Buy IHG points with up to 100% bonus
Be a regular user of IHG One Rewards program, I frequent redeem IHG points to stay. Luckily, IHG periodically delivers point purchase promotion that allows me to increase my account balance.
However, you don’t always want to buy IHG points during a buy points sale if you’re looking for the best deal. Instead, you’ll typically want to wait for a 100% bonus promotion, which usually appears once or twice a year. During 100% bonus promotions, you can buy IHG points for as little as 0.5 cents each — significantly lower than the conversion rate I usually get when redeeming IHG points.
IHG is running a points-of-purchase promotion through November 16, although members will see different rewards rates when they log in. TPG staff have seen bonus offers ranging from 60% to 100%, so let’s take a closer look at this IHG point of purchase promotion and whether you should consider it or not.
IHG point-of-purchase sales details
IHG’s current Buy Points Sale gives members up to a 100% bonus when they buy at least 5,000 points through November 16. I was only aiming for a 60% bonus, but people TPG senior writer Ben Smithson targeted to get 100% bonus.
You can only purchase 200,000 IHG points per calendar year. However, if you aim for the 100% bonus and purchase 200,000 points for $2,000 during this sale, you will receive a total of 400,000 points.
There are certain points thresholds at which costs decrease with volume, so you’ll typically need to purchase 26,000 or more IHG points at a time to get the best buying rate. For example, buying 25,000 points ($287.50) will be more expensive than 26,000 points ($260).
Note that point purchases are non-refundable and it may take up to 72 hours for purchased points to appear in your account. You can purchase IHG points by visiting IHG points purchasing page and log in.
Related: 19 best IHG hotels in the world
Should I buy IHG points now?
If you are targeted for a 100% bonus and typically receive more than 0.5 cents per point when redeeming IHG points, you should consider purchasing IHG points during this buy points promotion.
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My husband and I typically buy the maximum number of IHG points each year in 100% bonus points promotions. After all, the IHG purchase points promotion isn’t much higher than 0.5 cents per point, and we can easily get more than 0.5 cents per point when redeeming IHG points.
We use it often Wednesday night free rewards perks – a benefit of Premier IHG One Rewards credit card — to get more value from our IHG points. This privilege is also available to cardholders of IHG One Rewards travel credit card and IHG One Rewards Premier business credit cardlet us pay 0 points for every fourth night when redeeming IHG points for stays of four nights or more.
Plus, most IHG award bookings are flexible up until just before your arrival date. So you can buy IHG points now and get low rewards on your upcoming trips without much risk.
However, remember that IHG uses dynamic award pricing. So while it’s currently easy to get more than .50 cents per point on IHG redemptions, IHG may change its award pricing algorithm at any time.
Related: How to maximize your redemptions with the IHG One Rewards program
Frequently asked questions about purchasing IHG points
You may have other questions about purchasing IHG points. Here are some of the most popular.
How else can I earn IHG points?
This point of purchase promotion is not the only way to Earn IHG points.
For example, you can sign up for one IHG credit card. My personal favorite is Premier IHG One Rewards credit card as it provides automatic Platinum Elite status, anniversary night worth up to 40,000 points per year, up to $50 in United TravelBank Cash per calendar year, and receive the fourth night free bonus mentioned earlier when I redeem IHG points for stays of four nights or more.
You can too transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to IHG One Rewards. However, I don’t recommend doing this because you’ll typically see more value transferring your Ultimate Rewards points to other programs.
Bilt Rewards Points also switched to IHG One Rewards. However, you’ll often get better value from your Bilt points when you switch to a higher-value partner like World of Hyatt.
Related: Current IHG promotions: Earn bonus points, quickly reach elite status, discounts and more
How much does it cost to purchase IHG One Rewards points?
Targeted members can purchase IHG points for as low as 0.50 cents each through November 16. This is much lower than the standard purchase rate of 1 to 1.35 cents per point which you will see when there are no buy point promotions.
Related: When does it make sense to buy points and miles?
Which credit card should I use to buy IHG points?
When you buy IHG points, score.com process the transaction instead of IHG. Your purchases will not be coded as travel and you will not earn travel category rewards if you use one of the best travel rewards cards.
the Premier IHG One Rewards credit cardfemale IHG One Rewards travel credit card and IHG One Rewards Premier business credit card 20% off when you purchase IHG points. You cannot combine this discount with any other points purchase offer, so you will not receive a discount unless you purchase IHG points at full price outside of the purchase points promotion.
So you usually want to buy IHG points with one of these Best card for everyday spending or a tag you’re currently working on Meet minimum spending requirements.
Related: Best credit cards for buying points and miles
Bottom line
With IHG One Rewards offering 100% points on purchases, it’s time to consider whether you need more IHG points for your upcoming trips. Because IHG uses dynamic pricing, there is a small risk in purchasing points if you are not confident that you will take the award trip you booked with the points you purchased.
