United Explorer, IHG Premier Fatten Their Offers for Limited Time
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Offers described in this article are out of date. See our details pages on the United℠ Explorer Card and IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card for up-to-date offers.
Travelers who favor United Airlines or the hotel brands of IHG are getting a good reason to apply for one of their credit cards.
Chase, which issues cards in partnership with both companies, is rolling out these limited-time offers, effective Jan. 23, 2020:
United℠ Explorer Card: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
United offer
The 60,000-mile offer on the United℠ Explorer Card is a bit smaller than the 65,000-mile offer than preceded it, but it requires less spending to snag the full bonus.
The previous offer came in two stages: 40,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months, plus 25,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 total in the first 6 months.
As of January 2020, NerdWallet values United miles at 0.8 cent apiece on average, making a 60,000-point bonus worth $480. Depending on how you redeem, you could realize even more value.
The United℠ Explorer Card has an annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $95. Its benefits include:
2 miles per dollar spent on purchases from United.
2 miles per dollar on restaurant purchases and hotel accommodations purchased directly with the hotel.
1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.
First checked bag free for you and a companion on your reservation.
Priority boarding.
Two one-time passes to United Club airport lounges each year.
Statement credit of up to $100 once every five years for the application fee for TSA Precheck or Global Entry.
IHG offer
The limited-time bonus on the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is 75% bigger than the usual 80,000-point bonus (although you have to spend $1,000 more to earn it).
As of January 2020, NerdWallet values IHG points at 0.8 cent apiece on average, making a 140,000-point bonus worth $1,120. Depending on how you redeem, you could realize even more value. IHG brands include Holiday Inn, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Kimpton, EVEN and Indigo.
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has an annual fee of $89. Its benefits include:
25 total points per dollar spent at IHG hotels (including points from the card, points from loyalty program membership and points from the elite status you get automatically with the card).
2 points per dollar at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants.
1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
A free night after each account anniversary.
Statement credit of up to $100 once every four years for the application fee for TSA Precheck or Global Entry.
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