IHG One Awards is an underdog in the world of hotel points. But IHG . Hotels and Resorts Available in many destinations. And IHG One Rewards significantly improve its elite benefits by 2022.
Could be higher TPG’s valuation — and the percentage you can buy IHG points during the 100% bonus period buy point of sale – When exchange IHG points. So, in this guide, we will discuss how to maximize the number of IHG One Rewards redemptions.
Calculate your redemption rate
IHG starts using dynamic reward pricing 2020. date of stay and other factors.
That said, you can still get good value out of IHG One Rewards points. Valuation of TPG pegged the value of IHG points at 0.5 cents per point, but you can usually get a higher conversion rate when exchange IHG points.
For example, let’s say you want to book a standard room with 2 queen beds at Hotel Indigo Savannah Historic District from October 19 to 22. You can book a room with free cancellation up to two days before your stay. you for $1,151.62 or 170,000 points. If you redeem IHG points, you will receive a redemption rate of 0.677 coins per point.
That said, you don’t always get a good redemption value. So always compare the cash rate to the point rate and calculate your redemption rate. If your points redemption rate is low, consider setting a premium rate for your stay and save points for a higher value.
Related: The 19 best IHG hotels in the world
Be 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 example above by shifting your stay to other dates. Specifically, you can redeem 105,000 points or pay $790.92 for a three-night stay if you switch your stay for a Sunday check-in. Doing so will give you a redemption rate of 0.753 coins per point if you redeem points.
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Likewise, if you’re flexible about where you stay in a city — or even the city you visit — you can redeem fewer points and get a higher redemption rate.
For example, you might decide to save money by staying close to the Savannah airport from Thursday to Sunday as discussed in the previous section. In doing so, you can redeem 77,000 points or pay $561.41 for your three-night stay, giving you a redemption rate of 0.729 cents per point if you redeem points.
In short, being flexible can help you redeem fewer points for stays and maximize your points.
Related: Which credit card should you use while staying at IHG?
Check points and redeem cash
You should also check Points and Cash Rates. As the name suggests, Points and Cash Ratio allows you to combine IHG points and money to stretch your score even further.
These redemption options can be viewed by selecting “Points + Cash” after selecting a hotel from the search results.
Like all redemptions, run the numbers to see if the Points and Cash booking makes sense. In the three-night stay example above, you could book a room that costs $1,151.62 or 170,000 points for:
- 154,998 points and $90, giving you 0.685 effective coins per point.
- 139,998 points and $180, giving you 0.694 effective coins per point.
- 124,998 points and $270, giving you 0.705 effective coins per point.
- 109.998 points and $345, giving you 0.733 effective coins per point.
- 94,998 points and $420, giving you an effective 0.770 cents per point.
In some cases, it’s better to redeem points or cash for the entire stay. That said, it can sometimes make sense to use Points and redeem Cash if you’re running low on points. And in some cases, you can effectively use your Points and Cash Reservations buy IHG points at a good level.
Just keep in mind that when you reserve with Points and Cash, you are effectively buying 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: Should I Buy IHG Rewards Points Or Transfer Points From Chase?
Use Wednesday night rewards privileges
If you have IHG® Rewards Premier credit card, IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card or IHG® Rewards Premium Business Credit Card, you can benefit from the card’s fourth night rewards privilege when stays of four nights or more are fully booked with IHG points. This perk makes every Wednesday night of a four-night stay or longer awarded no points.
To use this privilege, log in to an account associated with an eligible person Credit Card IHGsearch for stays of four nights or more and opt in exchange IHG points. You’ll see the discount in your search results.
There is no limit to how many times you can use this privilege per year. And you can even get multiple Wednesday night rewards in one stay. For example, you’ll receive two Wednesday night rewards for stays of 8 to 11 nights, and three of them for stays of 12 to 15 nights.
Related: Super easy way to redeem IHG 4th night rewards
Check out the discount
You can also maximize your IHG points periodically check out prize discounts for your upcoming vacation.
To do so, do a search for new prizes for your dates and see if the odds are lower. If so, cancel your stay and book again (or if you have enough points in your account to do so, book a new stay and then cancel the higher-priced one).
Related: How rebooking hotels can save you bonus nights
Know when to buy IHG points
You can buy IHG points for as low as one cent per point when you purchase 26,000 IHG points or more. However, buying IHG points at this rate is usually not a good idea.
After all, IHG limits the number of points you can buy per calendar year. And IHG sometimes runs buy promotional points allows you to buy points as low as 0.5 cents per point.
Buy points at 0.5 coins per match TPG’s valuation for IHG points and less than the conversion rate you would normally get by redeeming IHG points. So, if you usually get more than 0.5 cents per IHG point when you redeem and find your balance running low, consider buying points next time IHG offers a 100% bonus.
Related: 7 ways to earn more IHG One bonus points on your next redemption
Snag IHG’s Elite Status
As mentioned above, Elite status of IHG more valuable than ever. Earn IHG elite status can give you more perks during your stay, making your rewards even more valuable.
The best perks — like the option to choose breakfast as a welcome accompaniment at select all-inclusive and service brands — are available only to the most premium Diamond Elite members. You can win Diamond Elite status by staying 70 qualifying nights, earning 120,000 qualifying points, or spending $40,000 on IHG Rewards Premier credit card or Premier IHG Rewards corporate credit card in a calendar year.
Awards night counts as qualifying night. However, 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. Alternatively, you can achieve Platinum Elite status by subscribing Intercontinental Ambassador or get IHG Rewards Premier credit card or Premier IHG Rewards corporate credit card.
If you want to get the most out of your IHG points, you’ll likely find the tough IHG elite status worthwhile. Also, if you sign up for InterContinental Ambassador, you will get more perks at InterContinental and Six senses properties that participate in IHG One Rewards (even if you redeem IHG points for your stay).
Related: IHG food and beverage rewards are now redeemable at select properties
bottom line
It is relatively easy to maximize redemption with IHG One Rewards Program. By checking redemption rates before booking and choosing to redeem when redemption rates are high, you’ll get solid value out of your IHG points.
Of course, you’ll have to decide what a good enough conversion rate is. I usually decide whether to set a premium rate or redeem points based on the number of points in my account, whether there are any points or not. current IHG hotel promotions for paid stays and whether I will get one or more Wednesday night rewards if I redeem IHG points.
Additional reporting by Andrew Kunesh.
