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IHG's "Friends & Family" Rate Gets a Makeover: Is It a Downgrade?
Published on December 12, 2025, 2:10 AM

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Heads up, IHG loyalists! That sweet "Friends & Family" rate many of us have used to snag discounted hotel stays is getting the axe. IHG is replacing it with something called "IHG One Pass." Now, while getting access to special rates sounds great, there's a potential downside to be aware of.

The big change is that this new rate might come with a cap. What does that mean for you? Well, it could limit the flexibility you have in booking, and potentially reduce the amount you save compared to the old "Friends & Family" rate. It's always a bummer when a good deal gets tweaked in a way that makes it less valuable.

Why should you care? If you've relied on the "Friends & Family" discount in the past, you'll want to investigate the "IHG One Pass" before booking future stays. See if that capped rate actually saves you money compared to other publicly available discounts or even using points. It's always worth comparing to make sure you're getting the best deal possible!

Why This Matters for Your Strategy

News in the points-and-miles world moves fast, and promotional changes often have a short window. If this announcement affects a card or program you hold, log into your awardtrail dashboard to check your current benefit usage, bonus progress, and whether a transfer or redemption makes sense right now — before terms change.

As a general rule: transfer points only when you have a specific redemption in mind — transfers are almost always one-way and non-reversible. If you're unsure of the value, check our redemption guides before acting.

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