Glossary

Points terms, defined

Every term this site uses, defined in plain English in one place.

Definitions

The vocabulary

Point value

The cash price of a night divided by its points price, expressed in cents per point. A 30,000-point night that sells for $180 in cash has a point value of 0.60 cents per point.

Cents per point

The unit point values are measured in. One cent per point means 10,000 points buy $100 of hotel.

Award price history

The record of what a hotel has charged in points over time. Award prices change constantly; the history shows whether tonight’s price is normal, high, or a low worth grabbing.

Reward night, free night

IHG’s terms for a night paid with points instead of cash. A free night from a credit-card certificate is a separate thing with its own rules.

IHG dynamic pricing

IHG sets award prices night by night, like cash rates, with no published chart. The price you see today can change tomorrow.

Devaluation

A broad rise in award prices, which makes every point worth less. With no award chart, devaluations are invisible unless prices are tracked daily.