Hotel Edition is a rewards program run by IHG Hotels & Resorts

Hotel Edition is a membership program that lets you earn points when you stay at participating hotels, use those points to pay for future stays, and unlock perks like room upgrades and late checkout. It is run by IHG Hotels & Resorts, which owns brands including InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, and others. You join for free and link your membership number to your account before you book.

The program works across a network of thousands of hotels worldwide. When you stay at a participating property, you earn points based on how much you spend. Those points never expire as long as you have account activity at least once every 24 months — which means even a small purchase counts. You can redeem points for free or discounted nights, room upgrades, airline miles, or other rewards depending on what the hotel offers.

Key Takeaways

  • Hotel Edition membership is free and you earn points on every may be able to access stay at IHG-branded hotels worldwide.
  • Points do not expire as long as your account has activity within 24 months, and you can combine points from multiple stays toward one redemption.
  • You can redeem points for free nights, room upgrades, late checkout, or convert them to airline miles through partner programs.
  • Your membership tier (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond) unlocks additional benefits like may provide room upgrades and complimentary breakfast at higher levels.

How to join Hotel Edition and start earning points

Visit the IHG Hotels & Resorts website and click the membership enrollment link. You will need to provide your name, email address, and a password. The site will assign you a membership number when ready — you do not have to wait for approval. Write down or save this number because you will need it when you book.

When you make a reservation at any participating IHG hotel, enter your membership number at checkout. If you forget to add it before you book, you can call the hotel directly before your arrival and ask them to add your number to the reservation. You can also add it after your stay by contacting IHG customer service with your confirmation number and membership ID, though you may lose points if too much time has passed.

How points are earned and what they are worth

You earn points based on the room rate you pay, not the category of the hotel. A night at a budget Holiday Inn and a night at a luxury InterContinental will earn different point amounts because the room rates are different. Most stays earn 10 points per dollar spent on the room, though some promotions offer bonus points or double points during specific periods.

The value of points varies by hotel and by how you redeem them. A free night at a budget property might cost 10,000 points, while the same property might cost 25,000 points during peak season. You can see the point cost for any specific hotel and date before you book, so you know exactly what you are spending. Points can also be converted to airline miles through partner airlines, though the conversion rate is typically less valuable than redeeming for a free night.

Membership tiers and what each level includes

Hotel Edition has five membership tiers: Silver (entry level), Gold, Platinum, Diamond Elite, and Diamond Plus. You start at Silver when you join. You move up tiers by staying a certain number of nights or earning a certain number of points in a calendar year. Each tier unlocks additional perks beyond the base membership.

Silver members earn points and can redeem them. Gold members (typically 10 nights per year) get a 10% point bonus on all stays. Platinum members (typically 25 nights per year) receive may provide room upgrades when available and complimentary breakfast. Diamond Elite members (typically 50 nights per year) get suite upgrades, late checkout until 4 p.m., and lounge access at select properties. Diamond Plus is the highest tier and includes additional perks like complimentary room upgrades to the best available room and priority reservations. Your tier resets each calendar year.

Redeeming points for free nights and other rewards

Log into your Hotel Edition account on the IHG website and click "Redeem Points." You can search for a specific hotel, date, and room type, and the system will show you the point cost. Once you find what you want, you can book the free night when ready. The hotel will send you a confirmation number just like a paid reservation.

Points can also be redeemed for room upgrades (if you have already booked a paid stay), airline miles through partner airlines, gift cards, or merchandise. Some hotels allow you to "top up" a redemption — if you have 8,000 points and a free night costs 10,000, you can use your 8,000 points and pay cash for the difference. This option is useful when you are close to a redemption but do not have quite enough points.

How points expire and how to keep your account active

Points do not expire as long as your account has activity within 24 months. Activity means earning points on a stay, redeeming points, or even making a purchase through the IHG shopping portal. If your account goes inactive for 24 months, your points will be forfeited and your membership may be closed.

If you do not stay at IHG hotels regularly, you can keep your account active by shopping through the IHG rewards shopping portal, which earns you points on purchases from partner retailers. Some members also use this as a way to earn a small number of points toward a future redemption without having to stay at a hotel.

Linking Hotel Edition to a credit card

IHG offers a co-branded credit card through Chase that earns bonus points on IHG stays and other purchases. If you open this card, your points from credit card spending are automatically added to your Hotel Edition account. You do not have to do anything — the card issuer links it for you during the process process.

Even without the credit card, you can earn points on stays alone. The credit card is optional and is useful only if you want to earn points on everyday purchases or get a large sign-up bonus. Many members use the card to accelerate their progress toward the next tier level or to earn enough points for a free night faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I combine points from multiple stays to book one free night?

Yes. Points accumulate in your account and you can use them all at once or in separate redemptions. There is no limit to how many point balances you can combine toward a single booking.

What happens to my points if I do not stay at an IHG hotel for two years?

Your points will expire and your account may be closed if there is no activity for 24 months. You can keep your account active by shopping through the IHG rewards shopping portal, which counts as account activity even if you do not stay at a hotel.

Can I transfer my points to another person?

No, points are tied to your membership account and cannot be transferred. However, you can use your points to book a room for someone else — the reservation just has to be made under your membership number.

Do I earn points on taxes and fees, or just the room rate?

You earn points only on the room rate itself, not on taxes, resort fees, or other charges added at checkout. The points earning rate is based on the nightly room price before those additions.

What if I book a free night with points and then want to cancel?

Most free night bookings can be cancelled up to 48 hours before arrival, and your points will be returned to your account. Check the specific cancellation policy for the hotel you booked, as some properties have different rules.