I have my sights set on Argentina for Christmas 2019, with a short stay in Buenos Aires. When I looked to see where we could stay using points, I learned that the InterContinental Buenos Aires is in the city. It would be very easy for us to have a short stay here using IHG Rewards points for a few reasons.
1. Rob got the Chase IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card back in the fall with an influx of 80,000 IHG Rewards points.
2. Rob’s card free anniversary night can still be used at ANY IHG Property.
3. I just got the new version of the card, the Chase IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card that came with an 80,000 point bonus and I made Daniel an authorized user for an an extra 5K in points. 85,000 points for me!
4. We can supplement any shortfall with a transfer from Chase Ultimate Rewards as IHG is a Chase transfer partner.
Noteworthy, I applied for this Chase card because it is not subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule meaning Chase does not look to see whether I have gotten 5 cards in the last 24 months in deciding whether to approve me or not. (Um, I definitely am over 5/24).
Unfortunately however, this card goes into my card tally and will count towards 5/24 if I go for another Chase card in which 5/24 matters. However, to me the 85,000 points were worth this especially knowing I wanted to book Buenos Aires.
Also, I chose to add Daniel as my authorized user instead of Rob because even cards that you are just additional cardmembers of, counts towards 5/24. I didn’t want to give Rob and extra card in his count. However, I have at times gotten around this additional cardmember rule with a phone call to a Chase rep, but who wants to deal with that and it doesn’t always work.
Recall some details about the card. There is an $89 annual fee. You earn 10 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. Sadly, as of May 1, 2018, this free night is only redeemable at properties up to 40,000 IHG Rewards points. You pay no foreign transaction fees when you use your card on purchases made outside the United States. You get a Global Entry or TSA Pre✓ of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your Card. You get IHG Platinum Elite Status with the card. Also, for each standard room reward night stay of 4 or more nights, every 4th night is free. Lastly, you’ll receive 10,000 bonus points each account anniversary year during which at least $20,000 is spent, and one additional purchase is made at least one day after you have spent $20,000.
