Contact UsDo IHG Rewards Points Expire? The 2026 Policy Explained
5 min.
Do IHG One Rewards Points Expire?
Yes. IHG One Rewards points expire after 12 months of account inactivity for standard members. This is one of the shortest inactivity windows in hotel loyalty — shorter than Marriott Bonvoy (24 months), Hilton Honors (24 months), and World of Hyatt (24 months). If your IHG account has had no qualifying earn or redemption activity in the past year, your entire points balance is at risk of permanent forfeiture. Unlike some programs that send warnings before expiration, IHG does not guarantee advance notice. Check your account now if you cannot remember the last time you earned or used IHG points.
Which IHG Members Are Exempt From Expiration?
IHG One Rewards elite members — Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Spire tier — are exempt from the 12-month expiration policy. Their points never expire regardless of account activity. If you are a standard member with no elite status, the 12-month inactivity window applies to you fully. You can check your membership tier by logging into your IHG One Rewards account at ihg.com.
What Counts as Activity to Reset the IHG Expiration Clock?
Any qualifying earn or redemption activity resets the 12-month inactivity window. Qualifying activities include staying at any IHG hotel property and earning points on that stay, redeeming IHG points for a hotel night or any other redemption, earning points through a linked IHG co-branded credit card purchase, purchasing IHG points directly through the IHG portal, and earning points through IHG dining partners. Simply logging into your account does not count as qualifying activity — you must earn or use at least one point. If you want to reset the clock at minimal cost, a small points purchase through ihg.com is one of the easiest options.
How to Check When Your IHG Points Expire
Log into your IHG One Rewards account at ihg.com and navigate to your account dashboard. Look for your last activity date in the account details section. Your points will expire 12 months from that date if no qualifying activity occurs in the meantime. If you are within 3 months of that deadline and have no travel planned at an IHG property, act now — either make a qualifying transaction to reset the clock, or sell your points for cash through The Miles Market before they disappear entirely.
Can Expired IHG Points Be Reinstated?
IHG does offer a points reinstatement service, but it comes with a fee and is not guaranteed. Reinstatement typically costs between $30 and $50 or more depending on the size of your balance. IHG processes reinstatement requests at their discretion, and the policy can change at any time. Counting on reinstatement as a fallback is not a reliable strategy. The only guaranteed way to protect the value of your IHG points before expiration is to use them or sell them.
When Selling IHG Points Makes More Sense Than Waiting
If your IHG points are within 3 to 6 months of expiring and you have no IHG hotel stay planned in that window, selling is the smartest move. You receive cash — not points toward a stay you may never book — and The Miles Market completes most transactions within 24 hours, well inside any expiration deadline. Accounts with over 80,000 IHG points qualify for our maximum payout rate. If your balance is smaller, contact us and we can advise on the best path forward.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Hotel stays: Earn points by staying at IHG hotels like InterContinental, Holiday Inn, and Crowne Plaza. Provide your IHG Rewards membership number during booking or check-in.
- Promotions: IHG offers bonus points through promotions tied to specific periods or requirements. Stay updated and register when available.
- IHG Rewards credit card: Apply for an IHG Rewards card to earn points on everyday purchases and bonus points at IHG hotels.
- Transfer points: Transfer points from other loyalty programs, such as Chase Ultimate Rewards, to your IHG Rewards account.
IHG One Rewards points for non-elite members expire after a year of inactivity. You just need to earn or use at least one point to keep your points from expiring. IHG elite members, however, do not have an expiration date for their points.
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) is a global hotel company with a wide range of brands under its umbrella, catering to various preferences and budgets. Notable brands include InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, and Candlewood Suites, among others. Each brand offers a unique experience, ranging from luxury accommodations to comfortable, budget-friendly options, ensuring travelers can find the perfect stay for any trip.
Yes, you can use your IHG points to book a room for someone else, offering a great way to share your rewards with friends or family. This can be done by logging into your IHG Rewards account, searching for the hotel and dates you want to book, and then specifying during the booking process that the stay is for someone else. It's a straightforward way to make the most of your points and provide a special experience for others.
Earning IHG points is easy and can be done in several ways, ensuring every trip brings you closer to your next reward. The most direct method is staying at IHG hotels, where you'll earn points for every dollar spent on your room. You can also earn points through IHG Rewards Club credit cards, which offer points for purchases and bonus points for everyday spending. Additionally, IHG partners with various companies, allowing you to earn points on car rentals, dining, and more. Participating in promotions and buying points during promotional periods can further accelerate your points accumulation.
Yes. Expired points are worth nothing. Selling before expiration — even at a competitive market rate — recovers their full value. The Miles Market can process most sales within 24 hours.
