It’s one thing to read about an exciting welcome offer and another to see what it can actually do in real life. So when the IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card (see rates and fees) launched with a generous limited-time launch offer, I mapped it onto a weekend in New York City with my mom.
The card, now open to applicants, comes with a launch offer of 200,000 bonus points, earned after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening (apply by Nov. 18, 2026). Beyond the bonus, its benefits include automatic Platinum Elite status and up to $300 per year in food and beverage rewards at IHG Hotels.
But the real question for many IHG fans is how the welcome offer, benefits and earning rates stack up against an actual getaway.
My mom and I recently spent a mother-daughter weekend in New York City, staying two nights at the Kimpton Era Midtown New York and spending Saturday soaking up the city's art and culture. If you’re considering this card, here’s how our trip played out so you can see just how far all of these perks can go.
Using the welcome offer for a stay at the Kimpton Era Midtown
My mom had not visited New York in a long time, and I wanted to make sure we were right in the middle of the action while also being near great dining and activities. The Kimpton Era Midtown, which opened in early 2026 in a 33-story tower on West 48th Street, proved to be the perfect home base for us. The Theater District was within walking distance, and we were able to grab a quick subway ride uptown to the Met.
Our two-night weekend stay in New York would have cost 64,600 points per night, or 129,200 points total — versus $1,354 (including taxes and fees) if we'd paid cash.
That means the 200,000-point welcome offer would have covered our entire stay, and I would still have 70,800 points left over to put toward a future trip.
One thing to keep in mind: While we only had a weekend, you can plan a longer trip and take advantage of the fourth-night-free benefit (redeem points for three consecutive nights, get the fourth free) to make your points go even further.
Plus, each year on your cardholder anniversary, you get one free night certificate worth up to 60,000 points. If a night costs more than 60,000 points, IHG allows you to top off the additional points you need. For my stay at the Kimpton Era Midtown, I would have only needed an additional 4,600 points to cover one night, which would have been easy to earn as someone who frequently stays at IHG properties.
Making the most out of automatic Platinum Elite status
Nothing makes me feel more like a VIP at an IHG Hotel than my Platinum Elite Status. Cardholders get automatic IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status for as long as they keep the card. That comes with perks such as room upgrades and early check-in when available.
Thanks to my loyalty, I applied for a Confirmable Suite Upgrade, one of the Milestone Rewards IHG One Rewards members can choose after reaching certain night thresholds in a calendar year. That means we checked in knowing a premium high-floor room with a view of the Empire State Building was waiting for us.
The surprises and delights didn’t end there, though. We were also given a welcome amenity as a thank-you for my status. I had the option to choose between 5,000 bonus points or a welcome beverage. I usually opt for points when I stay with IHG, but since we were celebrating our mother-daughter weekend, we decided to have some fun and treat ourselves to the welcome drinks.
Putting the $75 Food and Beverage Reward toward Saturday breakfast
One of the coolest perks on the IHG Premier Select Card is the $300 in annual Food and Beverage Rewards at IHG hotels, issued as a $75 voucher each calendar quarter. So before heading out for a full day of adventuring on Saturday, my mom and I enjoyed an awesome breakfast at Bar Rocco, and the $75 voucher would have covered our entire meal.
It’s important to note that any charges paid with a Food and Beverage Reward don't earn IHG points, but there are also a few other rules worth knowing to get the most out of this perk:
- Each voucher is valid only for the quarter in which it's issued (January through March, April through June, July through September and October through December), and unused value expires at the end of the quarter.
- Each voucher can be used only once, so any value you don't spend in a single redemption is forfeited.
- Charges must be billed to the primary cardmember's room, and the reservation must be in the primary cardmember's name.
- Eligible charges generally include food, beverages (including alcohol) and gratuities, but not taxes, third-party delivery or gift shop purchases.
An easy-to-use $200 airline credit
I booked our round-trip nonstop flights from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to LaGuardia Airport (LGA) directly with JetBlue for $422.85 per person. The IHG Premier Select Card offers a $200 statement credit each calendar year when you spend at least $250 on flights booked directly with an airline through Dec. 31, 2027.
Unlike some travel credits that tie you to a single carrier or a booking portal, this one works with any airline as long as you book directly, as I did. Plus, it’s a win-win because the remaining balance can be paid with the IHG Premier Select Card and earn 6 points per dollar since it counts as a travel purchase.
Earning on experiences from Broadway to the Met
A weekend in New York City goes beyond the hotel stay. The IHG Premier Select Card helps you earn rewards on your flights, hotel stays and everything in between. This card gets you:
- 12 points per dollar on purchases at IHG hotels (and up to 28 points per dollar total when you add the points you earn as an IHG One Rewards member and as a Platinum Elite)
- 6 points per dollar on dining and all other travel, including rideshares
- 3 points per dollar on all other purchases
And these earning rates worked out well for our trip, right down to the experiences.
We spent Saturday morning at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where admission for the two of us came to $60, and admired works by my personal favorite painter, Claude Monet, and explored the Temple of Dendur.
Our biggest splurge of the weekend, though, was on two tickets to see "Hamilton" at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, totaling $560. This was a real treat because original Broadway cast member Christopher Jackson (George Washington) temporarily rejoined for a limited engagement.
Since the IHG Premier Select Card earns 3 points per dollar on all other purchases, it will help you make the most of those experiences (and your souvenirs) too.
Bottom line
Our mother-daughter New York City weekend getaway is exactly the kind of trip that the new IHG One Rewards Premier Select Card was built for. And the welcome offer is the best way to make the most of it.
Right now, new cardholders can earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, but this limited-time launch offer is only available to those who apply by Nov. 18, 2026.
Beyond the welcome offer, the card's earning rates and benefits, such as the food and beverage reward and the $200 airline credit, keep the value coming long after you’ve used your points.
So if you stay at IHG hotels even a couple of times a year, then this card will likely be worth your while — and now is the perfect time to apply.
