IHG One Rewards Premier Card Offering up to 185,000 Points Welcome Offer
Chase has just launched it’s new 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 up to 185,000 IHG One Rewards points bonus, one of the most valuable 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® One Rewards Premier Credit Card
Unlock Premium Travel Benefits with the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
Limited Time Offer: Earn up to 185,000 Bonus Points with the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card. Earn 150,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening, and then earn an extra 35,000 Bonus Points after spending $6,000 in your first 6 months from account opening!
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card delivers exceptional value that extends well beyond its annual fee. This card is worth getting primarily for its anniversary free night certificate, which can easily outvalue the annual fee. Plus, with the IHG One Rewards Premier Card, you’ll enjoy:
- Automatic IHG Platinum Elite status
- Fourth night free on award redemptions
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck®/NEXUS credit up to $120 every 4 years
IHG One Rewards Premier cardholders earn up to 26 total points per $1 at IHG properties, 5 points per $1 on travel, gas stations, and restaurants, and 3 points per $1 on all other purchases. Your points can be redeemed at InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®.
With the current elevated welcome bonus and stellar ongoing benefits, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is a no-brainer even if you don’t put significant spending on it long-term.
Apply now to secure this limited-time offer!
- Annual fee
- $99
- Our valuation
- $840Milesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$840Total$840Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$840Total$840Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- Welcome offer
- 140,000 points
on Chase's website
IHG Premier Card Welcome Bonus Details
The current welcome offer on the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is earned in two chunks:
- Initial bonus: Earn 150,000 IHG One Rewards points after spending $3,000 within the first three months of account opening
- Second bonus: Earn an extra 35,000 IHG One Rewards points after spending $6,000 within the first six months of account opening
- Annual fee: $99 (not waived the first year)
This offer is the best we’ve seen for this product (in terms of points-only welcome bonuses), with the previous highest coming in at 175,000 IHG One Rewards points. At a valuation of approximately 0.5 cents per IHG point, this welcome bonus is worth around $925 in hotel stays – making it one of the most valuable mid-tier hotel card offers currently available.
How Far Can 185,000 IHG Points Take You?
To put this welcome bonus in perspective, here are some examples of what 185,000 IHG points could get you:
- 3-4 nights at a luxury property like InterContinental or Kimpton (40,000-60,000 points per night)
- 6-9 nights at a mid-tier property like Crowne Plaza or Hotel Indigo (20,000-30,000 points per night)
- 11+ 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 solid 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.
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:
| Feature | IHG Premier ($99) | Marriott Boundless ($95) | Hilton Surpass ($95) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Bonus | Up to 185,000 points | Typically 75,000-100,000 points | Typically 130,000-180,000 points |
| Free Night Certificate | Up to 40,000 points (with top-off option) | Up to 35,000 points | None (earn with $15k spend) |
| Elite Status | Platinum (mid-tier) | Silver (entry-level) | Gold (mid-tier) |
| 4th Night Benefit | Yes (4th night free) | No | No |
| Additional Credits | $50 United TravelBank credit | None | 10 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:
- Use the welcome bonus strategically: Target high-value redemptions where you’d get more than 0.5 cents per point in value
- Book four-night award stays: Take advantage of the fourth night free benefit to stretch your points
- Maximize the anniversary free night: Use it at properties that would otherwise cost $200+ per night
- Leverage Platinum status: Request room upgrades and enjoy elite benefits on every stay
- Utilize the United credit: Don’t forget to use your semi-annual TravelBank credits for United flights
- 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 a record-high welcome bonus of 185,000 points after meeting the minimum spending requirement. At a valuation of approximately $925, this offer represents an excellent rewards opportunity.
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.
- Annual fee
- $99
- Our valuation
- $840Milesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$840Total$840Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$840Total$840Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- Welcome offer
- 140,000 points
on Chase's website
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is this 185,000-point offer available?
The 185,000-point offer doesn’t have a published end date; however, welcome offers tend to change multiple times each year. Given this, make sure to apply sooner rather than later then if you’re interested in taking advantage of this lucrative bonus.
Can I upgrade from the IHG Traveler Card to the Premier Card?
Yes, existing IHG Traveler cardholders may be eligible for an upgrade to the Premier Card, but upgrade offers typically don’t include the full welcome bonus. If you’re eligible for a new account, applying directly for the Premier Card would be more beneficial to receive the up to 185,000-point bonus.
How does the free night certificate work?
The annual free night certificate is automatically deposited into your IHG account after your card anniversary each year. It can be used at any IHG property costing up to 40,000 points per night. If you want to book a property that costs more than 40,000 points, you can now supplement the certificate with points from your account to cover the difference.
Can I have both the personal and business IHG Premier cards?
Yes, you can hold both the personal IHG Premier Card and the IHG Premier Business Card simultaneously, and earn the welcome bonus on each if you meet the eligibility requirements.
Do the points from this welcome bonus count toward IHG elite status?
No, points earned from credit card welcome bonuses do not count toward elite status qualification in the IHG One Rewards program. However, the card automatically provides Platinum Elite status regardless of your stay activity.
How long do IHG points last before expiring?
IHG One Rewards points expire after 12 months of inactivity. However, having the IHG Premier Card keeps your account active through your card spending, effectively preventing point expiration as long as you use the card occasionally.
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