IHG promotion: buy points and get Diamond status (with a trick)

Exactly one year later, IHG’s “Lock in Diamond Elite status” promotion is back.

The promo page is available here, and the key rules are as follows:

• Promotion period: December 16 to December 31
• Open to Platinum and Diamond members (who failed to requalify)
• You can purchase elite-qualifying points (which are also redeemable), giving you Diamond status valid through 2026
• Chase co-branded credit card holders receive a 20% discountT

The structure is basically the same as last year. It’s unclear whether this is targeted, but once you open the page and enter your details, you’ll be able to see whether you’re eligible. In theory, even Platinums obtained via a co-branded card or Ambassador membership might qualify.

As for pricing, the more you buy, the lower the per-point cost. Buying 5,000 points costs $250 (5 cents per point), while buying the maximum 120,000 points costs $1,000 (0.83 cents per point). When the promotion first launched last year there was an error where the co-branded card discount was applied twice; that mistake hasn’t been repeated this year.

IHG Diamond status requires 120,000 qualifying points, and you only need to buy the shortfall based on your current qualifying-point balance. IHG frequently runs point sales at exactly 0.5p per point, which makes it easy to estimate the real cost. For example, if you need the full 120,000 points and pay $1,000 in total, that’s effectively paying an extra $400 for a year of IHG Diamond status. If you have the co-branded card, the incremental cost drops to about $200.

From a pure unit-cost perspective, buying the full 120,000 points is the best deal. Although IHG redemptions have been fully dynamic for a few years now, their point value remains relatively strong – certainly better than Hilton and Marriott in this regard.

Compared with Platinum, the key advantage of Diamond is complimentary breakfast for two (if chosen as a welcome amenity). Other benefits like room upgrades and late checkout should, in theory, be more generous, but they are not guaranteed. Honestly, paying around $200 for a year of Diamond benefits is probably worth it; beyond that, it becomes a matter of personal judgment.

If you already hold Diamond status but failed to requalify, there’s no need to rush into this either. Based on this year’s experience, there may well be a retention offer early next year: something like requalifying Diamond with eight paid nights.

(Tip: rumours are that if you purchase the points late and they post in January, they will count as qualifying points towards 2026 and your Diamond status will thus be valid through 2027!)