Chase IHG Rewards MasterCard Review (Three Cards)
Updated April 1, 2022. For the temporary benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, please see our featured review.
The Facts
This review is for three cards: IHG Rewards Traveler World MasterCard, IHG Rewards Premier World Elite MasterCard, and IHG Rewards Premier BUSINESS World Elite MasterCard. The first two were introduced in 2018 with slightly different naming (IHG Rewards Club Traveler/Premier Card), while the third was introduced in 2022. For the discontinued IHG Rewards Club Select MasterCard, see our old review.
IHG Rewards Traveler World MasterCard
IHG Rewards Premier World Elite MasterCard
IHG Rewards Premier BUSINESS World Elite MasterCard
The Math
Since IHG Rewards points are normally valued at less than 1 cent per point (our current valuation 0.4 cent a piece), all three cards are not that impressive for general spending. The annual bonus of 10K points + $100 statement credit with the $20K spending on the WEMC is probably worth $380 ($100+ $0.04 x (10,000 + 20,000 x3) = $380), while if you simply use a 2% cashback card you will earn $400. Thus even with the enhanced earning rate (from 1x to 3x on WEMC), there is still little reason to use the card for general spending.
IHG Traveler MC: nothing really stands out on this non-fee card except for the signup bonus. We strongly suggest looking into the Premier WEMC instead.
IHG Premier WEMC: with a $99 annual fee, you receive an annual free night up to 40K points level, which can be of great value, especially compared to Chase Marriott Visa or Chase Hyatt Visa's mid-category annual free nights. In addition, the 4th rewards night free and the complimentary Platinum status are icing on the cake. Of course, compared to the discontinued IHG Select MC which used to offer an uncapped annual free night, the IHG Premier WEMC is no way as phenomenal. However, it is one of "drawer cards" we recommend due to the free night.
IHG Premier BUSINESS WEMC: very similar to personal Premier WEMC with some enhanced 5x earning in select business expenses.
The Conclusion
Even though it is not that good for general spending, IHG Premier WEMC (personal or business) is probably worth the $99 annual fee if you make use of its annual free night. However, we strongly discourage applying for the IHG Traveler MC, except for the signup bonus purpose, especially consider the new rule of 24 months for the same family of cards.
The Facts
This review is for three cards: IHG Rewards Traveler World MasterCard, IHG Rewards Premier World Elite MasterCard, and IHG Rewards Premier BUSINESS World Elite MasterCard. The first two were introduced in 2018 with slightly different naming (IHG Rewards Club Traveler/Premier Card), while the third was introduced in 2022. For the discontinued IHG Rewards Club Select MasterCard, see our old review.
IHG Rewards Traveler World MasterCard
- Annual Fee: none
- Signup Bonus: 120,000 points after spending $2,000 within 3 months of new account opening. This bonus is not available if you currently have any personal IHG Rewards credit card or have received a signup bonus for any IHG Rewards credit card in the past 24 months. Historical best bonus of this card: (1) 120,000 points in 2022; (2) 100,000 points in 2020; (3) 75,000 points in 2020; (4) 60,000 points several times since 2018.
- Application Landing Page
- Rewards: 5x InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG) hotels, 3x gas & dining & utilities & telecommunication (internet, cable, phone, cell, and select streaming services), and 2x everywhere else. In addition, you earn an annual bonus of 10,000 points when your annual spending exceeds $10,000 and you make at least one additional purchase after you exceed the spending threshold.
- Best Use of IHG Rewards points: IHG Rewards is the loyalty program of IHG whose hotel portfolio includes Regent, InterContinental, HuaLuxe, Hotel indigo, Kimpton, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, voco, Holiday Inn Express, EVEN, avid, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites, and Holiday Inn Club Vacations. The best use of IHG points is for hotel stays or upgrades at IHG hotels. The points can also be transferred into miles of 40 airlines; however, the transfer ratio is mostly 10K points = 2K miles (5:1) - not very impressive.
- IHG Benefits: (1) The fourth rewards night free when you redeem points for stays of 4+ nights. (2) Save 20% when you purchase IHG points with the card. (3) Earn IHG Rewards Silver Elite status as long as you have the card - normally achieved after 10 nights. (4) Earn IHG Rewards Gold Elite status when you spend at least $20,000 a year with the card - normally achieved after 20 nights.
- Other Benefit: Waived foreign transaction fees.
- History: Introduced in 2018, the card carried a $29 annual fee. In 2019, the annual fee was eliminated. In 2022, Chase revamped this card by enhancing the earning capability from 5-2-1 to 5-3-2 (the old 2x categories were groceries & gas & dining while the new 3x categories are gas & dining & utilities & telecommunication (internet, cable, phone, select streaming services), adding annual 10K points for $10K spending, and giving free Silver status and upgrading to Gold status with $20K spending (the old benefit is Gold status with $10K spending but the old Gold status is similar to the new Silver status in terms of benefits).
IHG Rewards Premier World Elite MasterCard
- Annual Fee: $99
- Signup Bonus: 140,000 points after spending $3,000 within 3 months of new account opening. This bonus is not available if you currently have any personal IHG Rewards credit card or have received a signup bonus for any IHG Rewards credit card in the past 24 months. Historical best bonus of this card: (1) 150,000 points with 1st annual fee waiver in mid 2021; (2) 140,000 points with 1st annual fee waiver in late 2020; (3) 140,000 points + $50 statement credit in 2021; (4) 140,000 points in 2022; (5) 125,000 points & 25x on IHG & 4x everywhere else during the first year in late 2019; (6) 125,000 points + $50 credit in mid 2019; (7) 120,000 points in early 2019; (8) 100,000 points + $50 credit in mid 2018.
- Application Landing Page
- Rewards: 10x on IHG hotels, 5x travel & gas & dining, and 3x everywhere else. In addition, you earn an annual bonus of 10,000 points + $100 statement credit when your annual spending exceeds $20,000 and you make at least one additional purchase after you exceed the spending threshold.
- IHG Benefits: (1) One anniversary free night at participating IHG hotels worldwide (up to redemption level of 40,000 points; you might use the certificate plus your own points to redeem for hotels requiring more than 40,000 points) upon each anniversary. There are approximately 200 properties requiring 50K-70K points per night (~4% of IHG's total properties) which you can now use the certificate plus your points. Note that there is capacity control when redeeming points with IHG and the same applies to the certificate. The free night certificate must be redeemed for a stay completed within 12 months of issuance. (2) The fourth rewards night free when you redeem points for stays of 4+ nights. (3) Complimentary IHG Rewards Platinum Elite status (normally achieved after 40 nights) as long as you have the card, and upgraded to IHG Rewards Diamond Elite status (normally achieved after 70 nights) when you spend at least $40,000 per year. Don't get too excited about the Platinum Elite or Diamond Elite because IHG's real deal is still InterContinental Royal Ambassador, which can't be obtained by having a credit card. (4) Save 20% when you purchase IHG points with the card.
- World Elite MasterCard Benefits: MasterCard Luxury Hotels & Resorts (a collection of 2,000+ luxury hotels worldwide that offer complimentary breakfasts for two, room upgrades upon availability, early check-in, late check-out, and a special amenity such as a certain amount of hotel credit up to $100 per stay, free internet, or welcome gift, etc.), MasterCard Travel & Lifestyle Services (savings on airfare, private jets, airport concierge, car rentals, chauffeured cars, cruise lines, tours, vacation packages, etc.), complimentary ShopRunner membership (free two-day shipping and returns at participating stores), 10% discount with onefinestay (high-end home sharing service), monthly $10 Lyft credit after five rides each month, double Fandango points for movie tickets ($5 rewards for every two tickets purchased), 5% rewards for Boxed purchases, the Dining Program (special amenities at participating restaurants), the Nightlife Program (exclusive access to and recognition at participating night clubs), Priceless Cities, Priceless Surprises, Priceless Causes, Priceless Golf, MasterCard Cellular Wireless Telephone Protection (up to $800 for a stolen or damaged phone as long as you charge your monthly cellphone bills to the card), MasterCard ID Theft Protection, etc.
- Other Benefits: (1) Annual $50 United Airlines TravelBank cash (you need to link your Chase IHG Premier WEMC to your United MileagePlus account to receive this benefit; $25 in the first half of each calendar year which expires on July 15 of the same year and another $25 in the second half which expires on January 15 of the following year). (2) Waived foreign transaction fees. (3) Reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application every four years.
- Other Facts: this card has a metal design and weighs about 13 grams, much heavier than regular plastics weighing 5 grams.
- History: Chase replaced the IHG Rewards Club Select MasterCard with the IHG Rewards Club Premier WEMC in 2018. In early 2022, Chase revamped this card by increasing annual fee from $89 to $99 (with the first annual fee waiver being removed as well) and adding a few benefits such as allowing the annual free night certificate to be used towards stays requiring more than 40K points (by using your own points for the difference), enhancing earning rate from 10-2-1 to 10-5-3 (the old 2x categories were groceries & gas & dining while the new 5x categories are travel & gas & dining), adding $50 annual United TravelBank cash, and ability to achieve IHG Diamond status with $40K annual spending.
IHG Rewards Premier BUSINESS World Elite MasterCard
- Annual Fee: $99
- Signup Bonus: 140,000 points after spending $3,000 within 3 months of new account opening. The bonus is not available if you currently have this card or have received a signup bonus for this card in the past 24 months. Historical best bonus of this card: 140,000 points since introduced in 2022.
- Application Landing Page
- Rewards: 10x on IHG hotels, 5x travel & gas & dining & select business expense (social media, search engine, advertising, and office supply), and 3x everywhere else. In addition, you earn an annual bonus of 10,000 points + $100 statement credit when your annual spending exceeds $20,000 and you make at least one additional purchase after you exceed the spending threshold.
- The business version is almost identical to the personal version except for the additional select business 5x categories.
The Math
Since IHG Rewards points are normally valued at less than 1 cent per point (our current valuation 0.4 cent a piece), all three cards are not that impressive for general spending. The annual bonus of 10K points + $100 statement credit with the $20K spending on the WEMC is probably worth $380 ($100+ $0.04 x (10,000 + 20,000 x3) = $380), while if you simply use a 2% cashback card you will earn $400. Thus even with the enhanced earning rate (from 1x to 3x on WEMC), there is still little reason to use the card for general spending.
IHG Traveler MC: nothing really stands out on this non-fee card except for the signup bonus. We strongly suggest looking into the Premier WEMC instead.
IHG Premier WEMC: with a $99 annual fee, you receive an annual free night up to 40K points level, which can be of great value, especially compared to Chase Marriott Visa or Chase Hyatt Visa's mid-category annual free nights. In addition, the 4th rewards night free and the complimentary Platinum status are icing on the cake. Of course, compared to the discontinued IHG Select MC which used to offer an uncapped annual free night, the IHG Premier WEMC is no way as phenomenal. However, it is one of "drawer cards" we recommend due to the free night.
IHG Premier BUSINESS WEMC: very similar to personal Premier WEMC with some enhanced 5x earning in select business expenses.
The Conclusion
Even though it is not that good for general spending, IHG Premier WEMC (personal or business) is probably worth the $99 annual fee if you make use of its annual free night. However, we strongly discourage applying for the IHG Traveler MC, except for the signup bonus purpose, especially consider the new rule of 24 months for the same family of cards.
