IHG One Rewards is often not as beloved in the points and miles community as programs like Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt. But IHG hotels and resorts are available in many locations, and it’s easy to get good value when redeeming IHG points.
Earning IHG points is also relatively easy. For example, new applicants for the $99-annual-fee IHG One Rewards Premier 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 for the no-annual-fee IHG One Rewards Traveler 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
But even with dynamic pricing, it’s still possible to get good value from your IHG One Rewards points. TPG’s November 2024 valuations put the value of IHG points at 0.5 cents each, but you can often get a higher redemption rate when redeeming IHG points.
For example, let’s say you want to book a standard room with one king bed at the Holiday Inn Savannah Historic District for the night of August 15. You can book a rate with free cancellation for $418 or 69,000 a few days before your stay. Points If you redeem IHG points for this night, you will receive a redemption rate of 0.61 cents per point.
That said, you won’t always get good redemption value. So, always compare the cash rate with the point rate and calculate your redemption rate. If your redemption rate is low, consider booking a paid rate for your stay and saving your points for higher-value redemptions.
Related: Best IHG Hotels 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 other dates. Specifically, you can redeem 58,000 points or pay $353 if you move your one-night stay up to a week earlier.
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Likewise, if you’re flexible about where you stay in a city — or even the cities you visit — you’ll be able to redeem fewer points. For example, you may decide to save by staying closer to the Savannah airport for the one-night stay discussed in the previous section. By doing so, you can redeem 33,000 points or pay $212 for your investment.
In short, being flexible can help you redeem fewer points for your stay and maximize your points.
Related: Which credit card should you use for an IHG stay?
Check Points and Cash Redemption
It’s also worth checking the points and cash rates. As the name suggests, the Points & Cash Rate lets you combine IHG points and cash to stretch your points even further. You can view these redemption options by selecting “Points & Cash” once you’ve selected a hotel from the search results.
As with all redemptions, run the numbers to see if booking points and cash makes sense. In the example above, you could book a night that would cost $212 or 33,000 points:
- 33,000 points and $0 (redemption rate of 0.64 cents per point)
- 28,000 points and $36 (redemption rate of 0.63 cents per point)
- 23,000 points and $69 (redemption rate of 0.62 cents per point)
- 18,000 points and $99 (redemption rate of 0.63 cents per point)
- 13,000 points and $126 (redemption rate of 0.66 cents per point)
- 8,000 points and $149 (redemption rate of 0.79 cents per point)
When you make a points and cash reservation, you purchase points using the cash portion of the booking. If you need to cancel, your refund will be entirely in points instead of the combination of cash and points you initially used.
Related: Now you can transfer IHG points to others for free: here’s how
Use the IHG fourth-night-rewards benefit
To use this benefit, log into the account associated with an eligible IHG credit card, search for a stay of four nights or more and choose to redeem IHG points. You will see the discounted rate in your search results.
There is no limit to how many times you can avail this benefit annually. And you can even earn more than one fourth-night award on a single stay. For example, you’ll earn two fourth-night rewards on stays of eight to 11 nights and three rewards on stays of 12 to 15 nights.
RELATED: Why you should get (and keep) the IHG One Rewards Premier Card.
Check if there is an IHG price drop
You can also max out your IHG points over time Checking out the reward price reduction for your next stay.
To do so, search for a new award for your dates and see if the rates are lower. If they are, cancel and rebook your stay (or, if you have enough points in your account, book a new stay and then cancel the higher-priced stay). Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a way to reprice an IHG award stay without making a new booking.
RELATED: Should You Buy IHG Points or Transfer Rewards from Chase?
Earn IHG Elite status
Even if Diamond Elite status is out of reach, Platinum Elite status is easy to achieve. This status typically requires 40 qualifying nights or 60,000 qualifying points in one calendar year. However, you can earn Platinum Elite status as an automatic benefit through the InterContinental Ambassador Program or by holding the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card or IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card.
If you’re looking to get more perks when redeeming IHG points for stays, you might want to consider getting IHG Elite status. Plus, if you sign up for an InterContinental Ambassador, you’ll get additional benefits at participating IHG One Rewards InterContinental and Six Senses properties.
Related: IHG Milestone Rewards: Earn Confirmable Suite Upgrades, Points & More
The bottom line
Maximizing redemptions is relatively easy with the IHG One Rewards program. By checking the redemption rate before booking and choosing to redeem points when the redemption rate is high, you’ll get solid value from your IHG points. And if you don’t already have an IHG credit card, consider adding one IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card or IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card in your wallet.