IHG Credit Card Family Rule
Yesterday I shared that IHG has all of a sudden piqued my interest. They previously announced an upcoming refresh of the rewards program but we weren’t really sure where they would go with that. Yesterday part of the plan came out and we saw them completely revamping their credit card portfolio. I was surprised to see that they were actually a good “enhancements”. So good that it has me taking another look at the IHG program and anticipating upcoming changes. There were a lot of questions after the news yesterday, many focusing on the legacy $49 IHG card. We got the answers to those questions and also came up with a nugget that may force your hand in applying for the IHG Rewards Club Premier card. An IHG credit card family rule is coming.
What Happens To The Legacy $49 IHG Card?
The first question atop everyone’s mind was what happens to the $49 IHG credit card? Will it be product changed to either of the new cards? Does it get any of the new perks?
We were able to confirm that everyone will get to hold onto their legacy cards. Nothing is changing there. You can still get your $49 free night certificate every year. No one is being product changed and nothing is changing with the card.
That also means that it will not be a part of the new perks. You will not be able to add points on top of the free night certificate like with the new IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card. What we are not sure of if is you carry both cards if the Premier card will unlock the other free night certificate as well. I will let you know when we hear back. This brings me to our next nugget and why you may want to grab a IHG Rewards Club Premier card now.
IHG Credit Card Family Rule Is Coming
Years ago I broke the news that you could carry both IHG cards and that their perks would stack (10% back and 4th night free). That still remains the case today, you can carry both cards, but it will be changing in the future. This is what our contact had to say:
“…once the new card benefits launch, IHG Rewards Select cardmembers can product trade to another Chase IHG Rewards consumer card (Traveler or Premier) but will be unable to apply for a Traveler or Premier card while still holding a Select card.”
So if you currently have the $49 card, and had your eyes on carrying both with the upcoming refresh, then you will want to jump on the IHG Rewards Club Premier card before March 24, 2022. Once the refresh happens, and the annual fee increases, you will be out of luck for carrying both.
Is The 4th Night Free Going Away?
Another question we had was whether or not the 4th night free with the IHG Rewards Club Premier card was going away. People were worried since it wasn’t listed in the perks of the upcoming refresh. We were able to confirm that the perks listed were just the new perks being added and the 4th night free perk is here to stay.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully we answered some of the questions you all had after yesterday’s news. I am also happy to once again break some news on the upcoming IHG family rule changes. This at least gives you a few months to decide if you need to get your hands on the IHG Rewards Club Premier card or not. If you already have the legacy $49 IHG card, are under Chase 5/24 and want to carry both cards then grab the Premier card now. Because in March it will be too late!
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[…] Miles to Memories has confirmation from an IHG contact that once 24 March 2022 rolls around, IHG Rewards Select cardmembers will be able to product switch to the IHG Rewards Premier Card but will not be able to apply for the Premier card while still holding their Select card. […]
if you hold the old $49 Club card, it’s not possible to open the $99 personal Premier card.
but can you open the business Premier $99 card?
thanks!
[…] I just read about a change that will affect those of us who still have the IHG Select card. While it’s not a common practice, some banks only allow you to hold one card in a card […]
Great reminder just applied but went in pending let’s hope I get it
Good luck!
Thank you for this post, very helpful ! I had not seen this new rule! 🙂
[…] is not open to new applications, but it’s also not going away. However, starting in March, owners of this legacy card will no longer be able to own both this card and the new version of the I… So if you’re thinking about owning both, you will need to act […]
Should we still be able to have the Traveler & Premier card at the same time? They are on my card list this year.
My guess is that would be family protected as well after March. You can currently hold both though.
I have the Select card and the Traveler card. Is it possible to keep the Select card and upgrade the Traveler card to the Premier? I’m over 5/24, so applying for the Premier isn’t an option.
Yeah that is possible. I would probably do it before March in case there are any issues with it after the change over.
I am assuming that the new IHG Rewards Club Premier card falls under Chase’s standard 5/24 rules? I know that a few cards (recently) seemed to allow approvals for folks beyond the magical rule…any data points on this particular card?
Yes it does, I haven’t heard anything concrete on this one like we did with United and Southwest cards etc.
Seems like Chase and IHG want legacy card holders to move to the new card and maybe I would have by now it they would offer more than 5 or 10k to product change. It’s insultingly low for a long time Spire cardholder to get a 5k offer like I do about every month on this.
I was always surprised by how low it was too. Especially before these changes were ever announced.
Good Job Mark!
For me the Legacy 49 dollar card is all about the 10% rebate on award redemption otherwise I would cut the thing up
The free night has come in handy during Covid when hotels lowered some of their point amounts to redeem
But as business returns and the voucher is only good at the Holiday Inn in Express in Oshkosh I have little interest in the free night anymore.
I was approved for the premier card tonight
The fact that you can add points was the trigger as that makes it versatile
Agreed that the ability to book more expensive rooms is a big improvement. Hyatt needs to add it now 🙂
Bravo! Thanks for the info and nudge!
My pleasure
Mark…great work as always buddy. Thank you
Thanks Gerry
If they get rid of the FNC for the $49 card I’m guessing almost everyone cancels the card as it serves no purpose
The new rules also make it so you can’t churn the Premier and keep the $49 card open so our $49 cards will be history soon anyway
Nothing is changing on the $49 card so free night certs should be fine.
I have IHG premiere credit card, how can I get the legacy card
It is not possible to get it anymore. You had to have it before they discontinued it.
Do you get the new card bonus for Premier if you already hold the Select card?
Yes, that is not currently a part of the terms. Lots of people have been able to get the offer while holding the $49 card.
Do you know if we will be able to have both the Select card and the new IHG Premier Business Card?
The business card was not specified and I doubt they would link business and personal anyway so should be good there.
Thanks for the follow up. Sounds like the legacy card is will still be worth holding for me. Keeping Platinum status is key.
Glad I could help