How to maximize IHG One Rewards on all-inclusive vacations

All-inclusive vacations can simplify trip planning, and IHG Hotels & Resorts makes it easy to discover, compare and book a growing range of participating all-inclusive resorts across destinations worldwide.

Booking through IHG can add even more value to the experience. With IHG One Rewards, members can earn and redeem points at participating all-inclusive properties. That means a beach vacation can help fund a future trip or reduce your out-of-pocket cost if you redeem IHG points for your stay.

After all, one of the biggest appeals of an all-inclusive vacation is knowing that many of your meals, drinks and activities are included in your stay. But by booking a participating all-inclusive stay through IHG, you may also be able to earn points, work toward elite status and enjoy select IHG One Rewards benefits during your stay.

Here’s what to know about getting more out of an all-inclusive vacation with IHG One Rewards.

IHG has a growing all-inclusive portfolio

IHG Hotels & Resorts has expanded its all-inclusive portfolio to give travelers more ways to discover and book resort experiences across a range of brands, destinations and stay types, all through the hotel loyalty program you already know and trust.

Iberostar Beachfront Resorts are a key part of IHG’s all-inclusive offering, with participating resorts in beach destinations across Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa.

For example, if you’re planning an all-inclusive trip to Mexico, you might look at Iberostar Selection Riviera Cancún or JOIA Paraíso by Iberostar. If the Caribbean is calling, Iberostar Selection Bávaro Suites in the Dominican Republic may be worth considering. And if you’re thinking about Europe, Iberostar Jardín del Sol Suites in Mallorca might be a good fit.

But IHG’s all-inclusive options go beyond Iberostar Beachfront Resorts. For example, Holiday Inn Club Vacations Grand Residences All-Inclusive and Holiday Inn Club Vacations The Royal Sands All-Inclusive are notable options in Mexico. And if you’re interested in an all-inclusive vacation without leaving the U.S., the voco Sandpiper All-Inclusive Resort in Florida is worth considering.

Of course, the best all-inclusive resort for your trip depends on who you are traveling with and what you want from your vacation. Some resorts are better suited for families who want pools, activities and kids clubs. Meanwhile, other resorts are more appealing to couples, friends and multigenerational groups that want to package their stay, dining and activities together.

That’s one reason it can be useful to start your search on IHG’s website or app. You can look for participating all-inclusive resorts by destination and compare options. Plus, booking through IHG ensures your IHG One Rewards number is attached to your reservation.

Earn IHG points on all-inclusive stays

One of the best reasons to book an all-inclusive stay through IHG is that you can earn IHG points.

IHG members earn 10 points per dollar spent on qualifying stays at participating IHG hotels and resorts, including Iberostar Beachfront Resorts and Holiday Inn Club Vacations resorts. Plus, travelers with IHG elite status can earn even more through status bonuses as follows:

Earning points can be especially valuable on an all-inclusive stay. Since these stays often cost more than a typical hotel night, a qualifying all-inclusive resort booking could earn you a significant number of IHG points.

To earn IHG points on your all-inclusive stay, book through an eligible method such as the IHG website or app and confirm your IHG One Rewards number is attached to your reservation. This is important, as your stay may not qualify for points or IHG One Rewards benefits if you book through another source (including most online travel agencies).

Redeem IHG points for all-inclusive stays

You can also redeem IHG points for reward nights at all-inclusive properties that participate in the IHG One Rewards program.

To redeem IHG points for an all-inclusive stay — including those at Iberostar Beachfront Resorts — go to IHG’s website or app, log in to your account and search for your destination, dates and number of guests. Be sure to set your rate preference to “Reward Nights.”

From there, you can compare properties. On the results page, you’ll see the starting nightly award rate and some flags that let you know if the property is all-inclusive or adults only.

If you click a specific property, you can see the available room types. Note that some room types may carry a higher nightly award rate.

Be sure to click “Reward Nights + All Inclusive” for the room type and rate you select to confirm what’s included in the rate.

It’s important to enter the correct number of guests, including children, when searching for your all-inclusive vacation, as IHG adjusts reward-night pricing based on factors such as guest count and dining plan.

For example, a two-night stay at Iberostar Selection​ Cancun in Mexico might cost 90,000 points per night for two adults but 135,000 points per night for two adults and two children.

And at some resorts, such as Iberostar Waves Cristina in Spain, you can choose from breakfast-only, half-board and full all-inclusive award rates, each priced accordingly.

If you have an eligible IHG One Rewards credit card, you may be able to get even more value from your points at participating IHG properties. The fourth Reward Night is free when you redeem points for any stay of four or more nights. You’ll automatically see the discounted award rates at participating properties if you’re logged into your account, have an eligible card and search for a reward stay of four nights or longer. Plus, eligible Cardmembers have an annual Free Night that can be enhanced with points to access hotels above the 40,000-point redemption threshold.

Get IHG elite-night credits and benefits on all-inclusive stays

Qualifying all-inclusive stays can also help IHG One Rewards members work toward elite status and milestone rewards.

Plus, IHG One Rewards members can enjoy select benefits during qualifying all-inclusive stays at participating IHG hotels and resorts and participating Iberostar Beachfront Resorts. Even if you don’t have elite status with IHG, you can access member rates, Wi-Fi access and 2 p.m. late checkout, subject to availability at participating hotels.

IHG Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite members may be eligible for benefits such as early check-in, room upgrades and a welcome amenity at check-in, subject to availability.

And if you have an annual lounge membership that you earned through the milestone rewards program, you can use the Star Prestige facilities when available at participating Iberostar Beachfront Resort properties.

All these benefits can be especially useful at a resort. A late checkout can give you a few more hours at the pool before an evening flight, while an early check-in can make a morning arrival less awkward. And a room upgrade can make a special trip feel even more spectacular.

Just keep in mind that many elite benefits are subject to availability and may vary by brand, hotel and stay type.

Bottom line

All-inclusive vacations are appealing because they can make travel simpler, but booking an all-inclusive stay through IHG can add another layer of value.

Through IHG Hotels and Resorts, travelers can discover, compare and book all-inclusive resorts in a wide range of vacation destinations. And IHG One Rewards members can earn points on qualifying paid stays, redeem points for all-inclusive stays and enjoy member or elite benefits along the way.

Whether you’re planning a family beach trip, a couples getaway, a friends trip or a multigenerational vacation, it’s worth checking IHG’s all-inclusive options before you book.