darthbimmer

You're in the wrong program if you're looking for high-standard properties and lavish elite benefits. The strength of the IHG portfolio has always been its wide footprint, achieved primarily through its lower end properties. The strength of the IHG rewards program has always been earn-and-burn, not special recognition on-property.

wlau

No, that's not true. IHG is just like similar chains, it offers properties cross different luxe and price categories. Other programs are much more rewarding... Earn-and-burn or not, a program like this should have basic function of rewarding regular customers by providing a slightly better experience, which this program does not do very well..

Troopers

I think darthbimmer is stating what the program is. You are stating what you want think the program should be.

FonzieBone

The $49 annual fee is a good value in exchange for the free night at just about any property, and especially for the higher-dollar properties in Europe.

Outside of that, if you're expecting flamboyant red-carpet experiences at HIX in Dingleberry, Alabama by virtue of holding a credit card, yes, I'd say cancel.

However, if you stay with IHG a lot (insert your own definition of "a lot" here), then holding the CC is an effective force multiplier for earning. You'll get your extra 5 points/dollar and your 10% back from any redemptions. So you can definitely stretch your points further.

paperwastage

ironically, it doesn't make sense for me to put spend on the card

5 pts/dollar, people value IHG points at $0.005-0.007/pt, so I get 2.25-3.5x per dollar

other cards give better value (citi premier 3x travel, csp 2x travel if you value it >1.5x... along with their respective AF of course)

Happy

There are a few attic rooms on the 8th floor of the Holiday Inn Old Sydney at The Rock you get the view of Opera House! It is right above the tower-like old building when you look directly out the inclined window. Much nicer view than the IC room picture posted. There is no blockage on either side of the Opera House view, except at the bottom so you dont see the water.

We stayed there in 2009 when the Vivid Sydney was in its 2nd year - each night we returned to our room, we waited a few min before turned on the light as the laser show projected on the Opera House was magical. This year we returned for the Vivid but stayed at Park Hyatt. A 5 times more expensive hotel yet the room does not give this effect.

HI Old Sydney is within 3 min walk to the ridiculously expensive Park Hyatt Sydney for the reference of location.

Our certs always are used in international properties. 2 years ago were at IC Hong Kong. Will most likely use them at the same place this year. Last year used it at Staybridge London - a brand new hotel in a residential neighborhood. Very nice property with very decent breakfast, all rooms have full kitchen facilities. Spire and Plat status acknowledged. Amenities offered. All in all a very satisfactory usage of the certs. Hotel was at 260 GBP after taxes. At 1.45 it is $377 a night.

Even inside US there are still plenty of places that cost a lot. Take LAX almost always at $200 and up for any brand any chain.

If anyone has question on the value of the free night cert good anywhere in the world, something is wrong in the logic of thinking.

CMK10

I cannot imagine ever canceling this card, at least until they realize how much they're giving away for just $49. Between the free night anywhere, the increased points I earn as a Platinum and the benefits of being Platinum (I've already had a suite upgrade this year as well as welcome amenities), the card pays for itself many times over.

paperwastage

For my free night, I got upgrade to Royal Botanic Gardens (Eastern Harbour View), which is one level below your "Harbor Bridge view" (according to the $$$)

MrTemporal

I switched to IHG earlier this year because the hotel group I had previously had a card for simply did not have hotels in most places I needed/wanted to stay.

My tastes in a hotel are simple - clean, free hot breakfast, a hot tub, free wifi, free parking and cookies in the lobby. But, I realize that is different from those who want more services and comfort.

So far IHG has managed to upgrade my room about 1/2 the time I have stayed there, and I even scored a room for 5,000 points when I had a long drive ending in a small state in FlyOver country.

So, for me, $49 is a good value in a HI or HIX room.

vsevolod4

It depends on your travel patterns, of course.
But if you can, use the free night at places such as Le Grand in Paris, the Amstel in Amsterdam, the Thalasso in Bora Bora, the Willard in DC,
These are heads, shoulders and waists above Hyatts, and for $49 you get a $500 to $1000 room.
NB of course if you stay in Hyatts, get the Hyatt card, but remember that while you get 2 free nights to sign up at ANY Hyatt, upon renewal, every year thereafter you get a single night in only the bottom half of Hyatts -- while with the IHG Rewards card, you get a single night in ANY ICH property. Use it for a splurge.

Tony300S

Saving my free IHG night for a NYC Times Square trip, easily worth $400+ per night.

ARR72

I'm using mine for a stay in London at the IC Park Lane, 400 pounds per night. My $49 annual fee has paid for itself 8 times over.

dankim78

Well, having the card gives you a platinum status.
With 5 points per dollar spent, it is easy to get to spire elite.
While no guaranteed spire benefits are good enough to justify being loyal to IHG, properties outside US, especially the ones in Asia, seem to grant you enough spire benefits. Also properties are much better maintained and equipped than US properties, though it is also true for Hyatt properties in Asia.
Every time I stay at Asian IHG property, they upgrade me to the club level when the property has club lounge (except IC Hong Kong). Also they would sometimes offer me breakfast.

CMK10

Just had another stay at a Holiday Inn in suburban Chicago. During check in I was told I was upgraded to a suite without asking. That's my second suite upgrade this year. That plus all the extra points easily makes the card worth it, even before I consider the free night cert.

SRenaeP

Skip the HI and go for EVEN in this location. The HI room was tiny and I wouldn't stay there again. The EVEN is a new location with spacious rooms and great service. I also preferred the EVEN location (side street vs main street) for ease of Uber/Lyft pickup.

-Steph