IHG — the company behind such brands as Holiday Inn, Voco, InterContinental, Kimpton, and more — has unveiled a brand new premium rewards credit card, while also revamping its existing co-branded cards.
About the New IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card and Updates:
Chase and IHG have revealed an addition to their co-branded credit card lineup. The new IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card carries a $350 annual fee, but features a number of credits and benefits that can offset that.
First, the card offers $300 in annual Food & Beverage Rewards ($75 per calendar quarter) that can be redeemed at IHG properties. For this offer, purchases must be at least $250. Additionally, the benefit is currently listed as being available each calendar year through December 31st, 2027.
In terms of status, the IHG One Rewards Premier Select includes automatic Platinum Elite status as well as 20 Elite Night Credits (ENC) each calendar year. Cardholders who spend at least $25,000 on the card in a calendar year can also qualify for Diamond Elite Status.
The IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card is also launching with an enticing welcome offer. For a limited time, new cardholders can earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in purchases on the card within the first three months from account opening.
With the introduction of the IHG One Rewards Premier Select, Chase and IHG have also rolled out updates for other cards in their co-branded portfolio — including some new card names. The no annual fee card previously known as the IHG One Rewards Traveler Card is now the IHG One Rewards Credit Card.
Elsewhere, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card will keep its name, but the annual fee will increase from $99 to $150. The card does gain new benefits, including up to $100 in Food & Beverage Rewards and a $100 annual airline statement credit. Additionally, the Anniversary Free Night certificates that cardholders receive each year after renewing the card will now be worth up to 50,000 points each versus 40,000 points previously. While the card previously included automatic Platinum Elite status, that will now be adjusted to Gold Elite status (Platinum Elite status can be unlocked after spending $15,000 on the card in a calendar year).
My Thoughts:
As it turns out, one of the cards in my wallet was impacted by these updates: the IHG One Rewards Business Credit Card (previously the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Card). This card had a $99 annual fee, but that’s now more than doubled to $200! On paper, the $100 Food & Beverage credit, airline statement credit, increased Anniversary Free Night certificate, and more would seem to make up for that difference. Unfortunately, it’s not quite that easy. For example, the Food & Beverage credit being divided into quarters all but ensures I won’t be making the most of my full $100.
Those issues carry over to the IHG One Rewards Premier Select card as well, with the $300 in Food & Beverage Rewards also coming quarterly. That could be a decent deal if you’re staying at IHG properties often enough, but it makes it less attractive to more casual travelers.
