As changes to hotel-program award prices go, the latest for InterContinental’s IHG Rewards are decidedly modest: Prices for award nights at 400 hotels will change by either 5,000 or 10,000 points, half moving up, half moving down. If it were just that 50-50 split, Rewards members might dismiss it as a wash and count their blessings. After all, “It could have been worse.”

However, this year’s price changes include another wrinkle that tips the overall pricing package into net-negative territory.

On February 17, when the new prices take effect, the IHG award chart will be expanded to include two new price points—higher price points, naturally, at 55,000 and 60,000 points.

RELATED: The 10 Best U.S. Hotels, Including Some Bargains

That new 60,000-point category will include 11 InterContinental properties and two Las Vegas casinos, all currently priced at what is now the most expensive price tier, 50,000 points.

Five other InterContinentals will be elevated into the new 55,000-point award category.

As always with upcoming award-price changes, program members should peruse the list of repriced properties, booking any award stays that will increase in price before February 17, and holding off until after the change to book stays that will become cheaper.

After 20 years working in the travel industry, and almost that long writing about it, Tim Winship knows a thing or two about travel. Follow him on Twitter @twinship.

This article first appeared on SmarterTravel.com, where Tim Winship is Editor-at-Large.