Can I Use IHG Rewards to Book Award Stays at Kimpton Hotels?
TPG reader Matt sent me a message on Facebook to ask about redeeming IHG Rewards:
"Can I use IHG points to book a stay with Kimpton Hotels?"
When IHG acquired Kimpton in 2014, it was announced that the two brands and their loyalty programs would not be merged — at least, not yet. That plan was reinforced in June 2015, when Kimpton CEO Mike DeFrino explained that Kimpton and IHG would "continue to explore how to best bring these two programs together."
Well, it seems like they're still exploring. For now, IHG Rewards Club and Kimpton Karma Rewards remain completely separate. You can't earn or redeem IHG points at Kimpton properties, and vice versa. There's also no overlap in elite benefits, so even top-tier IHG Spire elite status won't get you so much as free Wi-Fi when you stay with Kimpton (though in fairness, you can easily get it as a Tier 1 member by simply signing up with Kimpton's program).
A December email to Karma Rewards members hinted that things could change in 2017, but didn't offer any specifics. For now, IHG seems content to focus on Kimpton's portfolio: The brand lost several properties in San Francisco last year, but it has a number of new hotels opening domestically. It also recently announced plans to expand globally by taking over the Crowne Plaza Amsterdam City Centre.
I think IHG Rewards would be strengthened by bringing Kimpton into the fold, since the brand's only comparable offerings are the 60 or so Hotel Indigo properties worldwide. However, Kimpton has made a point of keeping the Karma Rewards program unique and highly personalized, and bringing the two programs together could threaten that. There's bound to be some pushback from both management and elite members who want to preserve the Kimpton experience.
There are some similarities between IHG's acquisition of Kimpton and the prospective acquisition of Starwood by Marriott. While Starwood is much larger than Kimpton, the Starwood Preferred Guest program has also helped the brand stand out, and many SPG members are concerned about how a merger with Marriott Rewards could shake out (if it comes to fruition at all). In both cases, your best bet is to let management know how you feel, and hope any adjustments that are made will bring out the best of these programs.
If you have any other questions, please tweet me @thepointsguy, message me on Facebook or send me an email at info@thepointsguy.com.
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Annual Fee
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- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
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Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month