2019 Category Changes Means These 145 Properties Are Now Cheaper Using IHG Points
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IHG's 2019 category changes were rough on IHG Rewards members. Overall, 693 properties changed categories, with most (548) of these being increases. Unfortunately, it's too late to get the prior rate at these properties as the changes went into effect January 25.
The good news is that there's 145 IHG properties where the award cost just dropped. If you have an upcoming points stay at one of these properties, you can cancel and re-book at a lower rate. Or, perhaps this list will spark an idea for an upcoming trip. Either way, let's try to make some lemonade out of this category change lemon.
InterContinental Hotels
In a hotel loyalty group that's better known for Holiday Inn Express hotels, IHG's InterContinental brand is one of the group's few luxury brands. And eight of these properties just decreased in price.
Unfortunately for US-based travelers, all of them are outside the US, including five in China. Of the non-Chinese hotels, there's one that we've seen on a few PointBreaks lists over the last year: InterContinental Mendoza dropped from 25,000 points per night to 20,000 points per night. While Venezuela likely isn't on many traveler's 2019 list of places to go, the InterContinental Tamanaco Caracas dropped to 25,000 points per night.
Hotel Name | City | Country | New Point Requirement (per night) | Valuation of Points (per night) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mendoza | Mendoza | Argentina | 20,000 | $120 |
Tangshan | Tangshan | Mainland China | 20,000 | $120 |
Lhasa Paradise | Lhasa | Mainland China | 20,000 | $120 |
Shanghai Expo | Shanghai | Mainland China | 25,000 | $150 |
Heilong Lake | Meishan | Mainland China | 25,000 | $150 |
Tamanaco Caracas | Caracas | Venezuela | 25,000 | $150 |
Hanoi Landmark72 | Hanoi | Vietnam | 30,000 | $180 |
OneThousand Island Lake Resort | Hangzhou | Mainland China | 40,000 | $240 |
Kimpton Hotels
Kimpton properties fared surprisingly well in the 2019 category changes, with only two properties increasing and eight properties decreasing categories. That left Kimpton with the biggest net drop of any IHG brand. With that said, the cheapest of these properties is still 35,000 points per night — which is $210 per night based on TPG's valuation of IHG points. Make sure to check cash prices to make sure you're getting good value from your IHG points.
Hotel Name | City | State | New Point Requirement (per night) | Valuation of Points (per night) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hotel Monaco Baltimore | Baltimore | MD | 35,000 | $210 |
Goodland | Goleta | CA | 45,000 | $270 |
Sawyer Hotel | Sacramento | CA | 45,000 | $270 |
Tryon Park Hotel | Charlotte | NC | 45,000 | $270 |
Lorien Hotel and Spa | Alexandria | VA | 45,000 | $270 |
Taconic Hotel | Manchester | VT | 45,000 | $270 |
Angler's Hotel South Beach | Miami Beach | FL | 55,000 | $330 |
Vero Beach Hotel and Spa | Vero Beach | FL | 60,000 | $360 |
European Hotels
Of the 145 properties that dropped, only 10 are located in Europe: three in the United Kingdom, two in France, two in Germany, two in Istanbul (Turkey) and one in Serbia.
Hotel Name | Chain | City | Country | New Point Requirement (per night) | Valuation of Points (per night) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Montpellier - Corum | Crowne Plaza | Montpellier | France | 25,000 | $150 |
Paris - Charles de Gaulle | Crowne Plaza | Roissy-en-France | France | 25,000 | $150 |
Siegen | Holiday Inn Express | Siegen | Germany | 15,000 | $90 |
Singen | Holiday Inn Express | Singen | Germany | 15,000 | $90 |
Belgrade - City | Holiday Inn Express | Belgrade | Serbia | 10,000 | $60 |
Istanbul - Altunizade | Holiday Inn Express | Istanbul | Turkey | 10,000 | $60 |
Istanbul - Tuzla Bay | Holiday Inn | Istanbul | Turkey | 15,000 | $90 |
Cardiff | Hotel Indigo | Cardiff | United Kingdom | 45,000 | $270 |
Norwich | Holiday Inn Express | Norwich | United Kingdom | 15,000 | $90 |
Wigan | Holiday Inn Express | Wigan | United Kingdom | 15,000 | $90 |
New Category 1 Hotels
Among the changes are 28 hotels that decreased to just 10,000 points per night. At current TPG valuations, that's just $60 all-in for a hotel night. And during frequent 100% buy-point bonuses, you can buy these points for just $50 per night.
Unfortunately these hotel brands aren't too exciting. There's 16 Holiday Inn, seven Holiday Inn Express, four Candlewood Suites and one Holiday Inn. Geographically, 12 of the 28 are in Mexico, three are in Brazil and five are located in the US — with four of those located in Texas.
Hotel Name | Chain | City | Country |
---|---|---|---|
Fortaleza | Holiday Inn | Fortaleza | Brazil |
Natal | Holiday Inn | Natal | Brazil |
Sao Paulo Parque Anhembi | Holiday Inn | Sao Paulo | Brazil |
Cucuta | Holiday Inn | Cucuta | Colombia |
Putian Xiuyu | Holiday Inn | Putian | Mainland China |
Shanghai Vista | Holiday Inn | Shanghai | Mainland China |
Monclova | Holiday Inn | Monclova | Mexico |
Cd. del Carmen | Holiday Inn Express | Ciudad del Carmen | Mexico |
Mexico Zona Rosa | Holiday Inn & Suites | Ciudad de Mexico | Mexico |
Toluca Zona Aeropuerto | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Toluca | Mexico |
Leon | Holiday Inn | Leon | Mexico |
Morelia | Holiday Inn | Morelia | Mexico |
Puebla Finsa | Holiday Inn | Puebla | Mexico |
San Luis Potosi-Quijote | Holiday Inn | San Luis Potosi | Mexico |
Hermosillo | Holiday Inn | Hermosillo | Mexico |
Matamoros | Holiday Inn | Matamoros | Mexico |
Coatzacoalcos | Holiday Inn | Coatzacoalcos | Mexico |
Xalapa | Holiday Inn Express | Xalapa | Mexico |
Ufa | Holiday Inn | Ufa | Russia |
Belgrade - City | Holiday Inn Express | Belgrade | Serbia |
Pretoria - Sunnypark | Holiday Inn Express | Pretoria | South Africa |
Ankara - Kavaklidere | Holiday Inn | Ankara | Turkey |
Istanbul - Altunizade | Holiday Inn Express | Istanbul | Turkey |
Merrillville | Candlewood Suites | Merrillville, IN | United States |
Cotulla | Candlewood Suites | Cotulla, TX | United States |
Floresville | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Floresville, TX | United States |
Harlingen | Candlewood Suites | Harlingen, TX | United States |
Houston CityCentre I-10 West | Candlewood Suites | Houston, TX | United States |
Getting IHG Points
If you need more points, IHG just launched a 75% buy points bonus promotion. This drops the price of IHG points to 0.57 cents each — less than TPG's valuation at 0.6 cents each — when you buy at least 26,000 points. This could be a good deal if you find a good value redemption at these or other IHG properties. However, if you don't have an immediate need for IHG points, it's best to wait until another 100% buy points promotion pops up.
Another way of getting IHG points is through the IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card — which is currently offering 80,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening plus an additional 40,000 bonus points after spending a total of $5,000 on purchases within 6 months of account opening . In addition to a solid sign-up bonus, this card helps you get more value out of your points by granting IHG Platinum Elite status — which has gotten me suite upgrades at many properties — and fourth-night free on awards stays.
Bottom Line
While the 2019 IHG category changes were rough overall, there were 145 properties that dropped in value. If you have existing points reservations at any of these properties, now is a good time to cancel your more-expensive reservation and re-book at the lower rate. Or, maybe this list prompts some ideas for an upcoming trip.
Just remember that there's a reason that these properties decreased in category. Check the cash price to make sure you're getting a good use out of your IHG points.
Full List
I promised you 145 properties decreasing in value, and we haven't covered all of them quite yet. So, here's the full chart of all IHG properties that just decreased in award price:
Hotel Name | Chain Description | City, State | Country | New Point Requirement (per night) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mendoza | InterContinental | Mendoza | Argentina | 20,000 |
Hawkesbury Valley | Crowne Plaza | Windsor, NW | Australia | 25,000 |
Fortaleza | Holiday Inn | Fortaleza | Brazil | 10,000 |
Natal | Holiday Inn | Natal - Rn | Brazil | 10,000 |
Sao Paulo Parque Anhembi | Holiday Inn | Sao Paulo | Brazil | 10,000 |
Medicine Hat Transcanada Hwy 1 | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Medicine Hat, AB | Canada | 20,000 |
Red Deer | Holiday Inn Express | Red Deer, AB | Canada | 15,000 |
West Edmonton | Holiday Inn & Suites | West Edmonton, AB | Canada | 20,000 |
Terrace | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Terrace, BC | Canada | 15,000 |
Fredericton-Lord Beaverbrook | Crowne Plaza | Fredericton, NB | Canada | 20,000 |
Cucuta | Holiday Inn | Cucuta | Colombia | 10,000 |
Montpellier - Corum | Crowne Plaza | Montpellier | France | 25,000 |
Paris - Charles de Gaulle | Crowne Plaza | Roissy-En-France | France | 25,000 |
Siegen | Holiday Inn Express | Siegen | Germany | 15,000 |
Singen | Holiday Inn Express | Singen | Germany | 15,000 |
Bengaluru Racecourse | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Bangalore | India | 15,000 |
Resort Miyazaki | Holiday Inn - ANA | Miyazaki-Shi | Japan | 15,000 |
Suwon Ingye | Holiday Inn Express | Suwon Si | Republic of Korea | 15,000 |
Vientiane | Crowne Plaza | Vientiane | Laos | 20,000 |
Changbaishan Suites | Holiday Inn | Jilin Province | China | 25,000 |
Beijing Temple Of Heaven | Holiday Inn | Beijing, BJ | China | 15,000 |
Putian Xiuyu | Holiday Inn | Putian, FJ | China | 10,000 |
Yangjiang City Center | HUALUXE | Yangjiang, GD | China | 30,000 |
Haikou Seaview | HUALUXE | Haikou, HA | China | 30,000 |
Hainan Clear Water Bay | Holiday Inn Resort | Sanya, HA | China | 15,000 |
Tangshan | InterContinental | Tangshan, HE | China | 20,000 |
Zhangjiakou | HUALUXE | Zhangjiakou, HE | China | 30,000 |
Nanchang High-tech Zone | HUALUXE | Nanchang, JX | China | 15,000 |
Shanghai Vista | Holiday Inn | Shanghai, SH | China | 10,000 |
Shanghai Expo | InterContinental | Shanghai, SH | China | 25,000 |
Heilong Lake | InterContinental | Meishan, SN | China | 25,000 |
Tianjin Haihe | Hotel Indigo | Tianjin, TJ | China | 15,000 |
Lhasa Paradise | InterContinental | Lhasa, XZ | China | 20,000 |
OneThousand Island Lake Resort | InterContinental | Hangzhou, ZJ | China | 40,000 |
HangzhouOneThousandIslandLake | Crowne Plaza | Hangzhou, ZJ | China | 25,000 |
Mexicali | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Mexicali, BN | Mexico | 15,000 |
Chihuahua | Staybridge Suites | Chihuahua, CH | Mexico | 15,000 |
Monclova | Holiday Inn | Monclova, CI | Mexico | 10,000 |
Torreon | Holiday Inn Express | Torreon, CI | Mexico | 15,000 |
Manzanillo | Holiday Inn Express | Manzanillo, CL | Mexico | 15,000 |
Cd. del Carmen | Holiday Inn Express | Ciudad Del Carmen, CM | Mexico | 10,000 |
Mexico City-Plaza Universidad | Holiday Inn | Ciudad De Mexico, DF | Mexico | 15,000 |
Ciudad de Mexico-Trade Center | Holiday Inn | Ciudad De Mexico, DF | Mexico | 20,000 |
Mexico Zona Rosa | Holiday Inn & Suites | Ciudad De Mexico, DF | Mexico | 10,000 |
Mexico Santa Fe | Holiday Inn Express | Ciudad De Mexico, DF | Mexico | 15,000 |
Mexico Santa Fe | Holiday Inn | Ciudad De Mexico, DF | Mexico | 15,000 |
Mexico - Toreo | Holiday Inn Express | Naucalpan, EM | Mexico | 15,000 |
Toluca Zona Aeropuerto | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Toluca, EM | Mexico | 10,000 |
Chilpancingo | Holiday Inn | Chilpancingo, GR | Mexico | 15,000 |
Leon Plaza Mayor | Holiday Inn & Suites | Leon, GT | Mexico | 15,000 |
Leon | Holiday Inn | Leon, GT | Mexico | 10,000 |
Silao Aeropuerto - Terminal | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Silao, GT | Mexico | 15,000 |
Guadalajara Centro Historico | Holiday Inn & Suites | Guadalajara, JA | Mexico | 15,000 |
Guadalajara Expo | Holiday Inn | Zapopan, JA | Mexico | 15,000 |
Morelia | Holiday Inn | Morelia, MC | Mexico | 10,000 |
Huatulco | Holiday Inn | Santa Maria Huatulco, OA | Mexico | 15,000 |
Puebla | Staybridge Suites | Puebla, PU | Mexico | 15,000 |
Puebla Finsa | Holiday Inn | Puebla, PU | Mexico | 10,000 |
San Luis Potosi-Quijote | Holiday Inn | San Luis Potosi, SL | Mexico | 10,000 |
San Luis Potosi | Staybridge Suites | San Luis Potosi, SL | Mexico | 15,000 |
Hermosillo | Holiday Inn | Hermosillo, SO | Mexico | 10,000 |
Villahermosa | Crowne Plaza | Villahermosa, TB | Mexico | 20,000 |
Matamoros | Holiday Inn | Matamoros, TM | Mexico | 10,000 |
Coatzacoalcos | Holiday Inn | Coatzacoalcos, VE | Mexico | 10,000 |
Xalapa | Holiday Inn Express | Xalapa, VE | Mexico | 10,000 |
Muscat OCEC | Crowne Plaza | Muscat | Oman | 25,000 |
Moscow - Tagansky | Holiday Inn | Moscow | Russia | 15,000 |
Moscow - Seligerskaya | Holiday Inn | Moscow | Russia | 15,000 |
St. Petersburg - Tchaikovskogo | Hotel Indigo | St. Petersburg | Russia | 25,000 |
Ufa | Holiday Inn | Ufa | Russia | 10,000 |
Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention | Crowne Plaza | Riyadh | Saudi Arabia | 25,000 |
Belgrade - City | Holiday Inn Express | Belgrade | Serbia | 10,000 |
Cape Town | Holiday Inn | Cape Town | South Africa | 15,000 |
Pretoria - Sunnypark | Holiday Inn Express | Pretoria | South Africa | 10,000 |
Ankara - Kavaklidere | Holiday Inn | Ankara | Turkey | 10,000 |
Bursa - City Centre | Holiday Inn | Bursa | Turkey | 15,000 |
Istanbul - Altunizade | Holiday Inn Express | Istanbul | Turkey | 10,000 |
Istanbul - Tuzla Bay | Holiday Inn | Istanbul | Turkey | 15,000 |
Cardiff | Hotel Indigo | Cardiff | United Kingdom | 45,000 |
Norwich | Holiday Inn Express | Norwich | United Kingdom | 15,000 |
Wigan | Holiday Inn Express | Wigan | United Kingdom | 15,000 |
Birmingham Five Points S - UAB | Hotel Indigo | Birmingham, AL | United States | 25,000 |
Morrilton | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Morrilton, AR | United States | 15,000 |
Goodland | Kimpton | Goleta, CA | United States | 45,000 |
Sawyer Hotel | Kimpton | Sacramento, CA | United States | 45,000 |
Sunnyvale - Silicon Valley | Holiday Inn Express | Sunnyvale, CA | United States | 30,000 |
Angler's Hotel South Beach | Kimpton | Miami Beach, FL | United States | 55,000 |
Vero Beach Hotel and Spa | Kimpton | Vero Beach, FL | United States | 60,000 |
Crestwood | Holiday Inn Express | Crestwood, IL | United States | 15,000 |
Merrillville | Candlewood Suites | Merrillville, IN | United States | 10,000 |
Tell City | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Tell City, IN | United States | 15,000 |
Vincennes | Holiday Inn Express | Vincennes, IN | United States | 15,000 |
Atchison | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Atchison, KS | United States | 15,000 |
Alexandria | Candlewood Suites | Alexandria, LA | United States | 15,000 |
Morgan City - Tiger Island | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Morgan City, LA | United States | 15,000 |
Hotel Monaco Baltimore | Kimpton | Baltimore, MD | United States | 35,000 |
Belcamp - Aberdeen Area | Holiday Inn | Belcamp, MD | United States | 15,000 |
Pocomoke City | Holiday Inn Express | Pocomoke City, MD | United States | 20,000 |
Benton Harbor | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Benton Harbor, MI | United States | 25,000 |
Bemidji | Candlewood Suites | Bemidji, MN | United States | 15,000 |
Tryon Park Hotel | Kimpton | Charlotte, NC | United States | 45,000 |
Minot | Staybridge Suites | Minot, ND | United States | 15,000 |
Williston | Candlewood Suites | Williston, ND | United States | 20,000 |
Omaha West | Staybridge Suites | Omaha, NE | United States | 20,000 |
Omaha - 120th and Maple | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Omaha, NE | United States | 15,000 |
Salem (I-93 At Exit 2) | Holiday Inn | Salem, NH | United States | 20,000 |
Jersey City - Harborside | Candlewood Suites | Jersey City, NJ | United States | 30,000 |
Totowa Wayne | Holiday Inn | Totowa, NJ | United States | 20,000 |
Roswell | Holiday Inn | Roswell, NM | United States | 15,000 |
Malone | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Malone, NY | United States | 20,000 |
Toledo-Maumee (I-80/90) | Holiday Inn | Maumee, OH | United States | 20,000 |
Medina | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Medina, OH | United States | 15,000 |
Columbus South - Obetz | Holiday Inn Express | Obetz, OH | United States | 15,000 |
Toledo - Rossford - Perrysburg | Staybridge Suites | Rossford, OH | United States | 20,000 |
Sunbury-Columbus Area | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Sunbury, OH | United States | 15,000 |
Alva | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Alva, OK | United States | 15,000 |
Midwest City | Candlewood Suites | Del City, OK | United States | 15,000 |
Guymon | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Guymon, OK | United States | 15,000 |
Perry | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Perry, OK | United States | 15,000 |
Belle Vernon | Candlewood Suites | Belle Vernon, PA | United States | 15,000 |
Pittsburgh-Cranberry Township | Staybridge Suites | Warrendale, PA | United States | 20,000 |
Bay City | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Bay City, TX | United States | 15,000 |
Brookshire - Katy Freeway | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Brookshire, TX | United States | 15,000 |
Brownsville | Holiday Inn | Brownsville, TX | United States | 15,000 |
Cotulla | Candlewood Suites | Cotulla, TX | United States | 10,000 |
Cuero | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Cuero, TX | United States | 15,000 |
Floresville | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Floresville, TX | United States | 10,000 |
Harlingen | Candlewood Suites | Harlingen, TX | United States | 10,000 |
HOU I-10 West Energy Corridor | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Houston, TX | United States | 15,000 |
Houston CityCentre I-10 West | Candlewood Suites | Houston, TX | United States | 10,000 |
Houston NW Beltway 8-West Road | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Houston, TX | United States | 15,000 |
Houston SW - Galleria Area | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Houston, TX | United States | 15,000 |
Houston W - Westchase Area | Staybridge Suites | Houston, TX | United States | 20,000 |
Kenedy | Holiday Inn Express | Kenedy, TX | United States | 15,000 |
Perryton | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Perryton, TX | United States | 15,000 |
Plano - The Colony | Staybridge Suites | The Colony, TX | United States | 20,000 |
Lorien Hotel and Spa | Kimpton | Alexandria, VA | United States | 45,000 |
South Hill | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | South Hill, VA | United States | 15,000 |
Taconic Hotel | Kimpton | Manchester, VT | United States | 45,000 |
Platteville | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Platteville, WI | United States | 15,000 |
Fairmont | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Fairmont, WV | United States | 20,000 |
Weston | Holiday Inn Express & Suites | Weston, WV | United States | 20,000 |
Tamanaco Caracas | InterContinental | Caracas | Venezuela | 25,000 |
Hanoi Landmark72 | InterContinental | Hanoi | Vietnam | 30,000 |
Mutare | Holiday Inn | Mutare | Zimbabwe | 15,000 |