If you have been asking yourself, “Can I redeem IHG points for cash?” Well, given the simple answer, it is a definite no; one cannot cash out IHG One Rewards points. Before throwing up your hands in disappointment, hold on there. While there is no single click button settlement that would zap dollar bills into your checking account, there are many ways through which the points can be wrangled for value, some creative, some legit. And yes, they can be liquidated into cold, hard cash through venues outside the IHG system. Let’s break it all down.
What You Can Do with IHG Points
Even though you can’t redeem IHG points for cash, IHG gives you several redemption options that let you use points in other ways:
- Reward Nights: The classic redemption. You can book free nights at thousands of IHG properties worldwide. It’s usually the best way to maximize your points’ value, especially when cash rates are high.
- Points & Cash: Don’t have enough points for a full stay? Mix points with a cash co-pay to complete your booking. Think of it as splitting the bill with yourself.
- Gift Cards & Certificates: Points can be redeemed for gift cards to popular retailers and restaurants. Convenient, yes—but often a lower value compared to hotel stays.
- Merchandise & Digital Rewards: A point redeeming spree is allowed for all kinds of merchandise, from electronics to eBooks. But let’s face vacations are seldom designed with a toaster redemption in mind for about 30,000 points.
- Experiences or Donations: Want to feel good about your rewards? You can redeem them for charitable donations or unique experiences. Not quite cash, but meaningful.
Transferring IHG Points – Another Route
If you’re still asking yourself, “Can you redeem IHG points for cash?” another option to consider is transferring points—not for money, but for flexibility.
- To Friends or Family: You can transfer points between IHG accounts (though fees or limits may apply). This is handy when pooling points for a group trip.
- To Airline Miles: You can convert IHG points into airline frequent flyer programs. The catch? Conversion ratios are generally poor (usually 5:1). Plus, it can take weeks to process.
Neither of these options puts cash in your wallet, but they do make your points more versatile.
The Value of IHG Points
IHG points typically average about 0.5 cents per point, depending on how you redeem them. That means 10,000 points are worth about $50 in hotel value. Sounds decent, but when you use points for merchandise or gift cards, that value can drop significantly.
The biggest drawback? Points lose value over time. Loyalty programs can devalue their redemptions without much notice. It’s a little like holding onto that gift card for a restaurant that suddenly goes out of business—except instead of one meal, it’s your entire vacation budget.
Why People Want Cash Instead of Points
Here’s the real reason this question keeps coming up: travelers want flexibility. Cash doesn’t expire, it doesn’t devalue, and it can be spent anywhere—not just within a hotel chain’s ecosystem.
- Maybe you’ve got a mountain of points but no travel plans.
- Maybe hotel availability is scarce when you want to book.
- Maybe you’re just tired of loyalty program fine print.
In all these cases, having cash in hand feels a lot more useful than having a digital stash of points gathering dust.
So, Can You Actually Get Cash for Your Points?
Now for the part you’ve been waiting for: While IHG won’t let you redeem points for cash directly, you can still sell your IHG points through trusted third-party services.
The process is refreshingly simple:
- Request a quick quote to see what your points are worth.
- Verify your account details securely.
- Get paid—often in as little as the same day.
If you were redeeming your points for a blender, you surely might have real dollars sitting in your PayPal or bank account, which are not ordinarily considered by program redemptions for blackout dates, availability issues, or changing value.
Should You Cash Out or Keep Redeeming?
So, can you redeem IHG points for cash? Officially, no. Practically, yes—if you’re willing to sell them. But whether you should depend on your travel habits.
- Frequent travelers: Points truly shine when redeemed for nights at hotels, particularly when providing very good value for stays during the high season.
- Occasional travelers: Probably the points remain lying unused in your account, or in worst cases, on their way to expiration! Selling helps to realize value now.
- Non-travelers: If hotel stays remain off the radar for pretty much anytime soon, the points must be cashed out to cement their value; otherwise, their value quietly erodes in your account.
Think of it this way: points are a tool for travel, but cash is a tool for everything.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the answer to “can you redeem IHG points for cash?” is technically no—but with the right approach, you can still transform your points into real money. The official IHG redemptions are useful, but if flexibility and guaranteed value matter most, selling your points is often the smarter move.
How We Can Help
At CashForMyMiles.com, we make it simple to sell IHG points for cash quickly and securely. Our process is fast, trusted, and designed to give you immediate value for your rewards. Request a quote today and see how much your points are worth—because cash in your pocket will always beat a catalogue toaster.
While you can’t redeem IHG points for cash directly through IHG, you can still unlock their full potential by selling them safely and easily.
