IHG has developed beyond Intercontinental hotels and will soon explode into the consciousness of many IHG Rewards members who desire upscale accommodations when Kimpton hotels is incorporated into the IHG Rewards program, hopefully by year end.

Not only will IHG have credible city core locations in many US cities for the first time -- and some in quite an abundance in certain cities such as DC and San Francisco -- but also redemption of one's points in nice places will correspondingly increase, as well.

In addition, many Indigo hotels are great places to redeem points -- if one does not hold the additional status and payment for InterContinental's own Ambassador program -- which will hopefully insure that you get a good room at that historic Intercontinental hotel, instead of a miniscule room -- the Platinum status at the Indigo -- which is the highest status one can achieve for that property brand -- is the way to go.