Update: Here is a link to the newest IHG Points Breaks list.
A lot of other bloggers have written about this already, so I will keep this post short. Recently, IHG® Rewards Club released the list of properties changing point redemption amounts for Reward Nights effective tomorrow, February 17, 2016 – meaning today is the last day to book at the current rates.
According to IHG:
“Point redemption amounts for Reward Nights at approximately 400 hotels will change, starting February 17, 2016. Please take a look at the chart below for hotels where redemption amounts will change 5,000-10,000 points. Note that some point amounts are increasing, while others are decreasing.”
The list of hotels changing point redemption amounts from IHG’s website can be found at www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/global/rewardsclub/rewardnightchanges. The list is organized in alphabetical order by country and within each country by state or province.
While the list is evenly split with half the properties increasing and half decreasing, the changes are significant in that there is an increase of points required for properties in the highest category. The maximum number of points needed for any IHG property is currently 50,000 points but effective tomorrow it will be 60,000 points. Several properties (all Intercontinental hotels as well as The Venetian and The Palazzo) will be increasing the number of points to book a free night from 50,000 to either 55,000 or 60,000 points.
If you are planning on using your IHG® Rewards Club points in the near future to book award stays, it is worth checking out the list to see if it includes any IHG properties you are interested in. If any of the hotels you want to book are increasing the number of points required for a free night, make sure to book at the current award rate today.
Curious – if we book and realize that our dates need to change what are the penalties?
Hi Tony, Just saw this. Usually can change reservations till a day or two before your stay.
My dad has encountered a situation with IHG, wondering if you have any suggestions for us. He has amassed almost 160,000 points over the years, which he was saving for a big trip, and because he had elite status, they never expired. Apparently the program changed its terms and elite points do expire now. So this month on his statement, he had 0 points. There was nothing to indicate this might happen on any previous statement nor did he receive a letter. When he called, they said that they emailed a statement but most people said the email had gone to their junk or spam folder. So he’s out 160k points, was given “notice” that they kind of knew nobody was getting and was given no remedy. Have you heard about this happening to anyone else? Any suggestions on how to deal with them? Thanks!