#7 Among Hotels
Point Value
0.5 ¢
Program Score
5.6
IPrefer is a niche luxury hotel program
Earning IPrefer points is not easy, since their footprint is much smaller than major hotel chains like Marriott or Hilton. You will earn points by staying at Preferred Hotels and Resorts properties, but loyalty can be tough with limited locations. They also do not have co-branded credit cards, and Citi is their only transfer partner.
Transfer points to another member
I Prefer lets members transfer points to another IPrefer account by emailing iprefer@preferredhotels.com. The request must include both members’ IPrefer membership numbers and the number of points to transfer.
Special Offers Related to Preferred Hotels and Resorts. Click the arrow to see more.
Bilt has added Preferred Hotels & Resorts' iPrefer program as a new transfer partner. Points transfer at a 1:2 ratio, matching Capital One and Citi, the only other transferable currencies that partner with iPrefer. More hotel transfer partners are generally a positive development, giving Bilt members additional redemption options. The timing is also interesting, as Bilt has frequently featured newly added partners in future Rent Day transfer bonuses. We wouldn't be surprised to see iPrefer receive that treatment, especially after Citi recently devalued its iPrefer transfer ratio from 1:4 to 1:2.
Citi ThankYou Rewards is offering a 30% transfer bonus to Preferred Hotels & Resorts I Prefer Hotel Rewards. The standard transfer ratio is 1:2, so with the bonus, you’ll receive 2,600 I Prefer Hotel Rewards points for every 1,000 Citi ThankYou Rewards points transferred. Offer expires June 13, 2026.
Citi is devaluing transfer ratios to two of its hotel partners. The new transfer ratio to Choice Privileges will be 1:1.5, down from 1:2, while Preferred Hotels & Resorts iPrefer will drop to 1:2 from 1:4. The changes take effect April 19, 2026 for Citi Strata Elite, Citi Strata Premier, and Citi Prestige cardholders. This is a significant devaluation for Citi, which has been gaining ground among transferable points programs thanks to strong hotel partner sweet spots like these.
Capital One Miles is offering a 30% transfer bonus to Preferred Hotels & Resorts I Prefer program. The standard transfer ratio is 1:2, so with the bonus, you’ll receive 2,600 I Prefer points for every 1,000 Capital One miles transferred. Offer expires March 31, 2026.
IPrefer is a unique loyalty system because there are only two ways to redeem your points. You can use points to “purchase” a set-value Rewards Certificate for use at participating hotels, but this gives you roughly 0.2 cents per point. It is a very poor redemption.
The best way to redeem is to book a room directly at a Preferred Hotels and Resorts property. Award nights start at 15,000 points, and because CIti, Bilt, and Capital One all transfer to iPrefer at 1:2 ratios, you would only have to transfer 7,500 points for an entry-level room. Higher-end rooms can cost up to 150,000 points per night.
Discover your points' highest-value redemption options. Use the filters to find the optimal sweet spot for your next trip.
The price for an award stay is fixed at each property, so if you find a good rate, you can book that property for weekends, holidays, and high season stays at the same rate as weekdays and low season rates.
Not all Preferred Hotels & Resorts properties offer award bookings. Some only display cash rates, and availability may not be clear until you search.
The iPrefer rewards system is best for travelers who want boutique, luxury hotel experiences. Since the footprint is small and earning opportunities are limited, it’s tough to build a large points balance unless you regularly stay at Preferred Hotels and Resorts. Citi, Bilt, and Capital One all transfer to iPrefer at 1:2 ratios, making it easier to top off your balance or book an award stay.
Elite benefits are weaker than what you’ll find with major hotel chains, but status is easier to earn. Silver status is automatic when you sign up and comes with a few worthwhile perks. Because many Preferred properties are independently run, the consistency of elite benefits varies from hotel to hotel.
This isn’t a program we’d recommend pursuing aggressively for points or status. But it’s worth checking when planning a trip, especially if you're considering a boutique or luxury property. Transfers from Citi, Bilt, and Capital One can still provide good value at the right property.
There are three levels of Elite status with Preferred Hotels and Resorts. This program lags behind most major hotel loyalty systems in terms of elite benefits, but the requirements are easier. The free Silver tier offers a decent set of perks considering all you have to do is sign up.
Advancing through each tier depends entirely on the number of points you earn. There are no separate qualifying methods and no stay requirements. Your progress is tied to how much you spend on eligible stays. Most hotels award 10 base points per dollar, so a $250 room earns 2,500 points toward both award redemptions and elite status.
Here are the three levels of elite status for Choice Privileges and what it takes to reach each level, along with benefits of each
Yes, it is completely free to join IPrefer. You earn Silver elite status as soon as you sign up, which lets you earn and redeem points and unlocks early check-in, late check-out, enhanced upgrades, and free in-room Wi-Fi. It’s one of the easier programs to join and start using right away.
You can earn iPrefer points from eligible stays at Preferred Hotels and Resorts, or by transferring points from Citi ThankYou Rewards, Bilt Rewards, or Capital One Miles. All three programs transfer to iPrefer at a 1:2 ratio, so 5,000 transferable points become 10,000 iPrefer points.
Preferred Hotels are not part of Choice, but the two programs are partners. That allows you to redeem Choice Privileges points for select Preferred Hotels and Resorts. Not every property or room is eligible, and redemption rates differ between the two programs, even at the same hotel.
You can use Choice Privileges points to book certain Preferred Hotels and Resorts. Not all properties participate, but you can search by logging in to your Choice account and using the Preferred booking link. From there, search as usual and check the calendar for available award nights.
Tracking Points & Transfer Options
