Platinum Elite: Earning preference – IHG points or airline miles

[elt164]

Hi
I’m new to this so apologies if obvious.
Am about to have paid stay at IHG and can choose IHG points or airline points but need to set my preference in advance.
How do I work out which is better?
nb this is NOT for the welcome amenity
Thanks

[tootsci]

I think it all depends on how much you are staying at IHG properties. My hotel stays are generally once a month or so for work and I book into whatever is closest to whatever I am doing e.g. the nearest to the hospital I am working at could be an HIE (as I was at last night), or it could be an Ibis (Accor) or a Premier Inn (no reward scheme). So I tend to take the Avios where that’s available because I don’t think I’ll ever build up enough points in just one scheme to make it worthwhile. It all depends on your personal circumstances really

[memesweeper]

In general, you’ll get more value from the IHG points than airmiles. However, you need enough to actually make a redemption, and if you are just short of what you need in an airline scheme, and nowhere near what you need in a hotel scheme, it might make sense to credit the stay to an airline.

Even relatively small amounts of IHG points can be used to discount a stay. If in doubt I’d credit to the hotel scheme.

[tootsci]

To add – you need to have a clear plan for redemptions. Currently my business travel is as above, while my leisure travel is AirBnBs as my son is still young and we prefer the extra space. So hotel points aren’t much use to me at the moment so I take Avios (actually just book through Booking etc for max Avios) as I had a plan to use Avios for a Business class leisure flight. But my work travel might be changing next year so I will reevaluate my plans for both accumulating and redeeming

[u07ch]

If you want Avios you may be better staying with Accor and crediting points to Qatar

[elt164]

Thanks All
I dont typically have many hotel stays but as Hotels.com benefits are ending I think maybe I go for the hotel points

[Supergers49]

If you do not do many hotel stays, are looking to replace Hotels.com, and collect Avios; then personally I would book at Booking.com via the BA eStore… Unless the value of the hotel stay is quite small, you’ll likely earn more Avios from this route at an IHG property than by going direct.