Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
Part of IHG One Rewards hub · Marriott Bonvoy hub
GUIDE
Marriott Bonvoy vs IHG One Rewards: programme rules compared
Marriott Bonvoy is Marriott International's hotel loyalty programme, and IHG One Rewards is IHG Hotels & Resorts' hotel rewards programme. [3] [2] Bonvoy publishes six membership levels, with Ambassador Elite requiring 100+ nights and US$23,000+ in qualifying spend a year, while IHG One Rewards promotes milestone rewards and Reward Nights starting at 10,000 points. [1] [2]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- Marriott Bonvoy's published ladder has six levels; Silver Elite begins at 10 nights, Gold Elite at 25, Platinum Elite at 50, Titanium Elite at 75, and Ambassador Elite at 100+ nights plus US$23,000+ in qualifying spend per year. [1]
- IHG One Rewards describes elite benefits as bonus points, Reward Night Discounts, a Welcome Amenity and Milestone Rewards, with milestone choices including upgrades, food and lounge access. [2]
- Marriott Bonvoy advertises free-night stays from 12,000 points, while IHG One Rewards advertises Reward Nights from 10,000 points at 7,000+ hotels and resorts. [5] [2]
- Marriott Bonvoy points are forfeited after 24 consecutive months without qualifying activity and cannot be reinstated. [3]
How do the elite tier thresholds compare?
Marriott Bonvoy sets its membership levels by nights stayed per year, with a spending requirement added at Ambassador Elite. [1]
| Tier | Nights per year | Main published benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Member | 0–9 | Free in-room Wi-Fi; member rates; mobile check-in [1] |
| Silver Elite | 10 | 10% more points; priority late checkout [1] |
| Gold Elite | 25 | 25% more points; enhanced room upgrade; 2 p.m. late checkout [1] |
| Platinum Elite | 50 | 50% more points; enhanced room upgrade including Select Suites; Welcome Gift Choice [1] |
| Titanium Elite | 75 | 75% more bonus points; enhanced room upgrade including Select Suites; Welcome Gift Choice [1] |
| Ambassador Elite | 100+ | 75% more bonus points; Ambassador Service; Your24; US$23,000+ qualifying spend [1] |
IHG One Rewards describes its elite offer as Bonus Points, Reward Night Discounts, a Welcome Amenity and Milestone Rewards. [2] Its Milestone Rewards are presented as a choice of upgrades, food, lounge access and more. [2]
What do elite members get, and how do milestone benefits work?
At entry level, Bonvoy members get free in-room Wi-Fi, member rates and mobile check-in. [1] Silver Elite adds 10% more points and priority late checkout. [1] Gold Elite adds 25% more points, an enhanced room upgrade and 2 p.m. late checkout. [1]
Platinum Elite raises the bonus to 50% and adds an enhanced room upgrade that can include Select Suites, plus a Welcome Gift Choice of points, breakfast or an amenity that varies by brand. [1] Titanium Elite raises the bonus to 75% and lists the same upgrade and Welcome Gift Choice. [1] Ambassador Elite adds Ambassador Service and Your24 and earns 75% more bonus points. [1]
IHG One Rewards lists Bonus Points, Reward Night Discounts, a Welcome Amenity and Milestone Rewards as elite perks, and advertises member rates and offers, free Wi-Fi, late checkout and no blackout dates. [2]
How much do award nights cost, and where can you use them?
As of 18 October 2026, Marriott Bonvoy free-night awards are available at thousands of properties worldwide, with varying point values, and stays start at 12,000 points per night. [5] Cash + Points and PointSavers, which offers up to 20% off at participating hotels, are separate booking options. [5]
As of 18 October 2026, IHG One Rewards advertises Reward Nights at 7,000+ hotels and resorts around the world, starting at 10,000 points, with no blackout dates and Reward Night Discounts for elite members. [2]
Marriott Bonvoy describes redemption across more than 30 hotel brands and 10,000 global destinations. [5] IHG One Rewards describes its reward-night network as 7,000+ hotels and resorts around the world. [2] Those figures measure different things: Marriott counts destinations and brands, while IHG counts hotels and resorts. [5] [2]
Marriott Bonvoy points can also be transferred to 38 airline programmes, most at a 3-to-1 ratio, with 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred, except for American Airlines AAdvantage, Avianca LifeMiles and Delta SkyMiles; United MileagePlus receives 10,000 bonus miles per 60,000 points. [4]
How long do Marriott Bonvoy points last?
Under the Marriott Bonvoy programme rules updated in October 2026, members must complete Qualifying Activity at least once every 24 months to keep accumulated points, awards and other benefits. [3] Qualifying Activity includes earning or redeeming points or miles, buying points, completing a qualifying stay, or converting points or miles with designated partners. [3] Gifting, transferring or receiving points from another member does not count. [3]
After 24 consecutive months without qualifying activity, all accumulated points, awards and other benefits are forfeited and cannot be reinstated. [3] An account inactive for five consecutive years may be deactivated. [3] Points in Lifetime Elite Status accounts are not currently subject to expiration, but Marriott says it may apply an expiration policy to those accounts in future. [3]
Awards redeemed before point forfeiture remain valid unless they are cancelled after the points expiration date and the member has not completed qualifying activity to extend that date. [3]
What exceptions and limits should you check?
Several Marriott Bonvoy rules narrow the headline benefits or change what happens after a missed activity period. [3]
- Missing-credit requests must generally be received within one year of the activity, subject to programme and property requirements. [3]
- Cancelling a Bonvoy account immediately forfeits unredeemed points, awards, benefits and elite status; they may not be reinstated or transferred except as Marriott permits or law requires. [3]
- Marriott may change programme rules, earning and redemption structures, award availability and redemption levels with or without notice, and those changes can affect the value of points. [3]
- Limited participation applies to All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy, Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, among other categories. [3]
- When a participating property leaves the programme, members do not earn points or qualifying nights for stays there, and awards and offers stop being valid after the exit date even if the booking was made earlier. [3]
These limits apply to Marriott Bonvoy; IHG One Rewards has separate member terms and conditions. [3] [2]
Frequently asked questions
How many nights do you need for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite?
Platinum Elite requires 50 nights per year. [1]
Do Marriott Bonvoy points expire?
Yes. Points, awards and other benefits are forfeited after 24 consecutive months without qualifying activity, and they cannot be reinstated. [3]
What is the entry award price at each programme?
Marriott Bonvoy advertises free-night stays from 12,000 points, and IHG One Rewards advertises Reward Nights from 10,000 points. [5] [2]
Do IHG One Rewards reward nights have blackout dates?
IHG One Rewards states that there are no blackout dates. [2]
How much do you need to spend for Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite?
Ambassador Elite requires 100+ nights and US$23,000+ in qualifying spend per year. [1]
Sources
Sources checked on 18 October 2026. Other hotel programmes, including Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt and Accor Live Limitless, are not covered here; this page compares Marriott Bonvoy and IHG One Rewards only.
- Marriott Bonvoy member benefits and elite tiers, checked 18 October 2026
- IHG One Rewards member overview, checked 18 October 2026
- Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Program Terms & Conditions, checked 18 October 2026
- Marriott Bonvoy points-to-miles page, checked 18 October 2026
- Marriott Bonvoy redeem points page, checked 18 October 2026