IHG’s “Buy Diamond” Targeted Offer Returns: Keep Diamond by Purchasing Elite-Qualifying Points
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- Targeted members can buy EQPs to re-qualify for (or upgrade to) Diamond for the next status year; the 120,000 EQP threshold confers Diamond. Pricing and eligibility vary by account.
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- Reports show $800 (before/after the 20% IHG cardholder discount, depending on offer construction), with some members seeing $640 all-in—both include 120k redeemable IHG points in your balance.
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- Current wave runs through late December into early January 2026 (exact end date appears in your email link; recent coverage cites through Jan 1, 2026).
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- Check your email/spam and your IHG account offers.
IHG is quietly offering some members a way to get Diamond status quickly through the end of the year. The offer involves purchasing a bunch of Elite-Qualifying Points (EQPs) to reach the 120,000-point Diamond level.
Depending on the email you got and if you have an IHG credit card (which gives a 20% discount), it looks like getting Diamond for next year could cost around $640–$800. The good news is you get to keep the points you buy and use them for stays. Keep in mind that these deals are sent out through email, so not everyone will get them.
How it Works
This EQP sale is different from the usual bonus points sales. With this offer, you’re buying points that count toward your status (all the way up to Diamond) and you also get the same amount of regular IHG points that you can use for award nights. So, it’s like a buy Diamond + buy points deal all in one—something you don’t normally get with a regular points sale.
Usually, you can only buy up to 200,000 points each year, and they don’t count toward your status. This special EQP offer is separate and comes through the email link.
What’s the Real Cost?
IHG often sells points for around 0.5¢ each during bonus sales. If you think IHG points are worth around 0.4–0.6¢ (which is a fair estimate), then 120,000 points are worth about $480–$720 in stays. If you’re paying $640–$800 for the deal, you’re really paying somewhere between $0–$320 for Diamond status for a year, once you take into account the value of the points you get.
- $640 example (the best deal some people are reporting): If you think 120,000 points are worth $600 (at 0.5¢ each), you’re basically paying $40 for Diamond status.
- $800 example (more typical): If you value 120,000 points at $600, you’re paying $200 for Diamond. It might still be worth it if you’ll use the lounge access, free breakfast, or upgrades that come with it.
Most travel experts (Frequent Miler, Doctor of Credit, One Mile at a Time and other) agree that this deal is good if you stay at hotels that offer things like free breakfast, lounge access, and late checkouts. But if you don’t really use those perks, it might not be worth it.
Who Should Go for It
This is a good idea if:
- You have IHG stays coming up at hotels where you can use the lounge, get free breakfast, and get better upgrades.
- You already have or can use 120,000 points for good value (and use them with the 4th-night-free perk if you have it).
- You want to get status right away for any last-minute trips.
You should probably skip it if:
- You don’t stay at IHG hotels very often or usually book cheaper hotels where the perks aren’t as good.
- You can get status through stays or points anyway, or if you plan to try for a status match instead.
Effective Cost to Buy a Diamond
Assumes you’re targeted for a 120k EQP bundle, and that all 120k points are also credited as redeemable points. Point value is subjective; adjust to your own target.
| Offer price | Points you receive | Your point value assumption | “Value” of points | Implied net cost for Diamond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $640 | 120,000 | 0.5¢ | $600 | $40 |
| $640 | 120,000 | 0.6¢ | $720 | –$80 (you “win” on points alone) |
| $800 | 120,000 | 0.5¢ | $600 | $200 |
| $800 | 120,000 | 0.4¢ | $480 | $320 |
Sources discussing $640–$800 examples and mechanics.
Bottom line
This offer is just for you, but we don’t know exactly how many EQPs you’re short of 120k, the price for you, or how many nights you still need. Figure out if it’s worth it for your travel plans. Take the offer price and take off the value of the points. This will give you the real cost of keeping or getting Diamond status. Then, think about what you’ll actually get back in the next year, like breakfast, lounge access, late checkout, and better upgrades at hotels.
If keeping your status really matters to you and the value you get is more than the cost, then this could be a smart thing to do. If not, don’t bother with it. Just stick to regular stays, special deals, or future promotions. That’s what most points experts say too: only use it if the numbers work out for you, not just because you can.
