How Much Are IHG Rewards Points Worth?

IHG Hotels & Resorts has over 6,000 hotels across more than 100 countries. Its membership program, IHG One Rewards, offers members the ability to earn milestone rewards, earn and redeem IHG One Rewards points, sign up for points promotions and earn miles with partner airline programs.

On average, IHG One Rewards points have a value of 0.5 cents to 0.7 cents each, giving 1,000 IHG points a valuation of roughly $5–$7. When you book directly with IHG hotels, you can usually earn 10X points for every $1 spent. Additional points per dollar can be earned with elite status or by using the hotel's credit card. Members can redeem points and use them for free nights, experiences, subscriptions, airline miles and points donations.

IHG Hotels & Resorts also has membership tiers based on qualified nights or points. Club Member, Silver Elite, Gold Elite, Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite are the IHG One Rewards tiers.

Overall, IHG is a solid hotel loyalty program that provides numerous ways to maximize points. However, if the average valuation of IHG One Rewards points is insufficient for your needs, there may be a better-suited option for you.

• How Much Are IHG Rewards Points Worth?
• How to Earn IHG One Rewards Points
• How to Redeem IHG One Rewards Points
• IHG One Rewards Elite Status
• How We Determined the Value of IHG One Rewards Points
• Other Questions You May Have About IHG One Rewards Points

IHG points are worth around 0.5–0.7 cents each. Therefore, on average, 25,000 IHG points are worth between $125 and $175, and 100,000 IHG points are worth between $500 and $700. These values can be used as a reference to help you gauge whether you are getting a good deal when it comes time to redeem your points.

Members can redeem points for a free Reward Night, with stays starting at 10,000 IHG points. However, the actual number of points needed for your stay varies by property, room type and dates selected, among other factors.

If you haven't accumulated enough points or wish to use only some of them on Reward Nights, you can pay for your stay at any of the IHG Hotels & Resorts properties using a combination of points and cash. It's also worth noting that members can book their Reward Nights without worrying about blackout dates, but availability may be limited.

Keep in mind that the value of IHG One Rewards points can fluctuate depending on the redemption method you choose, the hotel property and your travel dates. IHG may also change its valuation policies from time to time. An increase in valuation means you get a bigger bang for your buck. Conversely, a points valuation decrease can make it more challenging to redeem rewards.

Compared to other hotel loyalty programs, IHG One Rewards offers similar value. A couple of loyalty programs — such as Hyatt and Wyndham — offer a higher average value per point. However, keep in mind that you'll want to consider your unique travel habits and preferences before settling on one program over another.

It is relatively straightforward to earn IHG points. The easiest way for IHG One Rewards members to earn points is to spend at IHG properties. However, members can earn points in other ways, such as by making purchases with partner merchants and spending via co-branded credit cards.

Make the most of your stays at IHG properties by creating an IHG One Rewards account. New members can start earning points immediately and gain access to several perks as a Club member, including late check-out and complimentary Wi-Fi. Additional perks are available to those who reach one of the Elite status tiers.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has a vast selection of destinations and partner hotels. Its major luxury hotels include InterContinental, Hotel Indigo, Six Senses, Regent, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Vignette Collection and more. Meanwhile, IHG’s premium hotels are Voco, Hualuxe, Crowne Plaza and Even Hotels.

Those on a budget may consider Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Avid — all properties under the IHG umbrella. And if you’re looking for extended-stay options, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites are also part of IHG’s network.

IHG One Rewards members can earn 10X points for every dollar spent at nearly every IHG hotel. They can earn 5X points for every dollar spent at Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites. In addition, IHG One Rewards members can use and earn points with partner accommodations like Mr & Mrs Smith and The Venetian Resort.

Using an IHG co-branded credit card opens up even more opportunities to earn points. Chase Bank offers the IHG Rewards Traveler card, the IHG Rewards Premier card and the IHG Rewards Premier Business card, which are designed to enable those who enjoy staying at IHG properties to make the most of their time there.

Enjoy a $0 annual fee with the IHG Rewards Traveler Credit Card. You’ll also be awarded automatic Silver Elite Status and can qualify for Gold Elite Status with IHG by spending at least $20,000 in card purchases in a year.

New cardholders can earn a welcome bonus. Existing cardholders earn 5X points per dollar when they spend at IHG properties — and up to 17X points total when this is added to the points per dollar earned for being an IHG Rewards member with Elite status. Cardholders also earn 3X points per dollar on gas, dining, utilities and eligible streaming services. All other purchases earn 2X points per dollar.

Cardholders who redeem their points to book a four-night stay (consecutive nights) can enjoy their fourth night for free — which is a great way to extend the value of your points.

The IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card charges a $99 annual fee and offers a range of perks. Cardholders are awarded automatic Platinum Elite status and can qualify for Diamond Elite status by making at least $40,000 in card purchases per calendar year.

There is a spend-based welcome bonus that new cardholders can earn. And you can earn points per dollar on all purchases. You earn 10X points per dollar at IHG properties — which is supercharged by your rewards member status, so you earn up to 26X points per dollar total. Other eligible dining, gas and travel-related purchases earn 5X points per dollar. And all other purchases come with 3X points per dollar.

As with other IHG cards, cardholders who opt to redeem their points for a rewards stay of four consecutive nights will get their fourth night for free.

The IHG Rewards Premier Business Credit Card charges a $99 annual fee, but business owners enjoy a variety of benefits, including automatic Platinum Elite status.

After meeting a spend-based requirement, new cardholders can earn a generous welcome bonus. And cardholders have opportunities to earn points each time they use their card. You earn 10X points for spending at IHG properties (or up to 26X points total once you factor in the points you earn for being an Elite member of the IHG One Rewards program). You can also earn points 5X points per dollar on eligible travel, gas, dining and business-related spending. All other purchases earn 3X points per dollar.

Other benefits include a free anniversary night, a $100 credit for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck applications every four years, no foreign transaction fees and purchase protection. Finally, cardholders can take advantage of the fourth-night-free perk that all IHG cards offer: if you redeem your points for a four-night consecutive stay at an IHG property, you will get your fourth night for free.

>> More: Flexible Points vs. Miles: Which Credit Card Reward Is Better?

IHG Hotels & Resorts offers members the ability to buy additional points — which can be a great option if you need to make up a shortfall to redeem a specific reward. But since the price per point is often higher than the average value, it’s not typically the best course of action when trying to maximize the value of your points.

There is one exception: IHG runs various sales and promotions from time to time, through which you can get bonus points when you purchase points. These sales are a great way to boost your points balances and still get good value for your money. However, we recommend waiting to buy points until you have an award stay planned. Even with extra points from a promotion, it is rarely a good idea to buy points without planning to redeem them.

IHG One Rewards members can earn points when spending with various IHG partners. For example, you can earn 250 points per $25 when dining at any participating IHG restaurant and bar. And you may also benefit from 20% off your bill.

IHG offers another avenue for members to earn points and enjoy discounts through its car rental partners: Avis, Hertz and Budget. For instance, IHG One Rewards members can save up to 35% on car rentals with Hertz (at participating locations), plus earn 1,000 bonus points.

Through IHG's partnership with Grubhub, IHG One Rewards members can receive 500 IHG points on their first Grubhub order. Subsequent orders garner IHG members 250 points.

A few loyalty programs allow you to transfer the points you accrue with them to IHG's loyalty program. Chase Ultimate Rewards, for example, is an IHG transfer partner, which means Chase cardholders can transfer points to IHG One Rewards — and those points will transfer at a 1:1 ratio. Bilt Rewards members and members of the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club frequent flyer program may also transfer points to IHG One Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. Most partners require that you transfer in increments of 1,000 points, with a minimum transfer of 1,000 points.

>> More: Chase Ultimate Rewards Points Transfer Partners

There are multiple ways to maximize your IHG One Rewards points, especially when you’re ready to redeem rewards. Points can be used for free nights, experiences, subscriptions and points donations. In addition, another common redemption method is to use them for airline miles. IHG’s partner airlines include Delta, Emirates, Thai Airways, Korean Air and British Airways, although there are many others.

Those who opt to fully pay for IHG Reward Nights with points can get the fourth night free if they have one of the hotel's credit cards. If your credit card is linked to your IHG One Rewards account, this benefit will automatically apply when booking stays of four nights or longer with your points.

IHG members have the opportunity to shop online on the Global Catalogue site. You can redeem your points for a variety of items, including electronics, jewelry, sports goods, gift cards and homeware. Popular brands include Apple, Samsung, Whirlpool and Ray-Ban, among many others.

IHG is partnered with 42 airlines, giving members several opportunities to fly with their carrier of choice. For the most part, members can redeem IHG points for airline miles at a 10:2 ratio. Therefore, 10,000 IHG Rewards points will convert to 2,000 miles with the partner loyalty program. Exceptions include transfers to Malaysia Air Enrich, El Al Matmid Frequent Flyer Club and Air New Zealand Airpoints, where 10,000 points will get you 1,500 Enrich Miles, 40 Matmid Points and 25 Airpoints, respectively.

All IHG One Rewards members can redeem points for Reward Nights without worrying about blackout dates. However, award availability may be limited on the nights you want to travel, so you won't be able to use your points at every property. They also receive benefits such as member rates, points promotions and free internet throughout their stay. Meanwhile, those who earn IHG One Rewards Elite status receive all Club Member benefits plus the opportunity to earn bonus points, the peace of mind that their points won't expire and other tier-specific perks. In the table below, we highlight a few of the key differences between membership tiers.

Club Member

• Qualified Nights or Qualified Points - None
• Bonus Points - None
• Expiration of Member Status - Never
• Rollover Nights - Not allowed

Silver

• Qualified Nights or Qualified Points - 10 qualified nights
• Bonus Points - 20% bonus points on stays
• Expiration of Member Status - Through the end of the following calendar year
• Rollover Nights - Not allowed

Gold

• Qualified Nights or Qualified Points - 20 qualified nights or 40,000 qualified points
• Bonus Points - 40% bonus points on stays
• Expiration of Member Status - Through the end of the following calendar year
• Rollover Nights - Allowed

Platinum

• Qualified Nights or Qualified Points - 40 qualified nights or 60,000 qualified points
• Bonus Points - 60%
• Expiration of Member Status - Through the end of the following calendar year
• Rollover Nights - Allowed

Diamond

• Qualified Nights or Qualified Points - 70 qualified nights or 120,000 qualified points
• Bonus Points - 100% bonus points on stays
• Expiration of Member Status - Through the end of the following calendar year
• Rollover Nights - Allowed

MoneyGeek experts have taken a close look at how the value of IHG Rewards points changes based on different redemption methods. They have also carried out in-depth market research to determine the worth of your points.