Hi, all! I just posted this on another related thread, but this is still one of the top results when Googling whether certain point packages are elite-qualifying with IHG, and I wanted to share some information; please forgive the copy-pasting, haha.
I had a one-night stay last year at a Holiday Inn in Milwaukee with a hotel-specific 10K point package. I called in advance to ask if those points would be elite-qualifying (I was merely Gold at the time but within striking distance of Platinum), and was told that they indeed would be. The rate description said the points would post within 10 days of checkout, but after two weeks, nothing had posted (elite-qualifying or otherwise). I called IHG support, and after being on hold for about 15 minutes, was told there was a problem with their system and they were unable to look up the details of the reservation, and to try again later. I decided since this was a slightly complicated issue, emailing might be better. In the end, I got a reply within 24 hours apologizing for the delay in the points posting, letting me know they'd been posted with elite-qualifying status, and congratulating me on Platinum status. All worked out well!
But now reading this thread, it made me wonder if this was a one-time fluke in my favor by an IHG employee who perhaps was being generous. I'm in the process of planning my travel for the next several months, and realized that with the right planning I can hit Spire if the 10K bonus point packages are always supposed to be EQP. Having much speculation but no definite answer here, I decided to email IHG directly, and I think you'll be happy with the results; in short,
yes, all bonus point packages -
even ones offered by individual hotels - count as elite-qualifying points.
Here is exactly what I sent to them; note the level of detail so there was no confusion as to what kind of point package I was referring to:
I understand that the points earned are elite-qualifying, and I may be able to hit Spire Elite by the end of the year if I plan correctly. But I notice that some bonus point packages seem a bit different from others, and I wanted to verify if all of them were in fact elite-qualifying.
For example, I plan to spend one night at the Crowne Plaza Columbus North - Worthington on [date]. I notice they have 1,000-point-per-night packages (including a “Your Rate” bonus point package), a 5,000-point-per-stay package, and a 10,000-point-per-night package. The 1,000 and 5,000 point package descriptions seem to be worded in a fairly uniform way, starting with “Exclusive to IHG® Rewards Club members”; I also notice that the bonus points are automatically included in the estimated point earnings. But the 10,000 point per night package, titled “10K IHG PT PACKAGE,” has a quite different description that seems to have been written by the individual hotel, and the bonus points do not show up in the earnings estimate. It seems like a package offered by the hotel rather than directly through IHG. Would these points still be elite-qualifying?
I'm not sure why, but I got two different responses (within minutes of each other) from two different IHG reps. Both were in the affirmative. Here is the first:
The 1,000 and 5,000 bonus points package is the same as the 10,000 bonus points, it is all qualifying points and counts toward your elite status. The only difference is the 10,000 bonus points is much higher in price. Also, the 1,000 and 5,000 points usually offer per night while the 10,000 is per stay.
There are instances that the 10,000 bonus points are not appearing on your estimated point earning. I would suggest that you take a screenshot of your reservation, in the event that the 10,000 bonus points did not post together with the points that you earn on your stay. We can manually post it here in the service center. Just send us the stay details.
And the second:
I would like to inform you that all bonus points package will be counted towards the elite qualifying points as per the terms and condition of the program. Even if it was offer by the individual hotel it still counts towards the elite qualifying points.
I hope this helps clear up any confusion; straight from IHG,
all bonus point packages are indeed EQP. Happy status chasing!