IHG One Rewards Premier Card: 165K Bonus & Free Night Certificate Worth Considering
A Strong Hotel Card Offer for IHG Loyalists
The IHG One Rewards Premier card is offering 165,000 bonus points after meeting the spending requirement—one of the stronger hotel card offers currently available. Combined with an annual free night certificate and Platinum status, this $99 card delivers solid value for travelers who frequent IHG properties.
The Welcome Bonus
Current Offer: 165,000 IHG One Rewards points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
What 165,000 Points Gets You
IHG’s award chart ranges from 10,000 points per night at basic properties to 100,000+ at top-tier InterContinentals. Here’s what your bonus could book:
| Property Type | Points/Night | Nights From Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday Inn Express | 15,000-25,000 | 6-11 nights |
| Holiday Inn | 20,000-35,000 | 4-8 nights |
| Crowne Plaza | 25,000-40,000 | 4-6 nights |
| Kimpton | 35,000-60,000 | 2-4 nights |
| InterContinental | 40,000-70,000 | 2-4 nights |
For road trippers or budget travelers, 165,000 points translates to a week or more of free stays at mid-tier properties.
Annual Fee and Key Benefits
Annual Fee: $99
Annual Free Night Certificate
Each cardmember anniversary, you receive a free night certificate worth up to 40,000 points. This is the card’s standout recurring benefit.
How the 40,000-point cap works:
- Book any property requiring 40,000 points or less: certificate covers the full night
- Book a property requiring more than 40,000 points: pay the difference with your points balance
A Holiday Inn at a popular destination might run $150-$200 per night. Using your 40,000-point certificate saves that amount annually—easily justifying the $99 fee.
Platinum Elite Status
The card provides automatic IHG Platinum status, which includes:
- Welcome amenity (varies by property)
- Room upgrades when available
- Late checkout
- Bonus points on stays
- Milestone rewards
While not as valuable as top-tier Diamond status, Platinum provides meaningful recognition at IHG properties worldwide.
4th Night Free on Award Stays
One of IHG’s best redemption features: when you book 4+ nights using points, the fourth night is free. This effectively gives you 25% more value from your points on longer stays.
Combined with the welcome bonus, you could book 8+ nights using the 4th-night-free benefit.
Earning Structure
The IHG Premier earns:
- 26x total points at IHG properties (10x base + 16x card bonus)
- 5x points on travel, dining, and gas
- 3x points on all other purchases
The 26x at IHG hotels is exceptional—among the highest hotel card earning rates available. For frequent IHG guests, this accelerates point accumulation significantly.
Who Should Consider This Card?
Ideal Cardholders
Road Trippers: IHG’s portfolio includes Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express at highway locations nationwide. Points go far at these properties.
Business Travelers: If your company doesn’t cover hotels or you travel for a small business, IHG’s footprint offers reliable options in most cities.
Budget Travelers: IHG’s lower-tier properties offer some of the best points-per-dollar value in hotel loyalty.
Families: Holiday Inn properties are family-friendly, and the points stretch further than at luxury brands.
Skip This Card If
You prefer luxury: IHG’s top properties (InterContinental, Kimpton) require more points and face availability challenges. Hyatt offers better luxury value.
You already have an IHG card: You cannot hold multiple IHG personal cards simultaneously. You’d need to cancel your existing card first.
You’re over 5/24: Chase’s 5/24 rule applies. If you’ve opened 5+ personal cards in 24 months, you’ll be denied.
IHG vs. Other Hotel Cards
| Card | Annual Fee | Welcome Bonus | Free Night |
|---|---|---|---|
| IHG Premier | $99 | 165K points | Up to 40K |
| World of Hyatt | $95 | 60K points | Cat 1-4 |
| Marriott Boundless | $95 | 85K-125K | Up to 35K |
| Hilton Surpass | $150 | 150K points | Weekend night |
The IHG Premier’s bonus is among the highest in raw points. Whether that translates to better value depends on your travel patterns and which hotel brands you prefer.
Important Application Notes
One IHG Card Rule
Chase enforces a restriction: you cannot be approved for the IHG Premier if you currently hold another IHG personal card. If you have the IHG Traveler or an older IHG card, you’ll need to cancel it before applying.
5/24 Applies
The IHG Premier counts toward and is subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. Check your card count before applying.
Spending Requirement
$3,000 in 3 months is manageable—$1,000 per month in regular spending. Don’t manufacture spending or carry a balance to meet the requirement.
Maximizing the Card Long-Term
Stack Benefits
Combine card benefits with IHG promotions:
- Use points during bonus point promotions
- Apply free night certificate to properties with cash rates of $150+
- Stack with 4th-night-free on longer stays
Point Transfers
IHG points can transfer to airline partners at poor ratios (typically 5:1)—generally not recommended. Use points for hotel stays where value is strongest.
Keep or Cancel?
At $99/year with a 40,000-point free night certificate, the math usually favors keeping:
- 40,000 points = $80-$200+ in value depending on redemption
- If your free night exceeds $99 in value, the card pays for itself
Key Takeaways
- 165,000 point welcome bonus after $3,000 spend in 3 months
- $99 annual fee offset by 40,000-point free night certificate
- Platinum elite status included automatically
- 26x earning at IHG hotels—exceptional rate
- 4th night free on award stays of 4+ nights
- Cannot hold multiple IHG personal cards simultaneously
- 5/24 applies—check your status before applying
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use the free night certificate?
Book through IHG’s website or app using points. When selecting a property requiring 40,000 points or less, you’ll have the option to apply your certificate. It appears in your account around your cardmember anniversary.
Can I use the certificate at any IHG property?
Yes, at any property requiring 40,000 points or less per night. For properties requiring more, you can “top off” with additional points from your balance.
Does the 4th night free work with certificates?
The 4th night free applies to points redemptions. Certificates count as one night within a longer stay, but verify current terms when booking multi-night awards.
What happens to my points if I cancel the card?
IHG points remain in your IHG One Rewards account—they’re not tied to the credit card. However, you’ll lose Platinum status and the earning bonuses.
Is there a business version of this card?
Yes, the IHG Premier Business card exists with similar benefits. It has separate bonus eligibility from the personal card.
Disclaimer: Credit card offers and hotel program terms change frequently. Verify current welcome bonus, free night certificate terms, and point values on Chase and IHG websites before applying.