As a frequent user of the IHG One Rewards program, I often redeem IHG points for stays. Fortunately, IHG occasionally offers shopping promotions that allow me to increase my account balance.
However, you don’t always want to buy IHG points during a points sale if you’re looking for the best deal. Instead, you’ll want to wait for the 100% bonus increase, which usually occurs once or twice a year. During 100% bonus promotions, you can buy IHG points for 0.5 cents per point — much lower than the redemption rate I usually get when redeeming IHG points.
IHG is running a points promotion until Nov. 16, although members will see different bonus amounts when they sign up. TPG staff have seen bonus offers of between 60% and 100%, so let’s take a closer look at this IHG points redemption promotion and whether it’s worth considering.
IHG shopping information selling points
IHG’s current points sale offers members a 100% bonus when they buy at least 5,000 points through Nov. 16. I’m only targeted for a 60% bonus, but TPG senior writer Ben Smithson is targeted for a 100% bonus.
You can only purchase 200,000 IHG points per calendar year. However, if you are eligible for the 100% bonus and purchase 200,000 points for $2,000 during this sale, you will receive 400,000 points.
There are certain points where the cost decreases with volume, so you’ll need to buy 26,000 IHG points or more at a time to get the best value for your purchase. For example, it is more expensive to buy 25,000 points ($287.50) 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 buy IHG points by going to the IHG points purchase page and logging in.
Related: 19 of the best IHG hotels in the world
Should I buy IHG points now?
If you’re eligible for the 100% bonus and typically earn more than 0.5 cents per point when you use IHG points, you should consider buying IHG points during this points promotion.
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My husband and I tend to buy a large number of IHG points each year during the 100% bonus points promotion. After all, the IHG points purchase promotion is no better than 0.5 cents per point, and we can easily earn more than 0.5 cents per point when using IHG points.
We often use the free fourth night reward — the benefit of the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card — to get more value from our IHG points. This benefit, which is also available to IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card and IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card holders, allows us to pay zero points every fourth night when we use IHG points for a stay of four nights or more.
Plus, most IHG award bookings are flexible up until before your arrival date. So, you can buy IHG points now and access lower award rates on future trips without much risk.
Keep in mind, however, that IHG uses variable rates. So, while it’s currently easy to earn more than 0.5 cents per point when using IHG points, IHG can change its award pricing algorithm at any time.
Related: How to maximize reward redemptions with the IHG One Rewards program
Frequently asked questions about buying IHG points
You may have other questions about purchasing IHG points. Here are some of the more common ones.
How can I earn more IHG points?
This points promotion isn’t the only way to earn IHG points.
For example, you can sign up for an IHG credit card. My favorite is the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card as it offers automatic Platinum Elite status, an anniversary night worth 40,000 points each year, up to $50 in United TravelBank Cash each calendar year and access to the aforementioned fourth-night free reward when I redeem IHG points for stays of four nights or more.
You can also transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to IHG One Rewards. However, I don’t recommend doing this as you will usually get more value when you transfer High Rewards points to other programs.
Bilt Rewards Points also transfer to IHG One Rewards. However, you’ll often get better value for your Bilt points when you transfer to a higher value partner like World of Hyatt.
Related: Current IHG promotion: Earn bonus points, fast track to elite status, discounts and more
How much does it cost to buy IHG One Rewards points?
Target members can buy IHG points for as low as 0.5 cents per point through Nov. 16. This is much lower than the normal shopping rate of 1 to 1.35 cents per point you would see if there is no shopping points promotion.
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, points.com processes the transaction on IHG’s behalf. Your purchase will not be classified as travel, and you will not earn a travel category bonus if you use one of the top travel rewards cards.
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card and the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card give you a 20% discount when you buy IHG points. You cannot combine this discount with any other point purchase offer, so you will not receive the discount unless you purchase IHG points at full price without the point purchase promotion.
As such, you’ll usually want to buy IHG points with one of the best cards for everyday spending or the card you’re currently working on to meet the minimum spending requirement.
Related: The best credit cards for buying points and miles
Bottom line
When IHG One Rewards offers a 100% points promotion, it’s time to consider whether you need more IHG points for your next trip. Since IHG uses variable rates, buying points is less risky if you’re not sure you’ll be able to go on the award trip you booked with the points you bought.
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