Overview of IHG Points Transfer Partners: Exploring Various Options for Point Transfers
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers a unique opportunity for members to earn bonus points for hotel stays and other eligible purchases. But what about transferring those points to airline partners? Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it.
- Gather your IHG One Rewards number and your airline frequent flyer number. Ensure that the names on both accounts match exactly to avoid any issues during the transfer process.
- To initiate the transfer, call the IHG One Rewards Service Center at the following numbers:
- U.S. and Canada: 888-211-9874
- Mexico: 001 800-272-9273
- For other locations, contact Customer Care for the correct number.
- Request the transfer of points to your airline frequent flyer program. Points must be transferred in increments of 1,000.
- Please be aware that transfers take 4 to 6 weeks to complete, so it's not ideal for urgent redemptions.
- The usual transfer ratio is about 5 IHG points equal to 1 airline mile, which is generally not very favorable but can be useful to extend point validity or top off miles.
Transferring points to airline partners requires a phone call to the IHG One Rewards Service Center, unlike many credit card points or hotel programs where transfers occur online instantly or within days.
It's important to note that transferring points resets the 12-month inactivity expiration clock if you do not have IHG elite status (points never expire for elite members). Transferring points to friends or family is possible but incurs a fee of $5 per 1,000 points transferred and is generally not recommended.
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has an annual fee of $99 and offers benefits such as an anniversary night redemption, fourth-night-free benefit when redeeming points for three nights, a $50 TravelBank credit with United Airlines, and credit for application fees toward trusted traveler programs like Global Entry and TSA PreCheck.
IHG One Rewards works with 40 airline partners for earning miles during a stay or transferring points. However, transferring Ultimate Rewards® points to IHG points is one of the lowest-value ways to use those points, with IHG points valued at 0.5 cent each. A better alternative is moving Chase points at a 1:1 ratio to World of Hyatt, with those points valued at 2.2 cents each.
[^1]: Source: The Points Guy, IHG One Rewards: The Complete Guide, https://thepointsguy.com/guides/ihg-one-rewards/ [^2]: Source: NerdWallet, IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card Review, https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/ihg-one-rewards-premier-credit-card [^3]: Source: Travel + Leisure, The Best Hotel Credit Cards of 2023, https://www.travelandleisure.com/credit-cards/best-hotel-credit-cards [^4]: Source: Forbes Advisor, IHG Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card Review, https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/ihg-rewards-club-traveler-credit-card/ [^5]: Source: The Points Guy, IHG One Rewards: The Complete Guide, https://thepointsguy.com/guides/ihg-one-rewards/
- Comparing credit card rewards, transferring IHG One Rewards points to airline partners is generally not favorable, but it can help extend point validity or top off miles for your lifestyle.
- If you have the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, you can earn points for hotel stays and other purchases, but transferring points to other banks' loyalty programs may offer better value.
- Before transferring IHG One Rewards points, ensure you've a matching name on both your credit card and airline accounts to avoid any issues.
- Utilizing a financial app can help you compare the value of credit card points and airline miles when planning your business or travel expenses, ensuring you make the most of your savings.
