Which Hotel Points You Should Buy Now For 2025 Retirement Travel

[@sebastiaanthijn7982]

To be a successful business owner and investor, you have to be emotionally neutral to winning and losing. Winning and losing are just part of the game. Risk comes from not knowing what you are doing.

[@rodgertim2881]

You're speaking from experience?

[@sebastiaanthijn7982]

As a beginner, access to reliable information is vital to succeed, so also is professional guidance. That's where a CFP comes in. Have you considered working with one?

[@ZhannaDavidova]

I also have been advised on that. Finding one who understands what I want and can work with me to achieve it is essential, although I'm yet to find one. Any recommendations, please?

[@sebastiaanthijn7982]

Joseph Nick Cahill is the CFP for you. I recommend him because I understand where you stand and your need for a listening ear

[@BendyChoy]

I'm surprised that you just mentioned and recommended Joseph , I met him at a conference in 2018 and we have been working together ever since. Best financial decision of my life

[@Ann-jh9bn]

I love your channel! Thank you for all you do! Would you consider doing a travel points video just for travel in North America? I would love to figure out how to inexpensively make short trips in North America, until I am able to travel full-time. Thank you!!!

[@incantations446]

Yes!!!!!! I looked at the point sales and some places I wanted to go in the IS and it seemed to be the same as cash price. No deal. I would like to know how to look more effectively

[@tedlasalvia9668]

Wow...180 nights in 2025!!! I look forward to all of your future travel videos!!

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

We are excited too!

[@SoloRetirementwithLydia]

Sounds like 2025 is shaping up nicely for y'all! Looking forward to following more of your adventures!

[@downsizetoupsize]

This is exactly the video I needed to see! 🎉 thank you guys! Forwarding it to my husband, too.

[@qahtanalqaysi5116]

The only negative side is devaluation of purchasing the points is unknown and unpredictable at any moment, so I would ask other people to buy when they have already secured a legit plan for using it by actually booking their reservation immediately after they are buying it.

[@peteroreilly5363]

I love buying IHG points at .5 cents per point. Its such a win to be able to travel anywhere half price with the 4th night free and zero taxes!

[@robertmitchell8630]

Do you have to have the IHG credit card to purchase the points

[@keithkitelinger2624]

@@robertmitchell8630 You don't have to (I don't). If you don't their advice will not work for you. I have looked into buying the points, but looking at what the hotels charge for points (I'm planning on going to Paris or Porto next year) and they are charging at least .005 cents per point or more so you're not saving yourself anything. Looking at HIE Porto City Center April 16 4nts it's 33750 pts per night (cash price is $169/nt), so .005.

[@CT-lo9ot]

@@robertmitchell8630don’t believe so

[@scsu300]

Thanks for making these videos. Just loaded up on IHG points!

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

We did too and we got some Wyndham points!

[@BurtHwangYTTV]

@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel Clicked on your IHG link to buy points. I am only offered to buy points and get 80% more. I assume y'all are seeing 100%? I wonder if it's because I'm a 1 month old IHG member (Still trying to fulfill their spending quota to get the sign-on bonus)

[@MersMusings]

While I do enjoy a nice hotel and have racked up a fair amount of Hilton (Diamond) and IHG rewards through work travel, I feel like sticking exclusively to American chain hotels when traveling can mean missing out on a lot. Staying at local spots gives you a chance to soak up the local culture and meet other travelers from all over the world, each with their own stories and perspectives. That said, I’m headed to Hanoi soon and will use some IHG points there-it’s great to have that option! But for me, it’s all about balance. I like to sprinkle in stays at big chain hotels, not make them my default. I mean, if you’re just going to stay at the same kind of hotel you would in the U.S., why leave at all? Plus, in Southeast Asia, rooms can be so affordable that using points often isn’t worth it anyway. Just my two cents-everyone travels differently!

[@shirleyfitz14]

Loving your content. Thank you. Have been following for a few months. You are super business savvy and organized. Got my points lined up prepping for more travel in the near future. 👏🏾

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@blueyedkansan]

Wow another really informative video. Y'all just keep giving me good ideas. We just booked 30 nights across SE Asia this winter for the equivalent of $43.00 per night with IHG purchased points and now I am headed for Wyndham. Been a Wyndham member for years using 2-star hotels but have let our points dwindle down as we are exploring IHG. Now I am giving Wyndham another look and thinking I need to buy points. Thanks again for doing the research.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

That is awesome!

[@soapa4279]

I'm Cambodian American, enjoy your time in Siem Riep! I'm sure you guys will stop by to see Angkor Wat. Good to know there's a nice hotel chain in that area and will probably where I go whenever I visit myself. Hope everything goes well!

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@GettyOfficial]

As always, another gem dropped. Thank you. Will definitely look into Wyndham.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Thanks!

[@travelingexpats]

Great video! Love your channel and advice.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Thanks so much!

[@mississippiapple1078]

Omg half a year on points and hotels!!

[@RandyBertrand]

Going through the numbers on the 3-bedroom beach front Vietnam Villa for a night during Christmas week, gives a 50% savings using points over cash :) Its $215/night including taxes or 15,000 points (equivalent to $108 with the point sale at 45% bonus). I have the Wyndham Business Earners Card which give a 10% discount on points used. So this villa would cost only 13,500 points or $97. A 55% savings using points over cash!

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

It's a pretty great deal!

[@greggordillo2502]

Another great, informative video. Thank you! My question: When planning to stay at an IHG property for an extended period such as 28 days, do you book a single reservation making sure that it is some multiple of 4 nights; or do you make multiple reservations in 4 night increments (so, 7 reservations to stay 28 nights)?

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

We just do one big reservation of 28 days

[@user-ku3fq9zb2m]

We just bought all we could of the Wyndham points. If you get the credit card, the cost in points per night is also even lower!

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Thanks! We are thinking about getting that one too, might be good if we go this route

[@joannelamar6389]

Wyndham hotels can be a hit or miss. Some are very sketchy. Hopefully I can learn more about them through your channel.

[@BigRockReport]

Hey great info! Do you always get the 4th nite FREE when using IHG points or do you have to have a certain status?

[@peterjanney3070]

The 4th night free is a benefit of the Chase IHG Premier credit card. No status required. Get the card, buy the points, book multiples of 4 nights. Note it is not 25% off. It is literally the 4th night is 0 points. So if your 4th night is an expensive holiday, that is zeroed out.

[@aleand957]

Thanks for the useful info. I think it works much better in Asia pacific and i will try it next time travelling to Vietnam, Thailand India etc. I checked out the Wyndham and it is not as good in the US as it is Asia. It may be the locality but using points in California at a couple Wyndham properties - the basic hotels are 15000 and one level up 30000. That is much more to significantly more that using cash. Checked a Wyndham in Athens that have stayed and you cant use points. My next visits are to Singapore Vietnam Thailand India and Australia. So I'll check those out.

[@Every_State_Park]

Wyndham has a status match. We got 90 days at diamond based on our platinum level at IHG. If we stay 10 times in that 90 days we keep the status for a year.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Thanks! Great information!

[@rickyway9358]

Great information, I love your channel for when I retire like in 15 years. LOL!!! If you use AAA or AARP discounts, are buying points still a better deal??? Thank you!!!

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Thanks! I think they still would be better

[@caterminnis5534]

Hi.I love your channel. What currency do you use to purchase your points given the hotel brand?

[@Leonardo-cq4zd]

Is the IHG credit card needed to get the points mentioned, for example at the Kimpton Seattle? I get 24,500 points on IHG website for the same room/date combination as your example which showed 18,000 points. No IHG card, Platinum Elite status.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Yes, the lower price shows up once you have the IHG card

[@JayandSarah]

If you are looking to save money, staying at these incredibly pricey places is not the way to do it. A local experience is always way less expensive and often very good.

[@SaraFlint-j8b]

Are the spreadsheets available in the retirement travel course? If not, are they available in the Gold channel membership? Thanks! Enjoyed the video!

[@debbiefisher8596]

I want to be doing enough Travel that I need these spreadsheets

[@ListerBliss]

Thank you for your videos! Do any of these brand points expire? Do they roll over?

[@ManuelJimenez-ok2mn]

I do buy Hilton and IHG points when they are on sale.

[@danteix3152]

In a previous video, you talked about using Radisson. Are they out of the plan or they just don't sell points?

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

We used them in 2024 but don't have any booked for 2025, no particular reason though

[@tealbatson6196]

Do IHG points expire?

[@nidamarcelo8144]

I love your channel! Question, how do i buy points in IHG or Wyndham hotels And how much does it cost per point

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

There is a link in the description to buy them

[@reggiethecommenter9137]

3:20 with a rooftop deck!!!!

[@quinnrivera5075]

Question. I don’t have the IHG card. But I bought intercontinental ambassador status. Which gets me platinum elite. Does that mean I get 4th night free? I just tried to book 4 nights on the app with points. But it didn’t give me the 4th night free. Which gives me my answer. I think 😂. Also that Courtyard in Siem Reap is pretty nice. Burned up some free night certificates I had there last year. They treated me very well. And I’m only Gold with Marriot thru Amex Platinum. Good channel. I’m decent with the points and miles game. But you guys take it to the next level. I’m working my way to Albania. Gonna see if I like it. And maybe stay for awhile. If not. I’m running back to SE Asia. Hard to beat the value in that part of the world.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Thanks! Yes, you need the card for the 4th night free.

[@jakemartzahn6329]

The Kimpton Seattle example you showed had a note “Excludes 26 USD Amenity Fee per night.” If you pay with points, you don’t have to pay that fee? Also, is it still worth it to buy IHG points if you only get a 80% bonus?

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

You'll need to always pay the Amenity fee, unless it is Hyatt and you are Globalist. The 80% is usually still worth with IHG at the end of the year if it's the best offer you have.

[@JP7onEarth]

Thanks for the valuable information. However, I cant see these sorts of amazing deals lasting long after everybody and their brother know how to purchase and use the points purchases as you describe. JP Porto

[@MyRosie2007]

Points for New York, Chicago, San Diego, anywhere in the US in a major city?

[@jim2642]

Thank you. Very helpful but still have questions. What card are you using to purchase the Wyndham points, the Barclay Wyndham card? IHG tells me in order to receive the 100% bonus I need to be at the level above platinum elite. Is this true? I'm seeing an 80% bonus offered.

[@MrLouis966]

Hi, I enjoy your channel. Do you find most IHG hotels increase their points rate from the initial displayed rate to makeup for the 4th free night?

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

No, they don't

[@GettyOfficial]

I noticed that as well but I realized they average the 3day rate (higher than stated) but it goes down to the initial rate when you divide total by 4

[@MrLouis966]

@GettyOfficial but doesn't that mean the night isn't free?

[@MrLouis966]

@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel I must be doing something wrong, because with the exception of Indonesia. Most have gone up and the increase adds up to the fourth night cost.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

@@MrLouis966 they don't raise them at all. If you search for just one night and then hit the calendar button you can add up the normal price for 4 nights. When you then search for 4 nights and you have the card it'll always be lower.

[@susangarrard2753]

I went on IHG to find a hotel to book in KL. It showed a hotel for 6500 points, so I decided to do 3 days and get the fourth night free, however when I went to book the total was 25k points. The point rate varied for each of the three nights showing the fourth night free. What gives?

[@welugo06]

How far in advance can you book a hotel room? Is 1 year and half to early?

[@loriwelln7321]

I will be in Sydney and Brisbane Australia pre transpacific cruise in Spring 2025. I still haven’t booked hotels because they are expensive. Do you have any experience you can share in Australia? It appears they have IHG hotels but the Wyndham hotels are too far away.

[@Alex-ek5fb]

That 4 for 3 IHG offer sounds great. But am I right in thinking that you can only get that if you can get the IHG card and hence only if you are from the USA? I can’t see anything like that in the UK. I am guessing that without the 4 for 3, the point are quite a bit less valuable.

[@peterjanney3070]

Correct. The card has the 4th night free benefit.

[@andrewt6295]

Sorry if I missed it, but do these points expire? That's my only concern because I can't travel much in 2025

[@peterjanney3070]

Yes. After 12 months of inactivity. But anything counts, so buying more points is activity and resets it. Be careful stockpiling points. IHG could change things anytime and your points could be worth half as much. Best to buy them and book. It's refundable and you can book almost a year out. Happy travel

[@andrewt6295]

@@peterjanney3070 Thank you! I found since I have an IHG credit card and elite status they don't expire, but you make a valid point about how they can change point structure and value at anytime! Best to buy and book as you say, thank you again!

[@stevelilley3402]

Does Choice brands offer any sales? I recently got their card for the sign ip bonus and would love to maximize the benefits

[@getsugatenshoFTW]

I think they did recently

[@stevelilley3402]

@ thank you. Looks like their sale ends tomorrow. I’ll have to see if it makes sense for me.

[@yingwu3372]

If I purchase IHG points and used it redeem nights, will those nights be counted towards status?

[@peterjanney3070]

Yes. Award nights count for status and the milestone awards. We are using points for the 40 nights needed for the lounge access award. Less than 2 months in Thailand, we are averaging about 12k per night. 435k points for 34 nights in a bunch of hotels. Could have spent half that but we can't do just HI Expresses. Just posted the video on our new channel, Retire Everywhere. Hotel reviews to come. Happy travels

[@deritaratcliffe4592]

When I look out to 2026 I get "Rooms cannot be booked this far in advance". What am I doing wrong?

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

You can only book around 13 months on Hyatt

[@JayandSarah]

No airlines or hotels book that far out ever.

[@11Bravo84]

1st