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IHG has increased its redemption pricing on award nights, with some rooms now setting you back an eye-watering 250,000 points per night. Considering this devaluation’s size, it will be no surprise that IHG implemented it with no announcements. It is almost impossible to spin this devaluation as anything other than bad news.
Which IHG Properties Are Affected?
With no announcement, it is impossible to tell which properties are affected. However, in light of IHG shifting to a dynamic pricing model a few years ago, it is likely that all properties could potentially cost you up to 250,000 per night. At this point, only the high-end luxury resorts seem to be costing up to this much. That's because IHG One Rewards tends to correlate points pricing with cash prices at its hotels.
Unsurprisingly, the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort Thalasso Spa can now price at up to 250,000 points per night.
In addition, we also found the Six Senses Laamu resort in the Maldives pricing at 250,000 IHG points per night on some dates.
It is fair to say that if you are looking at a luxury IHG (generally Intercontinental and Six Senses properties) resort during a relatively popular travel season, you might hand over a whopping 250,000 IHG points per night.
How widespread is the new pricing?
Fortunately, IHG seems to be taking it slowly, and not many award nights will set you back 250,000 points per night. We found several high-end resorts, including the Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives, available at substantially less than the new 250,000-point ceiling.
It obviously depends on the date. We found some dates at the Six Senses Laamu (in the Maldives) requiring 250K points per night, but other nights were available for 187K points.
And the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is available for 168K points on some nights.
Additionally, while one InterContinental property in Bora Bora (Thalasso Spa) was charging 250K IHG points per night, another (Le Moana) wasn't. This room is available for a paltry 169,000 points.
If you have some upcoming travel plans to one of these luxury destinations, it may be wise to book now and lock in lower pricing, in case this devaluation spreads. You never know when/if this new ceiling could become the new floor pricing at these luxury resorts.
4th Night Free Benefit
At 250,000 points per night, the IHG “fourth night free” benefit has become much more valuable. Receiving the fourth night of your stay at 0 points could save…well, up to 250,000 IHG points. To be eligible for this perk, you must hold one of the following IHG co-branded credit cards:
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
Related: How To Get and Use the IHG Fourth Night Free Benefit
Our Take
There is no way to look on the bright side of this news. It is a devaluation — and a big hit to boot. However, the new pricing does not seem to be too widespread at this point. This news may finally spur you to take the plunge and book that aspirational trip before the pricing becomes ridiculous and every “luxury” property starts charging 250,000 IHG points per night.
Have you noticed this new pricing on any additional properties? If so, let us know the details in the comments.
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Just checked August and it’s $2500/night so that’s 1cpp and IHG very often sells points for .5cpp.
Yeah, that would be a good example of buying points to save money against the cash fare.
This is beyond annoying. It makes me wonder if IHG realizes that making changes like this will disincentivize guests. The hospitality industry is still very competitive. There are way more properties that are not part of the chains. Many times, these properties cost less than the chains, and in some instances, they are way nicer. It just makes me wonder why I should give any chain more of my business than necessary.