I travel alot, and I like staying at hotels. When possible I stay at Hoilday Inn Express (Not Holiday Inn). The standard is well maintained, and we get a reasonable breakfast alrady included in the price.
I am an IHG member for years, but only recently decided to take them up on their credit card.
Let me start with the bottom line..
Bottom Line:
Best credit card I have had!
Pros:
Best yearly award: 1 night stay at any of the groups hotel, no blackouts (but based on hotel room availability...)
Big signup bonus: 60K points for 2-6 nights, depending on your stay location and hotel, after spending money
Free upgrade when staying (can be as simple as newspaper and fruit basket, or even a suite)
Free points when staying at a hotel - no matter how I booked.
5 points when booking directly on ihg.com
Keeps my IHG membership active and in Platinum level
Travel protection - look at terms...
No foreign transaction fee - if you hotel, you are probably also travelling.
10% back on points when redeeming in ihg.com (points are worth 10% more)
5K more points when adding an authorized user.
Nice to have:
2 points in restaurants, grocery stores and gas stations
Cons:
$49 a year - Waived for the 1st year
The yearly free night award is the best thing about this card! You can spend it at a $800 or even $1,200 a night hotel in Hong Kong (which is very expensive, or any other expensive country)
The offer: (click image)
