Eight Advantages of Acquiring the IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: A Comprehensive Look at Its Benefits and Drawbacks
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is a popular choice for frequent travellers, offering a range of benefits tailored towards IHG hotel guests. Here's a breakdown of what this card has to offer, along with its potential drawbacks.
Pros:
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card stands out with its high rewards rate. Cardholders can earn up to 26 points per $1 spent at IHG Hotels, 5 points per $1 on travel, gas, and dining, and 3 points per $1 on all other purchases.
Another significant advantage is the automatic Platinum Elite status, which includes benefits like room upgrades, late checkout, priority check-in, free Wi-Fi, and a dedicated customer service line.
Each anniversary as a cardholder, you'll receive a certificate good for a night at any eligible IHG hotel or resort, providing a potential saving of thousands of dollars on accommodation costs.
The card also offers travel perks such as reimbursement of up to $120 every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fees, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, and purchase protection.
New cardholders can also enjoy a sizable welcome bonus, such as 140,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. Additionally, cardholders can benefit from a 20% discount on points purchases.
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card comes with no foreign transaction fees and the option for flexible payment with Chase Pay Over Time.
Cons:
Despite its benefits, the card does have some drawbacks. The annual fee, while justifiable for frequent IHG hotel guests, may be a deterrent for occasional users. The fee is around $99 or more, but specific figures were not provided in the sources.
To earn additional bonus points or reach Diamond Elite status, large annual spending thresholds apply. For example, to reach Diamond Elite status, cardholders need to spend $40,000 in a year.
The value of points can vary widely depending on the hotel and timing, and they may not always deliver the best value compared to competitors. Furthermore, the anniversary free night is only valid at properties costing up to 40,000 points and expires within 12 months, which could restrict use for some travellers.
In summary, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is ideal for frequent IHG hotel guests who can maximise its high earning rate, elite status perks, and travel protections. It may be less valuable for occasional users or those who prefer flexible redemption options outside the IHG ecosystem. However, if you stay at an IHG hotel at least once a year and redeem the free-night certificate, the annual fee can be justified.
Other benefits of the card include the fourth-night-free benefit when booking on points and coverage for damaged or lost luggage by the carrier, up to $3,000 per passenger.
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers a range of benefits, including a high rewards rate, automatic Platinum Elite status, an anniversary free night, travel perks, and a welcome bonus. However, its annual fee and high spending requirements to earn additional bonuses or reach Diamond Elite status may be drawbacks for some users. This card might not be the best choice for occasional users or those preferring flexible redemption options outside the IHG ecosystem. For business travellers frequently staying at IHG hotels, the card's benefits, including the free-night certificate and travel protections, could justify the annual fee. Additionally, insurance coverage for damaged or lost luggage provides an extra level of financial security when traveling.
