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Transfer IHG Points to United with a 50% Bonus

Sept. 12, 2016
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3 min read
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Transfer IHG Points to United with a 50% Bonus
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Did you know you can transfer IHG points to 41 different airlines? If not, you haven't been missing out anything special. The standard transfer rate is just 2,000 airline miles for every 10,000 IHG points. It seems to be an option so rarely considered that IHG still lists US Airways as a transfer partner — even though the US Airways mileage program was eliminated more than a year ago.

However, now through October 10, 2016, you'll get a 50% bonus when converting IHG points to United miles. This means you'll end up with 3,000 United miles for 10,000 IHG points. Here's how it works: First, register your MileagePlus account on United's promotion website. Next, contact IHG Rewards Club Customer Care to request the transfer. You'll need to transfer points in increments of 10,000 points.

Is It Worth It?

Make sure to register on United's promotion website before initiating the transfer!

Generally, no. In our latest valuations, we peg IHG points at 0.7 cents apiece and United miles at 1.5 cents apiece. So, you'd be giving up 10,000 points with ~$70 of value for 3,000 miles worth ~$45. However, there are some situations where this promotion could make a lot of sense.

Perhaps you're looking book an amazing itinerary on United before October 6. Say you're finding yourself short of United miles and Chase Ultimate Rewards, but have plenty of IHG points. Transferring IHG points to United would be a much better option to top off your United account than buying miles directly. Since there are no active United buy miles promotions, buying 3,000 miles outright would cost $113. Rather than paying $113, giving up ~$70 of value in hotel points is a much better option.

Maybe you're sitting on a large pile of IHG points - either through the IHG mail-in promotion earlier this year or buying 100,000 IHG points for $565 through Daily Getaways. While there are some excellent uses of IHG points, transferring the points to United could be a decent way of "cashing out" these points if you haven't found a use for them.

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Bottom Line

This promotion is generally a pass. However, if you need just a few United miles for a specific redemption or have a large stash of IHG points, you might find this promotion useful. If you plan on taking advantage of this promo to book an award before October 6, be sure to start your transfer request now. It may take some time for the transfer to process and your bonus miles to post.

Will you be transferring IHG points to United?

Featured image by Kara Gwyn

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.