Should I Get a Chase IHG Credit Card? (as a Marriott Loyalist)

[@TheCreditFrog]

Another great way to earn IHG points is by buying points during a 100% point bonus period and then redeeming a stay for 4 nights so you can get the 4th night free (a benefit with the IHG credit cards). This will likely end up being cheaper than an equivalent cash booking. Thank you for all of you who commented on my community post and taught me this technique! I wanted to feature this IHG strategy in this pinned comment since it wasn’t in the video.

[@sirfriendzone1228]

Keep in mind that IHG has 5 luxury hotel brands other than the Intercontinental Hotel brand.

[@TheCreditFrog]

@@sirfriendzone1228 Oh for sure! Will have to keep that in mind when searching for places to stay!

[@paulfelkner6749]

Marriott Titanium, lifetime platinum and just started with IHG with my Middle East tour recently.The 165K bonus got me going and although I stayed mostly at Marriott properties I did book Intercontinental Istanbul for 33K a night and Intercontinental Amman for 23K a night. Highly recommend Cairo Sheraton, LeMeridan Cairo airport, Marriott Hurgada, Marriott Amman. My daughter got the Ambassador (IHG) for Amman, she got a nice suite.

[@TheCreditFrog]

Hey that’s awesome! Thanks for the recommendations. Those all sound like some pretty cool destinations and properties. Yeah, although I’m not quite to Lifetime Platinum yet, I’ll hopefully get there some time during my lifetime. I’m excited to start trialing out some IHG properties! I think I need to strategize with the Ambassador status when I stay at Intercontinentals to snag a suite too!

[@trendari9977]

That bonus period is going on right now!

[@Thecreditcardconnection]

I would get the IHG Business Card. The fact that you get a higher status, it doesn’t count against 5/24 and offers the same multipliers as the personal card, it’s a huge win! Thank you for the excellent breakdown Stan!

[@TheCreditFrog]

Of course Joe! Yeah, that would be the best way to go IMO. The personal and business cards are so similar - so why not? I think it's going to be added to my roadmap and may be a card I get sometime later this year.

[@Thecreditcardconnection]

@@TheCreditFrog I also saw that the Business version is not at its all time high. That’s what I’m waiting for. Thanks Stan!

[@DC_Consulting_DC]

Yes, get the IHG business, especially for international and airport locations. I am Marriott Lifetime Platinum, have the Ritz-Carlton and Amex Business Marriott, IHG, Hilton, and Wyndham business cards.

[@TheCreditFrog]

I'm really thinking I should. This will be a nice added bonus to when I start to travel more internationally. Sounds like you have a lot of nice options for hotel stays with all of your business credit cards! And the Ritz Carlton for good measure, hah!

[@airbnbphotography]

do they have lot of airport locations ?

[@MattWelterOfficial]

Love that you are expanding your hotel flexibility in terms of generating points from bonuses for future stays! The IHG (Personal & Business) Premier Cards are on my Hotel CC Roadmap and I plan to get both in the next year or so (obviously depending on what elevated bonuses are available and taking advantage there). Having exposure to Intercontinental's & IHG definitely makes sense for you with your travel plans to Asia as well! Great video as always Stan!

[@TheCreditFrog]

Thanks Matt! Yeah, I'm taking a page from your book and seeing where I really want to focus on for my international trips (Asia), and I was super surprised to see IHG really has a lot of great options there! Much like how you found out that Marriott was pretty good for South America! Of course, there are properties all over the globe for all hotel chains, but figuring out the best ones for your travel patterns is key! And knowing the right credit card to get to make that happen is also part of the fun!

[@ayamaikarim]

I am waiting for InterContinental Bellevue at the Avenue to open, since I travel frequently to Seattle from Portland,

[@lewis20002000]

I have both IHG CCs that give the free night, and they come in handy at Holidays of which I fine all over. The Holiday inns are affordable and may not be super fancy, but well worth it. I believe the best way of getting IHG points after the sub bonus and necessary spend is buying they when on sale and/or at their annual end-of-the-year sale.

[@TheCreditFrog]

That's great that you have both! Yeah, that's what I'm hearing... wait for the IHG points sale bonus and then get the value for those points then! Coupled with the 4th night free, it's a winning strategy!

[@greeneggslamb9336]

What does the annual end of year sale consist of?

[@johnmckinstry6057]

Great video, Stan! I think you should get the IHG Premier Business card. I have the personal IHG Premier card, which I have had for almost two years. I really like the annual free night certificate. Often times, when I stay at an IHG property, I stay at a Holiday Inn Express and usually I book a suite. What I really like about these properties is the free breakfast that is included. I have heard that the Kimpton and the Hotel Indigo properties are really nice properties and I may use my free night certificate that I get this year at one of these higher end properties. I also really like having Platinum Elite status with the Premier card.

[@TheCreditFrog]

Thanks John! That's great that you're able to get the free breakfast at those properties and if you're staying at Holiday Inn's, you're getting a lot of value out of the card and with the IHG Platinum status. Like you, I plan to use my redemptions and free night with more luxury-type properties so that's my plan when I get this card. Honestly, there's been pretty much overwhelmingly positive responses to the IHG system, and that's making me think more about getting the Premier/Premier Business card sooner rather than later!

[@newagain9964]

I considered biz card, but will wait till next yr, SUB will be higher…tho it may elevate late 2024. IHG recently talked about being more aggressive with their cards. I hope results in a move to either WF or Barclays soon. Breakup the AMEX/chase duopoly. Regardless IHG needs to STILL work on loyalty program, until improved they won’t get my precious repeat spend even tho they provide some good value and offerings. No one really mentions IHG has very close to same # of properties as Hilton and Marriott. Good vid Stan✌️

[@TheCreditFrog]

Yeah, welcome offers will always continue to increase. I hope you're right, though, that IHG wanted to market their cards more aggressively because that just means better bonuses coming down the pipeline! Their loyalty program is pretty good, IMO, but it's annoying that free breakfast comes only at the highest level at Diamond Elite. I appreciate it!

[@ScottGenzink]

Pay attention to Kimpton and Hotel Indigo brands as well. Similar to Intercontinentals, they are located in downtown areas, but they have a more modern and less "old luxury" feel. Buying IHG points when they're on sale for 0.5 cents per point can also be a great value when you're redeeming for 4 nights (and only pay for 3 nights). I'm staying at Kimptons in Paris and Amsterdam this summer, where I purchased points for approximately $1000 per stay. Each stay would have cost around $2,000 in cash.

[@TheCreditFrog]

I'll definitely have to look into those! Yeah, my experience so far has been with 1 Intercontinental , but there are other luxury brands to be aware of! I'll definitely keep my eye out for those point sales since it sounds like you can get a ton of value with those. Have a great time in Paris and Amsterdam this summer! What a great deal!

[@leo.stella]

Keep up the good work Stan , I enjoy watching your videos, and i learn a lot from you. Of course, I always do my diligence work to make things work around. and used to do a lot of traveling me and my wife and in the past i always booked cash and did risk getting any new credit card because my goal was to become home owner before turning 30 which i was able to achieve a little bit over 2 years ago , i just wanted to say thank you for your amazing videos and explaining things about the credit card in the simplest way and also explaining very well how different programs can be elevated in different ways and of course every one has different taste when it comes to travel like luxury travel or budget travel nothing wrong with being either side i just prefer luxury travels because I live for the moment Great job, brother. Keep up the great work 🎉🎉

[@TheCreditFrog]

Thanks so much Leo! I'm glad you enjoy watching my content! Happy that you're able to learn as that's why we're all here! Congrats on being a new homeowner! I'm still working on that myself, but it's hard since I'm in a HCOL area. I appreciate your kind words, and yes, I try to explain things as simply as I can because that's exactly what's going through my mind when I'm making a decision, whether it be about a credit card, a rewards program, or sometimes both since they are often interlinked! I also prefer luxury stays while on personal vacations so we're both alike there!

[@MrDubs6000]

Not sure if you saw but IHG business card just got an elevated offer! Very tempting!

[@paulfelkner6749]

It's on my list but I just got the United Bus. with 100.000 bonus.

[@TheCreditFrog]

Sure did! And I'll be dropping under 5/24 this month, so it may be time to pull the trigger on this card!

[@TheCreditFrog]

@@paulfelkner6749 Nice pickup!

[@paulfelkner6749]

@@TheCreditFrog I always get a hard pull (personal) when I apply for a business card. I guess that's how it works?

[@TheCreditFrog]

@@paulfelkner6749 Yup! All Chase card applications generate hard pulls

[@yvjyang]

This was a great breakdown video! Definitely considering IHG as a secondary hotel chain now!

[@TheCreditFrog]

Awesome! Happy I could get you excited about IHG as well!

[@verynick]

Exactly my thought. I’m keeping my Marriott $95 annual card with this. I think $100 tier hotel credit cards is where the sweet spot at haha

[@Cody.Little]

Do it! I plan on getting the premier business when there’s an elevated offer this year. My dad is an IHG loyalist and has the premier and gets a lot of value. Plus, some of their nicer properties look beautiful and can have some great value using points and the 4th night free (really want to stay at a regent or six senses). Also, what a coincidence, literally just uploaded a video on how the Premier is underrated 😂 great minds think alike!

[@TheCreditFrog]

Very nice! I'm definitely going to check your video out!! Yeah, I'm also going to be waiting for an elevated offer and then apply then. It's great to hear your dad is getting a lot of value from his IHG stays. Definitely want to see if I can stay at some of their luxury properties that you mentioned. That's so funny that we were thinking the same thing!

[@johndematatis9718]

Year 2 with the ihg premiere and I just used my free night at the kimpton george in DC. I like the card and the program!

[@TheCreditFrog]

Very nice! I just looked up the property. Looks like a fun place to stay!

[@thejokerspeaks]

@thejokerspeaks 0 seconds ago Primarily Hilton loyalists, especially with higher tier properties. Hyatt will fill in same high season stays, now that we have BILT. We use IHG for mid-tier, because I find the beds more reliably comfortable than the competition's at this level. 4th Night Free could be a great redemption tool in Asia with the cc. Also, you can buy points on sale for .5 cpp, turn around and use them at a Holiday Inn for .7 cpp.

[@TheCreditFrog]

That's great to know that IHG is great for those mid-tier hotels. I think I'll probably use this card for a lot of my international stays, especially in Asia, if I don't end up keeping my Titanium Elite status. I definitely need to keep my eyes out for those IHG point bonus period since it sounds like the combo between the bonus and the 4th night free is the way to get some very good value! Thanks for the experience share!

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Stan I think you can use the business rewards ihg card because it’s pretty easy to use. Just really need to stay once a year to use the cert. no monthly or biannual credits.

[@TheCreditFrog]

Definitely! I saw that you had the card and you were experimenting with Ambassador status a few months ago, and it got me thinking about IHG. Staying at my first Intercontinental and having a nice experience really helped me seal the deal with this program.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@TheCreditFrog I got the ambassador status and never stayed at an IC! Haha

[@doctorcrayons]

It is worth noting that the United Club Infinite card also gives you IHG Platinum status. If you were to be a United flyer/ wanted Star Alliance lounge access

[@TheCreditFrog]

Thanks for reminding me! Yeah, that's definitely something to think about if you fly United often. I think the Club card is a no-brainer for people who frequently fly United so this would be an excellent way to hop on the IHG status train at the same time!

[@ua1514]

I got the IHG business about 8 months ago and have become obsessed with IHG, so much so that I got the personal as well about a month ago. I now only stay at IHG hotels. The value and perks are insane.

[@TheCreditFrog]

I like where you're going with this. My 1/1 stay was super nice. I'm looking forward to staying at more, and maybe I'll be hooked just like you!

[@gainesville323]

Even though my gf and I will mainly stay at Hyatt hotels, we’re big into college football, and we’ll occasionally travel to cities where Hyatt doesn’t have coverage. That’s where IHG will come into play. I like staying at Holiday Inns for a weekend trip in a non-major city to watch my alma mater’s football games, and the IHG One Rewards Premier card (that’s a pretty lengthy name for a card) has pretty good value for that $99 fee with sign up bonus, free night award, and the the automatic platinum elite status. Plus their no-annual fee traveler card is good for 2-player mode since my girlfriend doesn’t want any annual fee cards, so over 200,000 IHG points is a good amount even if you factor the low CPP value for the cards.

[@TheCreditFrog]

Hey, that's awesome Tariq! Holiday Inns sounds like a great option for you and your gf, especially when you go to those smaller college towns. Both welcome offers together with the Traveler/Premier is pretty awesome, especially since you have the IHG Platinum Elite status for those benefits. Like you said, not bad for $99!!

[@Megaman-Zero-626]

Holiday Inn Express is my go-to, making the IHG Premier personal card a no-brainer 🔥 Haven’t ventured into business cards yet

[@TheCreditFrog]

Nice! Another vote for the IHG Premier card. The business and personal are practically the same so I don't think you're missing out unless you advertise or shop a lot at office supply stores!

[@MontyTheCardNerd]

I've never had an IHG card before so this was really helpful, thanks Stan! I'd probably target one of their luxury properties, great that there are so many options in Asia.

[@TheCreditFrog]

Of course Monty! Yeah, that's what I was thinking. It's nice to know that they have a lot of properties in Asia - which is the areas I'd like to travel to the most!

[@engineerengineer2218]

Get the igh premier card. I used it in Bali and they treated me very well due to the status. The 4th night free at the time in 2023 brought the point value to 1.4 cents not counting the free room upgrade(to a suite) and with some complaining(regarding the room upgrade did not match the room that was in the app). included free breakfast( due to the complaining) and still got the room upgrade.

[@TheCreditFrog]

Wow, that's incredible CPP for IHG! Sounds like it's definitely worth it if you were able to get upgraded to a suite. Dang, you definitely get more out of your stay if you speak up about your concerns, and it sounds like it went well in your favor for that stay! Free breakfast is probably my favorite hotel benefit, but I've never been upgraded to a suite before so I'll have to reserve judgment until that day hah!

[@HowToCredit]

this was a great video stan, i been looking into the IHG card for a few days now, you actually answered my questions ive been asking myself. Haha

[@TheCreditFrog]

Very cool! I'm glad I was able to answer those questions for you! The Premier cards sound like the way to go!

[@tiwiks1]

IHG business seems like the go to for you. Acquiring it is also part of my 2024 plan. Great video and breakdown@

[@TheCreditFrog]

Thanks Kevin! Yeah, the more I think about it, the more I like the idea. Looks like you and me both will be getting this card real soon 👍

[@tiwiks1]

@@TheCreditFrog I'll be getting a Marriot personal card before that. I am finding it hard to redeem Hyatt points at certain places that seem to have a Marriot hotels nearby. Love that you're a Marriot Loyalist!

[@TheCreditFrog]

@@tiwiks1 Yeah, that’s why I usually go with Marriott!!

[@geraldalves9107]

Having some hotel diversity never hurts and you can at least get the IHG Business card for the SUB and test drive the card for a year to see if it makes sense for your use case. I think the most efficient way to utilize IHG is to buy IHG points when they have those 90% or 100% bonus sales and buy enough IHG points to cover for three nights in order to get the 4th night free with the IHG Premier card. You can use the same strategy with Hilton also.

[@TheCreditFrog]

I agree Gerald, test driving the card out for a year would be the way to go. I really like the combo strategy of points sales + 4th night free. Definitely could be a great deal if done right!

[@johnwick860]

check the history of elevated offers for the IHG Business... I am waiting for that

[@TheCreditFrog]

I'm definitely going to be keeping my eye out for that. I'll probably pull the trigger once an elevated offer is available - I'll be under Chase 5/24 next month, and plan to stay that way for a long while hopefully since I have 3 cards dropping off the 5/24 roster throughout the rest of this year. Just need to not add any more personals if I can help it.

[@yurig2530]

We have 4 IHG cards between me and my P2. We have an old Select card with $49 AF, a free night and 10% back on award bookings, and Platinum status. Then we also have Traveler card, which was converted from Premier. Traveler gives 4th night free on award bookings. So that's 4th night free + 10% points back.

[@TheCreditFrog]

Wow, that's awesome! I wasn't in the game back with that old Select card, but it's working out really well for you and P2 now! Low overhead, high value! They don't make setups like that anymore!

[@newagain9964]

FYI. Any of the 3 IHG cards unlock ability to get 4th night free when booking stay with pts.

[@yurig2530]

@@TheCreditFrog Back then, IHG Select was giving a free night which you could use at any IHG hotel for $49 AF. Now it's limited to 40k points.

[@JacobsPointsAndProfit]

The business card always seems like a nice pickup!

[@TheCreditFrog]

Yeah, the business card is being added to my list of cards to get on my roadmap. Probably one of the next few if I play my cards right 🤣

[@ryanccc777]

Great video again Stan!!😀😀

[@TheCreditFrog]

Thanks Ryan!! Appreciate it 🐸!

[@JenChai-p6c]

Yay new vid excited to watch!

[@TheCreditFrog]

Yay! Thank you!

[@joetaylor6581]

This will definitely be acquired later… I just got the boundless 4 hours ago😂

[@TheCreditFrog]

Hah! Congrats on the Boundless 🎉!! Definitely the better move right now.

[@thomasyee2058]

You can also get IHG Platinum Elite status through the Chase United Club card.

[@TheCreditFrog]

Ooh! That's great to know. Thanks for bringing that up, that's huge if you're a United travel.

[@verychinnyapga1599]

I love my IHG business card. My best hotel stay is at the Intercontinental Cali, Colombia. 99% chance of an upgrade.

[@TheCreditFrog]

That's a very good chance! Glad you love the card. Now I want it even more lol 😂

[@mostlyfreetravel]

I just booked the brand new Intercontinental in Crete, Greece for October for only 26,000 points a night! It would be even better if I was staying 4 nights and could take advantage of the 4th night free benefit. A comparable Marriott property was over 100K a night and Hilton 80k a night.

[@TheCreditFrog]

Wow! Thats a great deal, and it sounds like you got an awesome redemption utilizing that 4th night free! I wish Marriott had better redemptions, but yeah, it’s definitely harder to find those! I think I’ll be adding IHG as an option soon for better redemption flexibility. What a great vacation to look forward to!

[@mostlyfreetravel]

@@TheCreditFrogthe 26k was without the 4th night free!! 😮

[@paulfelkner6749]

Platinum means nothing in the states. My daughter paid for ambassador and got a nice large one bedroom 2 bath suite in Amman Jordon for four nights. That was worth it alone.

[@TheCreditFrog]

That sounds amazing! Yeah, I'm thinking of getting Ambassador status for those Intercontinental stays for the exact reason you described!

[@johnwick860]

hi, I have an upcoming 3 to 4 month hotel stays later this year & I am choosing which hotel cards to pick, there are Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott and Crowne Plaza in the area.. also I can get the Chase WOH, Hilton Surpass & Aspire, Bonvoy Brilliant & Bonvoy Business & Chase IHG Premier.. out of the Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium or Diamond, IHG Platinum or Diamond... which is worth spending $30k or more? my family will join me as well so breakfast (and maybe club lounge access) for 4 is an important factor, thanks

[@TheCreditFrog]

I would go with Hilton or IHG personally. They have the best daily F&B benefits at Hilton Gold and IHG Diamond. Marriott breakfast is hit or miss. Not sure about Hyatt.

[@Phlegethon]

Breakfast included is just a common perk at hotels in China for everyone but not ihg

[@TheCreditFrog]

Great to know! I didn't realize that it was standard in China.

[@johnwick860]

Kimpton, Six Senses and Intercontinental in Tokyo & Osaka are really good

[@TheCreditFrog]

Ooh, thanks for the recommendations! Japan is a must-do destination for me so I'll be checking those properties out. Gotta get me a Premier business card first though.

[@darylellis1550]

Stan, get the card. I travel to Thailand 🇹🇭 3 months each year and the bulk of my stays are with IHG. You can’t lose. Buy the 300K points each year with the 100% bonus and normally IHG will eventually offer you the opportunity to buy 200K more points as a 100% targeted bonus offer. You will pay $2500 for $5000 worth of hotel stays if you can maximize the 4th night free. I usually sprinkle in the free nights I have with Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt as needed, and pay cash for as few nights as possible. I usually end up spending about 45% of what I would have had to pay if I didn’t have the IHG Card and other hotel cards. I know one day IHG will get tired of us winning and stop offering such a great deal.

[@TheCreditFrog]

Thanks so much for this comment Daryl! I'm going to save this one for later so I can follow along as we plan on traveling to Thailand as much as we can! Buying IHG points during a 100% bonus period seems like the biggest value and having the card for 4th night free plus Platinum Elite status is great for only $99! Hope IHG continues to offer us these opportunities!

[@darylellis1550]

The StayBridge Suites in the ThongLor area of Bangkok always upgrades me from the standard room to the One Bedroom Suite because of the platinum status. I know you like luxury, but if you also like a bigger room then this is a good option. The hotel is in a great neighborhood and StayBridge is a much nicer option in Asia than in America. I stayed there so often last year that they still upgraded me when I booked a room with them through the Chase Portal.

[@TheCreditFrog]

@@darylellis1550 Wow, thanks for the recommendation! I'll keep this one in mind!

[@Fjjfuffnr244]

intercontinental is darn good. if they are in my intended location in asia, they are my default choice!

[@TheCreditFrog]

That’s what I keep hearing! And I love how they have so many properties in Asia!

[@WhatsThePoints1]

Wondering what double occupancy for single rate means. Isn’t pretty much every hotel room everywhere up to 2 adults already?

[@TheCreditFrog]

I'm actually curious about the same thing. That's what I thought too. I don't think I've ever been charged extra for 2 people per room before.

[@ds5651]

I have marroit, hyatt, and ihg. All bring value. I like the ihg when the have to 100% purchasel points nice to have points waiting. Marriott being the worst of the 3.

[@TheCreditFrog]

Very nice! I think it's good you have choices - but not too many choices!

[@W0ngwaytravels]

If having an IHG card creates positive value, then, it could be worth it, especially, since the IHG hotel cards provides a 40k FNC.

[@TheCreditFrog]

I agree! If you can take advantage of some good stays and redemptions, the IHG lineup, especially Premier and Premier Business is worth a spot in your walllet!

[@IanMaschal]

I’m going to Bora bora in January. I have one Hilton free night cert. and hold the no fee Hilton card. How would you suggest going about getting as many free nights as I can for Hilton or Marriott before January. My avg monthly spend is around 5k.

[@TheCreditFrog]

I would play the Hilton ladder. Get the Hilton Surpass (now would be a great time due to the limited elevated offer going on). Get the welcome offer. Get the Hilton Aspire after confirming you got the welcome offer on the Surpass. Meet that welcome offer. Spend $15k total on the Hilton Surpass card this year. That will net you two additional Hilton FNCs and 300k Hilton points that you could use for next January!

[@TheAndyzilla]

Ive always been debating to get the IHG cc. As im an IHG employee and get extremely good rates for rooms, which i cant get paying with points. Any advise?

[@TheCreditFrog]

If you had the IHG Premier, you'd have Platinum Elite status and get benefits for your stay and earn 26X points on your already discounted rooms. I think it's worth it for you! You can eventually use your points on an aspirational trip.

[@DugrozReports]

I think it’s bogus that the ambassador benefit only gives you the $20 dining credit per stay Rather than per day.

[@TheCreditFrog]

I agree - it should be a daily credit!

[@janetwhite8374]

IHG bonus now is five nights amazing

[@TheCreditFrog]

@@janetwhite8374 yup! A great offer going on right now!

[@chrissan6015]

When putting spend for a welcome bonus do you have to pay off that spend immediately in order to receive a welcome bonus?

[@TheCreditFrog]

For Chase, I can't remember, but I'm pretty sure there was a welcome bonus counter for the MSR, and once you meet it, you get the points credit at the end of the statement period. No need to pay off that spend immediately I think.

[@chrissan6015]

@@TheCreditFrog I’m making an investment into a start up business and I plan on using the revenue generated to pay the startup costs which will help reach the minimum spend requirement.

[@TheCreditFrog]

@@chrissan6015 Best of luck with the business. Great way to meet that MSR!

[@mattbateh8717]

To get the Diamond Elite status is the 40k spend at IHG hotels or can i use the credit card 40k spend on anything?

[@TheCreditFrog]

It could be $40k spend on the card at the 3X multiplier level. It would be less than that if you used a higher multiplier.

[@bradleygibbins-klein6505]

If im already at chase 5/24, can i still apply for the IHG business and get approved?

[@TheCreditFrog]

Not sure. YMMV in all those situations. I know that if you get declined and you call recon and they cite 5/24, you're kind of out of luck at that point.

[@albertdtom]

Alternatively, you can get an unlimited number of IHG points @ .6 cents/ point at any time or when reaching the annual threshold of points purchased. Credit the BS podcast Episode 1. TLDR - purchase a stay with points and cash and then get refund with the end result of larger all points amount and no cash.

[@TheCreditFrog]

Nice Albert, thanks for the pointers! Will definitely check out the BS podcast for that one! Pretty advanced tactics right there! I'm not the biggest fan of purchasing points, but for the right moves, it could make a lot of sense coupled with 4th night free! Can never have too many points haha!

[@krs1905]

Do you have to worry about 5/24 with the IHG Cards?

[@shawn.credit]

Not if you go with the IHG Business card.

[@TheCreditFrog]

I always worry about Chase 5/24. It's why it's a good thing. Otherwise I'd have so many cards 😅

[@Paul_seekingthetruth4U]

Way better option to buy IHG points and then stay instead of paying cash to stay.

[@TheCreditFrog]

Yup! If you can snag a 100% bonus, definitely a great option!

[@wilfredpapaya4739]

Business makes sense for you.

[@TheCreditFrog]

Yeah, that's what I figured. It'll be fun to experience a new hotel program!

[@wilfredpapaya4739]

@@TheCreditFrog please share your experience and opening of the card. 😏

[@TheCreditFrog]

@@wilfredpapaya4739 Haha, will do when I get it!

[@Phlegethon]

IHG is highly underrated these days

[@TheCreditFrog]

Yeah, it looks like I've been missing out!

[@krs1905]

Have you ever been Bonvoyed?

[@TheCreditFrog]

I get Bonvoyed with every redemption I make in the US, which is basically almost all of them 🤦‍♂️. But CPP aside, I get to stay at nice properties for free so from that perspective it's ok.

[@krs1905]

@@TheCreditFrog I’m currently at the Hyatt Thompson Central Park in NYC for two nights. I got upgraded as a globalist with a suite, free valet parking, free breakfast and 4pm checkout. Probably worth about $400+ a night and I got a 2.4 CPP.

[@TheCreditFrog]

What a baller! I need to be like Keith!! I would be happy with just free valet parking because that probably costs as much as another hotel night. Well done.

[@ItsMeCJ]

Ahmad is disqualified, I’m first!

[@TheCreditFrog]

Ahmad was first! I for some reason can't find where his comment went so I'll just have to declare it here! Ahmad 🥇, CJ 🥈

[@ItsMeCJ]

@@TheCreditFrog it disappeared. I did get the notification of your response to that comment tho. The YT gods knew that I was cheated and removed his comment because he violated the rules of the game 😆😆😆.