upgrade” is great news, as many have informed me that my suits are woefully outdated. However, this is an unlikely benefit of the IHG award program…most likely should be “suite”.
Also, is the application of the term “Out Take” intentional (as the term is most commonly associated with the film industry). or is this intended to be “Our Take”?
Regardless, thanks for the recap of the ridiculously complex IHG award structure.
Even as a Platinum Elite, it’s not much of an incentive.
As much as I like IHG and get very nice award stays, this is an overall meh. Not having breakfast as an included perk, until one hits Diamond, is big hindrance for people to give their business to IHG. Taking the food and beverage Milestone reward only gives 2 $20 certs which doesn’t even cover breakfast for 2, at most IHG properties.
Overall, all the chains have become very stingy with covering breakfast unless you have top status. Which really irks me, as the hotels’ actual cost for breakfast is very low. When I don’t get breakfast as part of my rate, I go outside of the hotel for breakfast. In most cases it costs less and the hotel loses revenue because of their greed.
Leave it to IHG to make it Way more complicated than need be. If F and B is good for 365 days, how can it be that you have to use it before checking out??? This program is irritating to even try to figure out, and I stay 230 nights a year, mostly Hilton. I used to be 90 percent mixed between Choice and IHG, but IHG irritated me one time too many with awards confusion, and Choice seems to not do the 8000 point stuff anymore. I hated Hilton, but the fact is the app and rewards is easier and cleaner to earn and use.