IHG and Chase have overhauled their credit card lineup, raising annual fees while adding new credits, bigger free night awards, and updated elite status perks.
Yay, more quarterly coupons.
Oops, I mean, "ways to engage with our very best most loyal customers."
@Lucky, do you have any info on the legacy IHG Select card? If that's keeping its $49 AF, Anniversary FNC (40k fixed), 10% reward rebate, and Platinum status, then it's still probably a good combo with the refreshed Premier card.
What's the ideal combo for you? It seems as though you can theoretically have 3 of the new/refreshed cards to get 50 elite nights (Premier Select, Premier, and Business), 2 CSU, annual lounge pass, and only need 20 nights for Diamond.
Yeah, curious what's up with this. I assume at some point it's going to have to be transitioned to the Premier, and somewhat hard to imagine the Platinum status stays for much longer?
@Lucky perhaps update the post that Thrifty Traveler has a Chase spokesperson saying the Select AF will rise to $99 next year; no word on benefit changes: https://thriftytraveler.com/news/credit-card/chase-ihg-credit-card-changes/
Can you use the F&B credits in properties without being a guest?
I do not think so. The food/beverage credit is applied against your f/b charges on the bill.
Since Ben values IHG points at 0.5 cents each, 3X on "everything else" isn't very compelling. Seems like the One Rewards Traveler card has become about like the United Gateway card: No fee but almost no real benefits.
Ben,
‹The card now has a $100 annual airline statement credit on qualifying flight purchases, currently valid through December 31, 2027; just book a flight directly with an airline costing at least $250, and you’ll get a $200 statement credit›
I think the last number should be $100.
@Lucky:
You wrote:
"The card now has a $100 annual airline statement credit on qualifying flight purchases, currently valid through December 31, 2027; just book a flight directly with an airline costing at least $250, and you’ll get a $200 statement credit".
Did you mean $100 statement credit?
This is one of the few cards I have with an AF. My outlook is as follows. For $150 I get a free hotel room once a year that would have cost at least that much. A quick look finds properties in the 40,000-50,000 range are generally $350/night or more. The $25 f/b vouchers expire at the end of the quarter they are issued. Still, my current IHG pattern will let me use two. But, hey $50 extra. I stay enough that, with the 15 night headstart, I'll earn at least plantinum every year, even if I replace an extended stay with point redemption. The only charges I but on the card are stays.
Oh, and it's my only card with a TSA precheck reimbursement, so about another $60 every 5 years. (It pays up to $120 every 4 years for precheck, global entry, etc.)
meanwhile on $49 annual fee IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card island, I remain a stubborn / non-contacted remote tribe with these coupon book changes