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Update 8/29/24: As we suspected, Chase has now confirmed that this increased offer on the IHG Premier card will be ending on 9/4/24. Get it if you want it.
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Update 7/12/24: Unfortunately, we’ve just learned that, unlike the 40K anniversary certificates that can be topped-off with extra points for more expensive awards, the 60K certs that come with this welcome offer are only good for properties that cost up to 60K points. They cannot be topped-off. That makes it much harder to maximize them, as you’ll most likely end up using them for something less than 60,000 points. To me, that knocks the appeal of this welcome offer down a significant notch.
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Chase has been dropping bombs all day today, releasing best-ever welcome offers on the Ink Business Preferred and the Marriott Bold cards.
Well, the bank has now made it a hat trick, increasing the welcome offer on the IHG Premier card to an incredible five 60K free night certificates after $4K spend. This a huge offer for the Premier. The biggest that we’ve ever seen in the past was 175K, but with this offer you could get as much as 300K points in value from those certs. That’s a lot and, even accounting for the limitations of free night certificates, the best that we’ve ever seen on this card.
Unfortunately, unlike the 40K anniversary certificates that can be topped-off with extra points for more expensive awards, the 60K certs that come with this welcome offer are only good for properties that cost up to 60K points. They cannot be topped-off. That makes it much harder to maximize them, as you’ll most likely end up using them for something less than 60,000 points. To me, that knocks the appeal of this welcome offer down a notch.
There’s also an increased offer on the no-annual fee Chase IHG Traveler card of 100K points after doing $2k in spend. Both are limited-time offers that are expected to end on 9/4/24.
Complete Guide to the Chase IHG Premier card
Key Card Details
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
140k points ⓘ Affiliate Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening$99 Annual Fee This card is subject to Chase's 5/24 rule (click here for details). Recent better offer: Five 60K free night certificates after $4K spend in 3 months (expired 9/4/24) Earning rate: 10X IHG ✦ 5X travel, dining, and gas stations ✦ 3X on all other purchases Card Info: Mastercard World Elite issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: 10K bonus points + $100 statement credit after you spend $20K in a calendar year + make one additional purchase ✦ Diamond status after $40K in purchases + one additional purchase in a calendar year Noteworthy perks: Anniversary free night e-certificate good at IHG properties up to 40K points per night ✦ Ability to add an unlimited number of points to a free night certificate to book a higher-level hotel ✦ Fourth night free on award stays ✦ 20% discount on points purchases ✦ Platinum elite status ✦ Up to $50 in United TravelBank cash per year (must register your card with your United account) |
Quick Thoughts
This is the first that we’ve ever seen or heard of an IHG 60K free night certificate. The usual ones that it offers for cardholders and various promotions is 40K and it’s hard to over-emphasize how many more properties can be had with a 60K limit. We’re estimating the value of this welcome offer to be ~$1200, currently the most valuable for a Chase consumer card on our Best Offers Page.
You can normally “top off” IHG certificates by adding an unlimited number of points as necessary in order to book a standard room reward at a property with a higher point redemption level. I did this in Seville, Spain, where I redeemed 40K certificates for a room that was 70K points/night by adding an additional 30K pts/night from my account. This is a great feature and makes it much easier to max out the value of these certificates. Our assumption is that these 60K version will have the same “top-up” feature, but are confirming that now. The 60K certs can’t be topped-off.
The Premier card comes with an 40K annual free night certificate that’s awarded every card anniversary. To me, the cert is easily worth the $99 annual fee, making this card a keeper even after the the first year anniversary. I’ll be interested to see whether these new 60K certificates will eventually be replacing that 40K version. If so, it would make holding onto the card even more of a no-brainer.
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Any recs for 60k certs? Seems like IHG jacked up the redemption rates in Europe
Can certificates be combined with cash?
for example when I select, Pay with points, there is an option for: 56,000points +69 USD
My same thoughts. If I can combine with cash, I’ll apply for the card.
Hi. I was wondering if I could split up the travel certificates or have to use all together?
You can use them individually, there’s no need to use them all at once (but they do expire 12 months from issue).
Also, does the 4th night free still apply so we can only use 3 free night certificates. Or only 4th night is free with points and not award free nights certificate
I checked on google and said it is not able to use on free travel certificates
Thanks for the update Tim.
I’ve read that IHG has better hotels overall in Europe. How are the domestic products? Any particular ones to recommend?
The Kimpton brand properties are the ones in the US that you want to look at. There are a few scattered throughout some touristy areas, and there’s usually at least one in every major city. One of my personal favorites is the Kimpton Arras in Asheville, NC
Given the 12 month expiry , the lack of fourth night free, the lack of top up, the lack of 10% back, and the lost value if redeemed for properties less than 60k, I’m curious how many IHG points you would trade these 5 certs for if you could?
My thoughts exactly. Not an offer I would take over straighht out points.
I would trade them for 575,000 points if I could!
Ha! Jeff I think I should’ve worded the question differently.
Sorry, I couldn’t resist!
Can I combine certicates to use for one night at a 120k+ point or plus property?
No.
Wow, this is a really nice offer, but I have hard time parting with my $49 annual free IHG card. While it is limited to only 40k free night with inability to top off, it still gives me a really good value at this point. But I can see the 40k cert from the old card being quite useless soon too.
I felt that way until my last vacation in Europe when I had trouble using the 40K limited certs. Finally cancelled and can now get this offer…but probably won’t, lol.
Yeah, I hear you. I think I will use P2 to get the new card and see what we want to do after that. For $99/annually, seems to still be a decent value.
The Bold Large print right under “Key Card Details” says 50K, even though the fine print says 60K. You may want to fix that for clarity.
Don’t forget about the “Up to $50 in United TravelBank cash per year (must register your card with your United account)”. This is an easy $50 United travel funds that you can book during the overlap periods (January 5-15 and July 5-15).
The only problem is that it has to be used w/in that 6 month window or it goes bye-bye. It does NOT accumulate.
Once a year during those overlap periods, I book a $50+ dummy UA flight, wait 24 hours, and then cancel to have the funds converted into a Future Flight Credit that must be redeemed within 12 months.
Smart move! I love it when people figure out ways to utilize these things. That’s why this hobby is so much fun.
Agreed! Happy to share 🙂
How does this work if you’ve got other United TB? Does it automatically select the earliest expiring TB?
I’m not sure about the travel bank funds, but I know with the future flight credits you can select which ones you want to use so you can use the ones expiring soonest.
Does the amount over $50 get refunded to your credit card or get converted to a credit?
After 24 hours, the full amount of the ticket price will be converted to a future flight credit.
Good idea, I will do that. I just booked several flights but was disappointed to learn because I booked with points I could not use my Travel Bank.
True, you would think you could cover the taxes and fees on award tickets with the travel bank funds, but nope, United won’t let you do that.
Can you elaborate on what you mean by overlap periods? And this works as long as you don’t book a basic economy ticket right? Say if you book main cabin, wait 24 hours, then cancel you will receive your funds back in the form of flight credit (with 12 months to use this credit)?
Technically, the $25 United Airlines travel bank funds is valid from Jan 1 – July 15. You then get a second $25 UA travel bank funds from July 1 – January 15. The travel bank funds do not usually post by the first of the month, but they are there around the 3rd, 4th, or 5th of the month. So the typical overlap period is Jan 5-15 and July 5-15.
Yes, do not book basic economy flight. I always book main cabin economy. You will have 12 months from the date you originally booked the flight to use the future flight credit.
Thanks for the idea. What happens when there are other travel bank funds? How do we know United will take the IHG ones vs the other travel bank funds? I see on booking ticket, you can specify the $ but then not pick exactly which ones.
For the Travel Bank Funds, you have to specify a dollar amount (like $50.00) to be applied to the dummy ticket, or a real ticket if you have a need. For the Future Flight Credit, you can select the one that expires the soonest and it will apply the full amount toward your ticket. Any residual balance will be left over to be used on a different booking.
This is the best offer we’ve seen on this card. I would use the free nights quickly since IHG has been devaluing continuously since May
Do these 5 free nights expire after a year?
Yes, 12 months from issue date.
DO these free night certs qualify for the 4th night free benefit (ie can you use 3 certs, or a combination of certs and points to get the 4th night free)?
You can’t combine them, unfortunately.
Bummer. Thanks!
I have the Chase IHG Rewards Club Select ( Old version)Am i still eligible for this card?
Sorry, misread this the first time. You can have the business and personal, but you’re officially restricted from being approved while having another personal card.
Are we sure it is available if you have the older “classic” card? When I go to the landing page it says: “This product is available to you if you do not have a current IHG One Rewards Credit Card and have not received a new
Cardmember bonus within the last 24 months. This does not apply to Business Card Credit Card products.”
I’ll say I’m easily confused …. but are you sure they’d be eligible?
“5 Free Nights After You Spend $4,000 On Purchases In The First 3 Months From Account Opening: This product is not available to either (i) current cardmembers of any personal IHG One Rewards Credit Card, or (ii) previous cardmembers of any personal IHG One Rewards Credit Card who received a new cardmember bonus for any personal IHG One Rewards Credit Card within the last 24 months.”
Yeah the Premier card usually has the restriction like that – you can’t have another consumer IHG card open at the same time. I’m guessing you can’t get this card if you currently hold the old Select Card. Would love to be proved wrong though!
No, you’re write. I read that as the business card. You officially can only have one personal card (although I do see DP’s of folks sliding through).
Was hoping I might be one of those folks sliding through but alas, “We’re unable to approve your application because you already have a IHG credit card.”
Thanks guys, will apply for my wife.