We Just Bought 500K IHG Points

Today we share why we bought 500k points on IHG.
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We will share how we got a great deal on these points and what we will be using these points on. We have the Chase IHG card and we love the benefits we get from it.
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[@paullarocca729]

Would you guys consider doing a tutorial on how you find the best point deals on the IHG app if you want to run a wide open (worldwide) search on the best point deal available for a flexible date range within a certain month of the year?

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Something is coming on that front soon

[@lynnbutler2826]

⁠Awesome! We’re interested in that too

[@CottonChristian-e3r]

Clark Timothy Jones Jennifer Hernandez Michael

[@JayandTanyaTravel]

This was great information. I just bought 500k IHG points yesterday and am starting to block out 8-day minimum stays. Using my IHG premium credit card, of course. First stop, Barcelona next month and picking up a couple of free nights as well. We're going to go the IHG route in 2024 as much as we can and see how well it goes. Thanks for the tips.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Awesome! Let us know how you like it!

[@apakabar9022]

Where is the link to buy it? Is it still on

[@katherinebawerman311]

Johnson Steven Martinez Betty Thomas Charles

[@RicardoButler-s7p]

Hernandez George White Timothy Walker Michael

[@paulfelkner6749]

I'm IHG Diamond and Marriott Titanium - the trouble is that there are very few IHG hotels with lounges. Recommend Intercontinental Istanbul at 33K points and 24K Amman. I think the IC brand is under priced and under pointed compared to Marriott's luxury brands. Great value in Japan, good work.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Thanks! Those sound like nice IC's. We've found some Crowne Plaza properties in Asia that are a good value with lounges. We will know soon if we like them!

[@30AndAWakeUp]

Great info. Just signed up using your link. I’ve been traveling full time since 2019. Currently living on cruise ships a year but transitioning to country hopping in May and after years of staying in mostly airbnbs…you guys convinced me to give the hotels a try. Going to stick with mostly IHG and Hyatt since I’ve already have a ton of points on my Chase Sapphire Reserve. Again, thanks for the info! Great stuff! 😊

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Awesome, we checked out your channel too! Very interested in your cruise! If you are in Asia, the status will take you a long way.

[@LawrenceStevens01]

@30AndAwakeup. I liked to learn more about long-term cruise ship living.

[@HeidiPorter-q9f]

Jones Mark Hernandez James Martinez Michelle

[@ronnyb9416]

OH NO!!!!! Looks like IHG is now starting to offer an 80% bonus rather than the previous 100%. Just received the 80% offer today on 24 April 2024. Is this now the new offer with the 100% a thing of the past? 😢

[@carollipstone3587]

I got the same offer and am wondering the same thing!

[@FahlstromJohn]

if you look at the historic offers they alternate between 100 and 80 so assume if we wait the 100 offer might come back in future

[@30AndAWakeUp]

Not sure if you guys say it but right now you can transfer chase sapphire points to IHG with a 60% bump in points. So a 10000 point transfer would get you 16000 IHG points.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

We are hoping for a transfer bonus to Hyatt, not sure if there ever will be. But, we are working on Globalist too. Right now we have have 107 nights booked at IHG but only 48 at Hyatt so we need 12 more!

[@kenmeyer5930]

Hmmm. 10000 points per night seems low to me. More like 25000 or more. I like your strategy though.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

It's pretty easy to find great IHG properties under 10k points outside North America.

[@ua1514]

I do the same thing. My most recent four night stay would have cost $600 in cash but only cost $300 worth of points. Insane value. 👍

[@jeremycain2491]

Nice video, thanks! Question: with the IHG Premier credit card, you are not able to get an additional 20% off the 100% sale, correct? I saw it in terms and conditions for card, but wanted to make sure.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

You are correct, both don't apply at once.

[@jonathancbc]

Interesting to see how the hotel industry is figuring out ways to compete for the AirBnb market. Looking at the comments, you've given momentum to this. You may have covered this, but I'm unclear if the club status is acquired building up the 40 nights, or only after that threshold is reached. Maybe just clarify that in a later video on the topic. Also, when you cover this topic again, why is it worth it to build status on multiple brands, when IHG seems to give the best result and they have many sub-brands. Thanks.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

It is squired after staying for 40 nights, but our room rate included it so we got it earlier.

[@tedlasalvia9668]

Updated comment - 6/28/24 - Thanks to this video, I just received an offer from IHG to buy points with a 100% bonus, which I jumped on immediately. I too purchased the full 250K points and was given a bonus of 250K. A huge thank you for pointing this out to us and I was able to put your information into practice!!!

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Awesome!

[@prettygeorgialady1249]

I purchased points to go to NYC and saved about $35 per night paying with points. Great strategy. Happy Holidays Rob & Allie.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Thanks, and to you as well!

[@tedlasalvia9668]

Hello folks. I noticed at IHG that the point bonus is only at 80% right now through March 7th. I've seen that the bonus amount has gone as high as 100% (which is what you received). Is there a time of the season to look for to get that bonus %? I'm not sure of how IHG sets that bonus %. Any thoughts on this would be helpful!

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

We would wait, they usually do 100 every few months.

[@tedlasalvia9668]

@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel Thank you for the awesomely fast response!!!

[@gif24gt60]

How do find the cheapest point hotels? The website is difficult to navigate to find.😮

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

We search on the app, and then click flexible dates on the hotel page, and it shows you a calendar of the points needed for the whole year

[@brucebelcher4995]

Good for both of you! I appreciate the comforts of home so I would not want to travel enough to make this worthwhile for me, but this seems great for people who travel a lot. I like getting a deal, you have worked out the math on your deal, so I appreciate the deal that you got. The free meals are a great bonus. Congratulations!!!

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Thanks!

[@JacobsPointsAndProfit]

I'm assuming you'll stay enough nights to earn Diamond elite status so it'll be interesting to hear about that in the future. Do you earn any credit card points on this kind of purchase, like 10x for IHG hotel purchases or 3x for the "everything else" category?

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Yes, I think it's just the 3x everything else for the points. We are planning to get diamond by the summer, so it'll be interesting to see how it is.

[@kevinkeene1593]

Of the IHG brands, I really like Candlewood Suites. Twice, I've stayed for several weeks while recovering from surgeries.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Great thanks for the feedback, we will have to try one soon!

[@TracyY-mr7xq]

Which hotel points/card works best in Europe, like UK? Thinking about going to UK in the summer.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

We like IHG and Hyatt there

[@paullarocca729]

Just to double check, Intercontinental has the club lounges but you still need 40 nights before you can use it, right?

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Yes, that's right

[@gregb5876]

Since you like Intercontinental... Have you looked at buying into the Ambassador program?

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

We have but we already get the Platinum status with the IHG card, so we aren't sure if it's worth it.

[@AnnThrockmorton]

That's so cool! 😎. Congratulations on your strategy, and TFS!!

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Thanks

[@galt67]

Are you certain about IHG club level access simply by holding the IHG card? This contradicts multiple web sites that say that’s is NOT the case. Only AFTER staying 40 nights at IHG properties does this benefit seem to kick-in.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

I think we say exactly that at the 1:30 mark of the video, that we are earning club access after 40 nights. Although, for our first 40 nights we've reserved a room with club access included so we will have it the entire time.

[@M-M.Wunderlust]

Hi Allie and Rob, we keep getting point offers for IHG. The caveat is that they are only offering 50-60% offers for the points. Is there something we need to do to bump it up to 100%?

[@youngmultac]

I don't know if you guys made a video on it or not but it would be cool if you guys make a video talking about the ihg one dine and earn rewards. Nobody ever talks about that extra benefit

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

It is great, thanks for the reminder. We got quite a bit off meals at a few hotels.

[@bob-d3908]

Was going to buy points after watching video but I only see them at 80% not 100%

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

It's random if you get the 80 or 100, most are getting 100, you must have gotten unlucky this time. They'll probably do it again early next year.

[@LawrenceStevens01]

I just applied for the credit card you recommended. I was hoping to go to Rivera Maya or Costa Rica but the points don't go very far in March. Lol

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Yes, those spring break dates will get you!

[@blinkingowl7778]

Good information. Is there a reason you chose IHG rather than Marriott for international travel? We only travel part time but have been Marriott Bonvoy members. I’m wondering if we should consider changing…

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

The points are much cheaper to buy, and the points needed for a free night are also lower usually. Also they give Platinum status with their credit card. Marriott is our second choice, we will use them too when it's a better deal.

[@RosarioBillingsley]

Wish you would have let us know about this offer sooner. Looks like it's about gone now.

[@KeithBan]

Thank you for sharing with us such valuable information and insights! I just discovered your channel!

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@drothberg3]

Intriguing idea. I'd be concerned, though, that living in a hotel I'd eat less healthfully and too much, that I'd gain weight and become less healthy.

[@markandannette]

IHG is offering a special on points right now, not sure if it is worth it, not the ½ off that you guys mentioned but buy one point get .8 points. Should we get this deal or wait and hope for buy one point get one point. IHG does typically run this at the end of the year correct?

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

We are waiting to see if they do the 100% match again, they likely will. They did it once in January already.

[@markandannette]

@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel thanks so much, we have lots of Chase Saphire points we can transfer if needed, I know I should use it for Hyatt but we are going to Montenegro and there are no Hyatt hotels close

[@sylvial3815]

Glad you are going to northern Japan especially Akita. I have watched video about Akita, it should be beautiful there especially in the Fall.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Awesome, we are excited!

[@PaulA-z4i]

Thanks. With your shift to long term stays in hotels, how do you plan to work your laundry needs.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

They pretty much all have laundry, and with status some of them will do it for you.

[@BarryWilder-b9v]

If you want international followers please tell us how many points we will need. Only USA can receive the credit card.

[@XTRMOverland]

my wife got the IHG card and tried booking 4 night stay and while searching the listing would say 12K points per night for 4 nights, she tried booking for 4 nights hoping to get 4th night free but then it shows 16K per night for 3 nights and 4th night free which does not make sense when she was explaining it to me...the total for 4 nights was equivalent to paying 12k per night and does not seem like it was giving 4th night since it was charging 48k total points...has this happened to anyone? or are we getting this all wrong?

[@travelandvino2738]

Thanks for sharing this idea, I am curious if you still have to pay local tourist taxes at these hotels?

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

We will let you know if we do

[@theinternationalist1357]

Oh forgot to ask, so if purchasing at .05 ccp, how do we know which hotel and amount of points to get the best value? You mentioned 10,000 per night, so over 10k pts is a good deal?... Anything lower is so so ok deal?

[@druiz012]

More points means it costs more. So for instance 20k points would be $100 a night, 30k points $150,10k points $50, 5k points $25

[@theinternationalist1357]

@@druiz012 Ok, so we should look for the lower points, correct?

[@comment5884]

❤ wow never thought about this, but with your example. Thanks

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Travelers4Good]

Just pulled the trigger on 500k points.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

We did too! Would love to hear where you end up staying.

[@TravelNearorFar]

When you purchase these points, do they expire?

[@apakabar9022]

Where is the link to buy?

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

If there's a deal it'll show in the app

[@bettinacarr4222]

I like you guys!

[@ShaneRobinsonArtist]

I have learned SO MUCH from your videos and am happy to be a member of this channel! 🤗 Starting in 2025 I'm traveling solo full time and am using your videos to learn about every aspect. I've been trying to figure out how in the world you're getting 15K point nights in Yokohama and Hanoi InterContinentals??? So I read through the comments on this video and found the "secret" tip of using the app, selecting the hotel, and then using the tiny "Flexible Dates" link. 🤯 (mind blown) But looking through every month, for both InterContinentals, all the way out to April, 2025 (as far as the booking calendar goes) there's NOTHING for less than 20-21K points per night. Where/How in the world are you getting 15K points per night at those locations? 🙏🏼

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

I'm seeing 15k per night in Yokohama for January 6-10, 2025. The key is to search in 4 night blocks. Also you would need to have the IHG Premiere credit card. Once you have that card linked to your account the 4th night is free on points stays. So if you are seeing 20k per night that is 80k for 4 nights, but with the card it'll show up as 4th night free so -20k for a total of 60k for the 4 nights or 15k per night. If you have the card and just search for one night it'll just show the regular 20k. Hope that made sense! Edit: just checked Landmark 72 in Hanoi, it should be showing 14.8k per night Feb. 7-11, 2025. That Landmark is by far the nicest lounge we've ever been to. Earn your lounge access before going there!

[@ShaneRobinsonArtist]

@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel WOW Thanks so much for the fast reply! I was searching in 8 night blocks. And I was using the "Flexible Dates" trick like you mentioned in a comment below. And yep I have the IHG Premiere card and have already spent the $3k and the 165,000 bonus points are still pending until the next statement. But I only have 10,142 points on the acct until the 165K clears. So perhaps that's the difference in what I'm seeing -vs- you're seeing? I'll try again with the details you provided above. And Mahalo Nui Loa (Deep Hearted Thank You in Hawaiian) for your videos and the incredible info you share!! 🙏🏼

[@ShaneRobinsonArtist]

PS: I also have the 250K points at 80% bonus offer and was planning on buying 250K (for a total of 450K) before the offer is over on June 7th. My concern is that if they offer the 100% bonus later this year it will only be on 150K points purchase max. And I'd rather have the 450K points -vs- the 300K points. I'm fine spending $0.0055 for 450K points -vs- $0.005 for only 300K points. I know you can't tell the future... so there's no way to know if IHG will do another 250K @ 100% bonus this year or a 150K @ 100% bonus.

[@Tyrantt__]

When buying points, how does the transaction list? Would it better to buy points with the IHG card if it counts as an IHG purchase or another card if it’s considered travel or maybe just a catch all card?

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Catch all, it doesn't code as travel

[@theinternationalist1357]

Y'all are living a good life. Questions: In Japan, is intercontinental better than ANA Crown Plaza? Does these hotels have hotspring or public bath available in these hotels? Can't wait to see your hotel stays and the reviews. Also, thinking to get IHG credit card. Have fun 😊

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Usually the intercontinental is considered a higher tier than Crowne plaza, and costs more points.

[@theinternationalist1357]

@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel Ok, please let me know if intercontinental have public bath or hot spring at their hotel. Currently, I only stay at a Japanese hotel just because of the hotspring. TIA.

[@theinternationalist1357]

@@ericjohnson7876 I think the 4th night is free, pay with points on 1st, 2nd, 3rd than the 4th is free, which is 20% discount.

[@hjdreams1429]

Thanks for doing all the research!

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Our pleasure!

[@scriptimonicaonset]

Do you ever stay at Verbo?

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Not that often

[@juliepowell3566]

Love your info 🥰

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Thank you!!

[@01akqueen]

Do you have to pay maintenace fees for tour points? If so, how does that impact your calculations?

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

No there are no fees

[@livingworkingoutsidebox]

I think you answered my 40 nights status upgrade here. So on 41st stay you now have the upgraded status. 👍💡🤔🌞💪 Thanks.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Yes, starting with 41st night