The OP should also keep an eye on next month's "Daily Getaways" offers from the U.S. Travel Association. Among other things, they frequently offer batches of IHG Rewards points at 0.5¢/points. These Daily Getaways points are
not subject to the annual limit on purchasing IHG Rewards points directly from IHG.
Information about Daily Getaways here:
https://www.ustravel.org/programs/daily-getaways