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The elite status program has four tiers — Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Silver Elite, the base tier, doesn't come with too many benefits, but it's incredibly easy to earn through
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IHG Silver Elite Benefits
It's hard to even call IHG Silver Elite status a true “elite status” when there are so few benefits associated with this tier. IHG One members without status already enjoy many exclusive benefits including member rates and promotions, free internet, and a complimentary late checkout of 2:00 pm, subject to availability.
Earn bonus points
As an IHG Silver Elite member, you will earn 20% bonus base points on each stay. This is higher than the comparable benefit offered to Marriott Silver Elites, who only earn 10% bonus points on stays, but the same bonus that those with Hilton Silver status receive.
Points don't expire
As long as you maintain your Silver Elite status, your points will not expire. IHG One Rewards points earned by non-elite members expire after 12 months of inactivity. So, this benefit gives you a buffer if you have a year where you don't travel as much as normal.
Related: Current IHG Promotions
How to Earn IHG Silver Elite
Although IHG Silver Elite status doesn't come with too many benefits, it's easy to earn, and is your first step toward a higher tier of elite status.
Earning IHG Silver Elite through stays
To earn IHG Silver Elite status through stays, you'll need to earn 10 qualifying nights per year. An elite qualifying night is a night you spend at an IHG property as long as it is booked directly through IHG. In other words, don't book through a third-party booking platform like Expedia or your credit card travel portal, as these nights may not apply.
Related: IHG Status Match Tips: What Are Your Options?
Get IHG Silver Elite through credit cards
You will automatically receive IHG Silver Elite status as a perk when you are a cardholder of the IHG One Rewards Credit Card (Rates & Fees). Given that it has a $0 annual fee, this is a fantastic perk. It also offers an impressive earning potential: up to 17 points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel, 3 points on dining, grocery stores, and gas stations, and 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Limited Time Launch Offer! Earn 125,000 Bonus Points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- No Annual Fee
- Earn up to 17X total points on stays at IHG Hotels & Resorts
- Earn 3X points on dining, at grocery stores (new!) and gas stations. Earn 2X points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Automatic Silver Elite status as long as you remain an IHG One Rewards cardmember. Plus, enjoy 5 Elite Night Credits annually (new!).
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at Hotels & Resorts such as InterContinental®, Kimpton®, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza®, EVEN® Hotels, & Holiday Inn®
- Member FDIC
- Earn up to 17X points spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
- 3X points per $1 spent on dining, at grocery stores, and 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 Card member
- 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 loyalty program
If you want a higher tier of status, you don't have look too far. You can apply for the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (Rates & Fees), which has an annual fee of just $150, but offers complimentary IHG Gold Elite Status.
- Earn up to 17X points spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
- 3X points per $1 spent on dining, at grocery stores, and 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 Card member
- 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)
$150Rates & Fees
- Earn up to 24X points total per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
- 5X points per $1 spent on flights booked directly, car rental agencies, at gas stations, grocery stores, 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 Card member
- Earn up to 4X points from IHG® with Gold 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)
Is it Worth Earning IHG Silver Elite Status?
It's worth earning IHG Silver Elite status in the sense that you can earn it simply by holding a no-annual-fee credit card. In other words, you can earn status without paying a penny out of pocket. On the other hand, it hardly comes with any benefits, so it shouldn't be at the top of your to-do list to earn enough qualifying nights to reach this tier of status. Plus, you can easily earn a much higher tier of status with a sub-$100 annual fee credit card.
Final Thoughts
The benefits you receive as an IHG Silver Elite might be the same you would receive by just being a member of a competitors loyalty program. However, 20% bonus points on stays is certainly nothing to scoff at. Plus, your rewards won't expire as long as you're an elite member. Non-elites have to worry about points expiring after 12 months of inactivity, which is a tight timeline. While you might not be actively working toward Silver Elite status, it's a starting point for higher tiers.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: IHG One Rewards Credit Card (Rates & Fees), and IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (Rates & Fees)
