Quick Points: 2 easy ways to get more value from your IHG points
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.
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
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.
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:
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Earn 175,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus up to an additional 30,000 bonus points by earning 3 additional points per dollar on purchases that earn 2 and 3 points per dollar on up to $10,000 spent in the first six months.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card: Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
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
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees