Buying hotel points can be a good deal if you have a redemption in mind and you purchase the points during a sale. This guide will walk you through the current sale, history of the sale, ways to maximize your purchase, and more.
IHG One Rewards Points Sale
Through March 29, 2025, you can purchase IHG One Rewards points for a cost as low as 0.5 cents per point, which equals a bonus of 100% over the normal rate of 1 cent per point.
Deal History of Purchased Points
For context of the current deal, here’s the previous deal history of purchased IHG points:
- 100% Bonus: March 13, 2025 – March 29, 2025
- 100% Bonus: February 20, 2025 – February 28, 2025
- 100% Bonus: January 16, 2025 – January 31, 2025
- 100% Bonus: November 19, 2024 – December 13, 2024
- 100% Bonus: November 7, 2024 – November 16, 2024
- 80% Bonus: October 17, 2024 – November 1, 2024
- 100% Bonus: September 23, 2024 – October 5, 2024
- 100% Bonus: July 25, 2024 – September 7, 2024
- 100% Bonus: July 8, 2024 – July 14, 2024
- 100% Bonus: June 20, 2024 – July 3, 2024
- 80% Bonus: April 25, 2024 – June 8, 2024
- 100% Bonus: January 26, 2024 – February 2, 2024
- 100% Bonus: November 16, 2023 – December 30, 2023
- 100% Bonus: October 2, 2023 – October 9, 2023
- 80% Bonus: August 8, 2023 – September 1, 2023
- 100% Bonus: July 21, 2023 – July 28, 2023
- 100% Bonus: June 19, 2023 – June 26, 2023
- 80% Bonus: April 24, 2023 – June 7, 2023
- 100% Bonus: April 5, 2023 – April 11, 2023
- 100% Bonus: February 8, 2023 – March 21, 2023
- 100% Bonus: November 16, 2022 – December 29, 2022
How Many Points Can You Buy?
IHG One Rewards members can typically purchase up to 150,000 points per calendar year, before factoring in the bonuses. With a 100% bonus, you could purchase up to 200,000 points.
What Credit Card Should You Use to Buy Points?
Buying points from IHG One Rewards goes through a third party called Points.com, which means the points you buy won’t be categorized as hotel or travel purchases.
You need to use a card that earns flat-rate rewards on everyday spending to maximize your points purchases. Here are great options for you to choose from:
Other Ways to Earn Points
There are several other ways to earn IHG One Rewards points instead of buying the points.
You can earn IHG points by spending or earning welcome bonuses on these cards:
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
You can also easily transfer points at a 1:1 ratio from:
- Bilt Rewards, which can be easily earned from the Bilt Mastercard®.
- Chase Ultimate Rewards, which can be easily earned from cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.
When Do IHG Points Expire?
IHG One Rewards points expire 12 months after inactivity for non-elite members. To reset the points’ expiration, you need to earn or redeem at least one point. But if you are an IHG elite member, points do not expire.
Redeeming IHG One Rewards Points
IHG One Rewards points offer flexibility and value for travelers seeking hotel stays and unique experiences. The primary and most valuable use of IHG points is for hotel bookings across the brand’s extensive portfolio. Point requirements vary based on the property and season, starting from 5,000 points per night. IHG’s dynamic pricing model aligns point costs with cash rates, ensuring consistent value. Members can book stays entirely with points or opt for a points-plus-cash combination. Based on our data study, we value points at 0.73 cent per point. To maximize value, IHG credit cardholders can take advantage of the fourth-night-free benefit on award stays of four nights or more. This effectively provides a 25% discount on longer stays. It’s worth noting that award stays booked with points waive most taxes and fees, potentially leading to significant savings, especially in areas with high tourism taxes. For those seeking more than just accommodations, IHG One Rewards Access provides opportunities to redeem points for exclusive events and experiences in entertainment and sports. This feature allows members to bid on or directly book special activities, adding an extra dimension to their travel rewards. While IHG points can be redeemed for gift cards or merchandise, these options generally offer lower value compared to hotel stays.
