IHG Point Transfer
Despite my historically hot and cold relationship with IHG, I’ve delved more into the program over the past year or so after my wife and I each decided to go for top-tier One Rewards Diamond status. I’ve been interested in the various hotel loyalty programs’ point transfer policies for years. Based on IHG’s past policy requiring payment, the ability to share points didn’t come into the equation for us going for Diamond status. But upon further, more recent review of the IHG point transfer policy, my wife and I may take advantage of not-too-long-ago developments. Today, I’m describing who can transfer IHG points for free and how.
Who Qualifies for Free IHG Point Transfer
Due to the speed of our dynamic points and travel hobby, and probably plenty of other reasons, I missed the late 2023 development where certain IHG members can transfer IHG points to others for free. As Ben at OMAAT previously reported, the following IHG members are eligible:
- IHG One Rewards Diamond Members
- IHG Business Rewards Members
These members can transfer up to 500k IHG points per calendar year in 1k increments. Of course, it’s not worth pursuing Diamond status solely for this benefit. But if you’re going to reach Diamond, anyway, for other reasons (like my wife and I), it’s a welcome benefit which can come in useful. Short of reaching Diamond, though, anyone else interested should pursue the IHG Business Rewards angle. Why? Because it’s surprisingly easy and free to do so.
How To Transfer IHG Points for Free
IHG Diamond and Business Rewards members can transfer points for free via IHG’s setup with points.com. Follow this IHG link to start the process. It’s basically the same routine that any IHG member would follow, but there’s no charge during the process. My wife arranged a 1k point transfer from her account to mine within a minute or so. She had to provide the following info for the transfer:
- Recipient first and last name
- Recipient email address
- Recipient’s IHG number
- Transfer amount
My wife received a confirmation number and email as part of the transfer process. Interestingly, points.com noted that my wife’s “purchase is pending.” The total purchase price was listed as $0.00. Points.com stated the order had been received and would be “processed in the next 72 hours.”
Why This Matters
So IHG Diamond and Business Rewards members can transfer points for free, but should they? In my view, this makes most sense for members looking to top off their IHG accounts for specific redemptions, particularly those looking to optimize IHG’s unique fourth night free benefit.
Beyond those situations, certain members may want to transfer points to others to enable additional trips. We generally avoid this with IHG, fully knowing we can list another guest on the reservation during the booking process. My wife and I haven’t had problems checking in as an additional room occupant, but some may want to avoid any prospective issues altogether by obtaining points from others.
Conclusion
Again, while we didn’t expect this benefit in our pursuit of Diamond status earlier this year, we’re happy to have it. We don’t hold any plans to use it for anything specific in the near future, but I won’t be surprised if we do so in 2025 or beyond. With a few exceptions, I generally enjoy more options, particularly ones that create more flexibility for our preexisting behaviors.
Do you transfer IHG points for free? Why or why not?
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I made a business account, and it is showing up in my membership page. But when I go to transfer points through the Points.com link, it is not working. It has me re-enter my login info, and then says the info is incorrect or that something went wrong. Does it take a day or two after starting the business account to be able to transfer points?
Now I am able to get to the points.com page, but it is charging me for the transfer and capping it at 50k. How long does it take, after joining the business program, for the transfer to become free?
I haven’t played with this feature but I need to find out if a club-level account (person) can transfer their orphaned points to a Diamond member’s account. I have a family member that has a minor amount of points that we need to transfer out. It’s pain to keep them active and would be helpful in my wife or my own Diamond level accounts. I assume I would have to sign them up for a business account and do it that way?
I think your last sentence sums it up, Dan.
This seems to work in only one direction. From the business rewards member to someone else, but not TO the business rewards member.
Good to know, if that’s indeed the case, Arie. I haven’t had a need to bother with business rewards, but maybe in the future.