FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Chase IHG credit card annual free night certificate devaluation
Old Apr 2, 2018 | 7:46 pm
  #37  
diesteldorf
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Join Date: Feb 2006
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Originally Posted by Tony300S
I agree and think the new "Top Tier" card will be even a better value given the perks! I'm about to churn this IHG card in Sept AFTER my anniversary night posts.

New $89 annual fee card:
*80,000 IHG Rewards points for a sign-up bonus
*10X points per dollar spent at IHG properties
*10,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on the card annually
*4th night free on award stays
*Anniversary free night at eligible hotels
*Platinum Elite status
*Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit every four years
*20% discount on point purchases
https://thepointsguy.com/news/ihg-fr...00000206867312
As it stands, I'll probably keep my current IHG Mastercard, since I can find enough 40,000 point hotels to justify the $49 fee. Chase certainly doesn't owe me anything and isn't required to tailor a card for my personal needs, but I would have a tough time justifying the $89 fee for the new premium card.

I already have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, so the TSA/Global Entry Credit won't directly benefit me, unless I decide to use the credit to pay for a friend or relative.
Granted, the CSR has a much higher annual fee of $450, but after the $300 annual travel credit is deducted, and other benefits are factored in, the CSR has enough value to justify keeping it.

10X IGH points at IGH hotels is only worth slightly more than 3 CSR Points, and you are giving up travel flexibility and potential transfer partners.

4th Night free benefit could potentially be valuable, but only until I exhaust by IHG points balance.

Both cards offer Platinum Elite Status, so that is a wash.

The primary benefit has always been the anniversary night, and it'll be easier to redeem, knowing that it is only costing me $49 vs. $89. I am sure that once you upgrade, you will prohibited from going back to the $49 card.

If they wanted to make it more tempting, they should offer 5000 bonus points and/or the opportunity to use the anniversary night at hotels up to 50,000 points.

Realistically, I am sure Chase doesn't care if you are one that barely puts any spend on the card.

I also have the Radisson Card from US Bank, and, while it has also been devalued recently, for $20,000 spend, I can get 2 free nights at any USA property, in addition to the substantial points I would earn. For anyone that is willing to put $20,000 spend spend on the new IGH card, 10,000 bonus points seems pretty paltry.
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