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IHG launches ‘IHG Destined’ with extra benefits at 180 of its upscale hotels

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IHG, like all of the major hotel groups, runs exclusive programmes for luxury travel agents to encourage them to book for their clients.

Compared to the likes of Hyatt Prive (click to read more), the IHG option was messy. Properties were split between two different schemes with no real logic as to which was where.

The company has now ripped everything up and started again with ‘IHG Destined’.

As usual, our booking partner Emyr Thomas (contact him here) can book these packages for you.

IHG launches 'IHG Destined'

What is IHG Destined?

IHG Destined is a special benefits plan which can only be accessed by invite-only luxury travel agents.

It launches on 6th January 2025, so you cannot book under these terms for stays in 2024. Similar benefits are available under the two existing ‘preferred partner’ schemes, but IHG Destined will offer improved benefits at many hotels. One downside is the removal of the 2pm guaranteed check-out at some properties.

Which hotels are included?

It covers selected Six Senses, Regent, InterContinental, Vignette, Kimpton and Hotel Indigo properties.

You can download a PDF with the full list here.

What benefits do you get with IHG Destined?

All bookings will receive the following:

  • $100 hotel credit per stay (not valid against room rate)
  • full breakfast for two guests
  • room upgrade, subject to availability
  • welcome amenity
  • early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability
IHG launches 'IHG Destined'

Is there a minimum stay requirement?

Some cheaper properties may have a minimum stay requirement, potentially two nights, but there is no list yet. Many will give the benefits on a one-night stay.

What rate do you pay?

You pay the equivalent of the Best Flexible Rate showing on ihg.com. This means that you will be paying more than you would if you were happy to book a non-refundable rate, but even then the benefits should more than make up the difference.

Do you receive IHG One Rewards points and night credit?

Yes.

Can these benefits be applied to a reward stay?

No.

How do you book?

You need to contact our luxury hotel booking partner, Emyr Thomas, by filling in the form on this page of HfP.

Emyr will come back to you to confirm the rate (which should match Best Flexible Rate), the extra benefits and any minimum stay requirement.

The cancellation rules should match those for a Best Flexible Rate booking.

You don’t pay Emyr. You pay at check-out as usual, which also means that you will still trigger any American Express / IHG cashback offers which may be running. He will need to take a card number for guarantee purposes.

Unlike some luxury travel advisors, Emyr charges NO booking fees and NO amendment fees. You only pay the hotel.

You can download the PDF list of participating hotels here.

You can contact Emyr here.

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IHG One Rewards news

IHG One Rewards update – April 2025:

Get bonus points: IHG is not currently running a global promotion.

New to IHG One Rewards?  Read our overview of IHG One Rewards here and our article on points expiry rules here. Our article on ‘What are IHG One Rewards points worth?’ is here.

Buy points: If you need additional IHG One Rewards points, you can buy them here.

Want to earn more hotel points?  Click here to see our complete list of promotions from IHG and the other major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.

Category

IHG One Rewards

Comments (55)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • TGLoyalty says:
    18 Nov18 November 07:15

    Looks like it’s weaker for the higher end (Luxury), no guaranteed 2pm late checkout

    But better at the bottom end (lifestyle) now get breakfast and $100 ilo $50

    Is there actually any other difference ?

  • HAM76 says:
    18 Nov18 November 07:31

    Does the breakfast offer stack with the free breakfast Diamond status benefit? Some hotels are strictly enforcing the limit even when traveling with our own kids (eg. IC Park Lane). It would be a real benefit if breakfast for up to four people could be included this way.

  • Vit says:
    18 Nov18 November 07:48

    Good morning Rob, it is a OT but since you mention Hyatt Prive and Emyr, can you add Hyatt Guest of Honor to booking through Emyr? If yes , how? Calling hotel to add it?

    • Rob says:
      18 Nov18 November 08:02

      No (I think)

    • Niall says:
      18 Nov18 November 11:17

      Yes you definitely can! I have gifted one to a friend and it was applied to a prive booking. I can’t recall how he applied it, but I think likely a call.

      • Niall says:
        18 Nov18 November 11:29

        Sorry just noticed you said calling the hotel. It would be Hyatt you call or do on web chat and not the hotel directly as the hotel can’t apply it.

        • Vit says:
          18 Nov18 November 13:04

          Thanks Niall. I tried to call the hotel earlier but did not get straight answer but I guess your experience explained it as it has to be the “headquarter” to authorise it I suppose. 🙂 Will give Emyr a shout again and go from there.

  • pigeon says:
    18 Nov18 November 07:54

    I think the photo is of the Intercontinental Sofia, which funnily enough isn’t participating?

    Tough crowd here…!

  • Novice says:
    18 Nov18 November 08:22

    So it’s a bad deal for solos. Offering breakfast for two but what if it’s not two booked. There should be higher hotel credit to make up for the fact that a person can only use one breakfast.

    • TGLoyalty says:
      18 Nov18 November 08:35

      Hardly. Marginal cost to the hotel is a few £ and you’ve paid no more for 2 than 1. This is a complaint for the sake of complaining about something.

      Bad deal would be booking a rate that charges more than the standard room only rate for breakfast Inc or HB/all inclusive for 1 ilo 2

    • JDB says:
      18 Nov18 November 08:37

      The hotel credit goes further for one person than it does for two. Or should the hotel credit be halved for one person plus say $25 for the other breakfast. Win some lose some.

    • BlairWaldorfSalad says:
      18 Nov18 November 09:11

      I usually book for 2 in case a friend in the city I am visiting wants to make an early start to the day by joining me for breakfast. It’s surprising how many people I know who love a go around a ‘posh’ hotel buffet.

    • BA Flyer IHG Stayer says:
      18 Nov18 November 12:08

      If it’s a bad deal for you then don’t book it!

      I’ve used Emyr sometimes for bookings but I work out whether this rate and its inclusions is better than any other refundable rate I’d pay,

      But once I started getting free breakfast via Diamond then these special rates were no longer value for money for me as a solo flyer.

  • David S says:
    18 Nov18 November 09:28

    Am staying at the IC in KUL for three days starting Jan 6th. Sadly at the time of booking Emyr couldn’t help with this property but it’s on the list now. Bad timing for rebooking

  • LittleNick says:
    18 Nov18 November 10:58

    Does the existing scheme not cover Crowne Plaza? It’s not on the new scheme?

  • Ash says:
    18 Nov18 November 17:52

    Can this be combined with Ambassador?

    • LittleNick says:
      18 Nov18 November 18:30

      Yes, you book the Lux/Virtuoso rate and attach it to your IHG account. It is up to the hotel whether room upgrades stack, some are generous, others less so, but you will get your guaranteed 4pm checkout with ambassador

    • Rob says:
      18 Nov18 November 19:33

      Not with a weekend night voucher but you would get normal Ambassador benefits (4pm check-out, $20 credit, possibly – or not – an additional upgrade).

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

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