Delayed: IHG Rewards 2022 Program Changes

A sneak peek of the changes that will be made to its loyalty program was published in January of 2022.

The full refresh of IHG rewards has been delayed a bit. The changes were supposed to kick in as of March 2022, but have now been delayed. An internal memo to hotels suggests that the changes might be delayed through April. This is separate from the credit card changes that I covered.

We know a lot about the new program.

Upcoming IHG Rewards program changes

There aren't a lot of details yet, but it is being promised that the IHG rewards program will be a best-in-class program.

We are just told to be patient.

Stay tuned for the official launch of the new IHG Rewards program in a few months. You’ll hear more about our new benefits and all the updated ways to earn and redeem. And when it comes to picking perks, the choice is all yours.

Get ready for a loyalty program that rewards you for being you.

It is interesting that there is a reference to being able to choose perks, so maybe members will be able to choose the benefits that matter most to them.

IHG Rewards introducing new elite tiers

The elite tiers of IHG rewards will be changed.

We’ve redesigned our tiers and earning structure so that you can earn more points and have more ways to use them than ever before. New tiers = more rewards.

The new program will have four elite tiers.

• Silver Elite will require 10 qualifying nights, and will offer a 20% points bonus
• Gold Elite will require 20 qualifying nights or 40,000 qualifying points, and will offer a 40% points bonus
• Platinum Elite will require 40 qualifying nights or 60,000 qualifying points, and will offer a 60% points bonus
• Diamond Elite will require 70 qualifying nights or 120,000 qualifying points, and will offer a 100% points bonus

What is changing here?

• IHG Rewards is going from having three elite tiers to having four elite tiers
• Spire Elite is being rebranded as Diamond Elite
• Essentially Silver Elite will have similar requirements to the former Gold Elite, and a new middle elite tier is being added
• On the plus side, the IHG^® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card (review) offers Platinum Elite status, and that will continue to be the case, so the points bonus will be increasing from 50% to 60%

We don't know what to expect in terms of changes to elite benefits, while we know the changes to elite qualification and bonus points.

My take on IHG Rewards program changes

We don't know a lot about what changes will be made to the IHG rewards program, other than the names and requirements for new elite tiers, and a promise that the new program will be best-in-class.

• IHG Rewards perks are woefully uncompetitive, given the lack of a concrete upgrade benefit, complimentary breakfast, late check-out, etc.
• IHG Rewards is also rather complicated, given that there’s the separate Ambassador guest recognition program for some premium brands, including InterContinental, Kimpton, Six Senses, etc.
• I am generally hopeful about these changes, based on the improvements we know are coming to IHG Rewards credit cards

The program needs to be simpler and more rewarding if it wants to improve. I have doubts about whether things will change for the better.

Bottom line

Changes to the loyalty program are being made this year. The changes won't be happening this month, but they will be happening in April 2022, at the earliest.

We know that IHG will have four elite tiers, with new requirements and a new name. It's too early to know what to expect, but the program has a long way to go if it wants to be competitive.

What do you think will happen with the IHG rewards program?