IHG One Rewards Launches “Pick Your Points” Summer 2026 Promotion

IHG One Rewards has brought back its “Pick Your Points” promotion for Summer 2026 for a second year, with the same flexible structure that worked well last time around.

From May 20 through August 31, 2026, members can choose how they want to earn bonus points: either 2,000 points for every two nights or 8,000 points for every four.

And unlike some promos with caps on bonus points, this one has no upper limit, so the more you stay, the more you earn.

Whether you’ve got a couple of quick city getaways or a longer summer holiday in mind, this promo is easy to take advantage of—and well worth registering for.

How the IHG One Rewards “Pick Your Points” Promotion Works

The promotion is valid for all paid stays between May 20 and August 31, 2026, and is open to all IHG One Rewards members who register in advance. Once registered, you’ll earn bonus points based on your selection:

• 2,000 bonus points for every two qualifying nights, or
• 8,000 bonus points for every four qualifying nights

Importantly, you only get to choose one of these offers, and once you register, your choice is locked in for the entire promotion period.

Nights don’t have to be consecutive and there’s no limit on the total bonus points you can earn.

So if you’re planning multiple stays this summer, this could add up quickly.

Which Offer Should You Choose?

If you’re debating which bonus option is better, here’s the short answer: go for the 8,000 points for four nights offer, as long as you expect to stay at least four nights at IHG properties between now and the end of August.

You’ll be rewarded with a higher average return of 2,000 points per night, instead of just 1,000 points per night with the lower-tier promo.

We value IHG points at 0.4 cents per point (USD), meaning this promo equates to roughly $5–10 in value per night depending on which path you choose.

It’s not going to cover your next luxury stay on its own, but it’s certainly better than nothing, especially for anyone who was already planning to book with IHG this summer.

What Counts as a Qualifying Stay for the IHG One Rewards Pick Your Points Promotion?

As with most hotel promotions, not all bookings will count, so it’s important to know the fine print.

Here’s what qualifies as a stay for the Pick Your Points promotion:

• Bookings must be made directly through IHG channels (i.e., IHG.com, the app, or by phone)
• Each stay must be at least $30 (USD) per night (or local currency equivalent)
• Only paid nights qualify. Award nights and Points & Cash bookings are excluded
• Online travel agencies (e.g., Expedia, Booking.com) don’t count
• You must register before your first eligible stay

As a reminder, stays at Candlewood Suites and Staybridge Suites earn only 5 base points per dollar spent (USD), while most other brands earn 10 base points.

If you hold elite status, you’ll also earn bonus points on top of your base rate:

• Silver Elite earns 20% bonus points
• Gold Elite earns 40% bonus points
• Platinum Elite earns 60% bonus points
• Diamond Elite earns 100% bonus points

Combine these earnings with the promo, and your effective return per stay adds up quickly.

Is This Promotion a Good Deal?

At first glance, 2,000 or 8,000 bonus points might not sound like much, but let’s break it down using real-world numbers.

IHG points are generally worth around 0.4 cents per point (USD) or 0.5 cents per point (CAD).

That means:

• 2,000 bonus points = $8 USD / $10 CAD
• 8,000 bonus points = $32 USD / $40 CAD

Assuming you choose the 8,000-point offer (which you should) and stay four nights, you’re looking at an extra $8 USD per night in value, just from the promo.

While this won’t cover your hotel bill, it’s a meaningful boost, especially when stacked with IHG’s regular earning structure.

For context, let’s say you’re booking a four-night stay at $200 (USD) per night. Here’s how your earnings might look depending on your IHG One Rewards status:

Status	Base Points (10x)	Elite Bonus	Promo Bonus	Total Points	Value
Club	8,000	–	8,000	16,000	$64 USD
Silver (20% bonus)	8,000	1,600	8,000	17,600	$70.40 USD
Gold (40% bonus)	8,000	3,200	8,000	19,200	$76.80 USD
Platinum (60% bonus)	8,000	4,800	8,000	20,800	$83.20 USD
Diamond (100% bonus)	8,000	8,000	8,000	24,000	$96 USD

That’s a return of 8–12% depending on your status, not including what you might earn from your credit card.

Of course, this isn’t a reason to shift your travel plans entirely to IHG. But if you’re already staying with them, it’s a no-brainer to register and collect the extra points.

Which Credit Card Should You Use to Book IHG Hotels?

If you’re based in the US, the Chase IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card or Premier Business Credit Card earns 10x points at IHG and includes Platinum Elite status, which boosts your earning rate even further.

These cards also come with perks like an annual free night certificate and the valuable fourth night free on reward bookings.

For Canadians, there isn’t an IHG co-branded card, but you can still earn great rewards with the right credit cards.

Your best option is the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card, which earns 3 Scene+ points per dollar on travel purchases and waives foreign transaction fees, making it perfect for hotel stays abroad.

Other great alternatives include the  Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card and the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card, both of which have lower income requirements and lower annual fees.

While these cards don’t offer elevated earn rates on travel, they waive foreign transaction fees and include robust travel insurance coverage, such as hotel burglary protection.

You could also consider the BMO VIPorter World Elite® Mastercard®*, which earns 2 VIPorter points per dollar spent on hotel purchases (up to $5,000 each year). However, this card does charge foreign transaction fees, so it’s best used for hotels billed in Canadian dollars rather than in foreign currencies.

Conclusion

IHG’s Pick Your Points summer promotion is simple, flexible, and worth registering for if you have any upcoming paid stays.

With no cap on the number of bonus points you can earn, and a decent return per night, it’s worth registering for, even if you only have several nights booked.

As always, the smart move is to pair the promotion with elite status, book directly through IHG, and pay with the right credit card to maximize your overall return.

If you’re eyeing a more premium stay, consider booking through our in-house travel agency Prince Collection to unlock added perks like daily breakfast, room upgrades, late check-out, and a $100 USD property credit, at no extra cost to you.