Every year, you should evaluate what’s in your wallet and decide which tokens you’re holding. Usually, it’s best to decide if you’ll keep the card when it’s due for annual payments.
To make that decision, you should consider the cost of the annual fee and what you get out of it. Even if the card has a seemingly low annual fee, that doesn’t automatically justify it.
also IHG Rewards Premier credit cardIs the annual fee of $99 worth it? Let’s take a look.
welcome bonus
New IHG Premier card registrants can earn 175,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months of account opening. This is the best bonus we have ever seen on this card and TPG . value it’s at $875.
Note that you cannot claim this bonus if you currently have a personal IHG credit card (such as IHG Rewards Traveler Credit Card) or if you have received a welcome bonus on any IHG personal credit card in the last 24 months.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Credit Card Application Restrictions
You can redeem your points for luxury stays at hotels like InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort or budget-friendly hotels like Holiday Inn Agra – the city where you can visit the Taj Mahal. The price you see when you search for a hotel will be the number of points needed per night.
Free night every year
On each account anniversary, you will receive one Free night prizes worth up to 40,000 pointsvalid for bookings with IHG One Rewards. If you want to exchange it for a higher priced hotel, you can add unlimited points.
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Related: How to use IHG Rewards anniversary night certificate
This free night bonus can be used up to $200 value without much effort. Thus, this benefit alone could justify the card’s annual fee of $99.
$50 United TravelBank credit
In January and July, you will receive a $25 credit to your account. United TravelBank BALANCE. These funds can be used to purchase flights operated by United and United Express. These amounts can reduce your out-of-pocket costs when purchasing tickets with cash.
You cannot use these funds to pay taxes and fees when traveling the prizeAnd you cannot combine TravelBank funds with vouchers from canceled flights. You also cannot use this money for in-flight purchases.
automatic status
You will enjoy for free Elite Platinum Status with the IHG Premier card. This is the second highest rank in IHG One Rewards.
Benefits at this level include free upgrade at check-in (based on availability), guaranteed room availability, welcome snack or drink, early check-in, use of priority check-in desk and earn 60% bonus points (so 16 points per dollar total) for paid stays with IHG.
TPG values Platinum Elite status at $1,245 per year.
Complimentary Wednesday night for award stays
IHG credit card holders can also use “free Wednesday night” benefits when exchanging points for the reward of staying with IHG.
When using points to pay for stays of four nights or more, every Wednesday night is free. The value of this benefit will vary, based on how often you use it and the price of the hotel where you use it.
other perks
In addition to earning 16 points per dollar for a paid stay at IHG (thanks to your Elite Platinum status), you’ll also earn 10 points per dollar at IHG when paying with your Premier card. Plus, you’ll earn 5 points per dollar on travel and gas stations, 5 points per dollar on dining (including eligible takeout and delivery), and 3 points per dollars on other purchases. That number corresponds to a return on spending of 5%, 2.5%, and 1.5% based on our pricing.
Other important benefits include reimbursement (every four years) of your subscription fees for Global Entry, Pre-check TSA or joint and 20% discount on point purchases, although this cannot be added to the other selling on IHG points. You’ll also earn a $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases with your card in a calendar year.
The IHG Premier Card also offers valuable travel and shopping protections. You will enjoy Trip cancellation/interruption insurance, purchase protection, car rental insurance (which is a minor category in the US but a major category elsewhere), Lost baggage reimbursement And extended warranty coverage.
Related: IHG Rewards Premier credit card review
bottom line
Understanding and using the benefits of credit cards can help you get value for your money — making the annual fee worth it every year on cards like the IHG Premier Credit Card. If you can use the card’s perks with average (or better) value, you probably don’t mind keeping this card in your wallet. However, if you rarely stay with IHG and don’t take advantage of the cardholder benefits, even $99 may seem too expensive for this card.
Official app link: IHG Rewards Premier credit card
