(EXPIRED) IHG One Rewards releases Diamond Status challenge (targeted)

IHG has again released a targeted fast track towards its very desirable Diamond Status. The challenge requires 8 paid nights in only six weeks. If you meet the terms, you get IHG Diamond status until the end of 2024, a significant downgrade from last year’s offer that gave you status for almost two years. (h/t: Loyalty Lobby)

The Deal

• IHG One has announced a new status challenge fast track. Rewards members who are targeted and who register will be able to earn Diamond status after staying 8 paid nights by 3/24/24.
• Once earned, Diamond status will be valid through the remainder of 2024.
• Must register for promotion before first stay
• Seems to be at least somewhat targeted

Direct Link to Registration (you must enter your e-mail and/or IHG number to find out if you’re targeted)

Terms and conditions

• To participate in the “8 Nights to Diamond Elite” promotional offer (the “Offer”), an individual must be an IHG One Rewards member and must be invited to participate in the Offer.
• After receiving an invitation, the member must register their member number in advance in order to be eligible for the Offer. The promotion period begins on 8 Fe‌b‌rua‌ry ‌2‌02‌4, and ends on 2‌4 Ma‌rc‌h 2‌02‌4 (the “Promotion Period”).
• Once a member registers for the Offer, the member will be able to earn IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status, and start enjoying the associated benefits, by staying just eight (8) qualifying nights at participating IHG® Hotels & Resorts during the Promotion Period.
• To be a qualifying night under this Offer, the room night must be part of a Promotion Eligible Qualifying Stay and must fall within the Promotion Period.
• Completed stays prior to registration or outside of the Promotion Period are not included. By way of example, a member who registers for the Offer on ‌9 Fe‌bru‌ary 2‌02‌4, and has a Promotion Eligible Qualifying Stay at a participating hotel with a check-in date of 6 Fe‌brua‌ry ‌ 2‌02‌4, and a check-out date of 1‌1 Fe‌bru‌ary 2‌02‌4, will be credited with three (3) qualifying nights, for the 8‌t‌h, 9‌t‌h and 1‌0t‌h Fe‌br‌uar‌y. The member will not receive credit for 6th Fe‌brua‌ry ‌ or 7‌t‌h Fe‌b‌rua‌ry ‌ because those nights were prior to the Promotion Period.
• For purposes of this Offer, a “Promotion Eligible Qualifying Stay” is defined as a minimum one (1) night stay at a participating hotel booked under a Qualifying Rate, with a total spend exceeding $30 USD (or local equivalent) per night.
• Participating hotels include all IHG® Hotels & Resorts, with the exception of those Six Senses® Hotels Resorts Spas and Iberostar Beachfront Resorts that do not participate in the IHG One Rewards programme.
• Stays booked using Rewards Nights or Points & Cash are not Promotion Eligible Qualifying Stays for purposes of this Promotion. 

Quick Thoughts

Normally, it takes 70 nights/120,000 qualifying points to reach IHG Diamond Status.  Once there, you get a 100% points bonus on stays, complimentary upgrades that include suites (or are are supposed to), a welcome amenity (free breakfast or points) as well as early check-in and late check-out to 2pm, when available. There are other perks for those who earn the status organically, but many of the best options come from Milestone Rewards (like lounge access and confirmed suite upgrades), which are earned from actual nights stayed. Thus, these perks can’t be accessed via this promotion.

Several of us on the FM team have had IHG Diamond. Application of the benefits has been uneven and I’ve been to a couple locations where the front desk staff was completely unaware of what they even were.

That said, I think that the recognition has continually been improving and we all received restaurant breakfasts for two and proactive upgrades on our stays last year (see Stephen’s experience at the IC Johannesburg). Some properties still seem to be playing games with suites, but overall I think that the benefits are in the same league as the equivalent Hilton and Marriott statuses, especially if you’re staying in Kimptons and Intercontinentals. Intercontinental (IC) breakfasts have been especially terrific.

You only need a $30 paid night for it to qualify towards this promotion so, theoretically, it could be possible to mattress run all 8 nights for $250-$400 or so at lower-end properties. I paid $200 for IHG Ambassador at the end of 2022 in order to extend my Diamond Status through 2023 (this is now dead). I had a bunch of IC stays over 2023, so $200 was absolutely worth it.

That said, it’s worth pointing out that this year’s fast track offer is far worse than last year’s version in one, key way: the status that you gain is only valid until the end of 2024. Last year, the fast track got you almost two years of Diamond status (21 months). Mattress-running two years of status for around $400 could be very tempting. For nine months, it would be harder to justify the expense.

If you have stays in the next 6 weeks that would allow you to reach the goal organically, I think it would certainly be worth strongly considering, especially if you can take advantage of it with stays at the higher end of the portfolio (Intercontinental, Kimpton, Six Senses) over the rest of 2024.

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