When Does it Make Sense to Pay the Extra Cost for the Bonus Points Package?
June 2016
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IHG typically allows you buy up to 10,000 bonus IHG Rewards Club points for each eligible stay and you can also choose to add breakfast for two. And the most common offer is 1,000 bonus points for each eligible night. But does it make good financial sense to buy points this way?
You earn 10 IHG Rewards Club “base” points for every US dollar or foreign equivalent spent on eligible charges at IHG hotels plus Elite-status bonuses. The Bonus Points Package allows you to buy extra rewards points that also count towards earning and maintaining Elite status!
These are the typical IHG Bonus Points Package options:
1,000 bonus points each qualified night for $5 per night
1,000 bonus points each qualified night including breakfast for $5 per night with an extra charge for breakfast, which varies by hotel
Every so often you will see a 5,000 or 10,000 Bonus Points Package for an eligible stay that sometimes requires a minimum number of nights
The Bonus Points rate will always be more expensive than the more economical IHG Best Flexible, Advance Purchase (which will usually save you 10% to 20%) or other discounted rates. You are basically buying the extra points. So does it make sense to book this rate?
Let’s look at an example:
We value IHG points at .7 cents a point. Said another way, you should feel good about buying IHG points for that amount if you can, and it’s also the minimum value we suggest you seek before redeeming IHG points.
At participating hotels, IHG charges an extra $5 over the Best Flexible rate for 1,000 bonus points each eligible night. We value 1,000 IHG Rewards Club points at $7 so you are getting a good deal on the purchase of 1,000 points from IHG for $5. But if you qualify for a rate that is lower than the Best Flexible rate (e.g. the Advance Purchase, AAA or Senior rate), you may be better off choosing the lower rate if it will save you more than $7 a night. For direction on how to efficiently search for the most economical rates or best room packages, see our great Tip on this topic!
You can book online or by phone at 877-865-6578 and ask for the Bonus Points Package.
The Wrap-Up:
The Bonus Points Package is a great choice for those who do not qualify for the Advanced Purchase or other discounted rates (e.g. AAA, Senior Discount, etc) or for those who simply want a more flexibility rate and to bulk up their IHG Elite-qualifying points balance at a good price!
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