IHG Previews PointBreaks List for Stays Through January 31

Oct. 28, 2016

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5 min read

IHG Previews PointBreaks List for Stays Through January 31

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One of the best uses of hotel points around is the quarterly IHG PointBreaks list. If you’re unfamiliar, PointBreaks are reduced rate redemptions at IHG hotels — like InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo and Holiday Inn — that require just 5,000 Rewards Club points per award night. The catch is that only a limited number of nights can be booked at this rate. So, once the hotels are available at this rate, time is of the essence.

Although we typically will get a preview of the hotels before the list goes live, IHG has sometimes surprised us by releasing the list at the same time as it made the hotels available for booking. Thankfully, this time IHG has given us advance notice. On its blog, IHG just released a preview of the latest list of IHG PointBreaks hotels. These hotels will be bookable at the 5,000-point rate sometime on Monday, October 31.

This new list includes 127 properties in 25 different countries. For better or worse, 79 of these are right here in the USA. There's just one InterContinental (Cali, Colombia), one Hotel Indigo (Cleveland-Beachwood), 14 Crowne Plazas, 17 Holiday Inns, 19 Candlewood Suites, 8 Staybridge Suites and a seemingly endless list of Holiday Inn Express hotels.

Unfortunately, this is yet another underwhelming list. The vast majority of properties aren't worth traveling to, but they could work out for a fairly reasonable redemption if you’re passing through an area anyways. That said, here are a few that stood out on the list.

InterContinental Cali (Colombia)

Intercontinental Cali. Image courtesy of the hotel. — A room at the InterContinental Cali. Image courtesy of the hotel.

The only InterContinental on the list this time around is in Cali, Colombia. With 97% of guests recommending and a 4.5 rating on Expedia, it looks like an excellent choice if you're going to be in the area between November and January. As a Category 4 hotel, the InterContinental Cali normally costs 25,000 IHG Reward points per award night.

Crowne Plaza Kathmandu-Soaltee (Nepal)

The stunning lobby of the Crown Plaza Kathmandu. Image courtesy of the hotel. — The lobby of the Crown Plaza Kathmandu. Image courtesy of the hotel.

If you're planning on visiting Nepal this winter, here's an excellent opportunity to save a bundle of points. This Crowne Plaza is a IHG Category 4 hotel, meaning you'd normally have to pay 25,000 points per award night.

Hotel Indigo Cleveland-Beachwood (Ohio)

Hotel Indigo Cleveland-Beachwood. Image courtesy of the hotel.

Back stateside is the only Hotel Indigo hotel on this list this time around. Hotel Indigo Cleveland-Beachwood is another Category 5 hotel where award nights typically cost 30,000 points. As paid nights typically cost only about $100, it usually doesn't make sense to redeem IHG Reward points at this hotel. But, you can get a solid 2 cents per IHG point in value if you're in the Cleveland area this winter.

Crowne Plaza Belgrade (Serbia)

The indoor pool at the Crowne Plaza Belgrade. Image courtesy of the hotel.

Rounding out the list of Category 5 hotels is the Crowne Plaza Belgrade. If you're going to be in the Serbian capital this winter, this is a nice, fairly central option for visiting the city. As with the other Category 5 hotels, you're going to be getting 83% off of the normal award price of 30,000 points per night.

Need Points?

IHG is running a conveniently timed buy miles promotion. Right now, you can buy points with up to a 80% or 100% bonus — depending on how you're targeted. If you’re targeted for the 100% bonus, you can effectively pay just 0.575 cents per IHG point. If you need points, buy them as soon as possible so your points are in your account and ready to spend Monday morning.

If you want to stock up on points for the list released at the end of next January, now’s the time to sign up for the IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card. The card is currently offering a 60,000-point sign-up bonus after you spend $1,000 in the first three months. Meet the required spending and you’ll be able to book up to 12 free nights.

While it’s generally not a great use of these valuable points (though it could be here), IHG is a 1:1 transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards. You can transfer points from cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Ink Plus Business Card, but don’t forget that points can take one day to transfer.

Bottom Line

It's easy to be disappointed with these PointBreaks list, but keep in mind that these hotels are being reduced to a bargain-basement price of 5,000 IHG points per night. We're pleased to see an InterContinental hotel and a nice selection of Category 5 properties on the list this time around. Plus, it’s always nice to grab a Holiday Inn or Candlewood Suites room for just 5,000 points if you’re planning to be in an area. Check out the full preview list to see what properties might work out for you. If any of them match up with your travel plans, make sure to book them as soon as you can on Monday morning.