IHG, also known as InterContinental Hotels Group, has launched a short-term points sale that allows IHG One Rewards members to purchase up to 300,000 points at a cost of just 0.5 cents per point. The sale will run for the next eight days, so if you need to top up your account, it’s essential not to wait too long and forget about it.
Here are the key terms of the offer:
– The offer is available for qualifying purchases of IHG One Rewards points made between January 26th, 2024, and February 2nd, 2024.
– Members will receive a bonus of 100% of the points purchased when they make a minimum purchase of 11,000 points in a single transaction.
– Members can purchase a maximum of 150,000 points during a calendar year, depending on how many points they have already purchased in the same year.
– Members can also gift or receive a maximum of 150,000 points from other members during the offer period.
– Purchased points and bonus points do not count towards IHG One Rewards Elite status.
– Purchased points are non-refundable and can be used for all IHG One Rewards awards.
– Points may take up to 72 hours to appear in the recipient’s account.
To get the best value out of this promotion, it is recommended to buy at least 26,000 IHG Rewards points. This is because IHG sets a higher cost per point for purchases of 25,000 points or less. The 100% bonus is independent of this cost per point.
Before purchasing points, it is crucial to have a solid plan in place for how you will use them. This sale can offer great deals, especially for more expensive properties in the IHG portfolio. For example, a room costing 65,000-75,000 points per night would effectively cost $325-$375 per night (including taxes and fees) if you use points purchased in this sale. This can be a significant saving compared to the cash rate offered for the same date(s).
It’s also worth noting that if you have the right credit card, the deals can get even better. Some credit cards offer a fourth night free on all award bookings, which can enhance the value of the points purchased. For example, a four-night stay at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile could cost a cardholder just 75,000 points, which translates to a cash cost of $375 including taxes.
If you hold an Anniversary Free Night Certificate that comes as one of the benefits of your credit card, you can add points to the value of the certificate to redeem it at more expensive properties. Cheap points purchased in promotions like this can offer an easy way to get more value out of your certificates.
Before making a purchase, it is recommended to compare the cost of a night at your desired properties with the cost of an award night paid for with points purchased in this sale. This will help determine if buying points is a good idea.
Overall, the IHG One Rewards points sale can offer excellent value for travelers, particularly for more expensive properties. It’s essential to have a plan in place and compare costs before making a purchase.