Hotel status extension: Marriott vs IHG

How does IHG One Rewards carry elite status into the next year?

IHG One Rewards works in calendar years, defined as 1 January to 31 December, and awards elite status to members who meet at least one of the listed criteria within that year [4]. Only Elite Qualifying Points count towards status; other points in the account do not [4].

Once a member earns elite status in a calendar year, that status is maintained through the end of the following calendar year, and members who begin a year already holding status must reach the required qualifying points or nights to keep it [4].

Two further IHG One Rewards rules affect qualification. Reward nights that members redeem count as qualifying nights towards elite qualification [4], and qualifying nights in excess of the number required for Gold Elite, Platinum Elite or Diamond Elite roll over into the following year and count towards earning status in that next year [4]. Rollover nights from a previous year do not count towards rollover for the following year, and rollover nights do not count towards Milestone Rewards [4]. They are calculated as the total qualifying nights stayed in the calendar year, not including the previous year's rollover, minus the nights required for the tier earned in that same year [4]. Members can also add Bonus Elite Night Credits earned through partners and promotions, which count towards earning elite status [4].

How does Marriott Bonvoy treat elite status and account activity?

Marriott Bonvoy measures progress towards Elite Status in Elite Night Credits, and an Elite Night Credit is earned only for a night that falls within a Qualifying Stay [2]. The amount of elite bonus Points a member receives depends on the Elite Status achieved [2].

A separate rule governs account activity. Members must have Qualifying Activity at least once every 24 months to retain accumulated Points, Awards and other benefits [2]. Qualifying Activity covers earning or redeeming Points or Miles, buying Points, completing a Qualifying Stay, or converting Points or Miles with designated partners, while gifting, transferring or receiving Points from another member does not count [2]. After 24 consecutive months without Qualifying Activity, all accumulated Points, Awards and other benefits are forfeited and cannot be reinstated [2].

Points held in Lifetime Elite Status accounts are not currently subject to expiration, although Marriott says it may apply an expiration policy to those accounts in the future [2]. The programme rules, updated October 2026, let the Company change qualifying requirements, conditions of participation and the rules for retaining status with or without notice, even where a change affects the value of Points or the ability to obtain certain Awards [2]. For the tier thresholds themselves, see status thresholds in the major programmes.

Do your points disappear when elite status ends?

At IHG One Rewards, Club-level points expire if the account has no earn or redeem transaction for 12 months or longer, while elite members' points do not expire as long as elite status is maintained [4]. Using the one night a year provided to IHG One Rewards credit card holders does not count as earn or redeem activity for this purpose [4].

Marriott Bonvoy requires Qualifying Activity at least once every 24 months to retain accumulated Points, Awards and other benefits; after 24 consecutive months without Qualifying Activity, those Points, Awards and other benefits are forfeited and cannot be reinstated [2]. Both programmes also act on very long dormancy: IHG reserves the right to cancel a membership permanently after five years without activity [4], and Marriott may deactivate an account that stays inactive for five consecutive years [2]. Related rules on tier renewal and soft landing are set out in status renewal and soft landing compared.

Exceptions and limits

• Discretion belongs to the programme. Marriott Bonvoy may waive compliance with its rules at its sole discretion and may run promotions that give enhanced benefits to selected members [2]; IHG One Rewards reserves the right to modify its terms and to modify, suspend or cancel the programme at any time, with interpretations at its sole discretion [4].
• A closed account forfeits its benefits. IHG One Rewards members whose accounts are cancelled, by themselves or by IHG, forfeit all Points, Point vouchers, Reward Nights and any other benefits associated with the account [4]. At Marriott Bonvoy, a member who cancels loses any achieved Elite Status or Lifetime Elite Status immediately, with no reinstatement or transfer [2].
• Status cannot be shared. Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status is not transferable except as expressly permitted in its rules [2], and IHG One Rewards benefits are for the individual member only and cannot be used by other members or non-members [4].
• Rollover has boundaries. Rollover nights at IHG One Rewards apply to the Gold Elite, Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite requirements only, do not carry forward a second time, and are excluded from Milestone Rewards progress [4].

Frequently asked questions

How long does IHG One Rewards elite status last?

Status earned in a calendar year is maintained through the end of the following calendar year, and a member who starts a year with status must meet the qualifying points or nights again to keep it [4].

Who can waive programme rules?

Marriott Bonvoy may waive compliance with its rules at its sole discretion and may offer enhanced benefits to selected members through promotions [2], while IHG One Rewards interprets its terms at its sole discretion [4].

Do rollover nights count towards IHG status next year?

Yes, for Gold Elite, Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite: qualifying nights above the requirement for the tier earned roll into the following year and count towards earning status then, though rollover nights from a previous year do not roll again [4].

Will my points expire if my status lapses?

IHG One Rewards protects elite members' points only while elite status is maintained, and Club-level points expire after 12 months without an earn or redeem transaction [4]. Marriott Bonvoy forfeits Points, Awards and other benefits after 24 consecutive months without Qualifying Activity [2].

Can elite status be passed to a family member?

Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status is not transferable except as its rules expressly permit [2], and IHG One Rewards member benefits are not transferable to other members or non-members [4].

Related pages

Hotel status renewal and soft landing compared · Status thresholds in the major programmes · Frequent flyer glossary

Sources

Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, Accor ALL, Wyndham Rewards and Best Western Rewards are not covered here.

1. Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Program Terms & Conditions (updated October 2026), checked 18 October 2026
2. IHG One Rewards membership terms and conditions, checked 18 October 2026