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Edit: although the terms and conditions for the below still say that the rate applies to the best flexible rate, it now appears that the majority (possibly all) of the hotels included are now offering the non-refundable rate only. 

It’s often the case that ‘headline’ sale reductions aren’t quite as good as they first appear to be, but this time you really can get a genuine 50% off IHG hotels throughout Europe when staying 2 or more nights.

I’ve written about IHG Partner Rates before, and this one is via Health Service Discounts (which anyone can actually sign up for), though you don’t need to sign up to take advantage – just follow the steps below:

As you can see, no ID is required, simply print out the voucher here and write ‘Health Service Discounts’ as the “company/organisation that provided you with this discount”. Have it with you at check in just in case you are asked for it. It works in exactly the same way as the standard 30% discount Mastercard partner rate, and I’ve only ever been asked for a voucher a couple of times, but better safe than sorry!

The details

Book by 30th November 2017 for stays between now and 4th March 2018. Bookings must be made at least 5 days in advance of first night of stay.

Minimum stay of 2 nights is required.

Check out the list of participating hotels here – there’s lots!

The 50% discount is off the Best Flexible Rate and what is great about this particular sale is that you still get a Flexible rate rather than the usual trick of shifting the terms to non-refundable but still deriving the discount percentage from Best Flex. That’s why I see this as a ‘genuine’ 50% discount – because you can compare like with like, rather than comparing a Flex price to non-refundable one.

Given that you can book for dates all the way through to March and that the rates are cancellable, there’s a good opportunity here to make some speculative bookings, even if you change them later.

The deals

There are so many to look at that these are really just a few examples to give you an idea of what’s possible.

Starting at the budget end, you can find some remarkable bargains:

Moving up in the world a bit, the tremendous value continues:

On more expensive stays you save even more money (though the same proportion):

I can’t remember seeing the Intercontinental Park Lane this ‘cheap’ in years. Whether I’d pick it over the excellent and even better priced Crowne Plazas in London is another matter:

The discount also applies to Club Rooms and Suites (even Presidential Suites!):

(The reason the discounts aren’t exactly 50% is because the bottom rates are non-refundable. If you clicked through to the Flex rates, it would be a 50% discount.)

Warning

These rates do not earn IHG Rewards Points and therefore are very unlikely to count towards completing your Accelerate or status targets. Similarly, I don’t think cashback will track (though no harm in trying!). Remember to factor all that into your calculations when comparing different rates and deciding which provides you with the best overall deal. The 30% discount Mastercard partner rate does earn Points, but is non-refundable.

Bottom line

Even though you won’t earn Points, there are some fantastic deals here. Shame I made a big (nonrefundable) booking just a couple of days ago, as 50% off IHG hotels would have been extremely useful!

What are the biggest bargains you’ve managed to spot?

Terms

1. 50% off Best Flex represents a saving of 50% off our Best Flexible rate per room, per night for two adults sharing a standard double/twin room (inclusive of VAT).
2. Minimum stay of 2 nights is required.
3. Bookings must be made at least 5 days in advance of first night of stay.
4. Member ID or IHG voucher will be required at check-in as proof of eligibility for this offer.
5. Offer only available at participating European InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Staybridge Suites®, Holiday Inn® and Holiday Inn Express® hotels.
6. Offer available for reservations made between 1st November 2017 and 30th November 2017 for stays in the period 5th November 2017 to 4th March 2018.
7. All bookings are subject to availability of rooms allocated to this offer at participating hotels.
8. Blackout dates might apply
9. Room only rate for InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Holiday Inn® and Staybridge Suites®. Breakfast included for Holiday Inn Express® hotels.
10. Full payment must be made at time of booking; no amendments permitted; no refunds will be given (except where prohibited).
11. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion.
12. IHG® Rewards Club points will NOT be awarded for stays booked under this offer. 
13. This offer cannot be redeemed with IHG Rewards Club points.