IHG One Rewards is back with one of its biggest flash sales: a 100% bonus on purchased points, bringing the cost down to 0.5 cents each. If you’ve been eyeing InterContinentals, Kimptons, or those surprisingly good-value Holiday Inns in expensive cities, this might be worth a look.

But as always with buying points, the devil is in the details (and the math). Let’s break down what this promo actually offers and when it makes sense to take advantage of it.

The Offer: Up to 100% Bonus on Purchased IHG Points

[Promotion Link]

This flash sale runs through December 11, 2025, and your bonus depends on how many points you buy.

Here are the tiers:

1,000–10,000 points: No bonus (terrible value)
11,000–25,000 points: 100% bonus (≈0.58¢ per point)
26,000–300,000 points: 100% bonus (≈0.5¢ per point — the sweet spot)

The winning move:

Buy 26,000+ points to lock in the lowest possible rate.

A few terms to know:

Promo may be targeted (check your account to confirm)
You can buy up to 300,000 points before the bonus
Points can take up to 72 hours to post
Purchases are final

When Buying IHG Points Is Actually a Good Move

1. You already have a specific hotel in mind — and the cash rate is high

IHG pricing is dynamic, which means award nights don’t follow a fixed chart. Sometimes cash rates get absurdly expensive while award rates stay reasonable.

If the cash rate at your hotel is inflated, buying points at 0.5¢ each may legitimately save you hundreds.

2. You’re topping up a balance for an immediate booking

If you’re just a few thousand points short of an award and don’t want to transfer from your credit card, buying points is the simplest and cheapest solution.

When You Should Skip This Promo

Buying points can feel like a deal, but here’s when you should avoid it:

1. You don’t have a booking in mind yet

IHG can and will adjust pricing without warning. Buying points “just to have them” is rarely smart.

2. You’re chasing a questionable redemption

Not all IHG hotels offer good value. Don’t buy points only to redeem them for 0.3–0.4¢ stays.

3. You prefer flexible currencies

Chase Ultimate Rewards, Bilt Points, Amex, and Wells Fargo all transfer to stronger hotel and airline partners. Don’t lock yourself into IHG unless you have a specific plan.