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IHG Rewards Accelerate Promo Offers Bonus Points and Free Nights

Aug. 24, 2015
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4 min read
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IHG Rewards Accelerate Promo Offers Bonus Points and Free Nights
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On the heels of both Hilton and Marriott announcing their fall 2015 promos last week, IHG has just released details of its own fall points promotion. IHG's is called Accelerate, and is in effect for stays from September 15-December 31, 2015.

As with many IHG Rewards promos, each member gets a targeted offer based on his or her profile, with a variety of stays and activities earning various bonuses. To see your own offer, you must sign in and register here.

Don't worry if you're new to IHG Rewards, because new members who sign up for an account and register can earn up to two free nights: one after completing two stays, and another after an additional two stays. (In fact, that offer is better than what some existing members have reported, so new members might be in the position to benefit most of all from this promo!)

After polling members of the TPG team, three of us received the following offers:

The first offer is for 58,000 points:

  • 5,000 for one September stay
  • 5,000 for one stay
  • 6,000 for staying three nights
  • 3,000 nights for staying six nights
  • 3,000 for staying nine nights
  • 3,000 for staying 12 nights
  • 3,000 for staying 15 nights
  • 30,000 for staying 18 nights

In this case, you're basically earning 1,000 bonus points per night for three-night stays until you hit that magic 18-night number.

The second offer comes with a potential haul of 58,800 points:

  • 5,000 for one September stay
  • 5,000 for one stay
  • 6,800 for staying five nights
  • 3,000 nights for staying eight nights
  • 3,000 for staying 11 nights
  • 3,000 for staying 14 nights
  • 3,000 for staying 17 nights
  • 30,000 for staying 20 nights
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And the third offer is for just 50,000 points:

  • 1,000 for one stay
  • 6,800 for five nights
  • 2,000 for booking a Bonus Points Package
  • 5,000 for a two-night minimum stay at The Venetian or The Palazzo
  • 1,500 for booking and paying for a stay with your IHG Rewards Club Credit Card
  • 33,700 points for completing the Las Vegas and IHG Rewards Club Credit Card steps.

What's a little strange here is that the TPG team member with the most IHG Rewards activity (and bonus offers most closely aligned with his recent stay activity) was actually offered the fewest points with offer #3. So IHG doesn't seem to be rewarding its most loyal customers any better than those who just happen to be members. The contrast is even more stark with that new-member bonus, since the most any of our team was offered is 58,800 points, but two outright free nights can be worth as much as 100,000 points.

There are a few points worth noting in the terms & conditions. First, in order to earn these bonuses, you must be staying on qualifying (i.e., published and paid) rates that would regularly earn IHG Rewards points, so no friends & family, travel club, crew or other discount rates. You must also complete your stays by December 31st, so a that extends into January won't count. Only one room per member is eligible per qualifying stay. No retroactive bonuses will be awarded for stays prior to registration, so be sure to register now and avoid worrying about it later.

As with most IHG Rewards Club promos that are structured like this one, its value depends on the specific offer you receive. Some of the stay requirements on the offers listed above are pretty steep for your average leisure traveler, and keeping track of the specific hoops you have to jump through to earn these bonuses is also more of a pain than a straightforward promo like Hilton's double/triple points.

Still, if you have IHG stays coming up, or are interested in signing up for IHG Rewards and potentially earning those two free nights for just four stays, this could be a lucrative promo for you.

What promotional bonus offers did you get? Share the details of your offers below!
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Rewards

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Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Annual Fee

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Recommended Credit

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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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Cons

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
4XEarn 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.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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 $6,000 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.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.