Ihg Rewards Credit Cards for Frequent Travelers

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If you're a frequent traveler, you're likely no stranger to the IHG Rewards credit card family. IHG Rewards credit cards offer a range of benefits that cater specifically to travelers who frequently stay at IHG hotels.

One of the standout benefits of IHG Rewards credit cards is the ability to earn points on every purchase, which can be redeemed for free nights at over 5,600 IHG hotels worldwide.

With IHG Rewards credit cards, you can earn points on every dollar you spend, including at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants.

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Benefits and Rewards

The IHG Rewards credit cards offer a range of benefits and rewards that can greatly enhance your travel experience. You'll earn up to 17 points per dollar spent when staying at IHG Hotels & Resorts.

One of the standout benefits is the fourth-night-reward perk, which can save you a significant amount of points on long stays. For example, if you stay at a 20,000-point property, you'll save $100 worth of IHG points.

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Automatic elite status is another perk that comes with some of the IHG credit cards, specifically the Premier card. This can give you access to exclusive benefits and rewards. You'll also get a free night certificate on your anniversary as a cardholder, good for a night at any eligible IHG hotel or resort.

The welcome offer on some of the IHG credit cards can be worth a week's worth of free stays, with up to 170,000 bonus points available. This can be redeemed for a room worth up to 40,000 points, such as the Kimpton Aluna Hotel in Tulum, Mexico.

Here's a breakdown of the earn rates on the IHG credit cards:

Overall, the IHG Rewards credit cards offer a range of benefits and rewards that can enhance your travel experience and save you money on your stays.

Elite Status and Perks

Elite status is a major perk of IHG One Rewards credit cards. You can earn automatic elite status with various IHG One Rewards cards.

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For example, IHG One Rewards Premier and IHG One Rewards Premier Business cardholders will earn automatic IHG Platinum Elite status. This status alone can make the card's $99 annual fee worth it if you spend more than a few nights a year at IHG properties.

With automatic Platinum status, you'll get 50% bonus points on paid stays, complimentary room upgrades, and extended checkout (subject to availability). These perks can make a big difference in your travel experience.

Here are some of the benefits you can expect with IHG Platinum Elite status:

  • 50% bonus points on paid stays.
  • Complimentary room upgrades.
  • Extended checkout (subject to availability).

Overall, the benefits of IHG elite status make these credit cards a great choice for frequent IHG travelers.

Earning and Redemption

You can rack up points fairly quickly with an IHG One Rewards credit card, earning 26 total points per dollar spent on IHG hotel stays. This breaks down into 10 points for paying with the card, 10 points from your free IHG Rewards Club membership, and 6 points from Platinum Elite status.

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A two-night stay at a $200-per-night hotel means 10,000 points, which is enough for a room redemption. Room redemptions start at 10,000 points, making it easy to earn free nights.

Here's a breakdown of the rewards earning structure for the IHG credit card:

Points will expire after 12 months without activity in your IHG rewards account, so be sure to use them or earn more before they disappear.

Earning

You can earn points quickly with the IHG One Rewards card, especially if you stay at IHG hotels. With 26 total points per $1 spent on IHG hotel stays, you'll rack up points fast. You'll earn 10 points for paying with the card, 10 points from your free IHG Rewards Club membership, and 6 points from Platinum Elite status.

A two-night stay at a $200-per-night hotel means 10,000 points, which is enough for a free night redemption. This is especially useful if you take advantage of the fourth-night-reward benefit, which saves you points on stays of four or more consecutive nights. The fourth night is complimentary when you redeem points for stays of four or more.

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You can also earn points on other purchases, such as monthly bills, gas stations, and restaurants, earning 3 points per dollar spent. All other purchases earn 2 points per dollar. Points will expire after 12 months without activity in your IHG rewards account.

Here's a breakdown of the earning rates:

If you need to top off your IHG points balance, you can get a 20% discount when you buy points with your card, combined with the ability to top off free night certificates. This perk could be handy if you're looking to save up your awards for aspirational stays.

Chase Sign-Up Bonus

The Chase sign-up bonus is a great way to get started with earning rewards, and it's available on several IHG credit cards. The IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card offers a 140,000 sign-up bonus IHG Rewards points for spending at least $3,000 in the first three months.

You can also earn a sign-up bonus with the IHG Rewards Traveler Credit Card, which provides 80,000 sign-up bonus IHG Rewards points for spending a minimum of $2,000 within the first three months.

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The IHG Rewards Premier Business Credit Card offers a 140,000 sign-up bonus IHG Rewards points incentive for spending at least $3,000 in the initial three months. This is a significant bonus that can help you get started with earning rewards quickly.

Here are the standard welcome bonus offers for the IHG credit cards:

  • Chase IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card: 140,000 sign-up bonus IHG Rewards points for spending at least $3,000 in the first three months.
  • Chase IHG Rewards Traveler Credit Card: 80,000 sign-up bonus IHG Rewards points for spending a minimum of $2,000 within the first three months.
  • Chase IHG Rewards Premier Business Credit Card: 140,000 sign-up bonus IHG Rewards points for spending at least $3,000 in the initial three months.

Application and Rules

To apply for IHG rewards credit cards, you'll want to know the application rules. You can have multiple IHG credit cards, but be aware that the IHG One Rewards cards are subject to Chase's 5/24 rule.

This means that if you've opened five or more personal credit card accounts across all banks in the last 24 months, Chase is unlikely to approve you. If any of the following exclusions apply to you, you're also not eligible:

  • Currently have a personal IHG One Rewards credit card or received a new cardholder bonus on any personal IHG credit card in the past 24 months.
  • Received a new cardmember bonus on the IHG Business card in the last 24 months.

Travel Protections

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers a range of travel protections that can save you thousands of dollars in case of unexpected events.

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You can be reimbursed up to $5,000 per person and $10,000 per trip for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses if your trip is canceled or cut short by covered situations.

These include sickness or severe weather, and you can use this protection to cover expenses like tours or hotel rooms.

If your luggage is damaged or lost by the carrier, you're covered up to $3,000 per passenger.

Here are the specific travel protections included in the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card:

  • Trip cancellation and interruption
  • Travel accident insurance
  • Travel and emergency assistance services
  • Lost luggage reimbursement
  • Baggage delay insurance
  • Auto rental collision damage waiver

Application Rules

If you're planning to apply for an IHG credit card, it's essential to know the rules. You can have multiple IHG credit cards, but be aware that the IHG One Rewards cards are subject to Chase's 5/24 rule.

This means if you've opened five or more personal credit card accounts across all banks in the last 24 months, Chase is unlikely to approve you. You'll need to check your credit card history to see if you've reached this threshold.

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If you've received a new cardholder bonus on any personal IHG credit card in the past 24 months, you're not eligible to apply for another one. This includes the legacy IHG One Rewards Select Credit Card that's no longer available to new applicants.

There are also specific exclusions for the IHG Business card. If you received a new cardmember bonus on this card in the last 24 months, you won't be approved for another one.

Here are the key exclusions to keep in mind:

  • Personal cards: If you currently have a personal IHG One Rewards credit card or received a new cardholder bonus on any personal IHG credit card in the past 24 months.
  • IHG Business card: If you received a new cardmember bonus on this card in the last 24 months.

Limited Time Offer

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is offering a limited time bonus of 170,000 points for new cardholders who meet a spending requirement.

To take advantage of this offer, you'll need to be approved for the card and spend the required amount. The previous offer was 140,000 points, so this is a 30,000-point increase.

The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is also offering a limited time bonus of 100,000 points, which is 20,000 more points than the previous offer. This card has no annual fee.

With the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, you'll get automatic IHG elite status and free-night certificates. This can be a game-changer for frequent IHG guests.

Which to Get?

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If you're considering applying for an IHG card, it's essential to choose the right one for your travel style. Elevated offers are live, so you can pick the card that best fits your needs.

Consider how you travel: are you a frequent road tripper or a jet-setter? The IHG card you choose should align with your travel habits. If you're a hotel enthusiast, you might prefer a card that offers more hotel-related perks.

Elevated offers are live, so you can choose based on which perks you'll actually use. Don't get a card with benefits you'll never utilize.

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Analysis and Review

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is a solid choice for travelers, with a generous free-night certificate that can be redeemed for a room costing 40,000 points or less.

If you stay at an IHG hotel at least once a year, the $99 annual fee is easily justified, as you can book a room with your free-night certificate.

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Redemptions start at 10,000 points per night, and the cash value of those properties is roughly $100, making it a good deal even if you redeem at one of the lower rates.

The card earns 5 out of 5 stars based on its rates, fees, rewards, and other features, despite IHG points not being worth as much as points in other hotel programs.

Casual travelers can also benefit from IHG credit cards, with automatic elite status and a free-night certificate earned each year.

These perks make it a great time to apply for an IHG credit card, especially with solid welcome offers available.

Who and What

The IHG Rewards Traveler card is a great option for frequent IHG property visitors who don't want to pay an annual fee.

This card offers solid earning rates, which is a definite perk for those who stay at IHG properties regularly.

Automatic Silver elite status is also included, giving cardholders a boost in rewards and benefits.

It also comes with a decent welcome offer, which can be a nice bonus for new cardholders.

This card is perfect for those who want to earn rewards without breaking the bank with an annual fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score is needed for an IHG credit card?

To be approved for an IHG credit card, you'll need a credit score of at least 700, which is considered good credit. If your score is lower, consider waiting to apply until you meet this requirement.

How much is 140,000 IHG points worth?

According to Business Insider's points and miles valuations, 140,000 IHG points are worth around $910 in stays. This bonus points offer can be earned by spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.

Anne Wiegand

Writer

Anne Wiegand is a seasoned writer with a passion for sharing insightful commentary on the world of finance. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics, Anne has established herself as a trusted voice in the industry. Her articles on "Gold Chart" and "Mining Stocks" have been well-received by readers and industry professionals alike, offering a unique perspective on market trends and investment opportunities.

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