IHG One Rewards is offering up to a 100% bonus for members on points purchases through January 31st, 2025, marking the first time this year.
IHG typically runs a points sale promotion every one to two months, each lasting around a month. The best pricing (0.5 cents per point) occurs when IHG offers a 100% bonus on points purchases. Members can buy up to 200,000 points per calendar year before any targeted offers.
As a frequent traveler and loyal member of IHG One Rewards, I know how valuable points can be when booking stays at luxury hotels like InterContinental, Kimpton, and Six Senses.
If you’re wondering whether it’s the right time to buy points for your next getaway, you’ve come to the right place! In this post, I’ll break down the details of the offer, how to maximize it, and whether it’s worth your hard-earned money.
You can check your offer by clicking the button below.
What Is IHG One Rewards and Why Should You Care?
For those new to the program, IHG One Rewards is the loyalty program of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), which includes brands like Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, and more. With over 6,000 hotels worldwide, it’s one of the most extensive hotel loyalty programs. Members can earn and redeem points for free nights, upgrades, and even perks like early check-in, late check-out, and bonus points.
One of the most attractive benefits for IHG One Rewards members is the ability to purchase points during promotional periods, especially when they offer substantial bonuses. This is where the current 100% bonus promotion comes into play.
IHG Buy Points Promotion Details
Time left until the promotion ends:
- You can check your offer by logging into this page.
- This promotion is valid through 11:59 PM ET on January 31st, 2025.
- Members can receive up to a 100% bonus when purchasing IHG points.
- Typically, IHG limits purchases to 200,000 points per year,
but during this promotion, the limit is raised to 300,000 points. - To qualify for the 100% bonus, you need to buy at least 5,000 points in one transaction.
- Purchased points are non-refundable.
- It may take up to 72 hours for the points to appear in your account.
Buy IHG Points With a 100% Bonus
From now until January 31st, 2025, you can buy IHG points with up to a 100% bonus, effectively halving the cost of points. If you’re targeted for this offer, you can purchase 200,000 IHG points for $2,000 and get a total of 400,000 points — that’s just 0.5 cents per point. This price is significantly lower than the usual rate of 1-1.35 cents per point, making this promotion one of the best opportunities to stock up on points.
Heads up! To obtain the optimal rate of 0.5 cents per point, you need to purchase a minimum of 26,000 points due to IHG’s tiered pricing. Prices for point packages between 23,000 and 25,000 points are even higher than those for 26,000 points, so it’s recommended to avoid purchasing within that range.
What Are the Benefits of IHG Reward Nights?
Of course, the most valuable use of IHG points is to redeem them for award nights.
Here are some benefits of IHG Reward Nights:
- No percentage-based taxes or service charges (though resort fees and/or service charges may apply at individual hotels).
- Free cancellation (award bookings are flexible and can typically be canceled up to one day before your arrival date).
- IHG One Rewards member benefits are included.
- Counts toward IHG One Rewards elite status.
- No blackout dates.
Is Buying IHG Points a Good Deal?
Now that we’ve covered the details, the burning question remains: Should you buy IHG points with this promotion?
For many, the answer is yes, especially if you have a clear plan to redeem the points. Here’s why:
- The Value of IHG Points: I personally value IHG points at about 0.5 cents each, so this promotion aligns perfectly with my valuation. With the 100% bonus, you’re paying 0.5 cents per point, which is exactly what I consider a good deal.
- Maximizing Value with the Fourth Night Free: If you have an IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card or IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card, you can take advantage of the Fourth Night Free benefit. This perk allows you to get every fourth night free when booking a stay of four nights or longer with points. If you plan to redeem your points for an extended stay, this bonus increases the value of your points by 25% — a great way to maximize your purchase.
- Strategic Redemptions: There are some amazing deals available, especially in high-value locations. With the 100% bonus, you could book these stays at a fraction of the normal cash cost.
Buying IHG points can save you money, as IHG points are often worth more than 0.5 cents each in certain situations. For some properties, redeeming points can be cheaper than paying cash.
Review your upcoming travel plans to determine if buying IHG points instead of paying cash for accommodations could help you save. If it aligns with your needs, purchasing points may be a smart choice.
How Can You Maximize This Deal?
Here are some tips to make the most of this promotion:
- Stock up for future stays: If you’ve been eyeing a luxury hotel stay, now is the time to buy points. Even if you don’t have an immediate trip planned, purchasing points at such a low rate allows you to plan ahead.
- Target high-value redemptions: Focus on luxury properties or high-demand locations where you can get more value from your points. For example, use points for overwater villas in the Maldives or a high-end city hotel where cash rates are steep.
- Use the Fourth Night Free: If you’re planning to stay four nights, ensure you’re redeeming enough points to use the Fourth Night Free benefit. It effectively reduces the cost of each night and makes your points go further.
Are There Any Risks?
While this promotion offers fantastic value, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Dynamic pricing: IHG’s award pricing is dynamic, meaning the cost of a redemption can vary based on demand, seasonality, and other factors. There’s always a small risk that points will not go as far as expected, but with careful planning, you can still find good value.
- No refunds: Once you’ve purchased the points, they’re non-refundable. So, make sure you have a clear plan for how you’ll redeem them.
Great Use of IHG One Rewards Points
Remember, this promotion allows you to purchase IHG points for 0.5 cents each. So, when booking an IHG hotel, be sure to compare the cost of purchasing points with the cash price.
Here are a few examples of great deals using IHG One Rewards points.
The rate is $1,017 per night or 70,000 points per night. If you buy the points with a 100% bonus, you’d pay $350 per night, saving 65% off the cash rate.
InterContinental New York Times Square
The rate is $1,083 per night or 120,000 points per night. If you buy the points with a 100% bonus, you’d pay $600 per night, saving 45% off the cash rate.
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
The rate is $1,131 per night or 170,000 points per night. If you buy the points with a 100% bonus, you’d pay $850 per night, saving 25% off the cash rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
IHG Buy Points Promotions History
Start Date | End Date | Max Bonus | CPP | Max Amt |
---|---|---|---|---|
16/01/2025 | 31/01/2025 | Up to 100% bonus (targeted) | 0.5 | 400,000 |
19/11/2024 | 13/12/2024 | 100% bonus | 0.5 | 600,000 |
07/11/2024 | 16/11/2024 | 100% bonus | 0.5 | 400,000 |
17/10/2024 | 01/11/2024 | Up to 100% bonus (targeted) | 0.5 | 300,000 |
23/09/2024 | 05/10/2024 | 100% bonus | 0.5 | 300,000 |
25/07/2024 | 07/09/2024 | 100% bonus | 0.5 | 500,000 |
08/07/2024 | 14/07/2024 | Up to 100% bonus (targeted) | 0.5 | 300,000 |
20/06/2024 | 03/07/2024 | 100% bonus | 0.5 | 500,000 |
25/04/2024 | 08/06/2024 | Up to 100% bonus (targeted) | 0.5 | 500,000 |
26/01/2024 | 02/02/2024 | 100% bonus | 0.5 | 300,000 |
The Terms and Conditions of This Promotion
This Offer is available for qualifying purchases of IHG One Rewards points made between 12:00 AM ET on January 16th, 2025 and 11:59 PM ET on January 31st, 2025 (“Offer Period”). Members will receive a bonus of 60% of the points purchased when they purchase a minimum 5,000 points purchase threshold on a per transaction basis.
There is a minimum points purchase threshold on a per transaction basis to be eligible for a bonus. The percentage bonus amount will show for eligible members when they log into their IHG One Rewards account. (Please click through to access the landing page for the Offer.)
The number of points a member may purchase, gift or receive as a gift during the Offer Period is subject to annual limits under the IHG One Rewards Membership Terms and Conditions, which are available on www.ihg.com. Members may purchase a maximum of up to 200,000 points during a calendar year, so the number of points a member can purchase during the Offer Period will depend on how many points the member had already purchased during the same calendar year. For example, if a member had previously purchased 50,000 points in 2025, then the member could only purchase up to a maximum of 150,000 points during the Offer Period and would be eligible to receive the applicable percentage of additional bonus points under this Offer based only on the amount of points purchased during the Offer Period.
Similar limits apply to gifting points and receiving points as a gift: members may gift up to a maximum of 200,000 points, or receive as gifts from other members a combined maximum of up to 200,000 points, during the Offer Period, subject to reduction by the number of points that have been already gifted, or received as a gift, in the same calendar year. If a member purchases points that exceed the 200,000 points threshold for 2025 then they cannot purchase points for the remainder of the calendar year.
Purchased points, as well as any bonus points awarded under this Offer, do not count towards IHG One Rewards Elite status. This is an exclusive, non-transferable offer for intended recipients only and may not be forwarded. Offer is subject to change and cannot be combined with any other offer. Price includes all fees but subject to applicable taxes. Purchased points are not refundable and are applicable toward all IHG One Rewards redemptions. Please allow up to 72 hours for points to post and appear in the recipient’s account. All other IHG One Rewards Membership Terms and Conditions apply.
Bottom Line
Whether you’re looking to top off your balance for a future redemption or book a luxury hotel stay at a fraction of the cost, this promotion is a golden opportunity.
However, since IHG One Rewards uses dynamic pricing, purchasing points can be risky if you’re unsure you’ll actually take the award trip you book with the points.
Unless you need points immediately, it doesn’t make sense to buy points at any bonus level other than 100% (or 50% off), as IHG typically sells points at those rates.