For IHG enthusiasts who missed the detail in yesterday’s post about coronavirus cancellation policy, note that IHG has reduced elite status qualification requirements for earning status in 2020. While these requirements will still be out of reach for many who are (understandably) reducing travel at the moment, it is nonetheless good to see at least one program’s response to make status easier to obtain for those who are still traveling or will still travel down the road. Additionally, Greg received an email stating that his Intercontinental Ambassador membership would be given a complimentary 3 month extension, which I would expect is being given to all Ambassador members.
The Deal
- IHG Rewards Club has reduced 2020 elite qualification requirements as follows:
- Gold
- Normal requirement: 10K points / 10 nights
- 2020 requirement: 7K points / 7 nights
- Platinum
- Normal requirement: 40K points / 40 nights
- 2020 requirement: 30K points / 30 nights
- Spire
- Normal requirement: 75K points / 75 nights
- 2020 requirement: 55K points / 55 nights
- Gold
- Additionally, at least some Intercontinental Ambassador members have received an email indicating that their membership would get a complimentary 3-month extension
Key Terms
- The reduced requirements refer to 2020 earning only (from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020)
Quick Thoughts
This move obviously reflects the fact that bookings are way down and IHG is trying to incentivize folks to be more likely to choose IHG if and when they need to travel. Note that the reduction is temporary and only expected to apply to those qualifying this year for status (which would give you status through 2021). Here is their chart showing the changes:
Members who reside in greater China are having status automatically extended through the end of 2021, but at this point IHG is only reducing requirements for the rest of us.
Keep in mind that this may yet change as the situation develops. Hilton included a line in their coronavirus information yesterday indicating that there would be updated status requirements for 2020 but that it was too early to say what they would be. If travel bans become more extensive, I could see other chains following suit and reducing 2020 requirements and/or offering additional elite credits for paid stays. Time will tell.
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[…] 2021 or even 2022 for some. Radisson announced the day before that they are extending elite status. IHG announced two weeks ago that they are reducing 2020 elite status requirements due to the current COVID-19 situation. What […]
Do you know if IHG will extend the expiration of the annual certificates that come with their credit cards? I have one that is due to expire on March 23 and I was going to use it this coming weekend but I have to cancel my travel.
Still no word on these. I expect they’ll be extended, but we haven’t heard anything.
Thanks for your prompt reply Nick; I really appreciate it; be safe out there!
IHG Rewards Club 888-211-9874, extended my date from March to Sept.
Thank you Ricecakes, I called them but was transferred to a person in the Philippines who was not sure how to help at all; after a while and after 2 transfers I got nowhere. I was told to email IHG as “this concerns the rewards department”. Anyhow I got nowhere with them after 45 mins. Thank you nonetheless as IHG is not really clear about how they will handle these issues with expiring chase certificates.
Yeah, according to data points I researched after Ricecakes’s comment today, it doesn’t seem like there is an organized solution yet — different people are getting different answers. I expect that they will come up with an official solution but aren’t there yet.
I had to call between 8am-4pm M-f to get the right agents at rewards maybe my 5th try. 888-211-9874. When asked what you need, say help with my rewards account several times. entered my IHG rewards number and got a US based agent who right away said he would extend my Chase annual free night. He said the policy changed the morning of 3-20-2020. In 5 minutes he extended the date for me and my husbands certificates. They showed up right away in the IHG app. Maybe try on Monday.
Hi Nick,
I emailed, twitted and called IHG about 4 times since Friday 3/20 and was finally able to get a new certificate issued; this one will expire on September 30, 2020 and it is also unrestricted. Their CSD/call center is located in the Philippines and thus it takes a while to fully communicate a simple issue before one gets transferred multiple times. I hope you all are doing good in these uncertain times and please be safe out there.
Any word on IHG CC FNAs that are expiring this month?
I wish they would help out by extending the Chase vouchers, but so far no luck for me or several dps on FT.
Be patient on that. There are a lot of moving parts. I can’t imagine that they won’t do something, but it takes a minute to make a decision and the associated technological changes and to get the word to all the reps, etc. I’d bet within the next week we see something change.
Just was on w rewards today and new policy to extend my annual certificate from Mar 26 to Sept 26Th. YEAH!!!
Reducing? The best PR move, would be to extend everyone into next year, without qualification. Meh.
Well, right. This isn’t all about PR though — they’re in the business of making money (as most companies are), so their goal is obviously to increase revenue by encouraging people to book. Extending everyone’s status without qualification sounds nice on the consumer side, but as a consumer I also want all of these companies and hotels to stay in business. If nobody travels for the rest of 2020, that will obviously cause strain (and it obviously is). Playing devil’s advocate, I think it’s tougher than it looks to toe the line between trying to be fair to loyal customers while not jeopardizing their ability to retain employees. I’m not saying that IHG is on the brink of collapse today, but I’m sure those types of decisions are more complex than they look.
Does the Ambassador extension also extend the use of the BOGO certificate?
Good question. I don’t know. I wouldn’t be surprised if they extended that, but I haven’t seen anything definitive.