Article: Matt's IHG Hotel Status Strategy

[AFF Editor]

Canonical URL

https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/ihg-hotel-status-strategy/

My Personal IHG Hotel Status Strategy is an article written by the AFF editorial team:

My Personal IHG Hotel Status Strategy

AFF editor Matt Graham shares his strategy for earning Diamond Elite status in the IHG One Rewards hotel loyalty program each year.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

 

[Traveler999]

Since us antipodeans cannot get Marriot/Hilton high status with Credit cards then IHG (and Accor) work best for me since you can buy your way to status with points purchase on stays, or signature membership for Accor.

Last year I stayed 30 plus 10 night’s credit from IHG deals nights in Japan and earned Diamond plus a lounge pass. This year I have 30 days in Europe mostly across InterContinental’s to hopefully use my suite upgrades and enjoy lounge access and will earn Diamond again.

The costs for 5,000 points ranged from $USD 15, 20,23,28,30 the only ones I did not buy were Berlin and Vienna at $48/5000. I am very happy with IHG but do not have high hopes to get outsized value from the points.

Also worth noting is the Visa 20% discount which I used several times in Europe getting pretty much the same rate as the non-cancellable rate but with the ability to cancel/change up to 3 days before stay. That alone probably saved me $USD 1000

Even Accor helped me along, I used my suite night at Prague Mgallery for a 82m2 suite for about $850 which is usually $2100 for the 2 days. Otherwise since Accor platinum does not have free breakfast in Europe they missed out on my business unless they were a better option to IHG

 

[drron]

I have found it to be the best program for us. There are some problems though. The first is the suite night upgrades. You can only apply them 14 days before your stay and must ring to apply them. Can't be done online. However Australian ICs are hard to get the suite upgrade in my experience. Have ended up using a couple at Holiday Inns which isn't great value. The other problem is they are only for stays up to 5 nights whereas our preference is longer stays.
The real benefit for me is the lounge entrance award after 40 nights. It is an annual pass but easy to get it to go for 2 years. I found this out by serendipity. In 2023 my 40th night was on 30/12 and didn't post until 1/1.24. I claimed that award on 3/1/24.as I had a stay at the IC Bangkok coming up. It turns out you get the pass for what is left of the year you claim it plus the next year so my award lasted for all but 3 days of 2024 plus all of 2025.
However you don't have to leave it until the last minute. When the 40 nights have passed you have to choose between lounge access, suite upgrade or 5 F&B award worth $US20 each or 10000 points. This year I chose the F&B awards. However they give you 3 months to make your choice so next year my 40th night is planned for October. I even booked a couple of marriott and Hilton properties so I didn't reach the 40 nights earli
Why did I take the F&B awards. Well they are redeemed basically at the XE rate whereas the Ambassador F&B allowance of $US 25 is not. So on my last stay I got more for a milestone F&B certificate than the IC ambassador credt it gave me 600 baht allowance but the milestone award was 685 baht.
So I know I will get $US100 for my 5 certs. But the 10000 points are worth $100 if you get a US cent value for redemptions. Personally I find that rare and will get a reward if valued at 1 aussie cent per point..

But agree IHG lounges are generally much bett than other chain lounges.