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30 Great Hotels to use your IHG Premier Free Night Certificate
The Chase IHG Premier is having an all-time high 140k points welcome offer. That is downright insane, but in addition to that bonus, you’ll also receive an annual free night as long as you keep the card. The biggest restriction is that in order to use the annual night certificate the hotel must price at 40k and under. Now, not every hotel under 40k is included, but nearly all are, and I put a list together of many Intercontinental, Kimpton, and the best airport hotel in the world: the Crowne Plaza Singapore.
This is by no means an extensive list, but rather, to get the juices flowing, and prove the underlying value of the benefit. Personally, I think one of the best uses of the card is in conjunction with another IHG Premier benefit, the 4th night free. This means if you were to use points to stay at a hotel under 40k a night, you could pair it with the annual free night certificate, and get 5 nights for the price of 3. Stunning deal.
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Best Hotel Cards
Refer-a-friend Link
Information about this card has been collected independently by Monkey Miles. Card issuer is not responsible for the information or accuracy
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
4.6
4.6/5
For the $99 annual fee, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card yields IHG One Rewards Platinum Status, a 4th night free when booking with points, an annual anniversary 40k night, and a $50 United Travel bank credit. Been in my wallet since it was released.
*Note if you have a Chase IHG One Rewards personal card or you’ve received a welcome bonus in the past 24 months you’re ineligible to add this to your wallet
Welcome Offer
4 Free nights ( up to 40k a piece ) after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$99
Points Earned
IHG One Rewards
- Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Plus
- Good on properties up to 40k per night
- You can add points to this certificate
- Enjoy a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay.
- Earn Structure
- Up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
- 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on
- travel,
- gas stations,
- restaurants.
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier cardmember
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck(R) or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 ($120 starting 10/1/24) every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
- Member FDIC
- No Foreign Transaction
- $99 annual fee
175k after $3k spend in 3 months is the best we’ve seen.
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
4 reasons I keep this card in my wallet
- A free anniversary award night every year you keep the card, worth up to 40k IHG One Rewards ( you can add unlimited points to this award night as well ) This easily offsets the annual fee for me.
- 4th night free when redeeming points
- Cardholder award night sales where you get notice to book in advance or exclusively for cardholders
- The United credit offset roughly half the annual fee
- Best Hotel Cards
Refer-a-friend Link
Information about this card has been collected independently by Monkey Miles. Card issuer is not responsible for the information or accuracy
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
For the $99 annual fee, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card yields IHG One Rewards Platinum Status, a 4th night free when booking with points, an annual anniversary 40k night, and a $50 United Travel bank credit. Been in my wallet since it was released.
*Note if you have a Chase IHG One Rewards personal card or you’ve received a welcome bonus in the past 24 months you’re ineligible to add this to your wallet
Welcome Offer
4 Free nights ( up to 40k a piece ) after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$99
Points Earned
IHG One Rewards
- Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Plus
- Good on properties up to 40k per night
- You can add points to this certificate
- Enjoy a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay.
- Earn Structure
- Up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
- 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on
- travel,
- gas stations,
- restaurants.
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier cardmember
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck(R) or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 ($120 starting 10/1/24) every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
- Member FDIC
- No Foreign Transaction
- $99 annual fee
175k after $3k spend in 3 months is the best we’ve seen.
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
4 reasons I keep this card in my wallet
- A free anniversary award night every year you keep the card, worth up to 40k IHG One Rewards ( you can add unlimited points to this award night as well ) This easily offsets the annual fee for me.
- 4th night free when redeeming points
- Cardholder award night sales where you get notice to book in advance or exclusively for cardholders
- The United credit offset roughly half the annual fee
USA
In addition to the properties listed below, there are tons of Holiday Inn/Express properties that make great use of the certificate when venturing around the country on a road trip. Below are a few options that get you a higher quality hotel and multiple times the value of the annual fee.
Kimpton Overland ( 40k )
Intercontinental Minneapolis ( 35k )
Intercontinental Cleveland Clinic ( 30k )
Intercontinental Cleveland Clinic Suites ( 30k )
Kimpton Cleveland ( 40k )
Kimpton Baltimore ( 35k )
Europe
The cities listed below are high on many travelers list. In particular, the Intercontinental Budapest is in an amazing location, albeit a bit ugly from the exterior in comparison to other Hungarian buildings, the interior is great and the rooms overlooking the river have incredible views.
Intercontinental Budapest ( 40k )
Intercontinental Lisbon ( 40k )
Intercontinental Athens ( 35k )
Intercontinental Madrid ( 40k )
Asia
I loved staying at the Intercontinental Shanghai Ruijin when I visited a couple of years ago. It’s location is right in the middle of the bar/shopping area, and the hotel has a blended feel of Chinese and Colonial influence. Another one that I’ve stayed at was the Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake. It’s location is more remore, and a destination in and of itself, but for a couple night stay where you’re looking for spa action…it could be a good choice. By far, the best airport hotel in the world, and also on the list, is the Crowne Plaza Changi. It’s attached to the international terminal and a great place to spend a night if you’re transiting through Singapore.
Intercontinental Shanghai ( 35k )
Intercontinental Bali ( 40k )
Intercontinental Bangkok ( 40k )
Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake ( 25k )
Intercontinental Saigon ( 40k )
Intercontinental Phu Quoc ( 35k )
Intercontinental Seoul Coex ( 40k )
Intercontinental Pattaya ( 35k )
Crown Plaza Singapore ( 40k )
South Pacific
Who knew you could stay in Fiji at a luxury resort for just 40k a night. This would be a great place to shoot to utilize the IHG Premier’s 4th night free in conjunction with the Annual Night Certificate to enjoy 5 blissful nights in paradise.
Intercontinental Fiji ( 40k )
Intercontinental Wellington ( 35k )
Africa
If you’re headed to Africa on Safari…like my family did in 2015, I would highly recommend a night at the Intercontinental O.R. Tambo. It’s not only quite plush, but attached to the airport, and avoids a transit into the city. We did it both ways, and would highly recommend the airport vs Sandton Towers. We took the Blue Train from Jo to Cape Town, and if you are looking to do the same…the Sandton Towers is a good option.
Intercontinental O.R. Tambo ( 30k )
Intercontinental Sandton Towers
Intercontinental Nairobi ( 30k )
Intercontinental Mauritius ( 30k )
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Best Hotel Cards
Refer-a-friend Link
Information about this card has been collected independently by Monkey Miles. Card issuer is not responsible for the information or accuracy
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
4.6
4.6/5
For the $99 annual fee, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card yields IHG One Rewards Platinum Status, a 4th night free when booking with points, an annual anniversary 40k night, and a $50 United Travel bank credit. Been in my wallet since it was released.
*Note if you have a Chase IHG One Rewards personal card or you’ve received a welcome bonus in the past 24 months you’re ineligible to add this to your wallet
Welcome Offer
4 Free nights ( up to 40k a piece ) after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$99
Points Earned
IHG One Rewards
- Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Plus
- Good on properties up to 40k per night
- You can add points to this certificate
- Enjoy a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay.
- Earn Structure
- Up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
- 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on
- travel,
- gas stations,
- restaurants.
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier cardmember
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck(R) or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 ($120 starting 10/1/24) every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
- Member FDIC
- No Foreign Transaction
- $99 annual fee
175k after $3k spend in 3 months is the best we’ve seen.
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
4 reasons I keep this card in my wallet
- A free anniversary award night every year you keep the card, worth up to 40k IHG One Rewards ( you can add unlimited points to this award night as well ) This easily offsets the annual fee for me.
- 4th night free when redeeming points
- Cardholder award night sales where you get notice to book in advance or exclusively for cardholders
- The United credit offset roughly half the annual fee
- Best Hotel Cards
Refer-a-friend Link
Information about this card has been collected independently by Monkey Miles. Card issuer is not responsible for the information or accuracy
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
For the $99 annual fee, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card yields IHG One Rewards Platinum Status, a 4th night free when booking with points, an annual anniversary 40k night, and a $50 United Travel bank credit. Been in my wallet since it was released.
*Note if you have a Chase IHG One Rewards personal card or you’ve received a welcome bonus in the past 24 months you’re ineligible to add this to your wallet
Welcome Offer
4 Free nights ( up to 40k a piece ) after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$99
Points Earned
IHG One Rewards
- Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Plus
- Good on properties up to 40k per night
- You can add points to this certificate
- Enjoy a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay.
- Earn Structure
- Up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
- 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on
- travel,
- gas stations,
- restaurants.
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier cardmember
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck(R) or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 ($120 starting 10/1/24) every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
- Member FDIC
- No Foreign Transaction
- $99 annual fee
175k after $3k spend in 3 months is the best we’ve seen.
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
4 reasons I keep this card in my wallet
- A free anniversary award night every year you keep the card, worth up to 40k IHG One Rewards ( you can add unlimited points to this award night as well ) This easily offsets the annual fee for me.
- 4th night free when redeeming points
- Cardholder award night sales where you get notice to book in advance or exclusively for cardholders
- The United credit offset roughly half the annual fee
Mexico/Central/South America
Intercontinental Sao Paolo ( 35k )
Intercontinental Santiago ( 25k )
Intercontinental Buenos Aires ( 35) )
Intercontinental Presidente Cancun ( 35k )
Intercontinental Miramar Panama City ( 30k )
Overall:
The annual fee on the IHG Premier is $89 a year, and this is just a short list of properties that you can throw a free night cert at, but there are over 5000 properties in the IHG family, and thousands less than 40k a night. Using a free night certificate at one of those where you get more than $89 in value is very easy to find, and for me in the past, I’ve found redemptions 2x and 3x that value.
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Welcome Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee
$95
Points Earned
Transferrable Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 5x on all travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x on dining, including eligible delivery services for takeout & dining out
- 3x on select streaming services
- 3x on online grocery purchases
- (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
- $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit via Chase Travel℠
- The begins immediately for new cardmembers and after your account anniversary for existing cardmembers
- 2x on all other travel
- 10% Anniversary Bonus
- Every year you keep the card, your total spend will yield a 10% points bonus. If you spend $10k in a year, you’ll get 1k bonus points
- Chase Sapphire Preferred continues to redeem at 1.25c in the Chase Travel℠ and the slew of other benefits remain in tact including Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver ( primary ), purchase protections, etc.
- Points are transferrable to 14 Ultimate Rewards partners
- Redeem in Chase Travel℠ for 1.25 cents per point
- No foreign transaction fees
- Suite of Travel and Purchase Coverage
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver is my favorite
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
- $95 Annual Fee
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists the best ever offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Historically 80k is a very, very good offer and hit in both 2022 and 2023. In 2021, we saw the offer hit an all time high of 100k. Who knows if that will ever come back.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is exceptional starter card and offers transferrable Ultimate Rewards, and pairs well with other Chase cards.
If you carry this card alongside Chase’s cashback cards like the Chase Freedom Flex® and Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the business versions: Ink Business Cash® , Ink Business Unlimited® you can combine the points into Preferred account and transfer into hotel and airline partners
Annual fee is quite low at $95 a year + you get a 10% anniversary bonus on points + $50 hotel credit in Chase travel.
The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.