Loyalty programs often save their best promotions for peak travel periods, and such is no different with IHG One Rewards as it ushers in 2026. The hotel group has just announced a limited-time double points promotion for the first quarter of the year-offering members the chance to amass significantly more rewards on eligible stays.

This can add real value to a travel budget, whether one is planning business trips, winter vacations, or short weekend getaways. The following is an explanation of how this offer works, who it most benefits, and why this promotion stands out in the crowded hotel loyalty landscape.

A strong start to 2026 for IHG Loyalty Members

Needless to say, IHG One Rewards has placed itself to be one of the more aggressive hotel loyalty programs in recent years, often releasing new promotions tied to rewarding consistent stays. Early 2026 is no different, where double points await on qualifying stays after members have completed their first eligible booking during the promotional window.

This is an especially appealing form of promotion, since there is no earning cap involved; this means that frequent travelers will keep earning and racking up bonus points throughout the entire promotional period. Unlike targeted or invite-only offers, this promotion is widely available to registered members.

The takeaway is simple: travelers who already like IHG brands-or can be flexible with their hotel choices-can accelerate earnings in the first three months of 2026.

Dates and Criteria of Eligibility

Of course, with any hotel promotion, the fine print is key. Luckily for this one, the rules are pretty straightforward and rather traveler-friendly.

Members must enroll in the Double Points offer prior to completing their qualifying stays. Once enrolled, Qualifying Nights stayed between January 1, 2026, and March 31, 2026, will count toward this offer. There is no booking requirement that needs to be met by date, so long as the stay itself occurs within the promotional window.

Qualifying Stays are to be booked via official IHG direct channels only, including the official website and mobile app of IHG, and hotel reservations in participating hotels. Third-party bookings and reward nights will not qualify to earn bonus points for this promotion.

The other important factor is that your bonus kicks in for the second stay and not the first. In other words, your first stay during the promotional period accrues at the usual rate while subsequent stays during the period earn double base points.

Which Stays Qualify for Bonus Points?

Not all stays in the hotels get points of the same value, and precise qualifications may be applied to the minimum criteria of IHG. Each night of the stay must meet or exceed the minimum nightly rate requirements to qualify for this promotion. Any stays that fall below the minimum will be excluded from this offer, even if they are otherwise qualified paid bookings.

This promotion will apply at most IHG brands, including many of the popular ones like InterContinental, Kimpton, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, and Hotel Indigo. Yes, even their extended-stay brands like Candlewood Suites and Staybridge Suites, although those brands follow a slightly different base earning structure.

Importantly, no ceilings are placed on the number of extra points a member can earn. This makes the promotion very attractive to travelers who will stay more than once during the three-month period.

How Points Are Earned with IHG One Rewards

To put this offer into perspective, consider how the general earning system for IHG One Rewards works first.

Most IHG brands offer a base 10 points per dollar charged to the room, excluding tax. Some extended-stay brands charge a lower base rate, but may still participate in promotional bonuses. Beyond these base points, elite members earn additional percentage bonuses according to tier status:

Elite status bonuses greatly improve earning potential. Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond members have increasingly higher point multipliers on paid stays, which combine with the promotional double points to grow total earnings rather quickly.

Credit card holders enjoy more rewards. Spending with an eligible IHG co-branded credit card may unlock even more points per dollar by stacking rewards both from the loyalty program and the credit card issuer.

But how much value can you really get?

The value of any points promotion is derived from how those points are redeemed. Generally speaking, it is said that IHG One Rewards points are worth about half a cent per point, although smart travelers can often get significantly more value by making tactical redemptions of their points.

This offer gives members double base points for qualifying stays for a noticeable boost in rewards. The elite members charging on an IHG credit card see several times the standard points per dollar for a strong percent return on hotel spending.

That means free nights later in the year, discounted stays, or upgraded accommodations for frequent travelers. Casual ones might not build up massive balances, but even a handful of bonus stays helps stretch travel budgets further.

Why this promotion stands out in 2026

While many hotel loyalty programs have seasonal promotions, not all are created equal-most of their competitors cap bonus earnings, have onerous rules for booking, or restrict the eligibility to preferred members only.

But what really makes the IHG Q1 2026 double points promotion special is just how straightforward and generous it is: there is no earnings cap, and with very extensive brand participation, members can easily benefit with limited planning required.

Second, running the promotion early in the year helps encourage travelers to consolidate stays within the IHG ecosystem. The longer-term loyalty effects could be significant. For travelers who have elite status-or are chasing it-the new offer significantly accelerates that process.

Final Thoughts

At the very outset, IHG One Rewards kicked off 2026 with a promotion that actually rewards loyalty. Setting the first bonus-earning threshold at the second stay and uncapping bonus earnings puts real value into the hands of travelers who can focus their stays within the IHG portfolio.

Of course, in itself, the loyalty program may not be created equal for everyone, but this promotion finally justifies having at least one reason to include an IHG property in your first quarter of the year plans. And if maximizing hotel rewards happens to be at or near the top of the list of traveller priorities, well, then this ranks as one of the better offers out at present.

Early registration and a bit of strategic planning for stays could make all the difference in that points balance - and by extension, in future travel.