IHG made a “silent” announcement on December 31 (read more here) by changing some FAQs about the new expiry of its Annual Lounge Pass that would close the timing loophole when selecting this option.
Everything was normal for those who made this selection very early this month (read more here), and their passes are valid through December 31, 2026, but there is already a report of shorter validity if redeemed this week.
You can access IHG’s page for their rewards program here.
READ MORE: IHG One Rewards Rate & Bonus Points Offer
When you chose this option on January 1 – 3, the pass validity is through the end of 2026.
But if you chose it the other day, the expiration date is 12 months, which itself is incorrect, and here is why:
The updated pass validity “from early 2025” is the remainder of the year when it was earned (not chosen) + the following year.
The pass validity is precisely 12 months from the time it was selected, the same as with those suite upgrade certificates.
There are a couple of options:
1. Issues with IHG’s systems
Perhaps someone at IHG didn’t code the expiration date correctly, and it is a minimum of 12 months when, in fact, it could be less (remember that it is valid the year it was earned + 1, not when it was chosen).
The pass validity could be even 9 months if it was earned in late 2024 and only chosen when you must make the selection 3 months later.
2. Timing
It is possible that this Milestone Option only became available this year for a stay that ended very late in 2024. The shorter validity applies to all Annual Lounge Passes that became available this year.
Conclusion
Understandably, IHG makes this change, as the correct timing of your 40th or 70th night and the subsequent deadline for choosing the associated Milestone Reward option unintentionally became a feature of the “revamped” program.
There isn’t a change for those who stay at least 40 nights with IHG yearly. They must choose the lounge pass yearly instead of every other year, potentially losing another Milestone Rewards option that could have been used for something else.
IHG should be more clearer in its communication about the cut-off date for the 2024 Milestones that allows you to have the Annual Lounge Pass validity through the end of 2026, or does it only apply to those Milestones that became active this year?
Confusing!
