I Forgot About The Upgrades To The IHG Rewards Premier Card

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On March 24, 2022, IHG and Chase announced significant changes to the IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card. While both Sharon and I have this card, we don’t often use it. We have it mainly because the annual free night certificate is good for anywhere charging 40,000 points or less.

The one major change that I paid attention to was the ability to add an unlimited number of points to the free night certificate, which allowed you to use it at any IHG hotel with award availability. This changed my strategy for using the voucher, as it no longer made sense to use it anywhere charging fewer than 40K points.

Being so focused on this change, I overlooked other changes to the IHG Rewards Premier card that I was reminded of when cleaning up my office. I found the letter from Chase and it turns out the card might be an excellent option to earn additional IHG points.

Before I use the IHG Rewards Preferred card, I consider that to me, IHG One Rewards points are worth between 1/2 to 1 cent each. So any time I’m using the card, I have to earn more than I’d otherwise with a cash-back card or one that earns transferrable points.

Bonus Point Categories

• 10X points at IHG Hotels and Resorts
• 5X points on travel and hotels
• 5X points at gas stations
• 5X points on dining (including restaurants, take out and delivery)
• 3X points on all other purchases

What’s notable is the large number of places that fall under the travel category.

Merchants in the travel category include airlines, hotels, motels, timeshares, car rental agencies, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites, campgrounds and operators of passenger trains, buses, taxis, limousines, ferries, toll bridges and highways, and parking lots and garages

Many cards exclude campgrounds, tolls, parking expenses and cruises from the travel category. The IHG Rewards Premier includes these and any charges from all hotels,  including non-IHG properties.

In addition, earning 3X points for all charges could make this an option for everyday spending. If I was sure I could get close to 1 cent per point value, that’s a 3% return.

Spending Threshold Bonuses

Starting January 1, 2023, if you spend $20,000 on the IHG Rewards Premier before the end of the year, you’ll receive a $100 statement credit and 10,000 points.

If you spend $40,000 on the card, you’ll receive IHG Rewards Diamond Elite status.

United TravelBank Cash

Here’s another thing I forgot. You’ll receive $50 each calendar year in United TravelBank funds as part of the refresh. All you need to do is link your IHG One Rewards and United MileagePlus accounts.

Final Thoughts

These new benefits and bonus categories, on top of the continuing benefits of automatic Platinum Elite status, 4th night free on award bookings, anniversary free night certificate and Global Entry, TSA Precheck or NEXUS statement credit, makes the IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card an excellent option for those who stay at IHG hotels.

Whatever you think about IHG, there’s plenty of value for a card with a $99 annual fee.

If you’d like to sign up for this card, we’d appreciate it If you use our referral link. We get bonus IHG points for each person who signs up, so why not help us out while helping yourself?

I’m going to look closer to see if it makes sense to use the IHG Premier card to earn 5X points at gas stations, tolls, and parking and 3X points for non-bonused spending.

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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary