Chase UR point value vs IHG
 

I'm looking at booking a stay at an IHG property in the near future, total cost around $275, and I don't know which card would be better to book it with. My CSR is my go-to card for travel expenses so that would be 825 UR points. However I also have the IHG card, for which I'd earn (275*10) + 1625 = 4375 IHG points. I have 155K UR and 90K IHG at this time, looking not to spend too many IHG points as I'm holding on to them in case I decide to stay at an IHG property for a vacation I'm planning next year. The IHG points won't be enough to bump me up to Spire Elite for the year so I'm not worried about that.

Looking for opinions here - between Chase UR and IHG, which is typically considered more valuable to earn?

URs are definitely more valuable. How much more depends on you and how you use them. TPG (whose valuations, in my experience, tend to be fairly close for average people without special situations) values URs at 2.2 cents, and IHG points at 0.7 cents. My personal redemptions have ended up with URs valued at 2.14 cents, and IHG points at 0.85 cents each.

TPG is a blogger and his valuation can be found here: https://thepointsguy.com/2017/10/oct...ly-valuations/ Many bloggers publish these valuations & I'm not endorsing anyone. I happen to agree to with his valuations + or - a bit. But UR are a lot more valuable than IHG, in general.

Was just in the same exact situation staying at IHG properties and I chose the Chase Sapphire Reserve. It's just hard to go wrong with the flexibility unless you need a specific amount of IHG points for a specific redemption. You can usually buy IHG points for great prices though with their pretty common points purchase bonuses.

The only reason I used the IHG card recently at IHG properties was for the Priceless Promotion (or whatever it's called) where you have to use a Mastercard.

Sorry I'm dense, but please explain your formula for the IHG points. I thought the IHG card earned 5 points per dollar for spend at IHG properties, but you are showing a bunch more points. Are you including some IHG points that you will earn regardless of the card used?

Using valuations attributed to TPG, the 825 UR points would be worth $18.15, while the 4375 IHG points would be worth $30.62. If your calculation of points earned by using the IHG card (and not just by staying at the IHG property) is correct, it seems like the IHG card is the way to go.

I think the amount earned in a fair comparison is wrong here.

the x10 ihg points is standard and the additional 50% plat bonus is standard for that tier as well. Earned through the card, but not required to use the the card to get.

so he should earn 15x ihg points for his stay, regardless of card.

the comparison then is:

csr: 825 ur points
ihg: 1375 ihg points

Thanks, maxp0wers. That makes sense.

My math was a bit off. I redid it with the platinum bonus and arrived at ((275*10)*1.5) = 4125 IHG points if booked with the CSR, or an additional (275*5)=1375 extra if booked with the IHG card. This calculator agrees with my math as well. I'll go with CSR as I had completely forgotten to add the platinum bonus - I see now that it's still a decent amount of IHG earnings, and missing out on the card bonus won't affect me much. Thanks!