New IHG Rewards Club top tier fails to launch on time!

Yesterday was meant to be the launch date for the new top tier in IHG Rewards Club.   However, the day came, and went, and nothing happened.  It turns out that the launch has now been delayed to an unspecified date in July.

As a reminder, this is what was meant to happen on July 1st.

Gold and Platinum status becomes easier to achieve.  Platinum will drop from 50 nights or 60,000 base points to 40 nights or 40,000 base points.  Gold will drop from 15 nights or 20,000 base points to 10 nights or 10,000 base points.

The ‘Fast Track to Elite Status’ offer – which allowed to earn status more quickly by staying at multiple IHG brands – is discontinued.

A new top tier is introduced with a rumoured name of ‘Black’.  It will require a slightly crazy 75 nights per year or 75,000 base points to reach.  The only guaranteed benefit is a 100% bonus on base points when you stay.  Stays and points earned during 2015 to date will count towards qualification.

The new top tier will have no additional stay benefits – at least for now.  The main selling point is the choice of 25,000 bonus IHG Rewards Club points or free Platinum status for a friend or relative.  You can take one of these benefits each year.

Points will expire if there is no activity on your account in any 12 month period.  This does not apply to status members.  The first round of expirations will take place in May 2016.

None of the above has happened.  My online account still shows that I need 60,000 points to retain Platinum status, my ‘Fast Track to Elite Status’ tracker is still there and there is no sign of the new top tier.

It is coming, though, honestly, according to IHG ….

The official ‘teaser’ page for the changes on the IHG website can be found here.

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IHG Rewards Club update – January 2021:

Get bonus points: IHG is not currently running a global points promotion as of 1st January 2021.

New to IHG Rewards Club?  Read our two-part overview of IHG Rewards Club here and here and our article on expiry rules here.

Buy points: If you need additional IHG Rewards Club points, you can buy them here.

Want to earn more hotel points?  Click here to see our complete list of promotions from IHG and the other major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Promos’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.