IHG Hotels and Resorts and Rakuten Travel to offer exclusive loyalty benefits in Japan

IHG Hotels & Resorts and Rakuten Travel have launched a strategic partnership to offer exclusive loyalty benefits to domestic travelers in Japan, enhancing the travel experience through dual rewards and seamless integration.

Partnership Highlights
- Launch Date: October 29, 2025
- Scope: Over 50 IHG hotels across Japan
- Key Benefit: Rakuten Travel users can now access IHG One Rewards members rates—the best available rates—when booking through the Rakuten Travel platform or the IHG App.

Dual Loyalty Rewards
- Travelers can earn both Rakuten Points and IHG One Rewards Points when staying at participating IHG hotels in Japan.
- Since June 2025, IHG One Rewards members have also been able to choose Rakuten Points as their preferred reward currency when booking directly with IHG at select properties.
- Members can convert IHG Points into Rakuten Points, offering greater flexibility and value.

Leadership Insights
- Dr. Abhijay Sandilya, Managing Director Japan & Micronesia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, emphasized that the partnership will attract new customers and enhance brand visibility in Japan.
- Yoshiyuki Takano, Senior VP at Rakuten Group, highlighted the collaboration as a way to create more rewarding travel experiences by integrating two trusted loyalty ecosystems.

Strategic Impact
This partnership aligns with IHG’s broader growth strategy in Japan, where it currently operates 57 hotels across 10 brands, with 20 more in the pipeline. It also strengthens Rakuten’s position as a leading travel platform by offering enhanced value to its 145 million global members.