If you’re acquainted with the IHG One Rewards program, you’re likely aware that both the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (view rates and fees) and the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card (view rates and fees) provide an anniversary free night with a redemption value of up to 40,000 points each year.
However, this article focuses on the free night certificates that can be earned through the IHG Premier’s current welcome offer, allowing for redemption up to 60,000 points.
Indeed, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is currently presenting five free nights, each redeemable for up to 60,000 points, once you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. Below, you’ll learn vital information about these free night certificates and discover some excellent locations to utilize them.
Note: All prices and points shown were accurate at the time of publication.
Using 60,000-point IHG Free Night Certificates
The five free nights available through the IHG Premier welcome offer are valid for a single stay at any IHG One Rewards property with a redemption value up to 60,000 points. Unfortunately, these free night certificates cannot be supplemented with points from your account; thus, each certificate can only cover a night priced at 60,000 points or less.
Typically, separate back-to-back reservations must be made to redeem IHG anniversary night certificates. However, the current terms of the IHG Premier welcome offer allow for “multiple free nights to be booked at once as long as free night inventory is available for each night booked.”
You must redeem and complete stays with each free night within a year of IHG issuing the certificates to your account. Bear in mind that it might take up to eight weeks for IHG to deposit the free nights once you’ve met the minimum spending requirements.
Given the timeline from application to certificate availability, don’t pin your hopes on using them for a particular trip. IHG’s dynamic award pricing means the costs for award nights will fluctuate based on the hotel, stay dates, and booking timing.
Nevertheless, these 60,000-point free night certificates can be applied in numerous ways, with many IHG hotels and resorts available for award nights priced at 60,000 points or less on various dates.
InterContinental New York Times Square
The InterContinental New York Times Square is located in Midtown Manhattan’s Theater District, just a stone’s throw from Times Square. Award nights here range from 28,000 to 121,000 points, with cash rates starting at around $220 per night, excluding a mandatory $40 amenity fee.
During my stay at the InterContinental New York Times Square in 2022, I found the bed too soft and disliked the nightly amenity fee. Still, NY City is a great choice for redeeming 60,000-point free night certificates, as there’s a variety of IHG options available.
Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel and Spa
The Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel and Spa is an oceanfront property boasting a heated oceanside pool and a unique resident mermaid program. While some rooms feature ocean views and kitchens, keep in mind that the standard essential rooms only have small windows.
In my research, I found award nights priced between 35,000 and 121,000 points, with paid rates starting at $182 per night, not including a $53 resort fee. However, visiting during non-peak times could yield five consecutive nights under 60,000 points each.
Hotel Indigo San Diego-Gaslamp Quarter
My first visit to San Diego last year was delightful, and for those considering a trip, the Hotel Indigo San Diego-Gaslamp Quarter is an excellent place to redeem some of those 60,000-point certificates. Located a block from Petco Park and steps away from the Gaslamp Quarter, it’s very conveniently situated.
I found award nights here ranged from 31,000 to 121,000 points, with rates starting at $218, excluding a $32 nightly amenity fee.
Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel
The Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel on Miami’s South Beach is another solid option for using your 60,000-point certificates. While there’s much to explore around the hotel, many guests prefer to relax at the pool, beach area, and restaurants.
When I researched this article, award nights at this hotel varied from 26,000 to 134,000 points, with paid rates from $140 per night, excluding a $56 per night resort fee.
InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort
Located in Cancun, Mexico, the InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort is a beachfront property that, though not all-inclusive, boasts white-sand beaches, lagoon-style pools, and multiple dining options.
Award nights here ranged from 33,000 to 111,000 points, with paid rates starting at $218. This excludes a $12 nightly resort fee.
Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman
Travelers often sing the praises of the Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa, although its rates start at 70,000 IHG points per night. Conversely, at Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman next door, you can usually book rooms for less than 60,000 points per night. Located near Seven Mile Beach, this hotel offers complimentary bike rentals and access to a beach club, included in its $65 nightly resort fee.
Award nights cost between 47,000 and 50,000 points with paid rates starting at $262, plus the $65 nightly resort fee.
Holiday Inn Resort Aruba-Beach Resort and Casino
You can enjoy a beach getaway in Aruba with 60,000-point IHG free night certificates at the Holiday Inn Resort Aruba-Beach Resort and Casino. This resort offers a fantastic beachfront setting and amenities including complimentary bikes, water sports, mini-golf, and a kids club.
Award rates typically range from 46,000 to 103,000 points per night, with paid rates starting at $328.
Crowne Plaza Paris – Republique
You can use 60,000-point IHG free night certificates at this Parisian location. Current award rates span from 39,000 to 120,000 points per night, with paid rates beginning at $256 for the Crowne Plaza Paris – Republique, housed in a historic 1866 building on the famous Place de la République.
You can redeem free night certificates at this location for many dates, and even on dates when the Crowne Plaza costs over 60,000 points, you might find another IHG hotel within Paris that fits within the limit.
Kimpton De Witt
My top recommendation for redeeming IHG anniversary night certificates, the Kimpton De Witt in Amsterdam, is also viable for 60,000-point awards. Centrally located near the central train station, this hotel is within walking distance of major attractions. Plus, its quirky room design and welcoming staff make it a favorite of mine.
Award nights here can vary from 32,000 to 120,000 points per night, with paid rates starting at $209.
Vignette Collection Noku Maldives
Although many Maldives resorts require an enormous number of points for booking, the Vignette Collection Noku Maldives can be booked for 60,000 points or fewer during several non-peak dates. I found award nights priced between 51,000 and 120,000 points, with paid rates starting at $395.
This stunning private island resort features 20 beach villas and 30 overwater villas. You can book a beach villa without a pool using points (or free night certificates) and may have the choice to upgrade to a pool or overwater villa with a direct cash copay after booking. Just remember that $540 per person is needed for round-trip seaplane transfers.
InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay
One of my favorite cities, Singapore features the InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay in the area where I stayed during my first visit. Situated along the vibrant Singapore River, it offers easy access to the rest of the city. If you have an annual Club Lounge access membership via IHG’s Milestone Rewards program, this hotel includes a club lounge.
I found award nights at the InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay ranging from 34,000 to 120,000 points per night, with paid rates beginning at $244.
Final Thoughts
The current welcome offer for the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is remarkable. You can earn five free nights, with a redemption value up to 60,000 points each, after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
The five nights can be used for a single trip, five one-night stays, or other combinations. However, since you cannot top off these free night certificates with points from your IHG account, finding five nights costing exactly 60,000 points each may be challenging.
This shouldn’t deter you from taking advantage of this offer, especially if you can redeem these certificates for nights priced at least 40,000 points each. If you prefer earning points instead of free night certificates as your welcome bonus, consider signing up for the no-annual-fee IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card (view rates and fees), which currently offers 120,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 in the first three months from account opening.
