IHG One Rewards

Use it for

• Korean Air SKYPASS, which Marriott dropped in June 2024: North America to Seoul in Prestige business off-peak at 62,500 miles one-way plus about USD 150 needs 312,500 IHG points (about USD 1,560 at 0.5 US cents)
• Turning leftover IHG points from hotel stays into a top-up: 10,000 points (the minimum) become 2,000 miles in any of about 30 airline programs, such as finishing a 42,500-Avios Qatar Qsuite award Europe to Doha (plus about USD 120 in taxes)
• A second source of KrisFlyer, ANA or JAL miles once you have used Marriott's annual purchase limit: 5:1, so 250,000 IHG points (about USD 1,250) become 50,000 miles

Do not use it for

• Buying IHG points for airline miles in general: about 2.5 US cents per mile against 1.94 via Marriott and 1.27 to 1.53 for Aeroplan, LifeMiles or Avios bought directly
• Any booking that needs the miles within three weeks: airline transfers take 14 to 21 days
• Air New Zealand Airpoints at 400:1

Where to search

IHG sells no flights, so search on the destination airline's own site. With a 2 to 3 week transfer and no way to pay for the award before the miles arrive, pick routes with plentiful space or dates months away, and recheck the price once the miles post.

How to book, step by step

1. Confirm the award on the airline's site, ideally on a route and date with several open seats, since the miles will take 14 to 21 days to arrive.
2. Buy IHG points during a 100 percent bonus sale (one ran 15 September to early October 2026 and sales recurred all year); the bonus needs at least 5,000 points per purchase and the best unit price needs a larger purchase.
3. Keep within the purchase limit of 200,000 purchased points per calendar year, before bonus.
4. Call IHG to request the airline transfer (online transfers to airlines are not offered): minimum 10,000 points, 5 IHG points per mile, and have your airline account number ready.
5. Wait 14 to 21 days, then check that the miles have posted in the airline account.
6. Recheck the seat and book on the airline's site.

When you need to phone

Required for airline transfers, which IHG does only by phone; Upgraded Points lists the US number as 888-211-9874 (October 2026).

Fees

No transfer fee found. Points cost about 1 US cent each at standard (non-linear pricing) and 0.5 cents at a 100 percent bonus.

Surcharges

Set by the airline you transfer to; for example Qatar Avios on Qatar flights carries no fuel surcharges, while ANA's own flights do.

Getting points in

US: Chase Ultimate Rewards 1:1 and Bilt 1:1. Singapore: HSBC Rewards and Citi ThankYou list IHG. India: HDFC Infinia 1:1 and Axis EDGE (Atlas) 1:2. Sending bank points to IHG to reach airlines at 5:1 is never worth it when the bank transfers to the airline directly.

Booking for other people

Airline transfers go to an airline account in the member's name. Rules for moving points between IHG members were not rechecked for 2026.