IHG Points Sale: Grab a 100% Bonus and Pay Just 0.5 Cents Each

IHG Rewards has rolled out another one of its popular points promotions, and this time it's a doozy. You can snag a 100% bonus when you buy points, which effectively cuts the cost to just half a cent per point. That's the lowest price we typically see for IHG points, and it's a solid opportunity if you've got a trip in mind. The offer runs from June 22 through July 16, 2026, so you've got a few weeks to decide. But before you jump in, let's break down what you need to know to make the most of it.

How the Bonus Works

The deal is straightforward: when you buy IHG One Rewards points, you get an equal number of bonus points. So if you purchase 10,000 points, you'll receive an extra 10,000, bringing your total to 20,000. To get the bonus, you need to buy at least 5,000 points in a single transaction. But to hit that sweet 0.5 cents per point rate, you'll want to buy at least 26,000 points. Why? Because the bonus is 100% on the amount you buy, and the cost per point before the bonus is 1 cent. After the bonus, it's 0.5 cents. However, if you buy fewer than 26,000 points, the effective cost might be slightly higher due to the way the pricing tiers work. So aim for that 26,000-point threshold to maximize your savings.

Keep in mind that this offer might be targeted. Some members may see different bonus percentages or thresholds when they log in. If you don't see the offer right away, try accessing it through an IHG email or the IHG app. That often does the trick.

Also, remember the annual limit: you can purchase, gift, or receive as a gift up to 200,000 points per calendar year. If you've already bought some points in 2026, that will reduce how many you can buy now. For example, if you bought 50,000 points earlier this year, you'd only be able to buy up to 150,000 more during this promotion.

Best Ways to Use Your Points

IHG points can be incredibly valuable, especially when you combine them with certain credit card perks. Here are a few strategies to stretch your points even further:

• 4th Night Free: If you have an IHG Premier, Traveler, or Business credit card, you get every fourth night free on award stays. That means you can book four nights for the price of three. For longer stays, you get the 4th and 8th nights free, and so on. This can slash your effective cost per night significantly.
• 10% Points Rebate: Holders of the now-closed IHG Select credit card get a 10% rebate on points used for award stays. The rebate posts a few weeks after your stay. And here's the kicker: you can stack this with the 4th night free if you have both cards. The 4th night free is applied first, then the 10% rebate on the remaining points.
• Sweet Spots with Dynamic Pricing: IHG uses dynamic pricing for award nights, but that doesn't mean you'll always pay a premium. For instance, a recent stay at the Staybridge Suites Temecula-Wine Country in California had cash rates around $259 per night, but award pricing ranged from 19,000 to 23,000 points per night. Buying points at 0.5 cents each would make that stay cost just $95–$115 per night. Stack on the 4th night free and 10% rebate, and a nine-night stay could drop to about 14,500 points per night – that's only $72.50 per night. Less than a third of the cash price!

A Few Things to Watch Out For

Before you pull the trigger, there are some nuances worth noting. First, purchased points and bonus points do not count toward IHG elite status. So if you're grinding for status, this won't help. Second, award stays don't earn points unless there's a specific promotion running that includes award nights. So don't expect to earn points on your free night.

On the bright side, most hotel taxes are waived on award stays, which can save you a chunk of change. That often offsets the fact that you're not earning points on the stay.

When buying points, you'll go through Points.com. Consider clicking through a shopping portal first to earn a little cashback on your purchase. That can lower your net cost even further. Also, Points.com purchases don't code as travel, so use a card that earns well on everyday spending or one where you're working on a minimum spend requirement. Some card-linked offers from IHG might still trigger, but that's not guaranteed.

Finally, allow up to 72 hours for the points to post to your account. So don't wait until the last minute if you need them for a booking.

Bottom Line

• Buy at least 26,000 points to get the best rate of 0.5 cents each.
• Combine with the 4th night free and 10% rebate for maximum value.
• Use a shopping portal for extra cashback on your purchase.
• Watch the annual 200,000-point limit if you've already bought points this year.

Common Questions