IHG Hotels & Resorts has launched a new global loyalty program, IHG One Rewards, giving guests richer benefits, more ways to earn and newly enhanced credit cards, all powered by its new mobile app.
The launch of IHG One Rewards follows the announcement in January of the program’s new tier and bonus point earning structure—designed to help members earn more points faster and have more ways to use them.
“This is one of the largest and most comprehensive investments that IHG Hotels & Resorts has made in recent years,” said Claire Bennett, global chief customer officer, IHG Hotels & Resorts. “It’s also the biggest development we’ve made in the loyalty space since introducing the industry’s first loyalty program. We’re truly transforming guest experiences by giving our loyalty members more of what they want, more value and exciting benefits individually delivered via new technology with our new mobile app.”
She continued, “Built on feedback from our guests, hotel teams and owners, IHG One Rewards has a fresh look and feel and puts guests in control of their journey. It recognizes that no two members are the same and celebrates it—allowing guests to travel and mark milestones their own way. Every day, we welcome more guests to our hotels, and while a love of travel is universal, the reasons and ways people travel differ. With IHG One Rewards, our members can create the rewards that are right for them.”
Highlights of the program:
- A new tier and bonus point earning structure will allow members to earn more points faster and gain rewards sooner. The new tier and bonus point earning structure starts today and will be reflected in all member accounts on or before April 17.
- Further enhancements and member benefits include free breakfast for Diamond Elite members as a welcome amenity choice; exclusive access to reward night discount promotions for Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite members; and more opportunities for Elite members to receive early check-in, late checkout (if available) and room upgrades (to suites, if available, or another premium room type for Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite members).
- Recognizing that not all members want to use their points in the same way, IHG One Rewards marks the introduction of Milestone Rewards—a new, technology-enabled platform that will allow members to choose the rewards that matter most to them. Starting at just 20 nights stayed, members will be offered a choice from a selection of rewards every 10 nights, through 100 nights stayed. These Milestone Rewards choices include points, $20 F&B Rewards, suite ugrades and annual lounge membership.
In addition, last month, Chase and IHG launched the IHG Rewards Premier Business Mastercard, designed to help small business owners turn everyday expenses into travel rewards, and activated new and enhanced benefits across the IHG Rewards Traveler and Premier Consumer Mastercard products. All three cards feature benefits allowing cardmembers to earn points faster than ever before, simplified pathways to IHG One Reward’s new Elite tiers and optimized ways to use points, according to the company.
In the coming weeks, IHG Hotels & Resorts will also roll out the new IHG One Rewards mobile app. The app is a key element to IHG One Rewards and sets a foundation for future growth, according to the company. The new experience is more personalized, offers streamlined booking and allows members to stay informed, check-in faster, stay connected to the hotel and travel with flexibility. IHG One Rewards members will be prompted to update their app on their device either through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Existing member stays from Jan. 1 will count toward guests’ new-and-improved status. All member benefits—including the launch of Milestone Rewards—will become available for members in early June.
