New Welcome Offer for IHG Credit Cards [Up to 175k Points!]

Both versions of the personal IHG cards, the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card and the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card, are launching new welcome bonus offers.

Here’s a look at the details of each welcome offer, and a comparison of what each card can offer to help you decide which version makes the most sense for your travel goals.

Table of Contents

IHG Premier Card and IHG Travel Card Welcome Bonus
IHG Premier Card and IHG Travel Card Earning Rates
IHG Premier Card and IHG Traveler Card Benefits
Final Thoughts

IHG Premier Card and IHG Travel Card Welcome Bonus

With the IHG Premier card, you can earn 175,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. This is the best points offer ever offered. Since we value IHG points at 0.5 cents apiece, this bonus is worth $875 in our view.

As for the IHG Traveler card, you’ll earn a welcome bonus of 120,000 bonus points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening — yielding a value of $600 based on our valuations.

Hot Tip: For some examples of how you can get the most out of your points, check out our guide on the best ways to redeem IHG One Rewards points for maximum value.

IHG Premier Card and IHG Travel Card Earning Rates

You’ll earn points with the IHG Premier card and IHG Traveler card according to the following structure:

Category	IHG Premier Card	IHG Traveler Card
IHG Stays	Up to 26x points per $1	Up to 17x points per $1
Restaurants	5x points per $1	3x points per $1
Gas Stations	5x points per $1	3x points per $1
Travel	5x points per $1	2x points per $1
Utilities, internet, cable, phone, and select streaming services purchases	3x points per $1	3x points per $1
All Other Purchases	3x points per $1	2x points per $1

IHG Premier Card and IHG Traveler Card Benefits

Intercontinental Mauritius — Image Credit: IHG

Beyond the ability to earn more points on your purchases, here are the other benefits you’ll receive with each card:

Benefit	IHG Premier Card	IHG Traveler Card
Annual Fee	$99	$0
Elite Status	IHG Platinum Elite status (Diamond Elite status after spending $40,000 on the card in a calendar year)	IHG Silver Elite status (Gold Elite status after spending $20,000 on the card in a calendar year)
Anniversary Free Night Certificate	Yes	No
Fourth Night Free on Award Stays	Yes	Yes
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS statement credit	Yes	No
$50 Annual United Airlines TravelBank Cash	Yes	No
Annual Spend Bonus	$100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on the card in a calendar year	10,000 bonus points after spending $10,000 and making 1 additional purchase each calendar year
Point Purchase Discount	20%	20%
Coverages	No foreign transaction fees Baggage delay insurance Lost luggage insurance Purchase protection Trip cancellation insurance	No foreign transaction fees Baggage delay insurance Lost luggage insurance Purchase protection Trip cancellation insurance

While the IHG Premier card does have a $99 annual fee, it’s likely the better option of the 2 for you if you stay at IHG hotels at least a few times per year.

After all, you should more than be able to make up for this each year with the $50 annual United Airlines TravelBank cash, along with the annual free night certificate, not to mention the card’s automatic IHG Platinum Elite status, which offers benefits like extended checkout, priority check-in, and complimentary room upgrades.

That said, if you prefer not to pay an annual fee, the IHG Traveler card can still offer solid value for you, and it still allows you to get your fourth night free on award stays.

Final Thoughts

Both the IHG Premier card and IHG Traveler card are great options for those who frequent IHG hotels. Deciding which is better for you will largely come down to the type of benefits you’d like to receive from your new card.

Either way, now that the IHG Traveler card is offering a welcome bonus of 120,000 points, and the IHG Premier card is offering a welcome bonus of 175,000 points, it’s a great time to consider adding one to your wallet if you haven’t already.

10 comments

Alex T. January 28, 2023

Hi Jarrod,

Nice information. Really interested in the 175K offer. A question: offer details mentioned about “current cardmembers of any personal IHG® Rewards Credit Card” not eligible for this 175K offer. I have the “IHG Rewards Club” card. In your opinion, will I be eligible for the 175K offer? Thank you!

Jarrod West January 28, 2023

Hi Alex,

Yes – you should be. I also have the discontinued IHG Rewards Club card and received the welcome bonus for the IHG Premier.

Reply
- Alex T. January 29, 2023
  
  Jarrod,
  
  Great! Thanks for the prompt response and reassurance. Will probably pull the trigger in the next day or so. Thank you!
  
  Reply
- Alex T. January 29, 2023
  
  This question not related to credit cards, but the picture. Where’s the photo taken on the picture that shows the “huts” on the water? Which resort is that? Thanks again!
  
  Reply
  - Chris Hassan January 29, 2023
    
    Hey Alex,
    
    That is the InterContinental Bora Bora!
    
    Reply
    - Alex T. January 29, 2023
      
      Thanks, Chris! Definitely on my bucket list!
- Alex T. February 1, 2023
  
  Applied for the card on Monday, says application still pending. Called in today and was told application denied because I already have the same card. Called the reconsideration line and was told the same thing. Bummer.
  
  Reply
- Pon Z February 23, 2023
  
  Hi Jarrod,
  How long did it take for the welcome bonus to post to your account?
  Thanks!
  
  Reply
  - Jarrod West February 23, 2023
    
    Hi Pon,
    
    The points posted after the statement closed in which I finished the spend requirement.
    
    Reply
    - Pon Z February 23, 2023
      
      Thank you for your quick reply!!

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New Welcome Offers for IHG Credit Cards [Up to 175k Points!]

IHG Premier Card and IHG Travel Card Welcome Bonus

IHG Premier Card and IHG Travel Card Earning Rates

IHG Premier Card and IHG Traveler Card Benefits

Final Thoughts

About Jarrod West

10 comments

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IHG Premier Card and IHG Travel Card Welcome Bonus

IHG Premier Card and IHG Travel Card Earning Rates

IHG Premier Card and IHG Traveler Card Benefits

Final Thoughts

About Jarrod West

10 comments

Any thoughts or questions? Comment below! Cancel reply

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