Save 6 Cents Per Gallon on Gas With This IHG Credit Card Perk
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
One of the easiest decisions for travelers to make is getting the IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card — even if you don't stay at IHG hotels or never spend anything on the card. Simply put, getting a free night certificate each year more than makes up for the $49 annual fee (waived the first year). That certificate can be used at any IHG hotel in the world, including InterContinental properties that can cost hundreds of dollars per night.
And when the other perks are put to use, the card gets even better. A 10% redemption rebate helps your IHG points go further. Plus, just for being a cardholder, you'll get mid-tier IHG Platinum Elite status — which TPG values at $880 each year. Platinum Elite status will get you late checkout, bonus points, a welcome amenity and room upgrades. Particularly outside the United States, I've found these room upgrades to be quite nice, including suites in Berlin and corner rooms in Taipei:
However, there's another perk of IHG Platinum Elite status that pays off at the fuel pump. IHG has partnered with Shell's Fuel Rewards program to offer IHG elites a minimum of five cents per gallon off of their Shell fuel purchases:
In order to get this bonus, you first need to link your IHG account to Shell's Fuel Rewards. After a verification period — which the terms and conditions note "should occur within 7-10 days from when your accounts are linked" — you'll start saving at Shell gas stations when you swipe your Fuel Rewards card before you pump your gas.
And, no, you don't have to use the IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card to get this bonus. While the IHG credit card offers 2x points on gas purchases, this would only net you a 1.4% return based on TPG's 0.7 cents per point valuation of IHG points. Instead, you can utilize credit cards that get you a much better return on your gas station spending such as the Business Gold Rewards Card from American Express (3x Membership Rewards points on selected category = 5.7% return), the Citi Premier® Card (3x ThankYou Points on gas = 4.5% return) or the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (3% cash back at US gas stations).
If you haven't gotten the IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card yet, you can earn 60,000 IHG points for spending $1,000 in the first three months. That's enough points for more than 13 nights at PointBreaks hotels when accounting for the 10% rebate perk of the card.
What's your favorite perk of the IHG card?
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.