Chase and IHG have two co-branded hotel credit cards: the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card and IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card.
Two perks, in particular, made us go “Whoa!” when it came to the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card.
So with that in mind, let’s check ’em out — and six more reasons you should get the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card.
175,000 Bonus IHG Points
New cardholders who sign up for this welcome offer receive 175,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within three months of being approved.
This matches the highest offer we’ve ever seen for this card (and is the other “Whoa!” factor). When the card debuted, I received only 120,000 for my welcome bonus. I’m downright jealous of folks eligible for this offer! 🙂
Fourth Night Free on Award Stays
This really helps you stretch your vacation budget.
When using points to pay for a stay of four nights (or more), your IHG Rewards account is charged for only three nights!
For example, if you book a four-night at a property valued at 40,000 points, you’ll end up spending only 120,000 points. (3 nights x 40,000 points = 120,000; no charge for the fourth night.)
Complimentary IHG Platinum Elite Status
- Room upgrades
- Priority check-in
- Complimentary internet
- Welcome amenity (usually a drink in the bar or bonus points)
- $30 In-room spa credit
You can occasionally finesse the front desk into giving you a complimentary late check out — but don’t expect anything too grand. (Like, be elated if you’re given a 2:00 PM check out.)
This is also a cheap way to get an upper-tier status you can use for status matches.
Annual Anniversary Night (Starting Year Two)
This is another major reason I hold this card.
Beginning the second year of membership, IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card holders receive a “complimentary” anniversary night they can use at IHG properties valued at 40,000 or fewer points.
I say “complimentary” because is the room free if you’re paying an annual fee? Nope.
But, still, a decent nice hotel room for $99 is still a good deal.
What makes this particular welcome offer sweeter than others is you don’t “burn” a year of the annual fee (i.e. year one) without receiving an anniversary night.
26X Points During IHG Stays
Global Entry and TSA Pre√ Application Credit
Many travel cards are jumping on the Global Entry and TSA Pre√ application credit bandwagon. You’ll receive up to $100 in statement credit when you pay for a Global Entry or TSA Pre√ application fee every four years.
Even if you already have Global Entry or TSA Pre√, remember you can gift the benefit to someone else!
Perfect for Families
The IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card is a fantastic option for families with children (or grandchildren). Many IHG properties have pools. Kids LOVE pools.
The 140,000 bonus points buy you several nights (at least) at most Holiday Inns and Holiday Inn Expresses. And that fourth night free on award stays helps make family vacations a little easier on the wallet.
Platinum status room upgrades are nice and give everyone a little more space. And the welcome amenity cocktail (at properties with bars) might be a treat for parents needing a quick refreshment 
.
Downsides?
Like many people, I, too, miss the days of the uncapped anniversary night, mourn the loss of Accelerate, and lament the demise of PointBreaks.
Spoiler alert: those perks and programs probably aren’t coming back, no matter how much we wish they would.
And, yes, IHG’s North American footprint is smaller by about 100 properties. But there are still plenty of IHG hotels to enjoy. My family does several times a year.
The only time I really spend anything on my IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card is during stays at IHG hotels. With that 26X exception, other points earnings (5X at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants) aren’t much better than what I can get with other cards when taking into account the value of IHG points.
But I still hold the card!
Final Approach
I love the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card‘s current welcome offers of 175,000 bonus points. You can get a lot of enjoyment out of those perks alone.
The free fourth night benefit is fantastic — and helps make vacations a little more affordable. So is the IHG Platinum Elite status and Global Entry application credit.
Both my wife and I each have IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Cards — and plan to keep them for a long time.
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Is it worth getting if you have the old IHG MASTERCARD?
I hold both the old IHG Select Mastercard and IHG Rewards Premier Card because it essentially gets me two decent hotel room nights for $138 in annual fees each year. (My wife does, too, so $276 scores us four annual nights.)
The 140,000 bonus points on this welcome offer are pretty great, too, IMHO.