Score up to 175,000 Bonus Points with Unmatched Offers from IHG Rewards Credit Cards

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IHG Hotels and Resorts has enhanced the welcome bonuses for its cobranded Chase cards—the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card and the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card—to their highest introductory offers ever.

The no-annual-fee IHG Rewards Traveler Credit Card has reinstated its best-ever offer from early 2022: You can earn 120,000 IHG points after spending $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership.

Moreover, its premium counterpart—the IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card—has raised its welcome bonus to 175,000 IHG points, marking the highest offer this card has seen. Although this card has an annual fee of $99, it offers benefits typically found with higher-fee cards. Think: five points for every dollar spent on travel and dining, up to a $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, and Platinum Elite status within the IHG portfolio.

As of now, the extensive collection of IHG Hotels and Resorts includes 17 brands, such as Intercontinental, Kimpton, Six Senses, and Indigo Hotels, boasting over 6,600 properties worldwide. IHG points can be used for stays at any of these hotels, subject to award availability. IHG employs dynamic pricing for its award nights, with the number of points needed fluctuating based on factors like peak versus off-peak seasons and the property's current dollar rate.

Generally speaking, standard room rates range from 10,000 to 190,000 points per night, varying by hotel. For instance, in March 2023, we discovered rooms at the Kimpton St. Honoré Paris for 81,500 points per night (compared to 413 euros) and at the Hotel Indigo Atlanta Midtown for 35,000 points per night (against $225). In June 2023, rates at the InterContinental New York Times Square were 63,000 points per night (versus $408). On the other hand, the Six Senses Shaharut in Israel’s Negev Desert required between 154,000 and 190,000 points per night in February and May 2023, respectively (comparable to $850 and $1,050 per night).

Continue reading to discover more about the two IHG cards and their substantial limited-time welcome bonuses.

IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card

Ideal for: The IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card is perfect for IHG enthusiasts (or even those who occasionally stay at IHG properties) looking to leverage the card’s excellent benefits and earning potential.

Welcome offer: Receive 175,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months. (The standard offer typically varies between 125,000 and 140,000 points.)

Annual fee: $99

Earn points: Accumulate 26 points for every dollar spent (yes, that's correct) on purchases at IHG hotels and resorts, and five points per dollar on all non-IHG travel, dining, and gas expenses. Earn three points per dollar on all other purchases. For context, the previous card version offered just one point per dollar for non-IHG travel and everyday purchases and two points per dollar on dining and gas.

Credits: Receive a credit for your Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or Nexus application fee (up to $100) once every four years. Additionally, thanks to a partnership with United Airlines, you can get up to $50 in United TravelBank Cash each calendar year by linking your United Mileage Plus and IHG Rewards accounts. Plus, enjoy your fourth night free when booking four consecutive nights using points.

Key perks: Automatically earn Platinum Elite status, which typically requires either 40 nights each year or accumulating 60,000 qualifying points at IHG properties. Major benefits of Platinum Elite status include late checkout, complimentary room upgrades (subject to availability), free Wi-Fi, and a 60 percent bonus on points earned from hotel purchases. Additionally, earn an Anniversary Free Night certificate each year of card membership, worth 40,000 points.

For hotels that require more than 40,000 points per night, cardholders can supplement the certificate by using their existing points balance.

IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card

Best for: The IHG Rewards Traveler Credit Card is ideal for individuals looking to earn IHG hotel points for future stays through an attractive limited-time offer while avoiding the hassle of an annual fee.

Welcome offer: Earn 120,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases during the first three months. (The standard offer usually ranges from 60,000 to 80,000 points.)

Annual fee: $0

Earn points: Accumulate 17 points for every dollar spent at IHG hotels and resorts (increased from five points per dollar with the previous version). Earn three points per dollar on utility bills, internet, cable, phone, and select streaming service purchases (up from one point per dollar), as well as on dining and fuel purchases. Earn two points per dollar on all other expenses.

Credits: None

Key perks: With this card, you’ll automatically receive Silver Elite status, which generally requires 10 nights of stay each year. Benefits of this status include free Wi-Fi and a 20 percent bonus on points earned from hotel purchases.

Takeaways

Chase’s IHG credit cards are extremely competitive with the top travel cards available today, and the introduction of substantial mega-bonuses makes them more appealing than ever. While many may prefer the no-annual-fee IHG Rewards Traveler Credit Card, we suggest the IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card for its superior earning potential and valuable benefits that significantly surpass the $99 annual fee. A 175,000-point introductory bonus is quite enticing, too!

This article was first published in 2022 and was updated with the latest bonus offers on January 30, 2023. While the offers mentioned above were accurate at the time of publication, they are subject to change at any moment and may have been altered or may no longer be available.