Chase just hiked the welcome bonuses on all three IHG One Rewards credit cards, with the IHG One Rewards Premier now offering a massive 175,000-point bonus. If you've been eyeing an IHG card or planning stays at Holiday Inn, InterContinental, or any of IHG's 6,000+ properties, now's the time to strike.

These increased offers typically don't last long, and with peak travel season approaching, the timing couldn't be better.

What's Changed Across All Three Cards

Here's the breakdown of the new welcome bonuses:

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Earn 175,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months (up from 140,000 points). That's worth roughly $875-$1,050 in free hotel stays, depending on how you redeem.

IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Earn up to 120,000 bonus points total—90,000 after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months, plus up to 30,000 additional points by earning 3x on eligible purchases during the first 6 months on up to $10,000 spent. This no-annual-fee option jumped from its standard 75,000-point offer.

IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card: Still at 140,000 points after $4,000 spend in 3 months, but this remains one of the better business hotel card offers available. Worth approximately $700-$840 in hotel stays.

Why the Premier Card's 175K Offer Stands Out

The IHG Premier's increased bonus is the real winner here. You're getting 35,000 more points than the standard offer for just $1,000 more in spending. That extra $1,000 spend earns you at least an additional 3,000 points (at the base 3x rate), so you're netting 38,000 total bonus points for that incremental spend.

At IHG's average redemption value of 0.5-0.6 cents per point, those 175,000 points translate to $875-$1,050 in hotel stays. But find the right redemptions—like Holiday Inn properties during peak season or InterContinental hotels in Asia—and you can easily squeeze 0.7-0.8 cents per point or higher.

The card also comes with automatic Platinum Elite status, a free anniversary night (up to 40,000 points, with the ability to top up with your own points for pricier properties), and the fourth-night-free benefit on award stays. All for just $99 annually.

The Math on the Traveler Card's Complex Bonus

The IHG Traveler has a two-tier bonus structure that's worth understanding:

Tier 1: Spend $2,000 in 3 months, earn 90,000 pointsTier 2: Earn 3x additional points (on top of base earning) on purchases that normally earn 2x or 3x, capped at $10,000 spend in first 6 months

This means you could earn up to 30,000 bonus points on top of your base earnings if you max out that $10,000 in eligible spending categories (gas stations, dining, utilities, streaming services). Between the base earning rate and the bonus, you're looking at 4-6x points per dollar on those categories during the first six months.

With no annual fee, this card makes sense for occasional IHG travelers who want the fourth-night-free benefit without paying $99 annually.

Strategic Timing Considerations

These offers launched in early January 2026 and will likely run for several weeks, but Chase rarely advertises how long increased offers will last. History suggests 1-3 months is typical, but they can disappear with little notice.

If you're planning:

• Spring break travel at IHG properties
• Summer vacation stays
• Business travel that includes IHG hotels
• A Europe or Asia trip where IHG has strong presence

Now's the time to apply and start accumulating points. IHG points don't expire as long as you have activity every 12 months, and holding any IHG credit card counts as activity.

Which Card Should You Get?

Get the IHG Premier if: You stay at IHG properties at least 2-3 times per year. The automatic Platinum Elite status, anniversary free night, and enhanced earning rates will offset the $99 fee quickly. The 175,000-point bonus is currently the best value per dollar of spend required.

Get the IHG Traveler if: You're an occasional IHG guest (1-2 stays annually) and want to avoid an annual fee. The complex bonus structure requires some planning, but maxing it out gives you solid returns for a no-fee card.

Get the IHG Premier Business if: You own a business and spend in categories where this card shines—travel, dining, gas, office supplies, and online advertising all earn 5x points. The card doesn't count toward Chase's 5/24 rule, making it valuable for those already at or near that limit.

Don't Forget the Fourth-Night-Free Benefit

All three IHG cards include a often-overlooked perk: when you book four consecutive nights using points, the fourth night is free. This works on any points redemption, not just specific properties.

Example: A Holiday Inn charging 25,000 points per night would normally cost 100,000 points for four nights. With this benefit, you pay just 75,000 points. That's an instant 25% discount on any four-night award stay, which can make these sign-up bonuses stretch even further.

Important Eligibility Details

You're not eligible for these bonuses if you:

• Currently hold any personal IHG credit card
• Received a bonus on any personal IHG card within the past 24 months
• Previously held and closed any personal IHG card within 24 months

The business card has separate eligibility rules and won't affect your ability to get a personal card bonus (and vice versa).

The Bottom Line

Chase's decision to boost these bonuses signals they're serious about competing for hotel card market share. The 175,000-point offer on the IHG Premier represents genuine value—enough for 3-4 nights at most IHG properties, or 7-8 nights at lower-tier properties during off-peak times.

If you're already loyal to IHG or planning stays where they have properties, these increased bonuses make 2026 the year to add an IHG card to your wallet. Just don't wait too long to decide—these offers won't stick around forever.

This article contains affiliate links. If you apply through our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you, which helps us continue sharing points and miles strategies with the community.