The IHG Rewards Visa with 80,000 bonus points is a keeper!

I had been on the sidelines watching this card for a while and finally decided to pull the trigger.  It’s the IHG Rewards Visa (formerly Priority Club) issued by Chase.

Although most of the public links offer 60,000 points after $1000 spend in 3 months, this link from this longstanding thread on flyertalk is for an 80,000 point version.  The signup link does not show that you will get 80,000 points, but apparently this has been working for 2 years, so I felt pretty confident about it.  When I received the card, I confirmed with the Chase rep that I would be getting the 80,000 points.

Some basics of the card:

• 80,000 points after spending $1000 within 3 months
• No annual fee first year, $49 thereafter
• Earn 5 points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG hotels
• Earn 2 points per $1 spent at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants
• 10% rebate on IHG Rewards Club Point redemptions
• Annual free night worldwide
• No foreign transaction fees
• Platinum Elite Status

Why this card is a keeper forever!

Annual Free Night worldwide

For the cost of the $49 annual fee (waived first year), you get a free night worldwide.  Since there are no restrictions on how you can use the free night, you can use it at any of the expensive Intercontinental Hotels worldwide.  You receive the free night certificate each year on the credit card anniversary.  Why not use your free night the Intercontinental Hong Kong?

80,000 points after $1000 spend in 3 months

I just used 70,000 points to book 2 nights at the Intercontinental Berchtesgaden.  It’s been on my to do list for a long time as it is supposed to be a stellar property.  278 Euros a night + taxes! Yikes! Free is better!

One night at the best Intercontinetal hotels including the IC Hong Kong or the IC Bora Bora can be had for 50,000 points a night.

 

Don’t forget Pointsbreaks hotels which cost just 5000 points a night.  80,000 points = 16 Pointsbreaks nights!

10% rebate on all redemptions

This means I will get 7,000 points back as credit for booking 2 nights at the Intercontinental Berchtesgaden for 70,000 points.  In reality, that equates to 2 nights for 63,000 points… not bad!

So, your 80,000 point bonus is actually worth 10% more when you redeem it all.

Platinum Elite Status

Although platinum elite status doesn’t get you a whole lot, it certainly is better than having gold.  The benefits of value to me include free internet and the 50% bonus earnings on top of base points.  Keep in the mind that the “complimentary upgrades” that come with this platinum status likely will not apply to award stays, but your results may vary.

 Overall, this is a card I plan of keeping forever as it is a ridiculous value for just $49 a year.