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IHG One Rewards is once again offering members the opportunity to buy elite qualifying points to retain or upgrade their status during the 2025 status year in order to have that available throughout 2026. Unlike last year’s offer though, the value of buying the points isn’t as good because you’ll only get a 20% discount (if you have an eligible IHG credit card) versus the larger discount on offer in 2024 for 2025.
The Deal
- Buy IHG One Rewards elite qualifying points to maintain or upgrade your status.
- Direct link to offer.
Key Terms
- This Offer is available to IHG One Rewards members for qualifying purchases of IHG One Rewards points made during the period from 12:00 AM ET December 16, 2025 and 11:59 PM ET December 31, 2025 inclusive (“Offer Period”).
- Elite Qualifying Points purchased are not refundable.
- A member may only make a singular points purchase under this promotion.
- Purchased EQPs (Elite Qualifying Points) will count toward a Member’s Year-To-Date EQP balance.
- The Member will have the opportunity to either maintain their current Diamond Elite status or upgrade from Platinum Elite to Diamond Elite status.
- The Member’s purchase level is dependent upon their current status as of December 4, 2025.
- If the Member purchases enough to cross the Elite Qualifying Points thresholds to maintain their status, that status will be granted automatically.
- EQPs will be awarded up to 72 hours after completion of the transaction, and new Diamond Elite status will be reflected within 5-10 business days after the purchase.
- Renewed and Upgraded status gained from the purchase of EQPs will be valid for the remainder of 2025 and all of the 2026 calendar year.
- EQPs and resulting status will be awarded to the recipient of the EQP purchase only.
- Price includes all applicable fees.
- EQPs are applicable toward all IHG One Rewards redemptions.
- Elite Qualifying Nights are not part of this offer and cannot be purchased.
- This is an exclusive, non-transferable offer for intended recipients only and may not be forwarded.
- Save at least 20% on points purchases when you pay for those points with your IHG One Rewards Premier, Premier Business or Traveler Credit Cards. Point purchase amounts are subject to change by IHG One Rewards. Upon completion of the points purchase, you agree that the total dollar price of the points, minus the discount, will be immediately charged to your credit card. The cost for the points purchased is non-refundable. The 20% discount cannot be combined with any other points purchase offer. Point purchase transactions managed by Points.com.
Quick Thoughts
Something important to be aware of is that Elite Qualifying Points do two things. They count towards your elite status level (as the name suggests), and they’re redeemable points for award stays.
When IHG ran a similar offer last year, for a limited time it was possible to buy the Elite Qualifying Points (EQPs) for 0.53 cents per point. If you needed the full 120,000 EQPs for Diamond status, that cost you $640. That pricing appeared to be a mistake as it was pulled shortly after, but they did bring it back for some members; I was one of those affected and was grateful to be able to buy those points at the second opportunity.
Pricing is more expensive this time. To buy 120,000 EQPs for Diamond status, it’ll cost $800 which takes into account a 20% discount for having an IHG Premier credit card. That’s like buying points for 0.66 cents per point; that’s not amazing considering IHG points frequently go on sale for 0.5 cents per point, but 0.66 cents per point could still be worthwhile if you value the benefits of Diamond status too.
Last year it was worth it for me as I anticipated several IHG stays during 2025 where I could make good use of both the points and the status. However, looking ahead to 2026 I think we’re going to have minimal IHG stays which means the 120,000 points at 0.66 cents per point and Diamond status won’t be as useful. As a result, I’ll likely pass on this offer personally and drop back down to Platinum, a status level I’ll have courtesy of my IHG Premier card.
Be aware that you have to buy the points through the special Elite Qualifying Points purchase page linked to above. If you visit the regular Points.com purchase page, you won’t be buying EQPs and so you’ll only have redeemable points, not points that’ll also count for status.
Based on the terms of this promotion, it looks like this offer is only available to those who have either Platinum or Diamond status already. However, perhaps Gold members will get the opportunity to buy up to Platinum status, although that benefit level has fewer worthwhile benefits.
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@Stephen Pepper My diamond end date just updated from 2027 to 2026 and I’m a little ticked they fixed it after the fact
I will add that my tracker still shows 120,000 points toward status so I’m thoroughly confused
DP: showed up recently in the IHG app, prepare for downgrades to 1-yr from 2-yr?
My status was gifted or earned during a promotion – what will happen to my status in 2026?
Members will need to meet the current Qualified Nights or Points threshold for the relevant tier based on activity between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025, to requalify for their status or to upgrade to the next tier level. Elite status that was earned on a temporary basis as part of a promotion will be downgraded or maintained according to the terms of the promotion.
DP: Just purchased the 120K points and my Diamond Status is now listed as good through Dec. 31, 2027!
Me too!
Thanks Jenny! Exactly the DP I was hoping to see. I did the same – purchased 120K points – and I’m also showing Diamond status through Dec 31, 2027. I really appreciate you sharing this DP.
You are so welcome! Very glad it worked for you.
also just purchased and have till dec 2027
Worked like a charm!
The wait was worth it! Extended till end of 2027 for me too.
DP: Purchased at 11:30pm EST / 8:30pm PST on 12.31.25. Tracker now showing Diamond through 12.31.27.
My status changes from diamond elite until 31/12/27 to 31/12/26 now. Did that happened to any of you?
Sorry to hear that! Mine’s still listed as good through 12/31/27.
If I’m already starting with EQPs, do I only need to purchase the difference to reach 120K for Diamond? Or do I need to purchase 120K points no matter what?
Edit: I see that it’s a sliding scale where it gets cheaper as you buy more points. I guess it wouldn’t make sense to go lower than 120K.
Just purchased NYE but only extended until 12.31.26
Ahn sorry it didn’t work out for you :(. My working theory is if you purchased before 7pm EST it only extended until ’26 but if you purchased after 7pm EST (midnight UK time) you’d have been extended until ’27 based on this and other DPs in this thread.
I know based on the terms it says we have to use our IHG card but in people’s experience can you use any card to make the purchase?
I’d assume that you can – just make sure that the total still shows the cardholder discount.
Thanks Steven. To corroborate the DP I found this on FT today
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/37500773-post318.html
In addition, I think a couple people mentioned that they got 2 years of status last year by purchasing on NYE, do you recall what was the exact conditions? I think it had to do with the time difference in the UK since IHG is a UK based company so if you arbitrage and purchase around 7pm EST-midnight 12/31 while the promotion is live maybe you get the qualifying miles counting toward 2026 and thus earning 2 years since it’ll be 2026 in the UK? What do you think?
Yep, I’m assuming that’s what happened. I don’t recall seeing what specific time people bought at though; I just checked last year’s post and the person who confirmed that it worked didn’t mention a time. https://frequentmiler.com/ihg-giving-opportunity-to-buy-status-it-could-be-a-good-deal/#comment-2420516
For Future Promotions:
I bought the pts at 9:11pm EST | 2:11am (UK Time) and immediately saw an update in my status expiring in 12/31/2027. So looks like if you purchase the pts sometime after midnight UK time in 2026 but before the promotion expires in the US (midnight EST as written in the terms) you have a good shot of earning 2 years of status.
Has the cost of points increased? I’m seeing a cost of $1200, not $1000, for 120K points. With a 20% discount for a cardholder, the costs shows up as $940.
It’s still showing $800 for me. I guess maybe even the price is targeted, but that seems a little weird. That said, your price sounds like the correct amount as 120K points should normally cost $1,200.
Does anyone know the answer to this? If my husband who has platinum books a reservation with points and adds my name to the reservation, will my diamond status apply to reservation?
Unfortunately not. There might be an occasional property that’ll honor your Diamond benefits, but for the most part you’d need to book the stay on your account to take advantage of your benefits.
Thanks Stephen!
In last year’s thread someone who purchased 12/31 shows status expiring at the end of 2026 – I’m debating purchasing late afternoon/evening of 12/31 to see if I can sneak 2 years of status in.
me too!
Myself nor P2 targeted. I would have taken advantage of this SMH…
Thanks for the post. I just bought the points to maintain my status. In 2025 just from the free breakfasts alone I got more than the cost of the points I bought. I already have trips planned for 2026 and the points will pay for 4 nights and will get me 20+ breakfasts for all my stays already booked. A terrific bargain for people who travel a lot.
Have you got the points and upgrade yet? I am still waiting after over 72 hours.
I’m 4 days in now. They’ve taken payment and I received confirmation. Now they say I have already hit my purchase cap but the EQP purchase is meant to be separate.
Agreed, those free hot breakfasts were worth it for us. I specifically chose IHG properties with onsite restaurants that served better food than a cold bowl of Cheerios. I also made use of Hertz’ President’s Club status match with IHG. It was fantastic being able to bypass the rental counter at busy airports.
It’s definitely targeted, neither myself nor my P2 got the offer.
Last year I purchased Diamond status for 2025 for $640 and I have the IHG personal card as well. Today I clicked the link above and entered my info but was told I am not eligible for this promotion. I wonder why. I spent 20 nights at IHG hotels this year, mostly on award stays.
At worst you are paying an extra $200 for status for a year. Extremely well worth it you get better upgrades and free breakfast. This one is a no brainer.
Sure. Lol
What this article is missing is any explanation of why IHG diamond status may or may not be beneficial. I have the credit card from IHG. Why would I want Diamond? Seriously? Does it get me guaranteed breakfast at the Intercontinental hotel?
Yes, you can choose free breakfast as your welcome amenity at any IHG hotel that doesn’t automatically provide breakfast (other than Candlewood Suites). Free breakfast is the main benefit; if you have a lot of paid stays, you also get a 100% bonus on base points.