Here’s what you can expect as a new cardholder:
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IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: New cardmembers can earn 170,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases on the card in the first three months from account opening. Previously, cardholders earned 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening an account.
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IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: New cardmembers can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases on the card in the first three months from account opening. Previously, cardholders earned 80,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of opening an account.
Beyond the sign-up offers, other features on the cards will stay the same.
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
Rewards rate
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Up to 17 points total per $1 spent at IHG (5 from card, 10 from loyalty program, 2 from automatic elite status).
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3 points per $1 spent on monthly bills, gas stations and restaurants.
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2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
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Up to 26 points total per $1 spent at IHG (10 from card, 10 from loyalty program, 6 from automatic elite status).
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5 points per $1 spent on travel, gas stations and restaurants.
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3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Other perks
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Fourth night free when redeeming rewards for four or more nights.
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Earn Gold status when you spend $20,000 or more on your card in a calendar year.
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Free anniversary night each year (up to 40,000 point value).
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Fourth night free when redeeming rewards for four or more nights.
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Automatic Platinum status.
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Get up to $50 United Airlines TravelBank Cash each calendar year; registration required.
Is it a good offer?
IHG points are worth about 0.5 cent each, according to NerdWallet valuations. So depending on which card you’re considering, you could snag a bonus worth at least $500, and as high as $850. That could go a long way toward your next vacation, whether you’re looking at multiple nights at a Holiday Inn or just a couple of evenings at IHG’s more upscale brands like Kimpton or InterContinental Hotels and Resorts. IHG has thousands of properties worldwide, so you won’t have much problem using your points.
Still, IHG’s point valuation is on the low side compared with other hotel reward currencies, and as with any co-branded travel card, you’re locked into redeeming those points with that particular brand. Even with these seemingly eye-popping sign-up bonus figures, you may want to explore other credit card options — including general-purpose cards that offer more redemption flexibility — before deciding whether an IHG card is right for you.
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