Chase IHG Rewards Club MasterCard Review
Updated October 30, 2020. For the temporary benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, please see our featured review.
The Facts
This review is for two cards: IHG Rewards Club Traveler World MasterCard and IHG Rewards Club Premier World Elite MasterCard. For the discontinued IHG Rewards Club Select MasterCard, see our old review.
IHG Rewards Club Traveler World MasterCard
IHG Rewards Club Premier World Elite MasterCard
The Math
Since IHG Rewards Club points are normally valued at less than 1 cent per point (our current valuation 0.4 cent a piece), both cards are not good for general spending, not even good for the 2x categories. The annual 10K bonus on the WEMC is almost useless too (unless spent on 10x category), because spending $20K with the card means lost of rewards / cash value compared to other competitive products.
IHG Traveler MC: nothing really stands out on this non-fee card unless you want the signup bonus. We strongly suggest looking into the Premier MC instead.
IHG Premier WEMC: with a $89 annual fee, you receive an annual free night capped at 40K points level, which can still 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 Elite 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 new IHG Premier MC is no way as phenomenal. However, it is one of "drawer cards" we recommend due to the free night.
The Conclusion
Even though it is not good for general spending, IHG Premier WEMC is worth the $89 annual fee if you make use of its annual free night. We strongly discourage applying for the IHG Traveler MC, except for the signup bonus purpose.
The Facts
This review is for two cards: IHG Rewards Club Traveler World MasterCard and IHG Rewards Club Premier World Elite MasterCard. For the discontinued IHG Rewards Club Select MasterCard, see our old review.
IHG Rewards Club Traveler World MasterCard
- Annual Fee: none
- Signup Bonus: 100,000 points after spending $2,000 within 3 months of new account opening. This 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: 100,000 points in 2020; 75,000 points in 2020; 60,000 points since introduction in 2018.
- Application Landing Page
- Rewards: 5x InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG) hotels, 2x gas, groceries and dining, 1x everywhere else
- Best Use of IHG Rewards Club points: IHG Rewards Club 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 Club mid tier status Gold Elite when you spend at least $10,000 a year with the card - normally achieved after 25 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.
IHG Rewards Club Premier World Elite MasterCard
- Annual Fee: $89
- Signup Bonus: (1) 140,000 points after spending $3,000 within 3 months of new account opening. Through this offer, you also receive the first year annual fee waiver. (2) 125,000 points after spending $3,000 within 3 months of new account opening. The bonus of either offer 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 in late 2020; 125,000 points & 25x on IHG & 4x everywhere else during the first year in late 2019; 125,000 points + $50 credit in mid 2019; 120,000 points in early 2019; 100,000 points + $50 credit in mid 2018.
- Application Landing Page (140K points with first year annual fee waiver)
- Application Landing Page (125K points)
- Rewards: 10x IHG hotels, 2x gas, groceries and dining, 1x everywhere else. In addition, you earn an annual bonus of 10,000 points 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 (limited to hotels with a point redemption level of 40,000 points or less) upon each anniversary. This 40K redemption limit essentially excludes the top ~200 properties requiring 50K-70K points per night (~4% of IHG's total properties). 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) IHG Rewards Club top tier status Platinum Elite as long as you have the card - normally achieved after 50 nights. Note that the benefits come with the Platinum status are not as great as top tier status with other programs like Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, etc. The reason is that IHG's real deal is 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) Waived foreign transaction fees. (2) 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.
The Math
Since IHG Rewards Club points are normally valued at less than 1 cent per point (our current valuation 0.4 cent a piece), both cards are not good for general spending, not even good for the 2x categories. The annual 10K bonus on the WEMC is almost useless too (unless spent on 10x category), because spending $20K with the card means lost of rewards / cash value compared to other competitive products.
IHG Traveler MC: nothing really stands out on this non-fee card unless you want the signup bonus. We strongly suggest looking into the Premier MC instead.
IHG Premier WEMC: with a $89 annual fee, you receive an annual free night capped at 40K points level, which can still 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 Elite 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 new IHG Premier MC is no way as phenomenal. However, it is one of "drawer cards" we recommend due to the free night.
The Conclusion
Even though it is not good for general spending, IHG Premier WEMC is worth the $89 annual fee if you make use of its annual free night. We strongly discourage applying for the IHG Traveler MC, except for the signup bonus purpose.
