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IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has brought back their best offer on purchasing points, allowing customers to buy points at a price of $0.005 per point if the purchase is made by December 30, 2023. This offer matches the best deal price-wise and amount-wise, as customers can fill their IHG One Rewards account with 500,000 points if they max out the offer.
However, it is important to note that buying points speculatively is not recommended. Points programs often devalue over time, so it is best to only take advantage of opportunities like this when you have a booking with award availability and can use the points to lower your checkout cost. If you have an immediate or near-term use for the points, then this offer is a great opportunity to buy points at a favorable price.
The current offer allows customers to receive a 100% bonus when buying 5,000 points or more, with a maximum purchase of 250,000 points. The price per point is $0.005, and the offer is available until December 30, 2023. Buying points can be an excellent way to either bolster your points balance or secure a trip at a lower price compared to paying for a hotel stay with cash. However, it is important to reiterate that points should not be bought speculatively, but rather with a specific redemption in mind.
As an example, the author stayed at the Kimpton Sylvan, where the rate varied between 26,000 and 40,000 points per night, while the cash rate was $250 per night. By purchasing points, the author could have stayed for between $130 and $200 per night, even less with an IHG Rewards Premier card.
The current offer of $0.005 per point is the cheapest IHG has ever offered, but it is worth noting that points can always be purchased using the Cash + Points trick for $0.006 per point, which is roughly 20% higher than this deal.
It is important to keep in mind that IHG award rates are dynamic and can fluctuate based on demand and rack rate pricing. Therefore, it is recommended to have a redemption in mind that you can take advantage of in the immediate future, rather than buying points speculatively.
In terms of the maximum amount of points that can be purchased, IHG usually has a limit of 100,000 points per year, but in the past, they have raised it to 250,000 points. The current offer maxes out at 150,000 points with a 100% bonus, resulting in a total of 300,000 points for $1,500, or $0.005 per point.
Some examples of how to make use of this promotion include the Kimpton Seafire Grand Cayman, which is known as one of the best Kimpton redemptions. By booking with points, customers can save a significant amount compared to the cash rate, especially when taking into account the 4th night free benefit offered by certain IHG credit cards.
Another way to make use of this promotion is to buy points to top up a free night certificate earned from certain IHG credit cards. This allows customers to redeem the certificate at properties that price a night above 40,000 points. By purchasing the necessary points to top up the certificate, customers can maximize its value.
The IHG Rewards Premier credit card also offers additional benefits, such as automatic Platinum status, a 4th night free when using points, a $50 United Travel Bank credit, a Global Entry/TSA Pre fee credit every 4 years, a free 40,000-point night every year, and the ability to earn Diamond status with $40,000 in annual purchases.
In conclusion, the current offer from IHG to purchase points at a price of $0.005 per point is a solid deal if you have a specific redemption in mind and have done the necessary calculations to ensure it makes financial sense. It is important to research and make an informed decision before proceeding with the purchase.