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A few days ago, I reported on what appeared to be massive changes to the way IHG Rewards Points redemptions work. The new pricing system is so odd that I even speculated that it might be the result of a temporary system error.
Unfortunately, IHG has now confirmed that the new pricing model is working as intended:
“We rolled out our Dynamic Pricing models to our hotels around the world last year which enabled the amount of points required for IHG Rewards members to redeem a Reward Night to flex up and down, just like cash rates.
Previously, Reward Night point amounts were static throughout the year. This model allows point amounts to decrease when demand is lower, providing greater value to our members.
Conversely, redemption amounts may also increase based on demand and other factors and can update as often as daily. Reward Nights are not defined by categories or with minimum and maximum point amounts.
Under our new model, the number of points required for Reward Nights will vary with demand and seasonality.”
The thing is though, in practice, the new pricing really is very strange.
On the one hand, you can look at it as a simple devaluation. Historically, I would aim to get at least 0.4p of value per IHG Rewards Point, and ideally more like 0.5p. The fact that some redemptions are now generating less than 0.25p of value per point is undoubtedly dreadful.
It’s not that simple though. Take a look at the value per point I would get at various hotels for a trip to York (on the same date):
- Holiday Inn York City Centre: 0.357p per point
- Hotel Indigo York: 0.245p per point
- Principal York 0.232p per point
- Holiday Inn York: 0.576p per point
Getting 0.232p of value is frankly insulting, but being able to generate 0.576p is excellent.
I’ll do some more digging and try to work out what the new sweet spot redemptions are (and how to predict them) later this week.
What do you think about the IHG Reward redemption changes?
WHichever way you look at it, thte customer suffers and the company gains. I am starting to question my years of loyalty to IHG
Seems like a cut and paste job rather than a thought-through response.
Even so, I’m glad to have ditched IHG a few years back, apart from a much-regretted Ambassador sign up just before COVID hit.
Oh My Gosh. They just stiffed me.
But then, that’s standard !
You’re certainly not alone
They could have given us some formal warning with some lead-time until the changes came into effect.
Poor behavior from IHG.
Not impressed at all.
What a good time for IHG to trash it’s best customers. Obviously the program is run by autistic accountants.
IHG are either stupid or dont care. Who in their right mind would would consider IHG a loyalty program worth bothering with after such a large stealth devaluation? They only time I shall be staying at an IHG now is if its the only chain hotel or its hugely cheaper than the other chains.
They already have the worst customer service (they wouldnt even get involved when a hotel refused a refund even tho the hotel was literally shut on the dates of the booking) and a loyalty program thats second only to accor in how pointless it is and now they nerf the redemptions in some cases by 60%?
Jog on, IHG.
I’ve just cashed out our 600k IHG points on the new IC Rome next Feb/March. Here’s hoping it opens by then!!