There are many solid redemptions for IHG points, but one of the best is certainly Eastern Europe. With solid 10,000-20,000 point redemptions, there is no better place to maximize your IHG points. And with a high point-earning card, you can easily accumulate enough points for a free week in Europe with IHG points. Here are our 10 best uses of IHG points in Eastern Europe. This post is written by Kendyl from kendyltravels.com.  

 

Earning IHG points

The IHG One Rewards program offers many ways to earn IHG points. Though you can earn simply by joining the rewards program, you’ll earn considerably more return on investment with an IHG card.

You can choose to earn through three IHG cards: the IHG Rewards Premier, IHG Rewards Premier Business, or IHG Rewards Traveler cards. If choosing between the IHG Premier or Traveler cards, the Premier card is a better value due to its higher IHG point earnings and free night certificate included annually with the card.

The Premier card offers both a personal and a business card. Both of these have the same earnings and benefits, so if you qualify for a business card, you should consider the IHG Rewards Premier Business since it will not impact your 5/24 status.

 

 

 

 

IHG is one of the few programs where buying points during a 100% bonus can also give you huge savings on hotel stays. Between your 4th-night free perk with your IHG card and half a cent per point purchase at a 100% bonus, you can easily save hundreds of dollars on a hotel stay.

 

Maximizing IHG Points

All IHG cards offer a 4th-night free on-points benefit. This perk allows you to spend 25% fewer points when booking in 4-night increments. Meaning you receive 25% more value from your IHG points. It’s encouraged to always book with points in 4-night increments to take advantage of this benefit. When logged in to your IHG account linked with an IHG card,  you’ll automatically see the 4th-night free discount populate when you add dates in 4-night increments.

IHG has dynamic award pricing. This means that you can find amazing deals or terrible redemptions with your IHG points depending on the seasonality and popularity of a particular IHG hotel. If you have some flexibility, play around with your dates to find a better deal.

One of the benefits of dynamic pricing is how easily you can cancel and rebook for a better rate. So check your hotel for a better points deal every couple of weeks to see if the points required decreased. If so, you can cancel your reservation and rebook without penalty.

 

The Ten Best Uses

Because IHG uses dynamic pricing, the prices shown are averages. 

 

1. Holiday Inn Istanbul, 12,000 points per night

 

2. Hotel Indigo Krakow, 20,000 points per night

 

3. Holiday Inn Trnava, 19,000 points per night

 

4. Intercontinental Budapest, 30,000 points per night

 

 

5. Crowne Plaza Athens, 17,000 points per night, or Intercontinental, 27,000 points per night

 

 

6. Crowne Plaza Sofia, 22,000 points per night

 

 

7. Holiday Inn Prague, 15,000 points per night

8. Holiday Inn Bucharest, 17,000 points per night

 

9. Holiday Inn Vienna, 22,000 points per night

10. Hotel Indigo Warsaw, 25,000 points per night

 

Bottom Line

IHG points can have considerable value if you know where to look. Eastern Europe is one of those places with great redemptions and points you can easily earn with the right IHG rewards card.