The incredibly easy way of redeeming IHG’s 4th-night reward
Editor's Note
IHG's fourth-night reward has saved my husband and me over 280,000 IHG Rewards points since 2018. As such, it's one of my favorite perks of select IHG Rewards credit cards, including the IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card, IHG Rewards Traveler Credit Card and IHG Rewards Premier Business Credit Card.
This perk allows cardholders to pay zero points for every fourth night when redeeming IHG Rewards points to book award stays of four nights or longer. So, today I'll take a closer look at IHG's fourth-night reward, including how to get access to the benefit and book a stay.
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What is the IHG 4th-night reward?
The IHG fourth-night reward is applicable for standard-room reward-night stays booked with points for four or more consecutive nights. But, the nights must be within the same stay at the same property. So, you can't combine separate bookings and still get a fourth-night reward.
With the fourth-night reward, you must redeem IHG Rewards points for the first three nights. But then the fourth night of the stay will cost zero points. Best of all, you can use the fourth-night reward on an unlimited number of stays annually. However, this perk does not apply to paid stays or points-and-cash bookings.
Related: IHG cardholders: Book by April 5 and get 20% off award stays of three nights or less
Who can get a 4th-night reward?
The following three IHG Rewards credit cards provide access to the valuable fourth-night reward: IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card, IHG Rewards Traveler Credit Card and IHG Rewards Premier Business Credit Card.
I get access to the fourth-night reward perk as an IHG Premier cardholder. If you want to add the IHG Premier Card to your wallet, you'll be happy to know it is currently offering a sign-up bonus of 175,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. Based on TPG's valuations, this bonus is worth $875. Plus, you'll get other valuable IHG Premier cardholder perks, including:
- IHG Platinum Elite status for as long as you're a cardholder.
- One anniversary reward night each account anniversary, valid for a night costing 40,000 points or less within 12 months of issuance. You can also use existing points from your IHG Rewards account to redeem your anniversary night at hotels above the 40,000 point redemption level.
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS application fee statement credit of up to $100 every four years.
Even if you aren't sure how frequently you'll use IHG's fourth-night reward, getting an IHG card may still make financial sense if you can use the card's other perks.
Related: Why I'm happy to pay the annual fee on the IHG Premier Card
How to use IHG's 4th-night reward
It's easy to use IHG's fourth-night reward. Log in to the IHG account tied to your eligible IHG credit card to try it out. Once logged in, perform an award night search as usual.
Since you're logged in and searching for a four-night stay, you'll see award rates struck through and replaced with lower rates. The struck-through rates indicate the average award night cost without the fourth-night reward. And the new award rates show the average nightly rate after accounting for the fourth-night reward.
Click on the hotel you want and then select a room type.
You'll only get a fourth-night reward when you pay fully with points.
On the final page before booking, you'll see a message noting you'll get a fourth-night reward. You'll also see the points cost per night on this page. Fill in the personal details and then book your fourth-night reward stay. It's that easy.
Finally, you can also get multiple fourth-night rewards on an extended stay. In the example below, you can see that two nights cost zero points on this eight-night stay booked with IHG points.
If you need to earn more IHG Rewards points before booking your next award, consider signing up for a new IHG credit card, buying IHG points, transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points or transferring Bilt Rewards points. You can also earn some extra points through IHG Rewards Dine & Earn.
Related: IHG's credit card portfolio gets a major revamp — here are all the changes you need to know
Bottom line
IHG's fourth-night reward is an excellent benefit that lets you stretch your IHG points further when redeeming points for a stay of four nights or more. As you can see, getting the fourth-night benefit from select IHG Rewards credit cards is incredibly easy. The discount is applied automatically online, so there's no need to involve an agent or deal with rebate messiness.
Additional reporting by JT Genter.
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5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. |
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Why We Chose It
Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip.Pros
- The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
- This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. (Enrollment required for select benefits.)
- The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway.
Cons
- The high annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
- The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups are excluded.
- American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. There are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
- Breeze through security with CLEAR® lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. Learn more.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees