Charles H. Miller
Chase and IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) have teamed-up on the IHG® Rewards Club Select Credit Card, which is made for folks frequently visiting IHG properties such as InterContinental (obviously), Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Candlewood Suites, and EVEN Hotels. The IHG offers more than 700,000 rooms in over 4,900 mid- and upper-level hotels around the world, making it easy to find a hotel room no matter where you happen to travel. And their credit card offers a number of bells and whistles for everyone visiting these properties, or intending to do so in the future. Here are the details…
Highlights
- Generous sign-up bonus of 60,000 points
- Complimentary Platinum Elite status with all of its perks
- Free night stay for every year that you renew your card membership
- 16.24% APR
- No foreign transaction fee
- $49 annual fee, waived in the first year
How It Works
Earn points: Cardmembers earn five points for each dollar they spend at InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) properties; two points for each dollar spent on gasoline, groceries, and restaurants; and one point per dollar on all other purchases. There are no limits on the number of points you can earn and your points do not expire.
Redeem points: Points can be redeemed for hotel stays starting at 10,000 points, or for merchandise and entertainment as low as 800 points. Gift cards with retailers such as Barnes & Noble and Best Buy are available at 11,000 points for $25 gift cards. In addition, points can be transferred to frequent flyer miles with airline loyalty programs like Delta SkyMiles and British Airways. If you redeem 30,000 points through the IHG Rewards Club, you’ll receive a 10% rebate on your points (up to 100,000 points back per year).
Sign-up offer: Cardmembers get 60,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Free night: For every year that you renew your card membership, you will receive a free night stay at an IHG property.
Complimentary Platinum Elite status: Cardmembers receive Platinum Elite status for as long as they are members. Said status includes additional hotel perks such as priority check-in, 50% bonus earnings, complimentary room upgrades, and more.
APR: It’s 16.24%, so you’re better off not carrying a balance (but paying it in full and on time).
Annual fee: The IHG® Rewards Club Select Credit Card from Chase has an annual fee of $49, which is waived in the first year.
No foreign transaction fee: Obviously, this card is made for travelers.
Costs
- 16.24% APR
- 5% Balance Transfer Fee ($5 minimum)
- $0 Foreign Transaction Fee
- $49 Annual Fee (waived in the first year)
Pros
- Generous sign-up bonus can be redeemed for as much as 7 free nights at an IHG hotel, making it [bonus] worth up to $1,000. Or less, if you’re looking for a high-end brand under IHG’s umbrella.
- Annual free night – this feat alone will recoup that annual fee that kicks in after the first year.
- Platinum Elite Status, which provides you with access to additional hotel and card benefits such as complimentary room upgrades and a 50% bonus on base points earned with the rewards program.
Cons
- IHG points are not worth that much outside of hotel redemption. You’re best off using them “inside the system.”
- High APR – common with most travel credit cards.
Is This The Card For You?
The IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card is the perfect choice for those who frequently stay in IHG hotels or plan to do so in the future. You’ll get a premium treatment with the included Platinum Elite status, along with an option to benefit from free nights. These come every year once you prolong the membership, or when you redeem your points. And you get a ton to start with.
