With over 6,000 IHG properties worldwide, you’re likely to find one that fits your needs when planning your next vacation. And your next vacation might be closer than you think, now that IHG is offering up to a 100% bonus on purchased points, through December 13th. This is a high bonus, just about the the best bonus IHG has ever offered. Let’s examine the math and see if this makes sense.
Normally, IHG points cost between $11.50 and $13.50 to purchase 1,000 points depending on how many points you buy (tax included), for a purchase price of 1.15-1.35 cent per point. That might seem cheap, but remember, IHG points are only worth about half a penny each, so at the normal rate, you’re paying almost triple the value. At the normal rate, it doesn’t make sense to buy IHG points.
What about with the 100% bonus? You’ll need to purchase at least 5,000 points to get the bonus, so as one example, for $1000, you’re getting 200,000 points. That brings the purchase price to 0.5 cents per point, which is around the normal redemption value.
While I’m generally against buying points speculatively, if you need some points for your next redemption, it could be worth topping up your account.
(SEE ALSO: When is buying miles worth it? Only in these 3 instances)
If you do that, I recommend buying enough to get the maximum bonus amount. Here are the full terms and conditions:
- This Offer is available for qualifying purchases of IHG One Rewards points made between 12:00 AM ET on November 19th, 2024 and 11:59 PM ET on December 13th, 2024 (“Offer Period”).
- Members will receive a bonus of 100% of the points purchased when they purchase a minimum 5,000 points purchase threshold on a per transaction basis
- The number of points a member may purchase, gift, or receive as a gift during the Offer Period is subject to promotional period limits.
- Members may purchase a maximum of up to 150,000 points during the promotional period, depending on how many points the member had already purchased during the same calendar year
You can find the link to this promotion here
Other Ways to Get IHG Points
Remember too if you have the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card, or IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, you also get the 4th night free on award stays, which can help stretch your IHG points balance even further.
Here are a few of the IHG credit cards with their current welcome offers and more information about them.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card – Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. $99 annual fee. Read our full review here.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card – Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. $99 annual fee. Read our full review here.
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card – Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. $0 annual fee. Read our full review here.
Depending on where and when you’re staying, buying IHG points and using them for an award stay can be cheaper than paying the prevailing cash rates.
Are you planning on buying IHG points with a 100% bonus? Leave your thoughts in the comments
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
I’m not sure that the IHG Point Breaks program is still in effect. It was certainly fun while it lasted…I had PB stays in Panama, China and some domestic locations.
You are right. I swear I deleted that paragraph when I was updating this post for the current promotion. I removed it (again?) and now nobody reading the post will know what you’re talking about…. 🙂
I bought 200,000 points in a previous promotion for $1,000. I am currently staying two nights at a Holiday Inn Express where the rate was going to be $135 per night. I paid with points, 20,500 points per night, so I think the points are equivalent to only $102 per night. So for me this seemed to make sense.
Yes – there are definitely scenarios where it will be cheaper to buy points for a stay than pay the cash rate. Plus you get the 4th night free when you stay with points. It sounds like you definitely used a buy points promotion to good effect!
I can usually only stay for 1 or 2 nights, so the 4th free doesn’t help. But at least you don’t pay the taxes.
Which IHG hotel is the one pictured in this article with that sweet pool area?
I believe it is the Holiday Inn in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Thanks, Dan!
The Daily Getways preview shows IHG points at .5 cents per point (various quantities). 100,000 for $500.
In Jan 2023, I used IHG points to stay 4 nights (3 + 1 free) at Six Senses Uluwatu in Bali. Was fortunate to book when Covid was still putting a major damper on travel, so paid less than half the points that are being asked currently. In any case, it is an excellent location/property and getting the fourth night free was icing on the cake.
Through June 6?
The promotions come and go over time. The current promotions end tomorrow (June 29th)
This Offer is available for qualifying purchases of IHG One Rewards points made between 12:00 AM ET on July 25th, 2024 and 11:59 PM ET on September 7th, 2024 (“Offer Period”).
Check the offer dates!