Originally Posted by
SkyTeam777
I earned it, but seems like the only real perk beyond 100% points bonus is free breakfast. Without club lounge access, IHG One Rewards top-tier elite is hardly anything special (especially for those traveling outside North America where club lounges are helpful when arriving early or late and rooms not being ready or requiring checkout).
I earned Diamond with my Chase IHG card, once a couple of years ago and will again this year. Travel is a big category for me, and earnings of 5points/$1 are good.
The upgrades and breakfast are the only real benefits, as you said.
I like the wide range of mid-price choices IHG gives me. Marriott tend to be a good bit more expensive, at least in Asia.
With the combined points discounts/rebates of two Chase cards, 4-day stays end up being about 30% off. A good deal when I buy points at .5 cents.
I did have Sapphire, upgraded to reserve, then dropped it when it went to $550. A lot of the 'benefits" are hard to take advantage if not in the USA.