IHG Is Targeting Select Members with a Compelling Offer to Buy Elite Qualifying Points: Essential Guide for Maximizing Hotel Status in 2025
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!- IHG is targeting select members with a compelling offer to buy elite qualifying points, letting travelers fast-track to higher elite tiers.
- Earning IHG elite status can unlock valuable perks like early check-in, room upgrades, and bonus points.
- This offer isn’t available to everyone—check your IHG account directly to see if you’re targeted.
- Buying points might make sense for frequent or luxury travelers wanting top-tier perks with minimal stays.
- We’ll cover whether the offer is worth it, how to use status benefits smartly, and how to plan around elite memberships in 2025.
Table of Contents
- What Are Elite Qualifying Points and Why Is IHG Selling Them?
- Best IHG Elite Status Shortcuts for 2025 (Including Buying EQPs)
- Is Buying IHG Elite Points Worth the Cost?
- How to Plan This Trip the Smart Way
- HopStrip-Style Tips and Tools for This Trip
- FAQ
- Conclusion: Should You Take Advantage of the IHG Elite Status Buy-up?
What Are Elite Qualifying Points and Why Is IHG Selling Them?
Elite qualifying points (EQPs) are IHG’s metric for determining your IHG One Rewards tier—Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Diamond. Usually, you’d earn them via paid hotel stays or spending on IHG co-branded credit cards. But now, in an unexpected twist, IHG is allowing select members to simply buy their way up—at least partially.
According to a recent report by The Points Guy, IHG is targeting individuals with a tailored option to purchase up to 20,000 elite qualifying points. These can count toward your 2025 elite status, though they don’t increase your redeemable balance—they exist strictly to improve your status level.
Why is this significant?
Because Diamond status, the top IHG tier, unlocks high-level perks like complimentary breakfast, confirmed suite upgrades, early check-in, and 100% bonus points on paid stays. Normally, getting there would require 70 nights or 120,000 elite qualifying points. So being able to buy up to 20,000 of those could shave off multiple stays—or even act as a shortcut for strategic travelers who already plan a few paid hotel nights every year.
Best IHG Elite Status Shortcuts for 2025 (Including Buying EQPs)
If your 2025 goals include traveling better—not just more—then elite status may be worth investing in directly. Considering that IHG is targeting select members with a compelling offer to buy elite qualifying points, here’s how it compares to other status shortcuts for the same brand:
- Buy Elite Qualifying Points (Targeted Only)
- Invite-only: check your IHG account for eligibility
- Likely pricing: varies, but previous offers suggest around $10–$14 per 1,000 points
- Best For: travelers who already have partial points or stays and need a top-off to achieve status without more travel
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- Usually offers Platinum status just by holding the card
- Welcome bonuses can give 140,000+ points for spending a few thousand dollars in the first months
- Best For: U.S. travelers wanting automatic elite perks and the ability to earn while spending
- Stay-Based Status
- Diamond: 70 nights or 120,000 elite qualifying points
- Platinum: 40 nights or 60,000 EQPs
- Best For: frequent travelers or corporate road warriors
- Fast Track Promotions
- IHG occasionally runs “10-nights-to-Diamond” or “double-qualifying-points” promos
- Check promotion pages when planning your year
All in all, buying EQPs can be a legit strategy—especially for frequent travelers who want benefits sooner, luxury travelers who want to maximize stays, or even digital nomads who plan hotel-hopping throughout 2025.
Is Buying IHG Elite Points Worth the Cost?
Let’s put it this way—spending $280 to $300 to jump up a tier, especially to Diamond, could be worth it if you…
- Stay in IHG hotels at least 5–10 nights a year
- Value perks like room upgrades, early check-in, or breakfast
- Want to maximize return on future bookings with 100% point bonuses
- Have upcoming trips (especially international or luxury ones) where elite perks offer real value
But if you’re a budget traveler who prefers boutique stays or uses booking platforms like VRBO or hostels, these perks may go underused. Always estimate your realistic IHG stays before investing.
Use this rough value-assessment example:
- Room upgrade value: $20–$100/night, depending on hotel type
- Free breakfast for 2: $15–$50/day
- 100% points bonus: a couple hundred points per stay—valuable for redemptions
Within a few stays, those extras can exceed the EQP buy-in—especially if you leverage holiday travel or business trips.
How to Plan This Trip the Smart Way
- Check your account: Log in to your IHG One Rewards profile and look for the targeted EQP offer. Not everyone sees it.
- Run the math: Estimate your planned IHG stays for 2025. If you’re 10,000 EQPs away from Diamond, is buying that gap cheaper than booking more nights?
- Consider pairing with promotions: Look for IHG bonus points or fast-track promotions that might make the buy-up even more powerful.
- Book early at elite-friendly properties: Use Expedia to check upscale IHG hotels like Kimpton, InterContinental, or Regent where perks actually matter.
- Use flight tools to build your trip around hotel stays: Use flight comparison tools like Kiwi to align cheap airfare routes with key IHG cities.
- Track your EQP usage: Only elite qualifying points count toward status—not rewards points—so ensure any purchases or stays post properly.
HopStrip-Style Tips and Tools for This Trip
Having elite status is only half the win—using it smartly is the rest. Here’s how we think like HopStrip travelers:
- Combine status with low-season deals: Elite perks are more available and more generous when hotel occupancy is low.
- Pair with transfers: Booking a long-haul arrival? Pre-book a fixed-rate airport transfer and arrive stress-free to maximize early check-in privileges.
- Travel light but smart: Elite status may offer free late checkout. Pack using a modular daypack setup so you can explore right after checkout.
- Explore during point-earning stays: Look for city passes or experiences through GetYourGuide in destinations where you’re already staying at IHG hotels.
- Stack cashback tools and coupons: Use cashback credit cards, browser extensions, or member discounts to sweeten hotel purchases or EQP buys.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
FAQ: IHG Is Targeting Select Members with a Compelling Offer to Buy Elite Qualifying Points
- Q: How can I see if I’m eligible for IHG’s EQP buy offer?
A: Log in to your IHG One Rewards account directly. If you’ve been targeted, you’ll see a banner or message offering the chance to purchase elite qualifying points. - Q: Do purchased EQPs also count as redeemable points?
A: No. These points only apply toward your elite status progression—they don’t increase your rewards balance for nights or merchandise. - Q: Is this a permanent feature or limited-time offer?
A: As of December 2025, this offer is targeted and time-sensitive. It’s not yet a standard feature like buying airline award miles. - Q: Will IHG offer this option again in the future?
A: Possibly—but it’s not guaranteed. This may be a test or seasonal promotion, so it’s worth acting quickly if it aligns with your travel goals. - Q: Can you buy elite qualifying points if you’re not targeted?
A: Not at this time. The offer appears exclusive and is not accessible by manually requesting it.
Conclusion: Should You Take Advantage of the IHG Elite Status Buy-up?
If you’re excited that IHG is targeting select members with a compelling offer to buy elite qualifying points, it’s worth examining your travel style and upcoming plans in 2025. For loyal IHG travelers or anyone planning stays at InterContinental, Voco, or Kimpton brands, it could easily pay for itself.
Like most investments in loyalty programs, the key is not just having status—but using it well. That means smart trip planning, choosing the right cities, and unlocking upgrades when they matter most.
And if this offer skips you? Don’t worry—HopStrip is constantly tracking new travel hacks and shortcuts. From stacking hotel loyalty perks to finding the best flight deals for smart routes, we’ve got your back.
