IHG One Rewards Program: How to maximize your redemptions

IHG One Rewards are often not as popular in the points and miles community as programs like Marriott Bonvoy And World of Hyatt. However, IHG hotels and resorts are available in many destinations, and you can easily get good value when redeeming IHG points.

Earning IHG points is also relatively easy. For example, new subscribers sign up for a $99 annual fee Premier IHG One Rewards credit card can earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. And new applicants apply for free every year IHG One Rewards travel credit card can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

So let’s discuss how to maximize IHG One Rewards redemptions.

Calculate your IHG redemption rate to maximize points

IHG begins using dynamic award pricing in 2020. For now, IHG’s pricing for all of its awards remains dynamic, meaning the number of points you need to redeem for a stay will vary based on the date of booking, the property you choose, the date of stay residence and other factors.

But even with flexible pricing, you can still get good value from IHG One Rewards points. TPG November 2024 valuation pegs the value of IHG points at 0.5 cents each, but you can often get a higher redemption rate when redeem IHG points.

For example, let’s say you want to book a standard king room at the Holiday Inn Savannah Historic District for the night of August 15. You can book a rate with free cancellation up to a few days before your stay. stay for $418 or $69,000 points. If you redeem IHG points for tonight, you’ll receive a redemption rate of 0.61 cents per point.

That said, you don’t always get good redemption value. So always compare the cash rate with the points rate and Calculate your return rate. If your redemption rate is low, consider setting a pay rate for your stay and saving points to redeem for higher value.

Related: The best IHG hotel in the world

Maximize IHG points by being flexible

Another way to maximize your IHG points is to be as flexible as possible. For example, you can save points (or money) in the above scenario by transferring your stay to another date. Specifically, you can redeem 58,000 points or pay $353 if you change your one-night stay a week earlier.

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Likewise, if you’re flexible about where you stay in the city – or even which cities you visit – you may be able to redeem fewer points. For example, you might decide to save money by staying near the Savannah airport for a night as discussed in the previous section. That way, you can redeem 33,000 points or pay $212 for your stay.

In short, being flexible can help you redeem fewer points for your stay and maximize your points.

Related: Which credit card should you use when staying at IHG?

Check points and convert cash

You should also check the Points & Cash rate. As the name suggests, the Points & Cash ratio allows you to combine IHG points and money to boost your score even further. You can view these redemption options by selecting “Points & Cash” after selecting a hotel from the search results.

As with all redemptions, run the numbers to see if placing Points & Cash makes sense. In the example above, you could book a night for $212 or 33,000 points for:

• 33,000 points and 0 USD (conversion rate 0.64 cents per point)
• 28,000 points and 36 USD (conversion rate 0.63 cents per point)
• 23,000 points and 69 USD (conversion rate 0.62 cents per point)
• 18,000 points and 99 USD (conversion rate 0.63 cents per point)
• 13,000 points and 126 USD (conversion rate 0.66 cents per point)
• 8,000 points and 149 USD (conversion rate 0.79 cents per point)

When you book with Points & Cash, you purchase points using the cash portion of the booking. If you need to cancel, your refund will be in full points rather than the combination of cash and points you originally used.

Related: You can now transfer IHG points to someone else for free: Here’s how

Use IHG Wednesday night rewards perks

If you have Premier IHG One Rewards credit card, IHG One Rewards travel credit card or IHG One Rewards Premier business credit cardyou can benefit from your card Wednesday night rewards for stays of four nights or more when you book entirely with IHG points. This perk reduces the cost of every fourth night on award stays of four nights or more to 0 points.

To use this perk, sign in to the account associated with a qualifying account IHG credit cardsearch for stays of four nights or more and choose to redeem IHG points. You’ll see discounted prices in your search results.

There is no limit to the number of times you can use this perk each year. And you can even get more than one fourth night reward during a single stay. For example, you’ll get two fourth night rewards for stays of 8 to 11 nights and three rewards for stays of 12 to 15 nights.

Related: Why you should get (and keep) the IHG One Rewards Premier card

Check out reduced IHG prices

You can also maximize your IHG points by recurring Check for drops in prize prices for your upcoming vacation.

To do so, do a new award search for your date and see if the rate is lower. If so, cancel your stay and rebook (or, if you have enough points in your account, book a new stay and then cancel the higher-priced stay). Unfortunately, I haven’t figured out how to reprice IHG award stays without making new bookings.

Related: Should you buy IHG points or transfer rewards from Chase?

Earn IHG elite status

Income IHG elite status can bring you more perks during your stay. The best perks — like the option to choose breakfast as a welcome amenity at full-service and select-service brands — are available only to the most premium Diamond Elite members. You can achieve Diamond Elite status by staying 70 qualifying nights, earning 120,000 qualifying points, or spending $40,000 on Premier IHG One Rewards credit card or IHG One Rewards Premier business credit card in a calendar year.

Even if Diamond Elite status is out of reach, you can still easily achieve Platinum Elite status. This status typically requires 40 qualifying nights or 60,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. However, you can receive Platinum Elite status as an automatic pass-through perk InterContinental Ambassador Program or by keeping either one Premier IHG One Rewards credit card or IHG One Rewards Premier business credit card.

If you want to get more benefits when redeeming IHG points for stays, you may find IHG elite status worth it. Plus, if you sign up as an InterContinental Ambassador, you’ll receive additional perks at intercontinental And Six senses properties participating in IHG One Rewards.

Related: IHG Key Rewards: Earn verifiable product suite upgrades, points and more

Bottom line

Maximizing redemptions with the IHG One Rewards program is relatively easy. By checking redemption rates before booking and choosing to redeem points when redemption rates are high, you’ll get solid value from your IHG points. And if you don’t already have an IHG credit card, consider adding one Premier IHG One Rewards credit card, IHG One Rewards travel credit card or IHG One Rewards Premier business credit card into your wallet.