Is It Worth Buying IHG Points?
Buying IHG points can be a good idea, but only when you have a specific use in the mind – and the cost of booking a stay with points is less than paying cash.
Buying IHG points speculatively (without a use in mind) is risky and generally a bad idea. The value of the points could be devalued at any time – meaning the number of points needed for a free night could increase without notice.
Also, there is no guarantee that the hotel you want to book will have points availability at the time you decide to book it. Finally, the hotel may have availability but with “dynamic pricing” for points, the price in points may be a bad deal compared with paying cash.
How Many Points Can You Buy?
IHG One Rewards members can buy up to 150,000 IHG points per calendar year, in increments of 1000. There are sometimes offers which allow you to buy more than this limit.
How Much Does It Cost To Buy IHG Points?
The standard price for buying IHG points is 1 cent each. However, there are regular promotions where points can be purchased for a lower price. Currently, you may be offered a bonus of 75% extra points, which means a price of approx. 0.6 cents per point, which is right around where we value IHG points. Check what bonus you’ve been offered at Points.com.
If you have the Chase IHG Premium credit card you can buy points with a 20% discount, however this can’t be stacked with any other discounts.
When Is It A Good Idea To Buy Points?
Booking a Cheap Points Stay
If you find a hotel stay where the points price will be significantly less than paying with cash, then obviously buying points can be a great idea. If you have the Chase IHG Premium credit card you can take advantage of the fourth night free benefit, allowing you to book a 4 night stay with points and get 1 night free, effectively reducing the cost by 25%.
Topping Off Your Balance
If you already have lots of IHG points but are just short of the amount needed for a redemption, it can make sense to top off your account by buying points. You should still check if the price in points is a good deal compared with the cash rate.
You’re a Frequent Traveller
Possibly the only situation when it could make sense to buy IHG points speculatively, would be if you’re a frequent traveller with upcoming trips. If you know that you will have opportunities to use the points in the near future, you might want to stock up in advance so you can quickly book a good redemption if you see one.
Consider Points You Will Earn By Paying Cash
If the difference in cost between points and cash is small, it may be worth considering the “value” of the points you will earn if paying cash. Depending on your IHG status and current promotions, this might tip the scales in favor of paying cash. Try our calculator to check how many points you can expect to earn from a stay.
