IHG PointBreaks promotion discontinued, future uncertain

Jan. 29, 2020

•

2 min read

IHG PointBreaks promotion discontinued, future uncertain

This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.

For years, the IHG PointBreaks list was one of the most eagerly-anticipated deals among points and miles enthusiasts. Each quarter, IHG would release a list of select properties around the world (even five-star hotels) priced at just 5,000 points per night. That's unbelievably cheap.

But nothing gold can stay. In early 2018, IHG sharply devalued IHG PointBreaks, introducing three different price points:

5,000 points
10,000 points
15,000 points

This extra pricing tiers brought along a large increase in the number of eligible PointBreaks hotels. While the devaluation miffed the free travel community, the promotional award prices were still a great deal. TPG currently values IHG points at 0.5 cents each, so even the highest-tier 15,000-point award is equivalent to just $75 per night.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

We now have another PointBreaks update: The new list, which should have been released Jan. 27, has failed to appear. TPG reached out to IHG, and they responded:

"We do not have a new IHG Rewards Club PointBreaks promotion planned currently."

It's unclear if IHG is retiring the promotion altogether or simply putting it on pause for now.

This is likely to upset a lot of IHG loyalists, along with many who recently opened the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card with its current bonus of 140,000 bonus points + 1 free night after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. PointBreaks was one of the best ways to redeem IHG points — especially for those who like to stretch their points for the most stays — and now it's not an option.

Related: The best hotel credit cards

We're not certain that IHG PointBreaks is gone for good. TPG has reached out to IHG again for clarification, and will update this post when we hear more.

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.