Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used...
Edited by: Keri Stooksbury
With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now Editor-in-Chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...
11 comments
Michael
February 22, 2018
Informative article Spencer. Brought me up the curve on a program I was not too familiar with. Using your Free Night at an InterContinental is the way to go.
Jordan
July 16, 2018
What about Liverpool, NY staybridge suites for 15k? Near the big mall too.
Maggie
June 28, 2019
Before transferring Chase UR points to IHG to book a specific hotel, check the Chase travel portal to see how many UR points it would cost if booking directly through Chase. If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, each point is worth 1.5 cents. The Intercontinental Hong Kong, which costs 70,000 IHG points, can be had for less than 30,000 Chase UR points.
Katie Seemann
June 29, 2019
Hi Maggie,
Yes, that’s a great tip! Thanks for sharing.
Jessica
October 05, 2019
Great article! Thanks.
I have a Chase Sapphire Reserve, but am considering IHG Chase with current sign up bonus of 125,000 miles. Worth it for the first year? Or just book through existing card?
Jarrod West
October 05, 2019
Hi Jessica,
The IHG Premier card is definitely a great option if you frequent IHG hotels, especially since it gives you Platinum status and your 4th night free on award stays!
Thanks for reading!
Ryan
October 20, 2019
This article needs tidying up. For example, offhand I can tell you that InterContinental Budapest is 40k points per night, not 35k. Additionally, if the IC Malta is category 8 and IC Porto is a category 9, how can they both be 45k? Same question for IC Porto and IC Moorea? Both are listed as cat 9 but the former is 45k while the latter is 50k.
Stephen Au
October 21, 2019
Hi Ryan,
Thanks for your feedback. We’ve updated the guide to reflect the true redemption prices and categories.
MICHAEL H
March 08, 2020
Great information. I currently hold the IHG MasterCard and one cool benefit is the 4th night free which can be combined to 2 nights for an 8 night stay. 30000 points per night X *8 nights= 240000 Points Total -60000 (rebated) =180000 pt net.
Note that you need enough points for that 8 night stay and 2 points are credited back to your account.
Another person commented that he paid taxes on his annual free night yet I didn’t when I use mine at Crown Plaza near JFK airport but that night didn’t count point/ night wise for IHG status.
Mel
December 25, 2019
I just booked the Kimpton Tryon in Charlotte with my annual free night, but they also charged me tax. I was also surprised to see that their statement about award nights says ANY and does not mention the 40K max value. Rate Description: CHASE FREE NIGHT CERTIFICATES ARE AWARDED TO IHG REWARDS CLUB SELECT CREDIT CARDHOLDERS ON THEIR CARD MEMBERSHIP ANNIVERSARY DATE. THE CERTIFICATE IS VALID FOR 1 FREE NIGHT AT ANY IHG PROPERTY WORLDWIDE.
Jarrod West
December 26, 2019
Hi Mel,
When did you sign up for the card? If the free night certificate was issued before May 1st of 2019, then that is why it was uncapped. All others after that should be capped at 40k.
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