How to redeem IHG points
I frequently stay at IHG properties, mainly because of the value I can get when redeeming IHG points. In spite of IHG moves to dynamic award pricing in 2020, I continued to get solid value from my IHG points.
Here’s what you need to know about gift redemption IHG One Rewards points for stays, flights and more.
Redeem IHG points for hotel stays
You can redeem IHG points for most IHG stays through the IHG website, app or customer service. However, you may not be able to redeem IHG points at some InterContinental Residences, IHG Military Hotel And Six senses wealth.
You can usually only redeem IHG points for standard room types. Reward nights include taxes and fees — except at Iberostar Beachfront Resorts, where you will pay local and conditional taxes or fees — but do not include resort fees, service fees, transportation, gratuities and other costs incurred.
Because IHG uses dynamic rewards pricing, the number of points you need to redeem for a reward night will vary. by IHG terms and conditions says award night prices “may vary based on a number of factors, including but not limited to brand, hotel, and day of the week.” While there aren’t any reward night blackout dates, you may not find rewards available for some stays due to “limited availability and prior sale,” according to the terms and conditions. IHG lawsuit.
To check awards night availability and pricing, start on the IHG website or app. Enter your destination, check-in date, check-out date, and number of guests. Select “Reward Nights” from the drop-down menu under “Price Preference”.
The next page will show you the awards night results for your search query. You can filter these results by amenities or brand. You can also sort by a variety of metrics, including distance, price, and rating.
Click “Map” to see the location of properties in your destination.
After clicking “Select Hotel” for one of the properties, you’ll see room options that you can book with points for your stay. Some properties may only offer one room type, while others may offer a variety of room layouts or views. Scroll through the options and choose the best room type for your trip.
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You should also check the payout rate by clicking on the “Money” button. For example, I could book a flexible rate with free cancellation up to two days before check-in at this Hotel Indigo for 31,000 IHG points or $202 on the model date I selected. So redeeming points for this stay would yield a redemption rate of 0.65 cents per point. (This is higher than TPG’s October 2024 valuation IHG points are at 0.50 cents each, so we recommend redeeming them.)
Related: Which credit card should you use when staying at IHG?
Let’s say you go back to the “Points” tab, click on the 31,000 points per night option, and click “Select.” Doing so will take you to the final page before confirming your booking. Be sure to check the cancellation policy on this last page. Most award nights can be canceled for free up to just before your stay, but cancellation policies may vary.
IHG offers occasionally Rewards night discount available to eligible Platinum Elite, Diamond Elite and IHG One Rewards credit cardholders. You’ll often receive emails from IHG about these reward night discounts, but you usually have to book quickly to get the discounted rate.
Finally, note that IHG’s terms and conditions now allow the second guest named on the award night reservation to stay even if the member who booked the award night does not stay. So you can redeem your IHG points for a friend or family member’s vacation. However, there are additional requirements if you stay in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan.
Related: How to maximize redemptions with the IHG One Rewards program
Wednesday night free bonus
Perhaps the best way to get better value when redeeming IHG points is to get one IHG credit card with Wednesday night free rewards perks. This privilege allows cardholders of Premier IHG One Rewards credit cardfemale IHG One Rewards travel credit card and IHG One Rewards Premier business credit card Points are not paid for every fourth night when redeeming points for stays of four nights or more.
Without this benefit, the stay is four nights at the hotel Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives will cost 220,000 points.
Since I have the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, which offers a free fourth night bonus for cardholders, I only needed to redeem 125,000 points for this four-night stay. (That’s right, Wednesday nights are 95,000 points on days I randomly select.)
Even if you only redeem IHG points once or twice a year for stays of four nights or more, this valuable benefit alone makes getting and keeping an IHG credit card worth it.
Related: Why you should get (and keep) the IHG One Rewards Premier card
Points and cash
As you may have noticed in some of the screenshots above, you can also set points and cash rates. However, know that you are effectively buying points when you book IHG points and the cash rate, so you will only be refunded in IHG points if you cancel your booking within the free cancellation period.
It’s worth doing the math and checking how fast you can buy IHG points completely before you set your points and cash rate. For example, consider this one-night stay in New York City.
To stay one night in a standard king room with free cancellation up to one day before arrival, you can pay:
- 52,000 points
- 42,000 points and 69 USD
- 32,000 points and 134 USD
- 22,000 points and 194 USD
- 17,000 points and 219 USD
- 12,000 points and 239 USD
- $351
If you redeem 52,000 points for this night that would have cost you $351, you’ll get a redemption rate of 0.675 cents per point. Meanwhile, if you set the points and cash ratio, you’ll effectively buy IHG points for between 0.598 and 0.69 cents per point.
Related: How to earn IHG points through stays, credit cards, etc
Transfer IHG points to airline partners
Like many Hotel rewards programyou can transfer your IHG points to various airline partners. You can see all the airline options above IHG miles earning page. However, most programs convert at a rate of 10,000 IHG points to 2,000 airline miles. So you’ll almost certainly lose value when you exchange IHG points for airline miles.
For this reason, you should only consider transferring IHG points to an airline if you need to top up your account balance to make a specific redemption. If not, you’ll almost certainly get a better value when redeeming IHG points for hotel stays.
Related: The best IHG beach hotels, from family-friendly resorts to luxury stays
Other ways to redeem IHG points
You can also redeem IHG points for other types of rewards and experiences. Doing so will usually give you a relatively low conversion rate, and the exact options will vary depending on your region and country of residence. Here’s a look at the options available for US residents.
Digital rewards
You can redeem IHG points for movies, e-books, e-magazines, games, mobile apps and software through the program’s digital rewards portal. E-magazines start at about 350 points, while movies start at about 1,800 points.
Related: 19 best IHG hotels in the world
IHG One rewards access
Because IHG One rewards accessyou can redeem IHG points for select experiences, including sports and exclusive events. Sometimes you can guarantee an experience with a certain score; Other times, you’ll need to participate in online auctions for a chance to win.
Trip amenities
You can also redeem IHG points for activities in select cities, including Las Vegas.
While this may seem appealing, check the payout equivalent before redeeming your IHG points to ensure you’re getting good redemption value.
IHG One Rewards Category
You can redeem IHG points for merchandise, gift cards, donations and more through IHG One Rewards Category. For example, you can redeem 1,000 to 2,500 IHG points for a year-long magazine subscription.
You can also redeem IHG points for gift cards to various merchants. Here are the points you need to redeem for physical gift cards in varying amounts:
- $100 gift card: 49,000 points (conversion rate 0.2 cents per point)
- $50 gift card: 25,000 points (conversion rate 0.2 cents per point)
- $25 gift card: 13,000 points (conversion rate is 0.19 cents per point)
- $15 gift card: 8,000 points (conversion rate 0.19 cents per point)
- $10 gift card: 5,500 points (conversion rate 0.18 cents per point)
You can also redeem IHG points for merchandise, including earphone, backpack and laptops. If you don’t see what you want, you can claim unique add-ons and great value items through the rewards concierge.
Finally, you can donate your points to charity, with options starting from just 2,500 points.
Related: IHG’s best all-inclusive resorts, from Jamaica to Mexico
Bottom line
There are many ways to redeem IHG One Rewards points. However, I almost always recommend redeeming your IHG points for hotel stays. This will give you the most value for your points and allow you to explore more than 6,000 IHG properties worldwide.
