All About IHG Credit Cards

Hotel Credit Cards

In my opinion, hotel credit cards are a valuable part of your overall points/miles strategy. Once you’ve opened most of the cards that earn flexible/transferable points – moving on to hotel cards is a good game plan. Hotel credit card welcome offers are the absolute best way to quickly earn a lot of points (or free night certificates) for that hotel.

  • You are eligible to get the welcome offer on hotel cards issued by Chase 24 months from the last time you received a welcome offer on that card (you’ll need to close the one you have first, wait 30 days then reapply)
  • Perks attached to that card often make having the card worthwhile (hotel status, annual free night certificates, etc)

IHG Hotels & Credit Card- Must knows

  • IHG has over 6,000 properties worldwide which is a huge benefit
  • You will pay fees (but not taxes) on IHG award nights
  • You can transfer Chase points to IHG **I would ONLY do this to TOP OFF points needed to get the 4th night free – as this is not generally the best use of Chase points**
  • Holiday Inn, Intercontinental, Kimpton, Crowne Plaza, and Indigo are all IHG brands
  • Free night awards expire 1 year from when they are issued
  • You can not hold 2 personal IHG cards at the same time

4th Night Free Benefit

One of the biggest benefits to holding ANY IHG card, is that simply by holding the card, you’ll get the 4th night free when you book 4 consecutive nights on points. Only paying for 3 nights of a 4 night stay should be enough reason for anyone to consider holding one of their cards.

IHG Credit Cards

Of the 2 personal card options, IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card would be my #1 choice due to the significant benefits you’d get from holding this card:

  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® fee credit
  • Earns up to 26x points at IHG resorts/hotels
  • Annual free night certificate (up to 40K points/night) every year, after year 1
  • Automatic Platinum Elite status from holding this card

If you are looking for a $0 annual fee card, IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card would be a good option to consider. The main reason I would recommend opening this card is for the 4th night free benefit (explained above – which is a benefit of holding any IHG card).

If you prefer to sign up for business cards (for 5/24 reasons), then the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card would be your best option.

  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® fee credit
  • Earns up to 26x points at IHG resorts/hotels
  • Annual free night certificate (up to 40K points/night) every year, after year 1
  • Automatic Platinum Elite status from holding this card

IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

Best Use of IHG Points & Free Night Certificates

Here are a few great options for 60K IHG free night awards:

Award Night Calendar

Unfortunately IHG has dynamic award pricing (meaning the points needed per night can vary wildly). But luckily, they also have an easy way to view award nights by month.

Select “my dates are flexible)
to see monthly view like this

Thank you for supporting my small business! When you use my affiliate links to apply for a credit card, I earn a commission from the bank. But you still get the same great offer! And this helps me keep my guides and personal help free.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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