As the highest tier of IHG One Rewards, the Diamond Elite offers a solid suite of benefits. As part of its revamped loyalty program, IHG added a host of exclusive benefits for top-tier elites including complimentary breakfasts, confirmable upgrades to suites, and more. While earning the status requires a hefty number of nights or points, IHG offers an accelerated route to Diamond status through its co-branded credit cards.

In this post, we’ve compiled an in-depth guide detailing how to earn it, its key benefits, and the Milestone Rewards program. After we’ve gone over the details, we’ll also discuss whether the IHG Diamond is worth aiming for and how it compares to the top tiers of other hotel loyalty programs.

A Closer Look at IHG One Rewards Diamond Status

The recent overhaul of IHG’s loyalty program resulted in the birth of IHG One Rewards. The fresh, feature-rich program is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, mainly due to the introduction of new benefits. This article will go over the benefits of the IHG One Rewards Diamond status, the program’s highest tier. We will explore how to attain this status, the benefits it offers, and whether it’s worth pursuing.

Earning IHG One Rewards Diamond Status

IHG One Rewards Diamond status is the highest tier of loyalty recognition within the IHG One Rewards program and comes with hefty qualification requirements. To earn the status, you’ll need to qualify based on points earned or qualifying nights over the course of a calendar year. Luckily, earning the status can be a lot more achievable using credit cards.

Earning IHG Diamond with Hotel Stays

The most traditional way of earning IHG One Rewards Diamond status is by earning sufficient nights or qualifying points in a year.

Specifically, one can become an IHG Diamond Elite member by completing 70 qualifying nights or earning 120,000 qualifying points in a year.

These points can be accrued through paid stays at IHG properties, free night stays, purchasing IHG Bonus Points Packages, spending with IHG Business Rewards, or earning points with partner activities.

Requirements for each of the IHG One Rewards status levels are included in the table below.

Notably, the nights requirements for IHG Diamond status are higher than those for similar elite statuses from other programs like Hilton Honors Diamond, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, or World of Hyatt Globalist. It is, however, easier to earn than Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador status.

It’s also possible to earn IHG status in one stay, regardless of nights, if you spend enough to earn 120,000 points.

Earning IHG Diamond with Credit Cards

Looking for a fast-track route to Diamond status? IHG’s co-branded credit card offer an accelerated route to Diamond status.

Consider IHG’s co-branded credit cards. Both the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card and IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card come with automatic Platinum status for cardholders. By spending $40,000 on the card within a calendar year, it automatically gets bumped up to top-tier IHG Diamond status.

While a $40,000 annual spend may seem substantial at first glance, it’s relatively modest when compared to the cost of achieving IHG Diamond elite status through hotel stays alone.

IHG’s cards don’t only elite status. Cardholders also enjoy extra benefits such as an anniversary free night award. Terms apply.

That said, keep in mind that you will not earn Milestone Rewards if you earn your IHG status exclusively using credit cards.

Can You Earn IHG Lifetime Diamond Status?

IHG Diamond Elite status, once earned, is valid for the remainder of that year and all of the following calendar year.

Unlike other programs, IHG One Rewards does not offer a lifetime Diamond status. Members need to re-qualify each year based on their eligible stays, credit card benefits, or spending on their IHG credit card.

Benefits of IHG One Rewards Diamond Status

With the prerequisites for earning status out of the way, let’s explore the benefits of IHG One Rewards Diamond status.

Complimentary Breakfast

As an IHG Diamond elite, you can select a complimentary full breakfast as your welcome amenity at check-in.

This benefit allows Diamond elites to enjoy a complimentary hot breakfast during their stay at any participating IHG hotel. This offer is valid for the member and one registered guest in the room for each night of the stay and includes one main menu item with unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, or a full buffet with unlimited non-alcoholic beverages.

The benefit, although not as generous as Hyatt’s Globalist Breakfast Benefit, finds a comfortable middle ground when compared to the complimentary breakfast offerings from other hotel loyalty programs.

The benefit applies at IHG’s InterContinental, REGENT, Kimpton, Hualuxe, Hotel Indigo, voco, Crowne Plaza, Even, and Holiday Inn brands.

It does not apply at Six Senses, Vignette Collection, avid, Holiday Inn Express, Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Candlewood Suites, InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City, or InterContinental Doha Residences. Despite the benefit’s limitations, it represents a significant upgrade to IHG’s benefits for top-tier elites.

Bonus IHG Points

IHG Diamond status offers a 100% points bonus on all eligible stays. Since you ordinarily earn 10x IHG points per dollar spent at most IHG brands, you’d earn an extra 10x points per dollar spent for a total of 20x points per dollar.

Note that this only applies to base points, not to any bonus points earned from promotions or credit cards.

Room Upgrades

As a Diamond member, you are entitled to room upgrades, subject to availability at check-in. Upgrades extend up to standard suites but are based on the hotel’s discretion.

If you’re a Diamond member and not offered an upgrade proactively, it’s worth asking about it at check-in.

Late Check-Out

IHG One Rewards extends a 2 pm late checkout to all elite members including Diamond members. Note that there is no incremental benefit for top-tier Diamond elites beyond the benefit offered to Silver, Gold, and Platinum members, although higher-level elites may be prioritized.

If guaranteed late checkout is important to you, it may be worth considering signing up for Intercontinental Ambassador which offers a guaranteed 4 pm checkout at Intercontinental and, at participating Six Senses properties, based on availability.

Early Check-In

Diamond elites are eligible for early check-in, although the exact time is not specified. The benefit is based on availability and is not guaranteed.

Dedicated Customer Support

Diamond members get access to special customer service support, a benefit that other elite tiers don’t receive.

This could come in handy, as IHG’s customer service can sometimes be hard to get in touch with.

Guaranteed Room Availability

Diamond members get guaranteed room night availability when booking at least 72 hours in advance.

Be aware that this benefit is subject to blackout dates including special events resulting in high room demand. It’s also the same benefit offered to Platinum elites.

IHG Milestone Rewards

Arguably the most value in IHG One Rewards is found in its Milestone Rewards program.

The Milestone Rewards program provides additional perks based on the number of elite nights you accumulate in a calendar year, from 20 up to 100 nights. Eligible nights include award nights.

Every 10 nights, you earn a Milestone Reward, with additional options at 40 and 70 nights.

Note that you’ll be able to select rewards at each milestone only if you’ve earned status through qualifying nights in a calendar year. You won’t automatically earn milestone rewards if you earn your status using a credit card.

Let’s explore the Milestone Rewards available at each threshold:

• At 20 nights, you’ll be able to choose one of the following:
  • 5,000 bonus points
  • 2 food & beverage rewards worth $20 each
  • a confirmable suite upgrade

• At 30 nights, you’ll be able to choose one of the following:
  • 5,000 bonus points
  • 2 food & beverage rewards worth $20 each

• At 40 nights, you’ll be able to choose two of the following:
  • 10,000 bonus points
  • 5 food & beverage rewards worth $20 each
  • a confirmable suite upgrade
  • an annual lounge membership

• At 50 and 60 nights, you’ll be able to choose one of the following:
  • 10,000 bonus points
  • 5 food & beverage rewards worth $20 each

• At 70 nights, you’ll be able to choose two of the following:
  • 10,000 bonus points
  • 5 food & beverage rewards worth $20 each
  • a confirmable suite upgrade
  • annual lounge membership

• At 80, 90, and 100 nights, you’ll be able to choose one of the following:
  • 10,000 bonus points
  • 5 food & beverage rewards worth $20 each

When you reach a new milestone, IHG will send you an email notification. You then have 90 days to select your reward. If you earn 70 elite nights in a year to earn IHG Diamond status, you could choose three confirmable suite upgrades and an annual lounge membership from Milestone Rewards. That’s probably the way to get the most value from the program

If you’re a frequent visitor to IHG properties, spending $40,000 on the IHG Premier Card or IHG Premier Business Card to earn Diamond status could definitely be worthwhile. However, unlocking some Milestone Rewards is essential to truly capitalize on the value of the program.

Note that the earned rewards are separate from the standard elite perks provided to Diamond members.

IHG One Rewards Elite Benefits By Tier

Bottom Line

Diamond is the highest tier of the IHG One Rewards program. To earn this status, members must either complete 70 qualifying nights or earn 120,000 qualifying points in a year. These points can be accrued through various means such as paid stays at IHG properties, free night stays, purchasing IHG Bonus Points Packages, spending with IHG Business Rewards, or earning points with partner activities.

IHG’s co-branded credit cards offer an accelerated route to Diamond status. Cardholders can be automatically bumped up to top-tier IHG Diamond status after spending $40,000 on specific cards within a calendar year, although status earned in this way does not include access to Milestone Rewards.

As the top-tier status, Diamond offers the most robust level of elite perks available at IHG. These include a complimentary full breakfast as a welcome amenity, a 100% points bonus on all eligible stays, room upgrades subject to availability, early check-in, late check-out, dedicated customer service support, and guaranteed room night availability when booking at least 72 hours in advance. Additionally, the Milestone Rewards program provides additional perks based on the number of elite nights accumulated in a calendar year, with rewards available every 10 nights from 20 up to 100 nights.