Do IHG Cardholders Get Executive Lounge Access?

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Million Mile Secrets reader, Jonathan, commented:

I received a postcard from IHG saying I can get Executive Lounge access because I have Platinum elite status with the IHG® Rewards Club Select Credit Card.  Is this true?

Great question, Jonathan!  Several folks on FlyerTalk received a similar mailer.

Unfortunately, after calling IHG, it seems this perk was mistakenly listed on the postcard.

I’ll explain how you get executive lounge access at IHG hotels.  And remind y’all about the benefits of IHG Platinum status!

IHG Executive Lounge Access

Certain hotel chains give folks with elite status access to Executive Lounges.

For example, folks with Marriott and Ritz-Carlton gold status get access to lounges.

But at IHG hotels, elite status does NOT give you automatic access.  Instead, you’ll have to pay a fee to go to the lounge.  Or you must book a more expensive paid room that’s on the lounge floor.

Even though IHG Platinum elite status gets you a potential room upgrade, it’s still unlikely you’ll get access to the Executive Lounge floor.

The perks of each lounge varies by hotel.  For example, at the InterContinental Hong Kong, you get:

• Daily breakfast buffet
• Afternoon tea
• Evening cocktails
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

But you’ll pay $100+ per night for access.  That said, other IHG hotels have lounges with lower fees and fewer perks.

It would be amazing if access came complimentary with the Chase IHG card.

Keep in mind, folks on FlyerTalk report showing the recent mailer to the front desk at the hotel to get free lounge access.

This might work at some hotels.  But I can’t promise it will work everywhere.

Chase IHG Card Perks Are Still Valuable

Link:   IHG® Rewards Club Select Credit Card

Link:   My Review of the Chase IHG Card

While you won’t get automatic lounge access with the Chase IHG card, you still get fantastic perks, including:

• IHG Platinum elite status (free upgrades, priority check-in, and elite rollover nights)
• A free night at any IHG hotel worldwide each year of card membership
• 10% rebate on redeemed points (up to 100,000 IHG points a year)
• NO foreign transaction fees

The free night every card anniversary is an amazing perk that more than offsets the card’s $49 annual fee.

For example, team member Harlan recently used 2 free night certificates for a stay at the Hotel Indigo Lower East Side New York, which saved him more than $500!

Here are some ideas where you can use the free IHG night:

• 5 Top Hotels in Europe to Book With IHG Card’s Free Night
• 5 Great Hotels in the US With IHG Card’s Free Night
• 5 Outstanding Hotels in the Caribbean & Mexico With IHG Card’s Free Night
• 5 Terrific Hotels in Asia & Australia With IHG Card’s Free Night

Bottom Line

Some folks with the Chase IHG card recently received a postcard listing access to Executive Lounges at IHG hotels as a benefit.

Unfortunately, after calling IHG, I learned this perk was listed as a mistake.  To access lounges at IHG hotels, you’ll typically have to pay a fee or book a more expensive paid room on the lounge floor.

The Chase IHG card still has terrific benefits like a free night at ANY IHG hotel in the world every card anniversary.  This perk alone can easily save you hundreds of dollars!

I’d love to hear if you received the postcard and have been successful in getting lounge access!