IHG Status Match: What You Need to Know

Some hotel loyalty programs will offer an expedited path to elite status for eligible members of competing programs to win their business. These status matches can be a great deal. But IHG Hotels & Resorts doesn't typically offer status matches for competing program members looking to climb the ranks of IHG One Rewards.

Still, there are ways to get elite status quickly.

IHG One Rewards elite status

IHG One Rewards has four tiers of elite status in its program:

1. Silver Elite (requires 10 elite qualifying nights).

2. Gold Elite (requires 20 elite qualifying nights or 40,000 elite qualifying points).

3. Platinum Elite (requires 40 elite qualifying nights or 60,000 elite qualifying points).

4. Diamond Elite (requires 70 elite qualifying nights or 120,000 elite qualifying points).

Elite qualifying nights determine progress towards status and count each night stayed at an IHG hotel (for guests paying a non-discounted or corporate rate), booked directly through an IHG channel. Award redemption nights also count toward elite status. Stays reserved via a third party like Hotels.com do not count.

Elite qualifying points cover the points earned through qualifying nights, spending on certain select partner activity (like with Hertz, OpenTable and Viator) and bonus point packages among others.

What are the perks of IHG One Rewards elite status?

Each tier comes with a growing number of perks based on earning higher status levels. These benefits can help you save money, earn more points and enjoy on-property amenities like breakfast and complimentary upgrades. These are some of the things you can expect to receive:

• Up to 100% bonus points.

• Roll-over nights that count towards next year's status.

• Special member rates and promotions.

• Free Wi-Fi.

• Complimentary upgrades.

• Free breakfast.

• Early check-in and late checkout.

• Welcome amenity.

» Learn more: The complete guide to IHG elite status

Fastest path to IHG status: A credit card

Want instant IHG status? Several Chase co-branded IHG credit cards come with automatic elite status, no stays required:

• Platinum Elite: the new IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card (annual fee: $350 ) and the IHG One Rewards Business Credit Card ($200 annual fee).

• Gold Elite: the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card ($150 annual fee), which used to come with Platinum before a major Oct. 1 overhaul.

• Silver Elite: the IHG One Rewards Credit Card ($0 annual fee).

You don't need to be targeted for a special offer or meet any stay or spend requirements to get this status.

People who hold the IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card also get 20 elite night credits each year, plus two more for every $5,000 spent on the card. That immediately unlocks IHG's 20-night Milestone Reward.

» Learn more: Is the new IHG premium card worth its $350 fee?

Another quick status path: Become an InterContinental Ambassador

IHG has a special membership tier for some of its luxury hotel brands, like InterContinental and Six Senses. The InterContinental Ambassador program costs $225 per year and includes instant Platinum Elite status (no stays required). Other perks include:

• Guaranteed room upgrade.

• Guaranteed late checkout.

• $20 credit per stay to the restaurant and bar.

• One free weekend night in conjunction with a paid weekend night.

• Complimentary breakfast for two in the main restaurant each day at Six Senses.

• Either a free 50-minute Six Senses Spa massage for two or a local experience once once per stay.

• Early check-in (10 a.m.), subject to availability.

You have options, even without a status match

While it is not possible to get an IHG status match in the same way other travel brands offer, IHG does have occasional promotions and targeted offers that can deliver instant elite status or an expedited pathway to get there. You can also opt to pay for IHG Ambassador status to get an instant bump to Platinum Elite or consider getting an IHG credit card to receive automatic elite status. Getting IHG status is easier than you might think.