IHG cardholders and select elite members: Get 20% off award stays of 3 nights or less

IHG One Rewards' award discount is back, offering select members 20% off award stays of three nights or less. IHG One Rewards offered members with a Chase IHG Rewards credit card early access to the sale starting Jan. 9. But now, Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite members also have access to discounted award stays.

On Jan. 9, IHG members with a Chase IHG Rewards credit card got an email about this promotion (mine was titled "Hey Kathryn, enjoy 20% off Reward Nights through 3/10").

When I log-in to my account, do an eligible award search and select a hotel, I see a message stating, "As a cardmember, you are eligible for a 20% discount on Reward Nights."

Eligible IHG members can get a 20% discount on reward nights when booking stays of three consecutive nights or less by Jan. 20. Eligible members must log into their IHG One Rewards account, book award stays at participating hotels and start their stay by March 10, 2023, to be eligible for the discount.

IHG is also discounting the cash portion of points and cash awards.

Skeptics may note that IHG uses dynamic pricing and could raise award prices due to this promotion. So, I checked that IHG is applying a discount by searching for the above award at the Crowne Plaza: Atlanta - Midtown in Georgia when logged out of my IHG One Rewards account (which is linked to an eligible IHG cobranded card account). Here are the award prices I found when logged out of my account:

As you can see, IHG discounts both the points and the points and cash rate when I'm logged in. You don't need to register for the promotion or do anything special to get the discount if you're an eligible member — just log in to your IHG account and search for award nights as you usually would.

Based on my searches, even Six Senses properties that you can book with IHG points are discounted during this promotion — like this example at Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives.

Since this promotion is only for award stays of three nights or less, it isn't stackable with the fourth-night reward offered as a benefit on the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card, IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card and IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card.

If you're eligible for this promotion, check award rates and consider rebooking if you have IHG award stays booked during the stay period.

Related: What is IHG One Rewards elite status worth?

Bottom line

If you have a stay of three nights or less coming up with IHG and are eligible, check if this 20% discount changes your calculations on whether you should book a paid stay or redeem IHG points.

If you need to earn more IHG One Rewards points, remember that you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points and Bilt Rewards points to IHG. But, depending on how you value these currencies, you may be better off buying the IHG points you need.

Related: Should you buy IHG points or transfer points from Chase?