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Last chance: Check if you're eligible for IHG's instant Spire Elite offer with a chance to earn 15,000 bonus points

Dec. 27, 2019
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5 min read
IHG Hotel Indigo Madrid - Gran Via
Last chance: Check if you're eligible for IHG's instant Spire Elite offer with a chance to earn 15,000 bonus points
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Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published on Oct. 8, 2019.

IHG is currently running an Instant Spire Elite offer where full-time employees of an eligible company can get Spire Elite status for 90 days simply by registering by Dec. 31, 2019. TPG values Spire Elite status at $2,185, but this valuation assumes you're staying at IHG properties for 90 nights each year -- 15 nights more than is normally required to earn Spire Elite status.

Related: 5 tips to turn business travel into family vacations

Through this offer, you can instantly get top-tier status for 90 days. If you want to keep it for longer, you'll have to complete a challenge. The challenge is based on the number of nights you stay during the 90 days after registering for the offer:

  • Stay five nights to keep Platinum Elite status through the end of 2020
  • Stay ten nights to keep Spire Elite status through the end of 2020
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You'll also earn 1,000 bonus IHG points for completing your first stay, another 4,000 bonus points after the second stay and 10,000 more bonus points for completing a third stay. That's a total of 15,000 bonus points from this offer -- which is worth $75 based on current TPG valuations. Plus, you'll earn even more points from these stays, as Spire Elite status earns 100% bonus points over the base earning rate for general members.

While getting Spire Elite status for 90 days is certainly helpful, there's an even more valuable aspect to this offer: keeping Spire Elite status through the end of 2020 by staying just ten nights in 90 days.

The offer is valid through December 31, so register here if you're eligible to participate (read the official terms and conditions here). The most important aspects are:

  • The offer is for full-time employees of an eligible company.
    • The terms and conditions don't define which companies are eligible, but a reader reported that employees of select accounting and consulting firms (Deloitte, Ernst & Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers, McKinsey & Company and Accenture) were eligible for this promotion last year and a reader who works for Ford was eligible this year.
  • Once you register for the offer, your status will be upgraded to Spire Elite once you're verified as an employee of an eligible company.
  • Instant Spire Elite members under this offer will receive the bonus points or gifting benefit after completion of the required nights.
  • The offer is limited to the first 5,000 people that register.
  • If you don't complete the challenge, you'll be downgraded to your previous membership level 90 days after the date of registration for this challenge.
  • You must book your nights through an Eligible Company corporate booking tool or direct on IHG's website.
  • Each night must have a minimum qualifying rate of $35.
  • Nights stayed prior to registration or outside the 90-day window after registration aren't eligible.
  • This offer is only available for each new booking/stay during the offer period. (I take this to mean that only reservations made after registration for the offer and completed within the 90-day window after registration will count.)

Putting It to the Test

On a prior iteration of this offer, I was able to register for the offer. But, my status wasn't elevated and the offer eventually disappeared from my profile since I wasn't actually an employee of an eligible company. Now, IHG is controlling registrations by requiring a promotion code in order to register.

Bottom Line

If you're an employee of an eligible company, hopefully you've been notified of this promotion by your company or IHG. But, especially if you work for one of the accounting or consulting companies that were targeted last year, it might be worth searching your email or company travel information to see if you've received any information about this promotion from your travel department.

If you're looking for status, and aren't an employee of an eligible company, the IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card is a great way to get Platinum Elite status, a free anniversary night each year at a property costing 40,000 points or less and a fourth night reward on award stays for just an $89 annual fee. This card is worth having even if you periodically stay at IHG hotels. I've gotten many room upgrades through my Platinum Elite status, even during fourth-night free award stays.

Further reading: IHG Rewards Premier Card: Is it worth a 5/24 slot?

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
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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.
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  • 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.