Quick answer
IHG One Rewards is extending its buy points at 0.5¢ each promotion through June 30, 2026. You can purchase up to 150,000 IHG points at $0.005 per point ($750 for 150k). At this price, IHG points are worth buying for specific redemptions — but only if you have a near-term stay in mind.
How the deal works
- Price: $0.005 per point (0.5 cents)
- Minimum purchase: 5,000 points ($25)
- Maximum purchase: 150,000 points ($750)
- Promotion expires: June 30, 2026
- Bonus: none on top of the base price — this is a flat rate deal
Points purchase at IHG is normally priced at 0.7–1.0¢ per point. The 0.5¢ price is available during periodic promotions and is close to the floor IHG has offered historically.
When 0.5¢ IHG points make sense
IHG points are worth ~0.6–0.8¢ each on average redemptions. At 0.5¢ cost, you're buying points that you can redeem for 20–60% more value than you paid — on the right properties.
Best redemptions at this price point
1. IHG intercontinental properties, Category 5–6 Category 5 IHG properties cost 40,000–50,000 points/night. Rack rates for InterContinental-tier hotels often run $300–500/night. That's:
- 50,000 points at 0.5¢ = $250 cost
- Room rate: $350–450 = 0.7–0.9¢ per point value
- Net gain: 40–80% above cost
2. Extended stays where cash prices are high If you're staying 3+ nights at a high-demand period, the 4th night free benefit (available to Ihg One Rewards Premier cardholders on points stays) amplifies the value further.
3. Partner hotel brands under IHG
- InterContinental
- Kimpton
- Hotel Indigo
- Crowne Plaza
- Six Senses (ultra-luxury, points + cash available)
Six Senses properties especially: some rack rates run $800–1,500/night and redemptions can be booked at 100,000 points/night, which at 0.5¢ purchase = $500 for a $1,200+ stay.
When NOT to buy
- If you don't have a specific stay in mind — IHG points have no stated expiry (account activity not required since 2022), but buying and parking points is only worth it at exceptional value properties
- For Category 1–3 properties: these often run $80–150/night; at 30,000–40,000 points, you'd pay $150–200 to acquire them — barely breakeven or negative value
- If you can transfer Chase UR or Amex MR to IHG: Chase → IHG transfers at 1:1 mean you might have better options already
IHG transfer partnerships
If you hold Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve, Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers to IHG at 1:1 ratio with no bonus currently. At the standard 1:1 rate, your effective cost of IHG points via Chase transfer is whatever you value Chase UR at (typically 1.5–2¢ each for premium transfers).
This means: the 0.5¢ buy promotion beats the Chase → IHG transfer path for people who want IHG points specifically. Buying direct at 0.5¢ is cheaper than "spending" 1.5¢-worth of Chase UR to get them.
The Ihg One Rewards Premier free night benefit
IHG One Rewards Premier cardholders get one free night certificate each year (for properties up to 40,000 points). If you have a certificate expiring and need top-up points for a specific stay, buying at 0.5¢ to bridge the gap is a reasonable play.
The card also earns 26 points per $1 at IHG hotels (10x IHG base + 10x IHG Rewards + 6x Visa), which at 0.5–0.6¢/point = 13–15% back on IHG spend — strong for a hotel card.
How to buy
- Go to IHG One Rewards Buy Points
- Sign in to your IHG One Rewards account
- Select the number of points to purchase
- Complete checkout with a credit card
- Points post within 24–72 hours
Tip: Pay with a card that earns bonus on travel/hotels purchases. The Sapphire Preferred earns 3x on hotels, for example — on a $250 purchase, that's 750 Chase UR (worth ~$11 toward travel).
