IHG points now cheaper to purchase
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Boston, MA, USA
Programs: UA 1K, DL Gold, IHG Diamond AMB, MR Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, National EE
Posts: 1,083
IHG points now cheaper to purchase
I noticed that some hotels are now offering three tiers of points+cash options.
There are two options that have always been there:
5k points for $40 ($0.008 per point)
10k points for $70 ($0.007 per point)
But now there is a third option that is cheaper:
15k points for $95 ($0.0063 per point)
It makes sense that points are cheaper now given the recent increases in points required to book (i.e. some IC properties going from 45k to 60k per night). But for the hotels that didn't increase, this is a nice option to have to buy more points for even cheaper than before.
For those of you not familiar with points+cash, you can book a room using this option and then cancel the reservation. The points you purchased will be redeposited into your account.
There are two options that have always been there:
5k points for $40 ($0.008 per point)
10k points for $70 ($0.007 per point)
But now there is a third option that is cheaper:
15k points for $95 ($0.0063 per point)
It makes sense that points are cheaper now given the recent increases in points required to book (i.e. some IC properties going from 45k to 60k per night). But for the hotels that didn't increase, this is a nice option to have to buy more points for even cheaper than before.
For those of you not familiar with points+cash, you can book a room using this option and then cancel the reservation. The points you purchased will be redeposited into your account.
#2
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: N/A
Programs: 100m swimming certificate level 5
Posts: 1,456
I noticed that some hotels are now offering three tiers of points+cash options.
There are two options that have always been there:
5k points for $40 ($0.008 per point)
10k points for $70 ($0.007 per point)
But now there is a third option that is cheaper:
15k points for $95 ($0.0063 per point)
It makes sense that points are cheaper now given the recent increases in points required to book (i.e. some IC properties going from 45k to 60k per night). But for the hotels that didn't increase, this is a nice option to have to buy more points for even cheaper than before.
For those of you not familiar with points+cash, you can book a room using this option and then cancel the reservation. The points you purchased will be redeposited into your account.
There are two options that have always been there:
5k points for $40 ($0.008 per point)
10k points for $70 ($0.007 per point)
But now there is a third option that is cheaper:
15k points for $95 ($0.0063 per point)
It makes sense that points are cheaper now given the recent increases in points required to book (i.e. some IC properties going from 45k to 60k per night). But for the hotels that didn't increase, this is a nice option to have to buy more points for even cheaper than before.
For those of you not familiar with points+cash, you can book a room using this option and then cancel the reservation. The points you purchased will be redeposited into your account.
#5
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Ottawa
Programs: IC/AMB - Diamond Elite, AC E50K, AA, AM-Onyx, HH-Diamond, BW, Choice - Gold
Posts: 1,736
IHG Daily Getaways
I just noticed that IHG is promoting the sale of IHG points until tomorrow, May 13, 2016, through the US Travel website:
https://dailygetaways.ustravel.org/O...3-843e72dc322e
It is under the IHG Offers tab at the bottom right - Daily Getaways on the IHG website.
mxm135
https://dailygetaways.ustravel.org/O...3-843e72dc322e
It is under the IHG Offers tab at the bottom right - Daily Getaways on the IHG website.
mxm135
#6
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,055
I wasn't aware of the way this worked - so to clarify if I say book a points+cash promo where a hotel is (say) 20,000 points and pay 10,000 + a cash difference I'll get back 10,000 points if I then cancel the booking rather than a refund of the cash difference price?
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Boston, MA, USA
Programs: UA 1K, DL Gold, IHG Diamond AMB, MR Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, National EE
Posts: 1,083
Sometimes it's a smart thing to do. For example, say you want to stay at a hotel this weekend that is $160 or 15,000 points per night. You can book a reservation at a hotel that offers the 15,000 points for $95 option, cancel it, and use the 15,000 points to book a rewards night at the hotel you want...saving some considerable cash.
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,974
I've also seen properties that were charging more than the standard $70 for 10K points. (I can't recall which but I believe I was recently looking in the LAX area)
It would appear to me that IHG are experimenting with the individual hotels keeping some of all of the cash portion of Cash & Points bookings? While the minority who pay attention will gravitate to a "book and cancel" at the cheapest rate for P+C, there are probably loads more members without a clue who will think that the hotel is charging the going rate.
It would appear to me that IHG are experimenting with the individual hotels keeping some of all of the cash portion of Cash & Points bookings? While the minority who pay attention will gravitate to a "book and cancel" at the cheapest rate for P+C, there are probably loads more members without a clue who will think that the hotel is charging the going rate.
#10
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Cheshire
Programs: HH Diamond, IHG Diamond Am Elite, Best Western Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,704
I noticed that some hotels are now offering three tiers of points+cash options.
There are two options that have always been there:
5k points for $40 ($0.008 per point)
10k points for $70 ($0.007 per point)
But now there is a third option that is cheaper:
15k points for $95 ($0.0063 per point)
It makes sense that points are cheaper now given the recent increases in points required to book (i.e. some IC properties going from 45k to 60k per night). But for the hotels that didn't increase, this is a nice option to have to buy more points for even cheaper than before.
For those of you not familiar with points+cash, you can book a room using this option and then cancel the reservation. The points you purchased will be redeposited into your account.
There are two options that have always been there:
5k points for $40 ($0.008 per point)
10k points for $70 ($0.007 per point)
But now there is a third option that is cheaper:
15k points for $95 ($0.0063 per point)
It makes sense that points are cheaper now given the recent increases in points required to book (i.e. some IC properties going from 45k to 60k per night). But for the hotels that didn't increase, this is a nice option to have to buy more points for even cheaper than before.
For those of you not familiar with points+cash, you can book a room using this option and then cancel the reservation. The points you purchased will be redeposited into your account.
I'm not too far off Spire and this may be a way of easily "bridging the gap"!
#11
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Somewhere in Europe
Posts: 3,362
Just regular non-elite points unfortunately with P&C or points purchase.
#12
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,419
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
Programs: AA lifetime GLD; UA Silver; Marriott LTTE; IHG Plat,
Posts: 14,508
When they first added the 15K buy option last year, the price was just $90.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...ts-90-new.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...ts-90-new.html
#14
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 1,959
Will IHG credit card give me a 5x when doing cash + points? Last time I was using AT&T Access More card and it gave me 3x. But I guess that 3 TYPs are better than 5 IHG points?
How about Chase Sapphire Reserve? Will it give 3x? I guess not, it coded as Merchandise - Buying/Shopping Services Clubs on Citi MC.
How about Chase Sapphire Reserve? Will it give 3x? I guess not, it coded as Merchandise - Buying/Shopping Services Clubs on Citi MC.
Last edited by yugi; Feb 12, 2017 at 12:28 pm