Lock in IHG Diamond Elite Status for 2026 with 120K Points Purchase
IHG has sent out emails today to select One Rewards members, offering the opportunity to lock in Diamond Elite Status for all of 2026. You will need to buy 120,000 points in order to qualify. Let’s see the details of this deal and whether it makes sense.
Offer Details
Purchase 120,000 Elite Qualifying Points by December 31, 2025, and you’ll secure an upgrade to Diamond Elite status through the end of 2026. Plus, those points can be put toward things like Reward Nights, exclusive experiences, and gift cards from our catalog.
Don’t forget that as an IHG One Rewards Cardmember, you’ll receive a 20% discount on your points purchase.
IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite benefits include:
- 100% more bonus points
- Welcome Amenity at Check-In: Free breakfast, points or drink/snack
- Hertz President’s Circle status
- Better chance at Complimentary Upgrades (subject to availability)
- Early Check-In (subject to availability)
- Late Check-Out 2PM (subject to availability)
- Dedicated Diamond Support 24/7
Important Terms
- This Offer is available to IHG One Rewards members for qualifying purchases of IHG One Rewards points made during the period from 12:00 AM ET December 16, 2025 and 11:59 PM ET December 31, 2025 inclusive (“Offer Period”). Elite Qualifying Points purchased are not refundable. A member may only make a singular points purchase under this promotion. Purchased EQPs (Elite Qualifying Points) will count toward a Member’s Year-To-Date EQP balance. The Member will have the opportunity to either maintain their current Diamond Elite status or upgrade from Platinum Elite to Diamond Elite status. The Member’s purchase level is dependent upon their current status as of December 4, 2025. If the Member purchases enough to cross the Elite Qualifying Points thresholds to maintain their status, that status will be granted automatically. EQPs will be awarded up to 72 hours after completion of the transaction, and new Diamond Elite status will be reflected within 5-10 business days after the purchase. Renewed and Upgraded status gained from the purchase of EQPs will be valid for the remainder of 2025 and all of the 2026 calendar year. EQPs and resulting status will be awarded to the recipient of the EQP purchase only. Price includes all applicable fees. EQPs are applicable toward all IHG One Rewards redemptions. Elite Qualifying Nights are not part of this offer and cannot be purchased. This is an exclusive, non-transferable offer for intended recipients only and may not be forwarded.
- Elite Qualifying Points balance pulled as of 12/4/2025. For purposes of the Offer, the required Elite Qualifying Points balance required to maintain or upgrade member status is the number communicated to the member in the Offer and may not be contested by a member.
- Save 20% On Points Purchases: Save at least 20% on points purchases when you pay for those points with your IHG One Rewards Premier, Premier Business or Traveler Credit Cards.
Guru’s Wrap-up
In order to get Diamond Elite status through the end of 2026, you need to purchase 120,000 points. That will cost you $800 after the 20% discount for using your IHG credit card. Normally you can buy those points for $600.
So depending on your valuation of IHG points, you would be paying about $200 to $300 for Diamond Elite status for one year. Is that worth it? That depends on how often you stay at IHG properties, and how much you value things like breakfast and the other limited benefits that the status provides.
Let me know if you plan on taking advantage of this deal!
