Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 6 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in o...
[Expired] Last Call for Increased Welcome Offers on IHG Credit Cards [Up to 175k Points!]
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Update: The offers mentioned below have expired and are no longer available.
Both personal IHG co-branded cards, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card and the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card, have increased welcome bonus offers — but they’re ending soon by 10 a.m. EST on April 6, 2023.
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.
IHG Premier Card and IHG Travel Card Welcome Bonus
Both welcome bonuses end on April 6, 2023, so you’ll have to act quickly.
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 highest number of points ever offered on this card. 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:
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| 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
Beyond the ability to earn more points on your purchases, here are the other benefits you’ll receive with each card:
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| 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 |
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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.
These limited-time welcome bonuses are coming to an end on April 6, 2023. But 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.
Featured Image Credit: IHG
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About Jarrod West
Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 6 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in outlets like The New York Times.
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