As expected, Chase just launched two new InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) co-branded credit cards:
IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
- Bonus offer: 80,000 points (plus 5,000 points if you add on an authorized user)
- Benefits:
- 10,000 points after spending $20,000 on the card per year
- Free night certificate every anniversary at “eligible” hotels
- 20% discount on buying IHG points
- 4th night free on award stays
- Annual fee: $89/year
- Learn more
While this card also comes with a free night certificate every anniversary year, it is now capped at select properties. This card is now similar to Hyatt and Marriott with a similar annual fee and a capped free night. Although, it does come with some other benefits such as 4th night free on award stays and a discount when purchasing points – which can definitely be very valuable. If you typically spend 4 consecutive nights at an IHG property then this card can definitely save you a lot of points, but keep in mind that this benefit is only when using full points and not cash + points. And while the annual fee has gone up, depending on where you are looking to use your free night certificate, you might come out ahead every single year. Having an 80,000 point sign up bonus is also a nice perk as well, which I value at $400. This valuation is based on the fact that you can many times purchase IHG points at .5 cents per point.
IHG Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card
- Bonus offer: 60,000 points (plus 5,000 points if you add on an authorized user)
- Benefits:
- Earn Gold status when you spend $10,000 on purchases per calendar year
- 20% discount on buying IHG points
- 4th night free on award stays
- Annual fee: $29/year
- Application link
This is actually a pretty good card to have and to hold onto. And I actually might suggest it more then the premier card. For only $29/year you get many of the same perks as the more expensive Premier card. The one difference is that you will NOT receive a free night every anniversary year. But, if you believe you’ll get a $60 value every single year on a hotel you’d be paying for anyways, then the Premier card is a better option for you. I am actually surprised that it comes with a high sign up bonus for such an inexpensive annual fee card. 60,000 points from the sign up bonus is worth $300.
Overall…
I still think the current IHG credit card, the IHG Rewards Club Select card, is still better then the two newly announced cards. And there is a good chance that if you apply for this card by today, you will still be grandfathered into an uncapped free night certificate after your first anniversary (one time thing). The existing card also gives you 10% back when redeeming points, which I prefer over the 4th night free. You can learn more about about applying for the existing IHG credit card here and possibly getting grandfathered into the existing perks.
Also, as of right now, we are not sure if these two cards are subject to Chase’s “5/24” rule, but I am going to assume they are not since the existing card is not. We also are not yet sure if you are allowed to hold all 3 cards (if you desire).
Learn more about hotel credit cards
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Has Chase committed to honor the terms & conditions of these new cards?
I am one if many people that applied for the current CC six months ago, so what guarantee is there that any of these “rewards” will actually be given as promised?
From what I’ve heard, it doesn’t fall under 5/24. However, it does fall under my personal “Never Again IHG” rule, so I can’t get it.
Do you know if we already have the IHG card and get 10 percent back in award stays would we also be able to use the 4th night free perk on top of that? If we applied for the new cards and kept both cards?
@Mike – I am not sure, but I have an email out to my IHG contact asking about it. Will keep you posted!
@dealswelike
Have not seen a post back to Mikes question yet. Have you received back any answer to his question? I think others would like to know what IHG has to say about the 10% back when owning both the old original and this new card just out.
Thank you, Bill
@Bill – Yes, the 10% back and fourth night free can be combined! https://dealswelike.boardingarea.com/2019/04/09/combining-two-ihg-credit-cards-benefits/
@dealswelike
Thank you, that’s just another good reason to have both the old and this new card “Club Traveler. ” Just applied for it on you site, thanks again for the quick response. Regards, Bill
I believe after reading Mikes post and your reply back to me again he was referring to the old original IHG Rewards card and combining it with the new IHG Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card for the 10% back on you award stays combo when you also get the 4th night free. They may of already discontinued the 5000 points on adding an authorized user because I added my wife who kept her given name and it was not given or even mentioned in the full disclosure. No matter, the 60,000 points, the 4ht night free & just $29/year fee after you first year is a winner.
I believe after reading Mikes post and your reply back to me again he was referring to the old original IHG Rewards card and combining it with the new IHG Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card for the 10% back on you award stays combo when you also get the 4th night free. They may of already discontinued the 5000 points on adding an authorized user because I added my wife who kept her given name and it was not given or even mentioned in the full disclosure. No matter, the 60,000 points, the 4ht night free & just $29/year fee after you first year is a winner.