IHG renamed and refreshed its guest loyalty program in 2022, which included launching Milestone Rewards (lounge access, suite upgrade certificates, bonus points, F&B credits) and breakfast for two for Diamonds.
IHG One Rewards members can choose Confirmable Suite Upgrade certs, each valid for a maximum of five nights, at 20 (one), 40 (one), and 70 (two) nights in a calendar year. However, many have had difficulties using them because many prepaid rates and award nights have been excluded.
You can access IHG’s page for loyalty benefits here.
READ MORE: IHG One Rewards Rate & Bonus Points Offers
UPDATE: It appears that IHG is unclear whether these can be applied for awards night or not. The Ambassador Service Center told me that the functionality came online on May 31 (I had previously heard it would come on June 1). I will try to confirm this with the IHG and will do an update.
There has been a significant change in effect from May 31 that allows IHG One Rewards members to apply these also to awards that previously was not allowed.
I just had a call with the Ambassador desk and tried to apply for an award reservation starting on June 16, but I need to wait a few more hours when it is within 14 days of checking in for them to process it.
My Confirmable Suite Upgrade Experiences:
IHG Confirmable Suite Upgrade Experience Case: InterContinental Paris Le Grand
IHG Confirmable Suite Upgrade Success: InterContinental Sydney
Things To Note:
1. Can be applied 14 days to 24 hours before the stay begins
2. Can be applied to a stay of a maximum of 5 nights
3. There are rate exclusions (no prepaid rates), and previously award reservations were not eligible
4. You cannot apply them online but must call IHG One Rewards customer service or Ambassador Service Center
5. There are often several room/suite types loaded for this rate plan
Milestone Rewards Options:
The suite upgrades can be very valuable if you stay at higher-end IHG properties (think of Regent, InterContinental, Kimpton, etc.). You can earn a maximum of four of them, each valid for up to five nights (a maximum of 20 nights can be upgraded).
Conclusion
My previous three experiences applying these upgrade certs for InterContinental stays in Paris, Sydney, and London have been smooth.
You cannot do it online but need to call the IHG Customer Care Center (I have always called the Ambassador line), which applies them and sends you an updated confirmation.
I have three stays coming up within the next month that could be worth applying these for (InterContinental Paris, Regent Hong Kong & InterContinental Athens).
The IHG One Rewards program refresh has been generally very positive, and I have again started to stay at their properties after taking a few years off after being dropped from the Royal Ambassador tier.
You can get most of the RA benefits by paying for the Ambassador and combining it with the annual lounge pass and suite upgrade certs.
Have you recently applied these Suite Upgrade certificates to paid or award stays, and how was the experience? Please comment below.
