IHG Premier Card Now Offering 165,000 Points Welcome Bonus (Limited Time)

Updated Sep 6, 2025
ihg one rewards premier card featured
To the point Chase's IHG Premier Card now offers 165,000 bonus points ($825 value) after spending $3,000 in 3 months, plus elite status and an annual free night.

Chase has just launched an improved welcome offer on the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, making now an excellent time to consider adding this hotel credit card to your wallet. The card is currently offering a substantial 165,000 IHG One Rewards points bonus, representing one of the highest point offers we’ve seen on this product.

Let’s examine this limited-time offer and explore why the IHG Premier Card remains one of the most compelling hotel credit cards on the market, even beyond the initial bonus.

IHG Premier Card Welcome Bonus Details

The current welcome offer on the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card includes:

  • Bonus points: 165,000 IHG One Rewards points
  • Spending requirement: $3,000 within the first three months of account opening
  • Annual fee: $99 (not waived the first year)

This represents a significant improvement over the previous offer of 140,000 points. At a valuation of approximately 0.5 cents per IHG point, this welcome bonus is worth around $825 in hotel stays – making it one of the most valuable mid-tier hotel card offers currently available.

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How Far Can 165,000 IHG Points Take You?

To put this welcome bonus in perspective, here are some examples of what 165,000 IHG points could get you:

  • 3-4 nights at a luxury property like InterContinental or Kimpton (40,000-60,000 points per night)
  • 5-8 nights at a mid-tier property like Crowne Plaza or Hotel Indigo (20,000-30,000 points per night)
  • 10+ nights at budget-friendly options like Holiday Inn Express (10,000-15,000 points per night)

When you factor in the card’s fourth night free benefit on award stays, you can stretch these points even further for longer vacations.

Who Is Eligible for the IHG Premier Card Bonus?

Before applying, it’s important to understand Chase’s eligibility requirements for this welcome bonus:

  • You must not currently have any IHG personal credit card
  • You must not have received a new cardmember bonus on an IHG personal credit card in the past 24 months
  • This includes the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
  • Having or having had the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card does not affect your eligibility
  • Being an authorized user on someone else’s IHG credit card does not affect your eligibility

Additionally, you’ll need to consider Chase’s general application rules:

  • 5/24 Rule: You generally need to be under 5 new credit card accounts opened across all banks in the past 24 months (though there have been recent reports of approvals for applicants over this limit)
  • Credit score: A good to excellent credit score (typically 700+) is recommended

Key Benefits of the IHG Premier Card

Beyond the impressive welcome bonus, the IHG Premier Card offers several valuable ongoing benefits that easily justify its modest $99 annual fee:

Automatic IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite Status

Cardholders receive complimentary IHG Platinum Elite status for as long as they hold the card. This mid-tier status includes:

  • 60% bonus points on paid stays
  • Room upgrades (subject to availability)
  • Extended checkout (2pm when available)
  • Welcome amenity at check-in
  • Complimentary internet
  • Access to the Milestone Rewards program, which offers additional benefits after reaching stay thresholds

Annual Free Night Certificate

Each year on your account anniversary, you’ll receive a free night certificate valid at IHG properties costing up to 40,000 points per night. This benefit alone can easily outweigh the card’s annual fee, especially when used at properties that would otherwise cost $200+ per night.

Additionally, you can now top off these certificates with points from your account to book properties that cost more than 40,000 points per night, adding tremendous flexibility to this benefit.

Fourth Night Free on Award Stays

When you redeem points for a stay of four nights or more, you’ll automatically receive the fourth night free. This effectively gives you a 25% discount on four-night award stays, stretching your points even further.

IHG-One-Rewards-Indigo-Pool-1

United TravelBank Credit

Cardholders receive up to $50 in United TravelBank credit annually, distributed as up to $25 every six months. This credit can be used toward United Airlines flights, adding even more value to the card’s benefits package.

Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit

The card provides a statement credit of up to $100 every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fees, helping you speed through airport security and immigration.

Path to Diamond Elite Status

If you spend $40,000 on the card in a calendar year, you’ll be upgraded to IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status, the program’s highest tier. While this spending threshold is substantial, it provides an alternative path to top-tier status for those who value IHG’s premium benefits.

Earning Structure

The card offers a competitive earning structure for hotel credit cards:

  • 10x points at IHG hotels and resorts
  • 5x points on travel, dining, and gas station purchases
  • 3x points on all other purchases

When combined with the points you earn as an IHG One Rewards member and the 60% bonus from Platinum status, you can earn up to 26 points per dollar spent at IHG properties.

How the IHG Premier Card Compares to Other Hotel Cards

When evaluating the IHG Premier Card against other popular hotel credit cards in the same annual fee range, it stands out in several areas:

FeatureIHG Premier ($99)Marriott Boundless ($95)Hilton Surpass ($95)
Welcome Bonus165,000 pointsTypically 75,000-100,000 pointsTypically 130,000-180,000 points
Free Night CertUp to 40,000 points (with top-off option)Up to 35,000 pointsNone (earn with $15k spend)
Elite StatusPlatinum (mid-tier)Silver (entry-level)Gold (mid-tier)
4th Night BenefitYes (4th night free)NoNo
Additional Credits$50 United TravelBank creditNone10 Priority Pass visits

While each program has its strengths, the IHG Premier Card offers a particularly compelling combination of immediate elite status, a valuable free night certificate, and unique benefits like the fourth night free on award stays.

Maximizing the IHG Premier Card

To get the most value from your IHG Premier Card:

  1. Use the welcome bonus strategically: Target high-value redemptions where you’d get more than 0.5 cents per point in value
  2. Book four-night award stays: Take advantage of the fourth night free benefit to stretch your points
  3. Maximize the anniversary free night: Use it at properties that would otherwise cost $200+ per night
  4. Leverage Platinum status: Request room upgrades and enjoy elite benefits on every stay
  5. Utilize the United credit: Don’t forget to use your semi-annual TravelBank credits for United flights
  6. Stack with IHG promotions: Combine with quarterly IHG promotions for even more value

Bottom Line

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is currently offering an exceptional welcome bonus of 165,000 points after meeting the minimum spending requirement. At a valuation of approximately $825, this represents one of the most generous offers we’ve seen on this card.

Beyond the initial bonus, the card offers substantial ongoing value through its annual free night certificate, automatic Platinum Elite status, fourth night free on award stays, and additional travel benefits. For most travelers, these perks easily justify the $99 annual fee, making this a card worth holding onto year after year.

If you’ve been considering adding an IHG credit card to your wallet, now is an ideal time to apply while this elevated welcome offer is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jean-Maximilien Voisine
Jean-Maximilien Voisine
Jean-Maximilien Voisine is the President and Founder of Milesopedia and a leading expert in rewards programs, credit cards, and travel across Canada, France, and the U.S.A. Now 40 years old and a father of two, he has explored more than 100 countries—many of them alongside his wife Audrey and their children. Specializing in loyalty programs such as Aeroplan, Flying Blue, American Express Membership Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, Jean-Maximilien helps travellers unlock the full potential of their points and benefits. His mission: empower others to travel better and smarter across North America and Europe.
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