IHG One Rewards members with established accounts can transfer points to other members, but there is typically a $5 transfer fee per 1,000 points. However, in December 2023, IHG One Rewards began allowing Diamond Elite and IHG Business Rewards members to transfer points to other members without paying transfer fees.
IHG One Rewards has since reduced the transfer limit per calendar year and added some additional requirements for which members enjoy free transfers. Still, free IHG points transfers are still a nice perk for active loyalty program members like me, who love redeem IHG points. So, here’s what you need to know about this benefit.
Transfer IHG points to other members
IHG One Rewards members can transfer up to 100,000 points per calendar year between accounts in 1,000-point increments. However, while you can only transfer a maximum of 100,000 points per calendar year and are limited to six transfers per calendar year, you can receive up to 500,000 points per calendar year. Additionally, you must enroll in IHG One Rewards at least 30 days before transferring or receiving points.
Most members who initiate a transfer are required to pay a fee of $5 per 1,000 points transferred. However, Diamond Elite members and IHG Business Rewards members who initiate transfers will not have to pay this fee. Please note that IHG Business Rewards program members will only enjoy waived transfer fees when initiating a transfer if they “have consumed a Business Rewards event in the current or previous calendar year.”
To transfer IHG One Rewards points to another member, go to hereProvide the requested details about your IHG account to log in and then complete the points transfer form.
You will need to confirm the recipient details on the next page.
You will then be taken to a confirmation page that says: “Thank you for your purchase! Your order has been received and will be processed within the next 72 hours. You will receive a confirmation email once the transaction is complete.”
I received an email from IHG One Rewards with my transfer receipt almost instantly. However, the points were not removed from my account or transferred to my recipient’s account immediately. In my experience, this usually occurs within 24 hours of initiating the transfer, although it can take up to 72 hours.
Once the points transfer is complete, no cancellations or refunds are allowed, and the member who initiated the transfer is not entitled to the transferred points. The points transfer page says “the offer has no expiration date and will continue at IHG’s discretion.”
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Related: How to Maximize Reward Redemptions with the IHG One Rewards Program
When and why to transfer IHG points to another member
Regular readers know that I am a big fan of buy IHG pointsespecially when you can do it with a 100% bonus. After all, a 100% bonus reduces the effective buying rate to just 0.5 cents per point. This rate matches TPG’s March 2026 rate valuation of IHG points, but it is less than what I normally get when redeeming IHG points.
However, you are limited to purchasing 200,000 points per year (although the limit sometimes increases during specific point purchase promotions). So, if you need more points than the maximum amount you can purchase in a year, you can ask another member to purchase points and then transfer them to you.
You may also want to transfer IHG points to a travel companion who will have a higher score. IHG Elite Status than you next year. My husband and I currently have Diamond Elite status, but I’m hoping only one of us can qualify again this year. Then, before the end of the calendar year, we will transfer up to 100,000 points from the account that doesn’t qualify this year to the account that does. We will then be able to use that account in 2027 as we attempt to requalify one of our accounts for Diamond Elite status once again.
Lastly, you might also want to transfer IHG points if you’re sharing a room with a friend. Instead of trying to determine a reimbursement rate or simply agree on another way to informally align your spending, you could transfer half of the points needed for the stay to your friend.
Related: How to get your fourth free reward night when you redeem IHG points
How to be eligible for free IHG points transfers
Only IHG Diamond Elite and Business Rewards program members are eligible to have fees waived when transferring points to other members. So you might be wondering how Earn IHG Elite Status or become a member of the Business Rewards program.
IHG Diamond Elite status requires 70 qualifying nights or 120,000 qualifying points per calendar year. Alternatively, you can earn Diamond Elite status through December 31 of the following year if you make purchases totaling $40,000 or more during a calendar year on your IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (see rates and fees) either IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card (see rates and fees).
You can also activate IHG Diamond Elite status for the remainder of the calendar year in which you qualify and the following calendar year after you spend at least $75,000 on purchases in the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) during one calendar year. And after spending $120,000 on purchases in the Reserve Chase Sapphire for Business℠ (see rates and fees) during one calendar year, you can activate Diamond Elite status for the remainder of the calendar year in which you qualify and the following calendar year.
It’s relatively easy to become a Business Rewards member, although you must have “consumed a Business Rewards event in the current or previous calendar year” to unlock free IHG points transfers.
IHG Terms and Conditions they state that “IHG Business Rewards membership is available to corporate bookers, travel/business meeting agents, or individual bookings.” The terms and conditions define an individual booker as “a person who books qualifying expenses at participating hotels on their own behalf or on behalf of another person.” Go to Trading Rewards Page to join the program.
Related: Why you should get (and keep) the IHG One Rewards Premier Card
In a nutshell
It’s generally not worth paying the $5 transfer fee per 1,000 points to transfer points to another member. After all, you can buy IHG points during some promotions at this rate. However, if you have Diamond Elite status or are an active IHG Business Rewards member, being able to transfer up to 100,000 points per year to other members for free is a nice perk.
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