Last week, IHG announced some changes to their IHG Rewards program. Specifically, it involved the creation of a new “top tier” to be introduced later in the year, as well as the introduction of points expiring.
Whose points won’t expire?
Hidden in the footnotes of the press release was that the points for elite members wouldn’t expire. I wasn’t clear exactly what the details of that was, so I reached out to a contact at IHG. She said that anyone with any kind of IHG status at all (other than the lowest level “Club”) would not have their points expire.
Another way to keep your IHG Rewards from expiring
Most hotel and airline companies let you keep your points from expiring with any qualifying activity, including things like purchasing items through shopping portals.
(SEE ALSO: Earning miles through shopping portals)
(SEE ALSO: My experience with 19x points through shopping portals at Sears)
I initially figured this would be the same with IHG rewards, but then I read a post over on Miles on Blighty that suggested that going forward, the only way to keep your points from expiring would be to actually STAY AT AN IHG HOTEL!
I reached out to a contact at IHG, who replied:
IHG Rewards Club members can maintain their point balances simply by earning new points or redeeming some of their points once every 12 months. IHG Rewards Club has digital downloads available for as few as 150 IHG Rewards Club points via the Digital Rewards catalog. For 2,500 points, members can donate to the IHG Shelter in a Storm Program, which enables IHG to respond quickly to help our hotels and surrounding communities affected by disasters. Starting at around 5,000 points, members can get retail gift cards to keep or share with friends and family. Starting at 10,000 points members can book a Reward Night at over 4,800 IHG Hotels worldwide.
So it doesn’t look like that is correct – just like most other programs, any earning or redeeming activity will keep your points expire. Of course, I think it’s much easier to get the IHG credit card to get automatic Platinum status and then you still won’t have to worry about your points expiring at all!
(SEE ALSO: Why you should get 2 IHG cards at the same time)
In related news, IHG also has announced their summer hotel promotion, called IHG Share Forever. I got my customized “offer”, but it was pretty underwhelming – and I don’t think I’m going to really participate much.
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
Thanks for sharing this info, Dan.
Steve Jones
Community Manager, IHG Rewards Club