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Update: The booking period has closed. However, you have until August 31, 2024 to complete eligible stays for taking advantage of this promotion.
IHG is running a flash sale, giving members a 15% discount off the cash portion of IHG Points & Cash bookings. However, you need to hurry to take advantage of this promotion since it is only valid for bookings made through July 20, 2024. The promotion is valid for stays through August 31, 2024.
One thing to remember is that the discount only applies to the cash portion of the booking. In other words, this promotion effectively lets you purchase IHG points for as low as 0.55 cents each — or less if you have an IHG credit card. Is that a good deal? Let's take a look.
IHG Points & Cash Promotion Key Terms
- Receive a 15% discount on the cash portion of an IHG Points & Cash stay.
- This promotion is valid for bookings made through July 20, 2024.
- The offer is valid for stays through August 31, 2024.
- Members must log into their IHG One Rewards account when booking.
- Canceled bookings are refunded entirely in points.
- The number of points refunded is based on the total points price of the award.
- The promotion is targeted, so you will need to check your email or log in to your account to see if you have been selected.
How This IHG Points & Cash Promotion Works
Unlike other flash sales, this promotion does not offer a flat 15% discount across the board. The discount only applies to the cash portion of the price — not the points. However, this is treated like an award booking. If you cancel your reservation, you will be refunded everything in points, with no cash involved.
For instance, booking the Intercontinental New York Times Square using this promotion will set you back 18,000 points plus $254. That's a 15% discount from the original cash price of $299.
If you made the reservation using points alone, the award would set you back 68,000 points.
However, if you cancel your Points & Cash reservation during this promotion, you will be refunded 50,000 points. Effectively, you would have purchased 50,000 points for $254 or 0.51 cents per point.
Reviewing the multiple options globally, we've found that the rates for purchasing points through IHG Points & Cash are pretty constant. By buying IHG points with this method, you will pay between 0.51 and 0.58 cents per point. The point increments — give or take a slight bit on the margins — are as follows:
- 5,000 IHG points cost $29: 58¢ per point.
- 10,000 IHG points cost $58: 58¢ per point.
- 15,000 IHG points cost $89: 59¢ per point.
- 20,000 IHG points cost $113: 56¢ per point.
- 25,000 IHG points cost $139: 56¢ per point.
- 30,000 IHG points cost $166: 55¢ per point.
- 35,000 IHG points cost $192: 55¢ per point.
- 50,000 IHG points cost $254: 51¢ per point.
Purchase Up to 50,000 Points For The First Time
One thing to note about this version of the promotion is that while the marketing email states that you can purchase up to 35,000 points with the offer, this does not seem to be the case. This limit is not mentioned specifically in the terms and conditions. In addition, we have found many examples letting you purchase 50,000 points for $254.
Interestingly, after scouring multiple city locations in the US and beyond, it seems you cannot purchase 40,000 or 45,000 points with this promotion. The point purchases start at 5,000 points and increase in 5,000-point increments up to 35,000 points. Then, you jump directly to a 50,000-point purchase.
Related: Everything You Need To Know About IHG One Rewards
Maximizing Your Value With an IHG Card
While this deal might not set the IHG world alight, it can still provide excellent value if you hold the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card. Typically, IHG point purchases are processed by points.com, meaning you won't earn any credit card “travel” category bonuses. However, IHG Points & Cash purchases are processed by IHG directly. That opens up a host of earning opportunities.
If you charge the cash portion of the IHG Points & Cash purchase to your IHG One Rewards Premier Card, you will earn an additional 10 points per dollar spent at IHG. When you factor in the additional points earned from the card, then the rates with the promotion are as follows:
- 5,000 IHG points + 290 points for $29: 0.55¢ per point.
- 10,000 IHG points + 580 points for $58: 0.55¢ per point.
- 15,000 IHG points + 890 points for $89: 0.54¢ per point.
- 20,000 IHG points + 1130 points for $113: 0.53¢ per point.
- 25,000 IHG points + 1390 points for $139: 0.53¢ per point.
- 30,000 IHG points + 1660 points for $166: 0.52¢ per point.
- 35,000 IHG points + 1920 points for $192: 0.52¢ per point.
- 50,000 IHG points + 2540 points for $254: 0.48¢ per point.
Keep in mind that the IHG One Rewards Premier Card typically entitles you to a 20% discount on points purchases. However, in the small print, you'll see this offer does not stack with any other promotions or deals — including this current offer.
- Earn 140,000 Bonus Points
- Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Plus, enjoy a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay.
- Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
- Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier cardmember
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 ($120 starting 10/1/24) every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
- IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at Hotels & Resorts such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®
- Member FDIC
- 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)
Related: Which IHG One Rewards Credit Card Is Right for You?
Is It Worth Purchasing IHG Points This Way?
Generally speaking, buying IHG points with a bonus can be a great deal. AwardWallet users have redeemed IHG One Rewards points for an average of 0.68¢ per point. So, buying IHG points as cheap as 0.48 cents each can make more sense than paying for a hotel.
While this promotion doesn't offer as cheap a purchase rate as the best IHG buy points promotions, purchasing points through this promotion or with any bonus is better than buying points without any discount — where you'll pay 1 cent per point on non-discounted purchases.
It's also worth noting that IHG buy points promotions are by no means rare. So far in 2024, IHG has run six point purchase promotions: Two 100% bonus (0.5 cents per point), two 80% bonuses (0.56 cents per point), one 90% bonus (0.53 cents per point), and one 60% bonus (0.63 cents per point).
If you do not need the points immediately, waiting a while is your best option. History shows us that an appealing promotion may be just around the corner.
Related: How Many IHG Rewards Points Can I Earn on Hotel Stays?
Our Take
This IHG Points & Cash promotion can be an excellent workaround if you are a few points short of a great redemption or want to quickly boost your points balance for an upcoming award stay. However, this version isn't the best deal ever for purchasing IHG points – especially if you don't hold an IHG co-branded credit card to use for the transaction. But if it's one you're going to take advantage of, remember the booking window closes on July 20, 2024.
If you can wait for a deal to buy IHG points, we recommend doing that instead. There will likely be a better offer just around the corner. Otherwise, this targeted promotion can work in a pinch to boost your points balance. It also can present a good deal if you want to book using Points & Cash, save money on the cash portion, and plan to stay at the hotel.
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