Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PlatMM, BA and Alaska Emerald, HHonors DIA, Accor, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat Amb, UA Silver, AA
Posts: 4,516
I had the regular IHG card that only gave Gold benefits, rarely used it. $29 a year.
Saw this new one and called to upgrade. While I didn't get any points, there is also no "Hard Credit Pull" if you just upgrade. If you want the points, I believe you could do it but it'd be considered like a new application. I will be doing some home improvements later this year and will be getting a loan, so it wasn't worth it to me (I already have about 300,000 IHG points in my account).
Anyway-- I thought the extra $60 a year cost over the base IHG card was totally worth it for the Free Night Cert, as well as for the 4th night free on points stays, and the occasional upgrade due to Platinum status. I was treated quite well at a few hotels back when I was Platinum a few years ago.