Maximize IHG Points with 100% Bonus
Hey, savvy traveler! Buying IHG points can sometimes be a clever money move, especially when it comes to those opulent hotel stays you dream of. So, guess what? IHG’s One Rewards just rolled out a fresh sale on purchased points, and it happens to be their very first offer of 2025. But here’s the deal: different members might find different offers waiting for them. So buckle up, because this promotion seems to mirror some of the best offers we’ve seen so far.
Sale on Purchased IHG One Rewards Points
Mark your calendars! Between now and January 31, 2025, IHG One Rewards is offering a nifty bonus on purchased points! Not every member will see the same offer — the standard promotion seems to be a whopping 100% bonus. All you need to do to snag this fantastic deal is to buy a minimum of 5,000 points in one go. Simple, right?
How Much Does It Cost to Buy IHG One Rewards Points?
Typically, you can get IHG One Rewards points for as low as one cent each (though the pricing can be a bit tricky and isn’t strictly linear). Let’s put it into perspective: if you’re lucky enough to snag that 100% bonus and decide to purchase 200,000 IHG One Rewards points before applying the bonus, you’d end up with a total of 400,000 points at a cost of $2,000. That breaks down to just 0.5 cents per IHG point.
Now, let’s be clear: IHG frequently sells points, and when they do, we usually see bonuses ranging from 80% to 100%. So, landing that sweet 100% bonus means you’ve hit the jackpot in terms of value.
If you’ve got the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card or the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, they include a 20% discount on purchased points, but that only kicks in when buying at the regular price, so don’t expect that discount when you’re cashing in on this promo.
How Many IHG One Rewards Points Can You Purchase?
Now, normally, IHG allows members to buy up to 150,000 points in a calendar year, not counting any bonuses. But with this promotion? You can snag up to 200,000 points. How about that for a fantastic opportunity?
Which Credit Card Should You Buy IHG One Rewards Points With?
Here’s a little heads-up: buying IHG One Rewards points is processed via points.com, which means it won’t count as a hotel purchase in your credit card rewards programs. So, what should you do?
It makes sense to use a card that you’re aiming to meet a minimum spending requirement on, or a card that maximizes returns on everyday spending. Some great bets are the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, Citi Double Cash® Card, or the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. Go ahead and stack those points!
Is Buying IHG One Rewards Points Worth It?
When it comes to IHG One Rewards, keep in mind that they have dynamic award pricing. This means there’s no set minimum or maximum number of points for hotel stays. Instead, the cost usually correlates with what a cash rate would look like.
Now, before you rush to do the math, remember that not every hotel stay offers equitable value when redeeming points. There are plenty of instances where buying points and redeeming them can lead to exceptional savings. So, let’s dive deeper into that.
Tip: Get a Fourth Night Free with an IHG Credit Card
Want to maximize your IHG points? You’ll definitely get more bang for your buck if you hold either the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, or the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card. Why? These cards grant you a fourth-night free perk, letting you book a four-night award stay for the price of just three. Think of it as a 25% discount when booking in sets of four — and you can enjoy this benefit as many times as you want.
At What Hotels Can You Redeem IHG One Rewards Points?
With IHG, options galore! You can redeem your IHG One Rewards points at over 15 hotel brands, including:
- Luxury & Premium Hotels: think Six Senses, Regent, InterContinental, Kimpton, and Hotel Indigo.
- Mid-range and Limited Service Hotels: such as Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Candlewood Suites, Staybridge Suites, voco, and EVEN.
How Much Are IHG One Rewards Points Worth?
Point valuation can be pretty subjective, but on average, I value IHG points at around 0.5 cents each, which is a conservative take. So the purchase price aligns nicely with that estimate.
Do IHG One Rewards Points Expire?
Listen up, non-elite members! Your IHG One Rewards points will vanish if you don’t earn or redeem any points within a year. The good news? Any earning or redemption resets that countdown. Plus, elite members? Your points don’t expire at all. And earning elite status isn’t a Herculean task; just holding the IHG Rewards Premier Card gets you a taste of Platinum status, no spend requirement necessary.
Does IHG One Rewards Have Blackout Dates?
Nope! IHG One Rewards gives you the freedom of no blackout dates for award nights, but they do impose capacity controls. In plain English, this means that while certain standard rooms might be available for award redemptions, it doesn’t guarantee all standard rooms are eligible.
What Are Good Uses of IHG One Rewards Points?
Here’s the fun part: while prices can shift, there are some fantastic deals popping up right now. With the current promotion meaning you could grab IHG points for 0.5 cents each, let’s look at a few notable redemption examples:
Imagine booking an overwater villa at the Six Senses Laamu Maldives for 100,000 IHG points per night. But with that fourth night free perk, it drops to just 75,000 points per night when the cash rate exceeds $1,500. Yes, please!
Or let’s say you fancy a luxury city break at InterContinental London Park Lane, where many nights can be had for 75,500 IHG points. Again, that fourth night free brings it down to about 56,600 points nightly, where cash rates can soar past $700. It’s a steal!
Fancy a luxury beach retreat closer to home? The Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa in Grand Cayman might call out to you for 70,000 IHG points per night (again, go with the fourth night free, and you’ll be down to just 52,500 points per night). The paid rate exceeds $800.
Bottom Line
IHG One Rewards has rolled out a promotion on purchased points, and it’s running until January 31, 2025. With the potential for a 100% bonus, you’re looking at buying points for as little as 0.5 cents each!
As we’ve explored, there are real opportunities to save over 50% on luxury hotel stays when using those points strategically. Plus, having a stash of IHG points makes a world of sense given their global presence. Don’t forget that if you combine your purchases with the IHG Rewards Premier Card, you can wrack up even more value by scoring a fourth night free on award redemptions.
Will you be jumping on the chance to buy IHG points with a bonus?