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Through Friday (September 30, 2016), you can buy IHG Rewards Club points with a 100% bonus. That brings the per-point price down to 0.575 cents, which means you can book certain hotels for as low as $29.
IHG is the loyalty program of these brands, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, and Holiday Inn.
IHG points normally cost 1.15 to 1.35 cent each.
- 1,000 – 10,000 points for $13.50 per 1,000 points
- 11,000 – 25,000 points for $12.50 per 1,000 points
- 26,000 – 60,000 points for $11.50 per 1,000 points
If you buy 26,000 IHG points by tomorrow–the smallest number that gets the lowest price–you’ll receive 52,000 points for $299 or 0.575 cents each.
The maximum number of points you can purchase is 60,000 plus bonus points, meaning 120,000 total points.
IHG has nine categories of hotels that cost 10,000 to 50,000 points per night. There are some OK deals on this chart, but the best use of IHG Rewards points is always to book PointBreaks hotels for 5,000 points per night.
Buying points for 0.575 cents each and redeeming free nights at the 5,000 point PointBreaks price means hotels cost $28.75 per night.
When to Buy (Math)
Is buying IHG points for 0.575 cents each a good deal?
I would not buy IHG points speculatively for 0.575 cents each because I value them at 0.5 cents each. But if you have an immediate high value redemption in mind or if you are preparing your account for future PointBreaks, buying points can be a good deal.
For instance, with a 100% bonus, PointBreaks hotels are $28.75 per night. Category 1 properties would be $57.50 per night. Top tier Category 9 properties would be $287.50 per night. For all these categories, you can get a big discount off the retail nightly rate if you travel at a peak time.
Search your dream hotel to see how many points you’d need to book the hotel you want for a night. Search the dates you’d like to stay to see the paid price. If buying the points makes sense, there is award space on your dates, and you are ready to redeem now, buy the points.
For instance, this summer The InterContinental Resort and Spa Moorea Hotelin French Polynesia costs 40,000 points (Category 7) per night or about $300 after taxes.
For $690, you can buy 120,000 IHG Rewards points and redeem them for three free nights at the hotel, saving $210 off of retail.
Buy IHG Points with These Credit Cards
IHG points purchases are processed by points.com, so the purchases will not code as a bonus “travel” or “hotel” purchase on any credit card. You will not earn category bonuses from the purchase of IHG points.
That means you should make the purchase with whatever card you need to meet a minimum spending requirement on.
Bottom Line
You can buy IHG Points for as little as 0.575 cents until Friday, September 30. That’s too high to buy speculatively, but there are a lot of immediate awards you can book where that price offers great value.
The best use of IHG Rewards points is always to book PointBreaks hotels for 5,000 points per night.
Purchase link: Buy IHG Rewards Club points with a 100% bonus
Points.com Promotion Terms & Conditions
Offer available for purchases made between 12:00 AM ET September 26, 2016 12:00 AM ET and 11:59 PM September 30, 2016 inclusive. This is an exclusive, non-transferable offer for intended recipient only and may not be forwarded. Bonus points will be awarded upon completion of the transaction. Bonus points will be awarded to the recipient of the points purchase. Offer is subject to change. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer. Only purchases made online are eligible for bonus.
Price includes all applicable fees. Purchased Points are not refundable and are applicable toward all IHG® Rewards Club awards. Members may purchase a maximum of 60,000 points per calendar year and receive as a gift a maximum of 60,000 points per calendar year. Please allow 24-48 hours for points to post and appear in the recipient’s account. All other IHG® Rewards Club Terms and Conditions apply.
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