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In December each year, IHG One Rewards sends targeted offers to members to purchase IHG elite status for the following year. That offer is back again; targeted members can buy up to Diamond Elite through the end of 2026. For the right member, this offer can be a great deal. Here's why.
Targeted IHG Members Can Buy Up to Diamond Elite Status for 2026
Each year, IHG allows select One Rewards members to purchase Diamond Elite status for the following year. The offers are personalized, so your deal might not be as good as someone else's. Conversely, it might be more appealing than what's offered to one of your friends or family members.
In past years, this promotion had several versions. This year, we are only aware of two: Eligible IHG cardholders can purchase 120,000 elite points required for IHG Diamond status for $800. Meanwhile, non-cardholders have to pay $1,000. Either way, you have until December 31, 2025, to purchase the required points.
It's unclear who specifically is targeted for this offer. But we are seeing it for one member of the AwardWallet team who has IHG Platinum Elite status through the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card — but who has otherwise earned zero IHG Elite Qualifying Points.
- Earn 140,000 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
- 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)
Should you buy IHG Diamond Elite status?
The 120,000 points you purchase through this promotion serve two purposes. They are both redeemable points for booking award nights and elite-qualifying points that count toward elite status.
This offer is distinct from the general IHG point purchase promotions. It's important to note that points purchased during those bonus or discount promotions are not elite-qualifying and won't help you achieve or maintain elite status.
But if your goal is to earn Diamond Elite status, purchasing elite-qualifying points (if you're targeted) could make sense — especially with the added 20% discount when using an IHG credit card. In recent redemptions, AwardWallet users have averaged 0.68¢ per IHG point. At that rate, IHG cardholders can buy $816 worth of IHG points for $800 and get IHG Diamond Elite status to boot!
If elite status isn’t a priority and you just want cheap points, you're likely better off waiting for one of IHG’s regular point sales, where IHG routinely offers a 100% bonus. That's a better way to stock up on redeemable points.
Ultimately, the value of this promotion hinges on how much you value the perks of Diamond Elite status, such as a complimentary breakfast for two at participating brands, a 100% bonus on the base earning rate, and a higher priority for room upgrades. If you could live without those benefits (or just want cheap IHG points), this promotion is worth a pass.
Key terms
- Check your email to see if IHG targeted you with any of these offers.
- You must buy the number of points you need for IHG Diamond Elite by December 31, 2025.
- Make the purchase in a single transaction.
- Use an IHG One Rewards credit card for a 20% discount on your purchase.
- Points purchased count as redeemable points as well as Elite Qualifying Points.
- Your status will take up to 10 days to reflect in your account.
- Diamond Elite status is valid through the end of 2026.
Our Take
This offer comes around at the end of each year, but not all IHG One Rewards members are targeted. If you have the email, check if 120,000 points will cost you $1,000 — or $800 if you plan to pay with an IHG credit card. This promotion particularly makes sense if you only need a few more points to reach Diamond Elite for 2026 and can make full use of your benefits.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (Rates & Fees)
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