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How I Got $1,200 in Free Hotel Stays with a Single Credit Card Signup Bonus
You ever open a credit card, rack up the welcome bonus, and then sit there like “Cool… now what?” Been there. But I finally found a card where the points translated directly into real-world travel — not random Amazon purchases or blackout-date BS.
This time, I’m talking about the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card from Chase. And no, I’m not sponsored — I’m just hype because I turned one signup bonus into over $1,200 worth of hotel stays this year. I didn’t pay a dime for the rooms, and I barely had to think about it.
Here’s exactly how I did it — and how you can copy the same move.
Wait… What the Hell Is IHG?
If you’ve ever stayed at a Holiday Inn or Candlewood Suites, congrats — you’ve already stayed at an IHG property. But the brand goes way deeper than people realize.
IHG stands for InterContinental Hotels Group, and it’s one of the biggest hotel chains in the world. Their portfolio includes everything from budget-friendly roadside stops to luxury boutique hotels in the heart of cities.
Here’s a sample of what’s under the IHG umbrella:
- Holiday Inn / Holiday Inn Express – road trip and family travel staples
- Candlewood Suites / Staybridge Suites – extended stay, apartment-style hotels
- Hotel Indigo – boutique hotels with unique local flavor
- EVEN Hotels – wellness-focused hotels (think gym in your room)
- Crowne Plaza – business-class, upscale feel
- Kimpton Hotels – trendy, design-forward city hotels with free wine hours
- InterContinental – straight-up luxury, perfect for international trips
- Six Senses – ultra-luxury wellness resorts (yes, points can be used here now)
So whether you’re booking a spontaneous beach trip or planning a long weekend in a new city, there’s something in the IHG portfolio that fits — and using points makes it 100x better.
The Card That Made It All Happen: IHG One Rewards Premier
This card flies under the radar, but it shouldn’t. When I signed up, the intro bonus was 140,000 IHG points after spending $3,000 in 3 months. That’s a huge chunk of points, and unlike some hotel programs (cough Hilton), IHG points actually go a long way.
The annual fee is only $99, and you get a free night certificate every single year just for keeping the card open. You also get automatic Platinum Elite status, which means you can score room upgrades, early check-in, late checkout, and bonus earning on future stays.
But the real game-changer? The “4th night free” perk on award stays. Every time you book 4 nights with points, you only pay for 3. I used this trick twice — and it stretched my signup bonus way further than I expected.
How I Turned 140,000 Points Into Over $1,200 in Hotel Nights
Here’s the part you came for. I used those 140,000 points to book two separate long weekends — one in Orlando and one in Philly — and both felt like borderline scams (in the best way).
Weekend #1: Holiday Inn Resort Orlando – $685 Value
This place isn’t some standard roadside Holiday Inn. It’s a full-on resort with a pool, bar, kids area, and a free shuttle to Disney Springs. It normally runs around $170–$200 a night, depending on season. I booked four nights at 35,000 points each, but thanks to the 4th night free perk, I only paid for three: 105,000 points total.
If I had paid cash? That stay would’ve cost me $685 after taxes. But I used points. Out of pocket: zero.
Weekend #2: Kimpton Hotel Palomar, Philadelphia – $480 Value
I love Kimpton properties — they’re modern, a little bougie, and they do small things that make the experience feel way more premium than the price would suggest. This one’s right in the middle of Philly, walkable to everything, and offers free happy hour every night in the lobby.
The points rate was 11,000 per night. Again, I booked four nights, paid for three: 33,000 points total. Room rates that weekend were $160–$180/night, so the cash value was around $480.
With just those two trips, I got over $1,160 in value. And I still had points left over.
Why This Card Is a No-Brainer for Travelers
So many people chase travel cards with big fees and metal cards you can thud on a counter like a flex. And that’s cool — I have those too. But this one is all about real, tangible value.
The annual fee is $99. Just the free night certificate alone can easily be worth $200+ per year if you use it smart (and you should). You don’t have to spend all year accumulating points — that one signup bonus sets you up for an entire trip.
Platinum status meant I got upgraded to a better room in Orlando and scored late checkout in Philly. I used points to book everything online in under 10 minutes. No phone calls, no blackout dates, no hoops.
And because IHG properties are everywhere — big cities, small towns, international destinations — you don’t have to twist your trip around where the hotel brand is. It’s just convenient.
Can You Still Get This Deal?
As of today, yes — the 140,000-point bonus is back (check Chase’s site for current details). All you need to do is hit the $3,000 spend in the first 3 months. Use it for groceries, utilities, insurance, whatever — don’t spend more than you normally would. Just route your normal life through the card.
After that, use the bonus for two getaways like I did, or go big and book a longer trip to Europe or the Caribbean using IHG’s luxury brands like InterContinental or Kimpton.
Wrap-Up: This One’s for the Practical Travel Hackers
If you’re tired of stacking coupons and searching for “cheap Airbnbs that don’t look haunted,” this card changes the game. You get real, bookable hotel nights with a user-friendly rewards system — and a few elite perks on top.
This card isn’t sexy in the Instagram-influencer kind of way. But it works. And that’s what matters.
Want to plan your next award trip the way I do? I use a simple Notion planner to track card bonuses, redemptions, and hotel stays — and I’ve made it available here:
🧳 Get my Notion Travel Planner on Etsy
🗺️ Download instantly on Gumroad
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