Introduction: Evaluating the IHG One Rewards Premier Card
Every year, I reassess the credit cards I carry, weighing the benefits against their annual fees. It’s a crucial exercise to ensure my wallet is optimized for maximum value. After all, even a card with a seemingly low annual fee isn’t worth keeping if I’m not actively leveraging its perks. Today, I’m diving deep into the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card and its $99 annual fee. Is it a keeper? Let’s find out.
A Hefty Welcome Offer: A Fantastic Start
First impressions matter, and the IHG Premier card makes a strong one. New applicants can currently earn five free nights (valued at up to 300,000 points) after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. This offer ends July 23rd, so act fast if you’re considering it.
Now, let’s talk about value. Based on current valuations, those points can be worth up to $1,500! That’s an incredible return on your initial spending and easily overshadows the annual fee for the first year.
However, there are restrictions. You won’t be eligible for this bonus if you currently hold another personal IHG credit card, such as the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card, or if you’ve received a welcome bonus on any IHG personal credit card within the past 24 months.
Think of all the IHG hotels you can enjoy from luxury resorts in the Maldives to budget stays visiting the Taj Mahal in India. With 300,000 IHG points, that’s a lot of travel!
The Annual Free Night: A Cornerstone Benefit
Perhaps the most compelling reason to keep the IHG Premier card year after year is the annual free night award. On each account anniversary, you’ll receive a certificate good for one night at an IHG hotel costing up to 40,000 points. If the hotel you want costs more, you can top it up with points from your account.
This benefit alone can easily justify the $99 annual fee. A free night at a decent hotel could easily be worth $200 or more. I, for one, always look forward to using my free night at a Kimpton or an InterContinental property, maximizing the value of this perk. Last year I took the family to a resort on the beach and we had a fantastic time!
United TravelBank Cash: A Nice Little Bonus
The IHG Premier card also provides a $25 credit to your United TravelBank Cash balance in both January and July. This $50 credit can be used to purchase flights operated by United and United Express.
Now, I have to admit, these credits come with a few caveats. They expire about six months after they’re deposited, and they can’t be used to pay taxes and fees on award travel or for inflight purchases. Furthermore, TravelBank funds cannot be combined with vouchers from cancelled flights.
Despite these limitations, the TravelBank cash is a valuable perk if you fly United, which I do fairly often for work. While I can’t use them for taxes and fees on my award flights, I’ve used them to discount flights to my family to visit me at locations where I work. It’s a nice way to offset travel costs.
Automatic Platinum Elite Status: Elevating Your IHG Experience
Another key benefit is the complimentary Platinum Elite status within the IHG One Rewards program. This is a significant perk that can enhance your IHG stays substantially.
Platinum Elite status unlocks a range of benefits, including complimentary upgrades at check-in (based on availability), early check-in and late checkout (subject to availability), a welcome amenity of either points or a drink and snack, and guaranteed room availability within 72 hours.
These perks can make a real difference in the quality of your hotel stays. I appreciate the potential for room upgrades, which can turn a standard room into a suite, and the late checkout option, which allows for a more relaxed departure.
Fourth Night Free on Award Stays: A Strategic Way to Save
A lesser-known, but equally valuable perk is the fourth night free on award stays. Whenever you redeem points for stays of four nights or more, the fourth night is automatically free. This benefit alone can translate into substantial savings, especially for longer vacations.
To maximize this perk, I always try to plan my IHG award stays for at least four nights. The savings can be significant, especially if you’re staying at a more expensive property.
Earning Points and Additional Perks: Maximizing Your Return
The IHG Premier card also excels when it comes to earning points. You’ll earn 10 points per dollar spent at IHG hotels when paying with the card. When combined with the points earned as an IHG One Rewards member and the bonus points from Platinum Elite status, you can net up to 26 points per dollar spent on IHG stays!
Additionally, you’ll earn 5 points per dollar spent on travel, hotels, gas stations, and dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services), and 3 points per dollar spent on all other purchases.
The card also offers a reimbursement (once every four years) for your application fee to Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or Nexus. It also gives you a 20% discount on points purchases (though this can’t be added to other sales on IHG points).
You’ll also earn a $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases on your card in a calendar year.
Moreover, the IHG Premier card provides valuable travel and shopping protections, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance and purchase protection. I once had my camera lens ruined on a trip and the purchase protection saved me hundreds of dollars.
Final Verdict: A Solid Choice for IHG Enthusiasts
In conclusion, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is a solid choice for anyone who frequently stays at IHG hotels. The annual free night award, the Platinum Elite status, the fourth-night-free benefit, and the generous earning rates make it easy to justify the $99 annual fee.
For me, the IHG Premier card is a definite keeper. I consistently use its perks, and I always get more than $99 worth of value out of it. If you’re an IHG loyalist, I highly recommend considering this card for your wallet. However, if your IHG stays are infrequent, or you don’t plan to take advantage of its benefits, it might not be the best fit. It all comes down to your individual travel habits and spending patterns.
