I firmly believe that anyone who likes to travel at least once per year should have the IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card, and here are five reasons why.

	IHG® Rewards Club Select Credit Card Add to Favorites	$0 intro first year $49 annual fee	Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening Read Review »
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	IHG® Rewards Club Select Credit Card
Apply Now Add to Favorites
Sign Up Bonus $0 intro first year $49 annual fee Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening Annual Fee Already have this card? Maximize your rewards.
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1. A pretty killer signup bonus

The signup bonus for the IHG card can vary a bit, but right now it is a solid 80,000 IHG Points after spending only $1,000 within three months of account opening. 80,000 points is not only more than enough for one night at any IHG Hotel in the world, but if you stretch it by only booking PointBreaks hotels, you could get as many as 15 free nights out of the signup bonus.

2. You get a free night to use at any IHG property on your anniversary date

You heard that right. One free anniversary night certificate every year, and there are no restrictions on what hotels it can be used at. Most other hotel cards limit your free night certificate to lower category hotels, but with IHG you can book whatever hotel you want.

3. But there must be an annual fee? It’s only $49

You’re right, it isn’t really a “free night certificate” but the annual fee on this card is super low – only $49. Comparable hotel cards that offer a restricted free night usually also have a higher annual fee – $95 is common. A$49 annual fee for this card is an absolute steal.

4. Complimentary Platinum elite status

IHG doesn’t have the most valuable status levels out there—so don’t expect regular suite upgrades or Park Hyatt style breakfasts for free, but Platinum elite status will give you a pretty good boost on points earnings for paid stays. You’ll also have access to priority check-in.

5. They’re everywhere!

The thing that I love about IHG hotels is that I can pretty much count on them being anywhere, and they are very consistent. When I walk into a Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Express, especially, I pretty much know what I’m going to get—and that’s nice sometimes.

Final Thoughts

The free night certificate alone makes this card worth hanging onto in my book, and in fact it is one of my oldest card accounts since getting into the points and miles hobby. I look forward to using my certificate every year either somewhere cool (like the InterContinental Boston) or convenient (like last year near New York La Guardia Airport). As long as you actually use your free night certificate every year, you will surely be coming out ahead of the annual fee of $49.

Do you have the IHG credit card?

[Image via IHG]

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• Points Breakdown

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

• Annual Fee: $95 fee waived for the first year
• Foreign Fees: No
• Card Type: Bank

Apply Now
Add to Favorites

• Earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $625 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
• Named Best Credit Card for Flexible Travel Redemption - Kiplinger's Personal Finance, July 2016
• 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
• Earn 5,000 bonus points after you add the first authorized user and make a purchase in the first 3 months from account opening
• No foreign transaction fees
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 50,000 points are worth $625 toward travel
• No blackout dates or travel restrictions - as long as there's a seat on the flight, you can book it through Chase Ultimate Rewards

Breakdown

Earn (pt.)

Spend

First 3 months

50,000

$4,000

Travel Purchases

2.00

$1

Restaurants Purchases

2.00

$1

Coffee Shops Purchases

2.00

$1

Fast Food Purchases

2.00

$1

Alcohol & Bars Purchases

2.00

$1

All Purchases

1.00

$1

Already have this card? Track it and maximize your rewards.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

• Annual Fee: $95 fee waived for the first year
• Foreign Fees: No
• Card Type: Bank

Apply Now Add to Favorites

FTG Review	Reward Breakdown	Points Breakdown
Earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $625 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards® Named Best Credit Card for Flexible Travel Redemption - Kiplinger's Personal Finance, July 2016 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. Earn 5,000 bonus points after you add the first authorized user and make a purchase in the first 3 months from account opening No foreign transaction fees 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 50,000 points are worth $625 toward travel No blackout dates or travel restrictions - as long as there's a seat on the flight, you can book it through Chase Ultimate Rewards Breakdown Earn (pt.) Spend First 3 months 50,000 $4,000 Travel Purchases 2.00 $1 Restaurants Purchases 2.00 $1 Coffee Shops Purchases 2.00 $1 Fast Food Purchases 2.00 $1 Alcohol & Bars Purchases 2.00 $1 All Purchases 1.00 $1 Apply Now
Already have this card? Maximize your rewards.