Best Ways to Use IHG One Rewards Points

By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated June 2026
The short answer: IHG points are low value individually but plentiful, and the best uses are the fourth reward night free (a card benefit), high-end IHG brands like InterContinental, Six Senses, and Regent, and properties with steep cash rates. Redeem in volume at the right hotels rather than chasing a per-point ideal.

Earn a lot, spend at the top

IHG points, like Hilton, are worth less per point but easy to pile up, so the strategy is to redeem big balances where cash rates are high. IHG has expanded into luxury (InterContinental, Six Senses, Regent, Kimpton), and those premium properties are where points deliver the most value against expensive cash rates. See the IHG One Rewards guide.

Use the fourth night free

IHG cardholders get the fourth reward night free on award stays of four or more nights, effectively a 25 percent discount, which is one of the best reasons to hold an IHG card. Combine it with high-rate properties and you stretch a points balance meaningfully. IHG prices awards dynamically, so compare points to the cash rate before booking.

How to decide

Measure each redemption against the cash rate rather than a fixed per-point target, lean on the fourth-night-free benefit, and save points for premium or high-demand stays. Points come fast through stays, promotions, and the cards, so redeem rather than hoard. See how to book a hotel with points.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to use IHG points?
At high-end IHG brands (InterContinental, Six Senses, Regent) and high-cash-rate properties, using the fourth reward night free that IHG cardholders get on stays of four or more nights.
Do IHG points expire?
IHG points can expire after a period of inactivity, but any account activity (earning or redeeming) typically resets the clock, and holding an IHG card usually keeps them active. Check the current program rules.

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Bryce Casson

Bryce Casson, Founder of Cardocrat. Every card is ranked by what it actually returns, with all points valued at a flat 1 cent and offers verified against issuer sources. About the author.