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If you stay with IHG hotels, even occasionally, the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card and new IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card are worth considering.
Both cards offer substantial welcome bonuses:
These cards also come with excellent benefits including complimentary IHG Platinum elite status, a fourth reward night free on point stays of three or more consecutive nights, up to $50 in United Travel Bank credits each year, and a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit of up to $100 every four years.
One big reason to keep these cards year after year is the annual free night certificate they offer, valid at any IHG hotel that costs up to 40,000 IHG points per night. If you redeem the certificate at upscale hotels — where nightly rates can be $300 or more — you could get a value that well exceeds the $99 annual fee.
The free night certificate can take you across the world — from Bali to the Netherlands — and it won’t cost you anything but your annual fee.
Best hotels to use an IHG Premier card free night certificate
Regular APR
15.99% – 22.99% Variable
Recommended Credit Score
Good to Excellent
- Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy a Reward Night after each account anniversary year at eligible IHG hotels worldwide. Plus, enjoy a reward night when you redeem points for any stay of 3 or more nights
- Earn up to 26 points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
- Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier card member
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
- IHG Rewards bonus points are redeemable at hotels such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®
Regular APR
15.99% – 22.99% Variable
Recommended Credit Score
Good to Excellent
- Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy a Reward Night after each account anniversary year at eligible IHG hotels worldwide. Plus, enjoy a reward night when you redeem points for any stay of 3 or more nights
- Earn up to 26 points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
- Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, gas stations, select advertising, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier card member
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
- IHG Rewards bonus points are redeemable at hotels such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®
Each year on your IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card or IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card anniversary, you’ll receive a free night certificate valid at IHG hotels that cost up to 40,000 points per night. The certificate should automatically show up in your IHG account online on the homepage under the “Free Night(s)” link.
Read more: How to earn, redeem, and maximize IHG points
To book your reward night, select your free night certificate and search for available hotels as you normally would. The free night will automatically be attached when you complete your reservation instead of having points deducted from your account.
One other important point to note: IHG prices reward nights dynamically, which means the number of points required at a specific hotel varies depending on season and demand. A hotel may price out at 40,000 points or less at some times of year (and therefore qualify for the free night certificate), but during peak travel times it may cost more than 40,000 points and be ineligible for the annual free night without topping up with additional points.
Let’s take a look at some of the best hotels for redeeming your IHG free night certificate.
Kimpton De Witt, Amsterdam
IHG Hotels and Resorts
If Europe has been on your list, you’ll want to stop in at the Kimpton Amsterdam De Witt. Located in the city center, room rates here hover in the $200 to $300 range, which means you’ll be making good use of your IHG annual free night certificate.
Read more: The best ways to fly to Europe using points and miles
And because it’s a Kimpton, you’ll be able to bring your pet with you — no matter their size — for free. Because IHG operates on a dynamic pricing scale, you’ll see reward rates fluctuate, but they’ll go as low as 35,000 points per night in the off-season. If you’re traveling in the summer, expect rates from 50,000 to 60,000 points per night — but you can top up your certificate with points to make up the difference.
InterContinental Bali Sanur Resort
IHG Hotels and Resorts
Now that the world is opening up again for travelers, visiting far-flung destinations has become a lot easier. One of IHG’s newest additions, the InterContinental Bali Sanur Resort is a gorgeous property where you can treat yourself to a five-star stay.
A standard room is a junior suite, complete with an outdoor living area, and this beachfront resort features stunning infinity pools and gardens. The award rate is 40,000 points per night or less, even during peak season, which makes this resort an ideal spot for redeeming an IHG free night certificate in luxury.
Kimpton Hotel Palomar San Diego
IHG Hotels and Resorts
Want to stay stateside? The Kimpton Palomar San Diego is a swanky hotel with a rooftop pool located in San Diego’s famous Gaslamp Quarter. You’ll find a wide range of reward redemption pricing here, but a good selection of dates price in the 40,000 to 50,000 point range.
Read more: I haven’t paid for a hotel room in 10 years — here’s how I stay for free
Room rates will otherwise run you upward of $300 each night, and as a Kimpton property, Fido also comes along for free.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Desert Club Resort, Las Vegas
IHG Hotels and Resorts
If you’re traveling with a family and looking to spread out, skip the strip and stay in the condo-style Holiday Inn Club Vacations At Desert Club Resort, where sprawling villas come equipped with both full kitchens and living rooms.
Read more: The 5 best credit card rewards programs for socially distant travel
You can snag a one-bedroom villa for 40,000 IHG points — or redeem your free night certificate — and enjoy a free shuttle to the strip as well as expansive resort pools. Room rates otherwise hover in the mid $200s.
Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel, Miami Beach
IHG Hotels and Resorts
A stay in Miami Beach can be a pricey proposition, but the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel is an affordable option for using IHG Rewards. Award nights here start at 36,000 points in the off-season, making it a good choice for redeeming an IHG free night certificate.
Located in the historic Art Deco District, this family-friendly oceanfront hotel features a kids’ beach area with toys, poolside activities, and an evening social hour. And because it’s a Kimpton, your pet can stay at no charge.
Bottom line
The IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card and IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card pack a lot of perks for a low annual fee. With complimentary elite status and even your fourth night free on award stays, it’s easy to find value with these cards.
Perhaps the biggest perk, however, is the annual free night certificate that they offer. Valid at properties up to 40,000 points per night, you can find stays in international hotspots like Bali and Amsterdam. Or, if you prefer to stick closer to home, you can enjoy villa life while working on your tan.
