Chase IHG Business Credit Card
Amidst the many recent changes to IHG’s loyalty program, Chase and IHG launched a new business credit card. Thoroughly named the Chase IHG Rewards Premier Business credit card, IHG loyalists have a new option for earning points. But, is the card worth pursuing? If so, what stands out the most? Let’s take a look in my Chase IHG Business credit card review.
Welcome Offer
Anyone approved for the card can currently obtain 140k IHG points by spending $3k within the first three months of account opening. The $99 annual fee isn’t waived. Miles to Memories’ average IHG point value is 0.58 cents per point, bringing the welcome offer value alone to $812. Once you factor in the $99 annual fee that is a net value of $711.
Earning Structure
On top of the welcome offer, the Chase IHG Business credit card offers a generous earning structure.
- Earn 10x points at IHG properties. That’s a total of 26x points incorporating base points and Platinum status points earning.
- Earn 5x points on travel, dining, gas station, and select advertising purchases.
- Lastly, earn 3x on all other purchases.
Incorporating MtM’s average IHG point value, that 10x earning at IHG properites is worth 5.8 cents per dollar spent. Spending in the 5x categories is worth 2.9 cents per dollar spent. Cardholders earning 3x elsewhere is worth 1.74 cents per dollar spent. Individuals may be able to earn better elsewhere at the 5x and 3x rates, but the card still may be worth using to top off one’s points balance for an award redemption or complete a big spend bonus.
Card Features
The Chase IHG Business credit card comes packed with benefits, including:
- Automatic IHG Platinum Elite Status: Individuals maintain Platinum status as long as they hold the card.
- Redeem 3 nights, Get the 4th Night Free: When you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG hotel stay, you can receive a fourth reward night free redeemable at that same hotel during that same stay.
- Anniversary Free Night: Cardholders earn this free night each account anniversary year, redeemable for any property with a redemption cap of 40k points. You can also use existing points from your IHG account to redeem your anniversary night at hotels above the 40k point redemption level.
- $50 United TravelBank: Receive up to $50 United TravelBank Cash each calendar year after registering your credit card with your MileagePlus account. The credit comes in two $25 credits, one posting on January 1st and the other on July 1st.
- Global Entry, TSA Precheck, Or NEXUS Statement Credit: Receive a statement credit of up to $100 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS when charged to your card.
- Rebate on Points Purchases: Save 20% on points purchases with the card.
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: You can be reimbursed up to $1.5k per person and $6k per trip for your pre-paid, non-refundable passenger fares, if your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather and other covered situations.
Big Spend Bonuses
I’d like to bring special attention to a few big spend bonus opportunities with the Chase IHG Business credit card. Cardholders can earn up to three big spend bonuses based on annual spend. Let’s look at the three different big spend levels and related bonuses.
- $20k: Earn a $100 statement credit and 10k bonus points after spending $20k and making one additional purchase each calendar year.
- $40k: Each calendar year you make purchases totaling $40k or more, you, as the primary cardmember, will qualify for Diamond elite status through December 31st of the following year.
- $60k: Earn an additional free night with a current point redemption cap of 40k points, after spending $60k on your card each calendar year. You can also use existing points from your account to redeem your free night at hotels above the 40k point redemption level.
Long Term Value
The Chase IHG Business credit card can provide substantial ongoing value to those who minimally spend on the card. The anniversary free night each year doesn’t require any spending, and many will be able to justify paying the $99 annual fee simply for the superior value they obtain from this free night. The card also unlocks a free fourth night when IHG members redeem three nights, bringing even more value to their points. The Platinum status that comes with the card can enable more benefits, like room upgrades and early check-in (when available), welcome amenities, and rewards discounts. Active United flyers can benefit even more, saving up to $50 ($25 twice a year) on their flights thanks to the TravelBank credits.
Those who spend on the card can do much better, particularly those who spend at high volumes. Earning 5x, or even 3x, while simultaneously pursuing the big spend bonuses awards cardholders on multiple levels.
Conclusion
Chase and IHG have justifiably grabbed our attention with this new card. Ironically, one of the biggest competitors to this card may be the personal version, the Chase IHG Premier. While the bonus categories vary a bit on that card, the benefits and big spend bonuses are very similar. Each individual should compare these two cards to determine which is best to pursue. The answer may be both! Regardless, I feel Chase and IHG have done an excellent job creating the business version of this card, which provides a stellar welcome offer, a solid earning structure, excellent ongoing benefits, and enticing big spend bonuses.
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Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Can my spouse who has Personal Chase IHG Premier card refer me to apply the Business IHG? Can Chase Ink
Business refer to apply for IHG business?
no mention of the old 49AF club card, how does this card fit into the portfolio?
How’s qualifying for a Chase business card? 5/24? Other steps that need to be proven?
R Johnson,
I understand that the 5/24 rule also applies to Chase business cards. I don’t have any recent, first hand knowledge of additional Chase requirements for getting business cards. I do know I had no problem years ago obtaining Chase Ink Preferred and Cash accounts.