You can buy IHG points directly from the IHG Rewards Club, and the cost per point varies based on how many you purchase at once
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) sells points through its Rewards Club program in bundles ranging from small top-ups to large packages. The price per point drops as you buy more — a single purchase of 10,000 points costs more per point than a purchase of 100,000 points. IHG also runs periodic promotions where you get bonus points on top of what you buy, which can lower your effective cost.
You do not need to be a member to buy points, though you do need an IHG Rewards Club account to hold them. The purchase process takes place on the IHG website, and the points appear in your account within minutes. You can then use those points to book hotel stays, pay for room upgrades, or cover incidental charges at participating IHG properties.
Key Takeaways
- IHG points are sold in bundles on the IHG Rewards Club website, with per-point pricing that decreases as bundle size increases.
- Promotional offers that add bonus points on top of your purchase appear regularly and can reduce your effective cost per point.
- Points land in your account within minutes and can be used when ready for hotel bookings or room upgrades at IHG properties.
- You can combine purchased points with points earned from credit card spending or hotel stays to reach higher redemption tiers.
How to find the current point purchase options on IHG's website
Log into your IHG Rewards Club account at ihg.com. Once you are signed in, look for the "Buy Points" link, which is typically located in the account menu or under the Rewards section. Click it to see the available bundles and their prices.
The page displays each bundle size with the total cost in US dollars and the per-point price. Scroll through to compare — you will see that larger bundles have a lower per-point cost. Below each bundle, IHG shows whether a bonus offer is currently running. If a bonus is active, the page will show how many bonus points you receive on top of your purchase.
Read the terms before you buy. IHG sometimes limits bonuses to first-time point buyers or to specific account types. The purchase page will state any restrictions clearly.
What the point bundles cost and what bonus offers typically look like
IHG point bundles start at around 5,000 points and go up to 500,000 or more. A small bundle of 5,000 to 10,000 points might cost $0.015 to $0.018 per point, while a large bundle of 100,000 points might cost $0.012 to $0.014 per point. These prices fluctuate and are not fixed — IHG adjusts them based on demand and promotions.
Bonus offers typically add 10 to 50 percent extra points on top of your purchase. For example, a promotion might say "Buy 50,000 points and get 10,000 bonus points" — meaning you pay for 50,000 but receive 60,000. Some promotions are tiered: buy 25,000 and get 2,500 bonus, buy 50,000 and get 7,500 bonus. Bonuses are most common during slower travel seasons or when IHG is running a marketing campaign.
The effective cost per point with a bonus is lower than the stated price. If you buy 50,000 points at $0.014 per point ($700 total) and receive 10,000 bonus points, your effective cost is $700 ÷ 60,000 = $0.0117 per point.
When buying points makes sense versus earning them through credit cards or stays
Buying points is most useful when you have a specific redemption goal in mind and do not have enough points to reach it. For example, if you need 5,000 more points to book a free night at a property you want to visit next month, buying that small amount may be faster than waiting to earn points through credit card spending or hotel stays.
Buying points is generally less cost-effective than earning them through an IHG credit card, which typically awards points for every dollar spent and offers a welcome bonus of 50,000 to 150,000 points. If you have time before your trip, using a credit card for everyday purchases and paying your hotel bill with that card will accumulate points at no additional cost.
Buying points also makes sense if you are close to a redemption threshold and a bonus promotion is running. A 25 percent bonus offer can meaningfully reduce your per-point cost and might tip the math in favor of buying rather than waiting.
How to use purchased points for hotel bookings
Once your points are in your account, go to ihg.com and search for your hotel and dates as you normally would. On the search results page, you will see a toggle or filter option to show "Points + Cash" or "Points Only" redemptions. Select the option you prefer.
Points-only bookings let you pay entirely with points. Points + Cash bookings let you split the cost between points and a cash payment, which can be useful if you do not have enough points for the full stay. The search results show how many points each option costs.
Click on the room you want and proceed to checkout. Review the points cost, confirm your booking details, and complete the reservation. Your points are deducted from your account when ready, and you receive a confirmation email with your booking reference.
Redeeming points for room upgrades and other uses
Beyond booking free nights, you can use purchased points for room upgrades at check-in. Some IHG properties allow you to bid points for an upgrade before arrival, or you can ask at the front desk whether an upgrade is available for a points payment. The cost varies by property and room type — a standard upgrade might cost 5,000 to 15,000 points.
You can also use points to cover incidental charges such as resort fees, parking, or dining at some IHG properties. This option is less common than room bookings but is available at select locations. Check the property's website or call ahead to confirm whether they accept points for these charges.
Points can also be transferred to airline partners in the IHG Rewards program, though the transfer rate is typically 1 IHG point = 1 airline mile, which is often less valuable than redeeming points directly for hotel stays.
Things to know about point expiration and account policies
IHG points do not expire as long as your account remains active. Account activity includes earning or redeeming points, staying at an IHG hotel, or holding an IHG credit card. If your account goes inactive for three years with no activity, IHG may close it and points may be forfeited.
Purchased points are treated the same as earned points once they land in your account — there is no separate tracking or expiration date for them. If you buy points and then do not use your account for three years, those points are at risk of expiration along with any other points in the account.
IHG's terms of service state that points are non-transferable and have no cash value. You cannot sell them, give them to someone else, or redeem them for money. If your account is closed, any remaining points are lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy points as a gift for someone else?
No, IHG does not allow direct point transfers between accounts. You cannot buy points and send them to another person's account. However, you could purchase a gift card for an IHG property, which the recipient can use toward a stay.
Do I have to pay taxes on purchased points?
The points themselves are not taxable income — you are buying a product. However, if you redeem points for a hotel stay, the value of that stay may have tax implications depending on your location and the nature of the stay. Consult a tax professional if you have specific questions about your situation.
What happens if I buy points and then find a cheaper rate for the same hotel?
You can cancel a points booking up to 48 hours before arrival at most IHG properties and receive your points back. If you find a cheaper cash rate after booking with points, you can cancel and rebook at the lower rate, though you will need to pay cash instead of using points.
Are there limits on how many points I can buy at once?
IHG does not publish a maximum purchase limit on its website. Very large purchases may require you to contact IHG customer service directly, but most readers can buy the bundle sizes shown on the purchase page without restriction.
Do bonus points count toward elite status in the IHG Rewards program?
No, purchased points and bonus points do not count toward elite status qualification. Only points earned through hotel stays and credit card spending count toward elite tier thresholds. This is an important distinction if you are working toward a status level.