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It may come as a surprise, but luxury hotels and resorts aren't the only places you can unlock outsized value with your hard-earned IHG One Rewards points. Several of IHG's budget-friendly brands are hidden redemption gems waiting to be found. And in this article, AwardWallet will unearth them for you.
We compiled data from 8,645 IHG award bookings across 16,791 free nights to develop a list of the best IHG redemptions for budget stays. To focus on low-cost options, we narrowed down the list to IHG properties that cost an average of under 25k points per night.
Page Contents
- How To Use This Data to Score a Great Deal on Your Next IHG Stay
- Top 12 IHG Redemptions for the Budget-Savvy Traveler
- InterContinental Beijing Beichen
- Holiday Inn Resort South Padre Island – Beach Front
- Crowne Plaza Qingdao Jinshui
- Candlewood Suites Lexington – Medical District
- Holiday Inn Express Aarburg – Oftringen
- Holiday Inn Long Island – Islip Airport East
- Holiday Inn Express Bend South
- Hotel Indigo San Antonio – Riverwalk
- Staybridge Suites Nashville – Vanderbilt Area
- Staybridge Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport – West
- Holiday Inn Express Lima San Isidro
- Holiday Inn Puerto Vallarta Marina & Golf
- How To Earn IHG One Rewards Points
- Final Thoughts
How To Use This Data to Score a Great Deal on Your Next IHG Stay
AwardWallet crunched the numbers from thousands of user reservations to compile a list of the 12 best-value budget-friendly IHG properties you can book with points. And we used this data to calculate the following averages for each property:
- Number of points per night
- Cash cost per night
- Cents per point (CPP)
Cents per point (“CPP”) is an important metric. It's a handy way to compare various redemptions head to head. To calculate CPP, take your cash savings (what the stay would cost when booked with cash minus any taxes/fees on an award stay) and divide by the number of points charged.
Related: How Much Do AwardWallet Members Actually Save When Redeeming Points?
What are IHG points worth?
On average, AwardWallet users redeem IHG One Rewards points for 0.68¢ apiece. To get the best value from your IHG points, look for redemption opportunities offering more than 0.68¢ per point.
The 12 properties in the list below stand out because AwardWallet members have redeemed points for more than average value. Just note that not every redemption at these properties will provide that much value. IHG employs dynamic pricing, so double-check the math before redeeming points at these properties to ensure you get value you're comfortable with.
And don't forget, IHG's credit cards entitle you to a fourth night free on award stays. Taking advantage of this perk is an easy way to stretch your hard-earned points the furthest.
Related: What Is Dynamic Pricing? Understanding This Award Pricing Model
Top 12 IHG Redemptions for the Budget-Savvy Traveler
Now, without further ado, here are the top 12 best-value IHG redemptions for budget stays.
InterContinental Beijing Beichen
If you thought this list would be chock-full of Holiday Inn properties in the middle of nowhere, think again. The best-value IHG redemption for the budget-savvy traveler comes courtesy of the InterContinental Beijing Beichen. Whether you plan on heading to Beijing, stopping over, or returning to Greater China, you can snag a night at the InterContinental for approximately 20,000 IHG points per night.
AwardWallet tracked reservations across 12 nights:
- $266 average cash price per night
- 20,917 average points per night
- 1.27 cents per point average redemption rate
Holiday Inn Resort South Padre Island – Beach Front
The second best-value IHG redemption for budget stays is, in fact, a Holiday Inn, but with a twist. It's a Holiday Inn Resort, and it's not in the middle of nowhere. The Holiday Inn Resort South Padre Island – Beach Front sits on the water's edge in its namesake city.
You can unlock over a cent a point if you plan a South Texas beach getaway by staying here; you'll get the resort, the sun, and the sand without the typical resort cost. And at an average of 15,000 IHG points per night — give or take, depending on when you visit — you can stay for quite a while.
AwardWallet tracked reservations across 12 nights:
- $172 average cash price per night
- 15,833 average points per night
- 1.08 cents per point average redemption rate
Crowne Plaza Qingdao Jinshui
Qingdao may be a city in China you've never heard of (even if you've enjoyed its Tsingtao beer), but as AwardWallet users who have stayed there can attest, it's a great place to unlock excellent value for your points. The Crowne Plaza Qingdao Jinshui is light on the wallet and the points bank.
If you time your visit right, you can snag a night for far less than 10,000 points. That's a big deal if you plan to stay a while in Qingdao or use the city as a springboard for exploring other destinations throughout Asia.
AwardWallet tracked reservations across 16 nights:
- $60 average cash price per night
- 5,750 average points per night
- 1.05 cents per point average redemption rate
Candlewood Suites Lexington – Medical District
One of the best aspects of Candlewood Suites is the amount of square footage you get for the price. Better yet, all properties under this brand name — including the Candlewood Suites Lexington – Medical District — have full kitchens. And to sweeten the deal even more, you can book a stay at this property for less than 20,000 IHG points per night.
Staying here will help you save a bundle on an otherwise pricey cash rate and give you great access to the rest of Lexington, Kentucky, thanks to its central location.
AwardWallet tracked reservations across 10 nights:
- $183 average cash price per night
- 17,700 average points per night
- 1.03 cents per point average redemption rate
Holiday Inn Express Aarburg – Oftringen
Finally, we get to spin the globe! The next best-value IHG redemption for cheap stays is the Holiday Inn Express Aarburg – Oftringen, which is located in Switzerland. Yes, Switzerland — the poster child for expensive hotel rates.
You can snag a stay at this interestingly lit Holiday Inn Express for an average of 22,333 points per night, which amounts to over a cent per point. But you'll need to be strategic about when you visit because award nights hover around 30,000 points for most of the year ahead.
AwardWallet tracked reservations across 9 nights:
- $225 average cash price per night
- 22,333 average points per night
- 1.01 cents per point average redemption rate
Holiday Inn Long Island – Islip Airport East
Despite having “Islip Airport” in its name, the Holiday Inn Long Island – Islip Airport East is a bit of a hike from Long Island MacArthur Airport. But don't fret about the distance; this property offers both a complimentary airport shuttle, and a stay here is worth redeeming your points for in you're planning to be in the area.
On average, AwardWallet users staying near ISP unlock nearly a cent per IHG point. And the other neat aspect of this property is that award rates rarely eclipse 20,000 points per night, so you know what you'll pay even before you check the rates.
AwardWallet tracked reservations across 16 nights:
- $167 average cash price per night
- 17,250 average points per night
- 0.97 cents per point average redemption rate
Holiday Inn Express Bend South
Heading to Oregon soon? The Holiday Inn Express Bend South offers some great value with IHG points. On average, an award night here costs under 20,000 points. And while you'll part ways with your points, you can save nearly $200 because of otherwise expensive cash rates.
AwardWallet tracked reservations across 52 nights:
- $179 average cash price per night
- 18,541 average points per night
- 0.96 cents per point average redemption rate
Hotel Indigo San Antonio – Riverwalk
In my opinion, the Hotel Indigo San Antonio – Riverwalk is the most interesting property on this list. This Hotel Indigo is near the famous San Antonio River Walk, which means you won't have to go far to find some excellent food.
Hotel Indigo stays can get pretty expensive depending on where you venture to. However, for most of the year ahead, you can stay at this IHG property for approximately 18,000 points a night on average. Yes, rates can ratchet higher during peak travel dates, but this isn't a property you should overlook.
AwardWallet tracked reservations across 7 nights:
- $167 average cash price per night
- 17,457 average points per night
- 0.95 cents per point average redemption rate
Staybridge Suites Nashville – Vanderbilt Area
Nashville, Tennessee, is a popular vacation hotspot. Whether you plan to go there to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum or grab some hot chicken, it's worth booking an award stay at the Staybridge Suites Nashville – Vanderbilt Area.
First of all, staying here with points can save your wallet. You're pretty close to downtown, which is a big deal if you want to be close to the action. Best of all, you can consistently find award nights between 20,000 and 24,000 points — virtually any time of year.
AwardWallet tracked reservations across 8 nights:
- $218 average cash price per night
- 22,819 average points per night
- 0.94 cents per point average redemption rate
Staybridge Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport – West
The Staybridge Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport – West straddles Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, Florida. And it's a super quick drive from this property to FLL. All to say, it's a great place to start or end your Florida vacation.
More often than not, award rates here hover around 20,000 points. They can fly higher, or they can dip lower. But if you plan to spend some of your time at nearby beaches, shopping, or even just lounging by the beach or pool, a stay here will surely make your trip more affordable.
AwardWallet tracked reservations across 8 nights:
- $136 average cash price per night
- 14,625 average points per night
- 0.93 cents per point average redemption rate
Holiday Inn Express Lima San Isidro
Peru has been on my travel radar for a while, and the fact that the Holiday Inn Express Lima San Isidro is on the list of best-value budget IHG redemptions might just force my hand. With rare exceptions, nightly stays here run under 20,000 points — and this goes year-round.
Whether you plan to explore all of Lima and the San Isidro neighborhood has to offer or venture further into the country (maybe Machu Picchu?), this Holiday Inn Express is an excellent place to begin your trip.
AwardWallet tracked reservations across 15 nights:
- $112 average cash price per night
- 12,133 average points per night
- 0.93 cents per point average redemption rate
Holiday Inn Puerto Vallarta Marina & Golf
Whether you're a fan of hitting the pool, the links, or just a fan of a great deal, the Holiday Inn Puerto Vallarta Marina & Golf has got something for everyone. However, don't be fooled; there's no golf course located onsite. You'll have to walk or drive there.
But no matter what, you can snag a cheap stay in Puerto Vallarta by staying here, and you can enjoy all this city has to offer without breaking the points bank. Seventeen thousand points per night looks to be the real-time average, which is still a great deal for a stay in a city that can quickly get expensive.
AwardWallet tracked reservations across 13 nights:
- $124 average cash price per night
- 13,385 average points per night
- 0.93 cents per point average redemption rate
How To Earn IHG One Rewards Points
If you're looking for the best methods to earn IHG One Rewards points, there are four primary ways:
- Staying at IHG hotels and resorts.
- Transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards or Bilt Rewards Points to IHG at a 1:1 ratio.
- Buying IHG One Rewards points outright.
- Earning a welcome bonus and spending on an IHG credit card.
No matter which way you spin it, it's entirely possible to earn a lot of IHG points. Depending on your credit card strategy, it could make sense to pick up an Ultimate Rewards-earning card, pay rent with The Bilt Mastercard®, or apply for an IHG co-branded card.
Occasionally, you'll find fantastic offers on of IHG's credit cards. Right now, the welcome offers stack up like this:
- 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.
- 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.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card (Rates & Fees): Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- 17X points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
- 3X points per $1 spent on dining, utilities, select streaming services, and at gas stations
- 2X points per $1 spent on all other purchases
The earning for spending at IHG hotels breaks down as follows:
- Earn 5X points for being a IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Cardmember
- Earn 2X points from IHG® with Silver Elite Status, a benefit of this Card
- Earn 10X points from IHG® for being an IHG® Rewards Club Member (Being a cardholder is not required to earn this bonus for participating in the IHG® loyalty program)
- Earn 26 points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
- 5X points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, gas stations, and restaurants
- 3X points per $1 spent on all other purchases
The earning for spending at IHG hotels breaks down as follows:
- Earn 10X points for being a IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card member
- Earn 6X points from IHG® with Platinum Elite Status, a benefit of having this card
- Earn 10X points from IHG® for being an IHG® One Rewards member (Being a cardholder is not required to earn this bonus for participating in the IHG® loyalty program)
- Earn 26x total points per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
- 5X points per $1 spent on travel, dining, social media search engine advertising, and at office supply stores and gas stations
- 3X points per $1 spent on all other purchases
The earning for spending at IHG hotels breaks down as follows:
- Earn 10X points for charging your stay to your IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
- Earn 6X bonus points for having IHG®Platinum Elite Status, a benefit of having this card
- Earn 10X base points for being an IHG® One Rewards Member (Being a cardholder is not required to earn this bonus for participating in the IHG® loyalty program)
Related: Do IHG One Rewards Points Expire?
Final Thoughts
It's easy to overlook budget-friendly properties as one of the best ways to redeem IHG points. But as this data shows, you can unlock fantastic value at IHG — even when you redeem a modest amount of points. Be sure to keep these properties in mind if you're keen on stretching your points balance to the max.
- Earn 26 points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
- 5X points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, gas stations, and restaurants
- 3X points per $1 spent on all other purchases
The earning for spending at IHG hotels breaks down as follows:
- Earn 10X points for being a IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card member
- Earn 6X points from IHG® with Platinum Elite Status, a benefit of having this card
- Earn 10X points from IHG® for being an IHG® One Rewards member (Being a cardholder is not required to earn this bonus for participating in the IHG® loyalty program)
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card (Rates & Fees)
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