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Quick Points: 2 easy ways to get more value from your IHG points

Feb. 14, 2025
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3 min read
KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
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IHG One Rewards uses dynamic award pricing, so award rates vary alongside paid rates. Even so, there are still several ways savvy travelers can get more value from their IHG points.

I've previously written about how to maximize IHG award redemptions. But, in this Quick Points post, let's discuss two easy ways to get more value when redeeming IHG points.

Use the fourth-night-free benefit

The best and easiest way to get more value from your IHG points is to get the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (see rates and fees), IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card (see rates and fees) or IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card (see rates and fees) and then redeem your points for stays of lengths evenly divisible by four (such as four, eight or 12 days).

That's because these three cards offer the valuable IHG fourth-reward-night-free benefit. This perk allows members with select IHG credit cards to pay zero points for every fourth night when they redeem IHG points for stays of four nights or longer.

IHG fourth night free
IHG

On longer stays, eligible cardholders also pay zero points for the eighth, 12th, 16th and so on nights. You can get even more value from this perk when the zero-cost nights fall on dates with more expensive award rates, which often include New Year's Eve, Valentine's Day and weekend nights.

Related: How (and why) to calculate award redemption values

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Redeem with lower-earning brands

You'll earn 10 points per dollar spent — plus an elite bonus if you have IHG elite status — on paid stays at most IHG hotels and resorts. But you'll only earn 5 points per dollar spent — plus the elite bonus if you're eligible — at Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites.

STAYBRIDGE SUITES LAS VEGAS - STADIUM DISTRICT/FACEBOOK
STAYBRIDGE SUITES LAS VEGAS - STADIUM DISTRICT/FACEBOOK

When you redeem IHG points for your stay, you miss out on earning points on your room rate. So, while your redemption rate likely won't be any higher, you'll miss out on fewer points when you redeem for stays at Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites and book paid rates for other IHG stays.

Related: Best hotel brands with full kitchens you can book with points

How to earn IHG points

There are plenty of ways to earn IHG points, but the easiest are through IHG bonus points promotions and IHG credit cards. Here's a look at the current welcome offers on IHG credit cards:

I've seen IHG award nights priced as low as 5,000 points per night. So, while you could spend one of these bonuses on a single night, you could also get many nights — just by adding a single card to your wallet.

Related: Why you should get (and keep) the IHG One Rewards Premier card

Featured image by KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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

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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.