What happened
- Earning Rate: 1 PAYBACK point for every 2 Euros spent on qualifying stays and eligible charges.
- Eligibility: Available at all participating IHG Hotels & Resorts properties worldwide, including IHG Army Hotels and IHG Residences.
- Mechanism: Members must select PAYBACK as their earning preference in their IHG One Rewards Member Profile. Points cannot be earned simultaneously with IHG points.
- Eligible Charges: Food and beverage, telephone, laundry, and in-room movies charged to the room. F&B points require an active stay.
- Exclusions: Online travel agents (e.g., Expedia, Booking.com) and unauthorized agents are excluded.
- Posting Time: Estimated blocked points appear within 5 days of booking; actual unblocked points post within 5 days after check-out.
- Redemption: Payback points cannot be redeemed for IHG stays, reward nights, or shopping; they must be used within the Payback ecosystem.
- Inactivity: IHG points expire for Club members after 1 year of inactivity; Elite members do not have expiration. This is a strategic move to integrate IHG into the German Payback network, offering an alternative redemption path for travelers in the DACH region
IHG has launched a new partnership with Payback, a major rewards ecosystem in Germany, allowing IHG One Rewards members to earn Payback points instead of IHG points. Key details: