Complete Guide to IHG Stays with Points
Editorial Disclosure – Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post..
Understanding the ins and outs of the IHG rewards program, from earning valuable points to redeeming them for hotel stays, can significantly enhance the travel experience.
This blog post will delve into the various perks and strategies for booking hotel nights using points on the IHG website.
Brands under the IHG Umbrella
IHG’s portfolio includes Atwell Suites, Avid Hotels, Candlewood Suites, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, EVEN Hotels, Garner Hotels, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn Resort, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Regent Hotels & Resorts, Six Senses Hotels & Spas, Staybridge Suites, Vignette Collection, and voco.
The Basics of IHG One Rewards (Points)
You can earn IHG One Reward through their three Chase co-branded credit cards. Chase credit cards that earn Ultimate Rewards are another way to earn IHG One Rewards points since IHG is a transfer partner with Chase.
However, I would not transfer points from Chase to IHG unless I needed to top off, as there is a shortage of IHG One Rewards points.
It’s better to redeem Chase points with Hyatt.
Points don’t expire for Elite members, but for Club members, points expire after 12 months without any earning or redeeming activity.
IHG points can be transferred to another member in 1,000-point increments for a fee of $5 per 1,000 points. This is definitely a negative aspect of IHG’s program.
IHG uses dynamic award pricing, meaning the points required to book a reward night at a particular property may vary from night to night.
Cardholders receive their fourth night free when redeeming points for a hotel stay.
Cardholders with the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card or the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card receive numerous benefits, which are bulleted below. One is a free anniversary night each account year.
- Enjoy 60% bonus earnings on top of base points for every stay.
- Book: Book 72 hours in advance, and we’ll ensure we have a room for you (blackout dates apply).
- Complimentary Upgrades (subject to availability)
- Reward Night Discounts
- Welcome Amenity at Check-In
- Early Check-In (subject to availability)
It’s worth noting that the free night is capped at a point redemption of 40,000 points or less, but points from the IHG account can be added to top off the award for a more expensive stay.
Your rewards can be found by logging into the IHG site and clicking “Rewards Wallet.”
The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card, a level below the Premier Card, also offers good perks and ongoing spending benefits at IHG.
Perks for Everyone
Joining the IHG Club is free, and you can receive various benefits, such as access to member rates and promotions, reward nights counting toward elite status, free internet access, and late checkout upon request, subject to availability.
Book Your Stay with Points
To book a night using points on the IHG website, follow these simple steps:
- Visit the IHG website and log in to your IHG Rewards Club account.
- Select your destination, travel dates, and the number of guests.
- You’ll see an option to “Use Points/ Rewards Nights” when you stay on the search results page. Click on that option.
4. Browse through the available hotels and select the one that fits your preferences.
5. Once you’ve chosen a hotel, you’ll be able to see the points required for your stay.
6. Proceed with the booking process, ensuring you select the option to pay with points.
7. After completing the booking, you should receive a confirmation email with all your reservation details.
Need Some Booking Inspiration?
Some of the best luxury IHG hotels include the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel, and Kimpton Monaco DC and Chicago.
Photo courtesy of IHG
Final Thought
Mastering the art of booking hotel nights using points through the IHG website is a valuable skill for any IHG loyalist and points enthusiast.
Following the simple steps outlined above, travelers and business owners can maximize their IHG Rewards Club membership and credit card benefits, ensuring memorable and rewarding stays at IHG properties worldwide.
Happy travels, and may your future IHG redemptions be seamless and enjoyable!
Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
I found out about points and miles accidentally.
I was researching index funds and happened upon the points and miles community through creators who also post about budgets, financial independence, and investing.
Points and miles allowed those people to travel and work toward financial independence simultaneously.
Thank goodness I got started when I did. The past almost two years of travel have been something we will never forget.
Earning points and miles through credit cards is only a good choice if you have the financial discipline to use them, like cash/debit cards.
Since we started traveling with points and miles, we have had more money going into our investment and savings accounts than ever.
Now I'm excited to teach you!
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