I have recently used a lot of my points in booking our trips to British Columbia this summer and Hawaii, this December. However, I am always looking ahead and thinking about where we will go next. In my loose plan, I foresee us next year in Vegas for one of our school breaks. But I know I am low on points and it may be hard for me to gather up enough to pay for a room in Vegas on points. Yikes! I needed a new plan…..
During my hotel search, I learned that the Venetian is an IHG property. I have been there before. It would be a great place for us to stay in Vegas!
Enter the Chase IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card. Currently, you can earn 70,000 IHG Rewards points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. There is no annual fee the first year, then the fee is $49. With the card, you earn 5 points per $1 spent at all hotels within the Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG), 2 points per $1 spent at restaurants, gas and groceries and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases made with your card. You receive 1 free night every year after your cardmember anniversary at any IHG property. There are no foreign transaction fees and there is a 10% rebate on IHG Rewards Club point redemptions. If you want one too, you can apply for the card here.
I applied for the card online. I was told immediately that my application needed further review. I did not want to wait, nor did I want to risk not being approved due to the fact that I have so many other Chase cards. Just as I advise in #6 in Let’s Get Started, I called Chase lending services (888-609-7805 or 888-270-2127) and told them to reallocate $5,000 of my credit from my Chase Freedom card to this new IHG card. In a five minute phone call, my application was approved and I now await my Chase IHG card.
I will let you know how I ultimately use the bonus points. Hopefully my Venetian plan works!!