IHG One Rewards has announced its global stay promotion for Q4 2026. The promotion runs from October 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026. After registration, starting with your second qualifying stay:

  • Book through official IHG channels such as the IHG website: earn 2x points
  • Book through the IHG One Rewards App: earn 3x points

Even better, this promo has no cap on Bonus Points. If you already have multiple IHG stays planned for Q4, the easiest approach is to register first, then book your later stays directly through the IHG App whenever possible.

Promotion Details

You need to register for this promotion first. The pre-registration period is:

  • September 17, 2026, through September 30, 2026

The official stay period is:

  • October 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026

If you do not register in advance by the end of September, you can still register after the promotion begins.

However, there is one very important rule:

Stays completed before registration will not be counted retroactively.

So even if you are not yet sure whether you will stay with IHG before year-end, it is still a good idea to register now so you do not forget later.

Starting with Your Second Stay: 2x via Official Channels, 3x via the App

Your first qualifying stay will not earn an extra Bonus, but it will count toward the promotion.

Starting with your second qualifying stay:

  • Book directly through official IHG channels: earn a total of 2x Base Points
  • Book through the IHG One Rewards App: earn a total of 3x Base Points

The 2x / 3x here does not mean your entire original points haul is multiplied by 2 or 3. It is calculated based on the Base Points that members normally earn. Elite Bonus points from your status and points earned from credit card spending are calculated separately. So if you already have IHG elite status and pay with an IHG co-branded credit card, your actual total points earned will be even higher.

Which Stays Qualify

To count toward the promotion, a stay needs to meet several basic requirements:

  • You must register for the promotion first
  • Each stay must be at least 1 night
  • Eligible spending must exceed $30 per night, or the equivalent in local currency
  • You must book directly through official IHG channels
  • Third-party platforms such as Expedia and Booking.com do not count
  • Reward Nights booked entirely with points do not count
  • Points & Cash bookings also do not count

Also, while the first Stay does not earn an extra Bonus, it still must be a qualifying booking made through official IHG channels in order to count as the first stay that unlocks the later 2x / 3x earning.

Is It Worth Joining?

If you only have one IHG stay in Q4, this promotion basically does not provide extra value, because the first Stay does not earn a Bonus. But as long as you have two or more stays, it is worth registering.

This is especially true if:

  • You already have multiple trips planned for October through December
  • You frequently stay at IHG properties for business travel
  • You already have IHG Platinum / Diamond status
  • You also hold the IHG Premier or another IHG co-branded card

In these situations, your elite status Bonus, credit card points, and this promo offering up to 3x points can stack together, making the overall return fairly solid.

The most important steps are really just these two:

Register first, then try to book through the IHG App starting with your second Stay.