Last year, my husband and I each applied for the Chase IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card. We got lucky because we applied for this card just weeks before Chase expanded its 5/24 restrictions. (Note: This credit card currently has a bonus offer of 120,000 points. The offer expires next Wednesday, May 1).
Later this year, we will have our anniversary renewal certificates to use at any IHG property that costs 40,000 points or less. I have a few ideas floating around for where, when and how we can use our IHG renewal certs.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Galveston Seaside Resort in Texas
Galveston, Texas is a 6-hour drive from our house. My family has been to Galveston before, and the beach is not our favorite. However, this resort is located in a more remote area of Galveston and looks inviting. It’s on the beach and it has a movie theater and mini golf course.
Holiday Inn Galveston Seaside Resort costs 35,000 points for a two-bedroom condo that sleeps up to six people. We could use our two renewal certs for a weekend getaway when our kids have a three-day weekend break from school.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Hill Country Resort in Texas
This resort it about a 5-hour drive for my family. If you haven’t been to the Texas Hill Country area west of Austin and San Antonio, it’s beautiful!
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Hill Country Resort overlooks a lake and has indoor and outdoor pools and mini golf. A two-bedroom villa costs 35,000 points.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake in Florida
This property in Orlando would make for a relaxing getaway before or after a trip to Disney World. Our renewal cert would get us a 1200 square foot two-bedroom condo here that runs for 40,000 points.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake has a small water park with lazy river and water slides. Check out Leana’s review here.
Holiday Inn Club Vacation Holiday Hills Resort in Branson. MO
For about the same driving time as Galveston, my family can go to Branson, Missouri. As cheesy as it sounds, I’ve been wanting to visit Branson for the past few years. Maybe with these IHG renewal certs, we will finally make it there!
Holiday Inn Club Vacation Holiday Hills Resort has 2-bedroom condos for 40,000 points. The resort has all the typical resort amenities plus a full-size golf course.
There are so many things in Branson I would love to do. Of course, the city is known for its live shows, including magicians, dinner shows and concerts. We would spend a day at Silver Dollar City and maybe take a ride on Branson Scenic Railway.
Holiday Inn Resort Catalina Island
I first went to Catalina Island, off the coast of California, when I was 5 years old. I’ve been back several times since then. There’s just something special about this island…the beach, the casino building, the cute shops, the ice cream.
Holiday Inn Resort Catalina Island has rooms with two queen beds for 30,000 points. My family could use our certs for one night on the island in two rooms, or I could come with my kids for two nights. If we don’t use our certs at this hotel next year, we will definitely use them here during a subsequent year.
Chicago Area Hotels
One trip that is a strong “maybe” in my vacation plans for next year is a train trip with my kids from Dallas to Chicago. Chicago has several IHG locations that would work for our renewal certs. The Holiday Inn Express Chicago Magnificent Mile and the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza River North would be good locations for a home base in Chicago.
Practical Use: College Visits
I can’t even believe I’m writing this. My oldest kid is entering high school. In another couple of years, we will start visiting colleges. IHG renewal certs are perfect for those trips!
IHG hotels are in small towns and big cities. I bet that there will be an IHG hotel at almost any college we will visit.
Of course, depending on the time of year, using certificates at any of these locations might not be a great value when you factor in the cost of the card’s $89 annual fee. But, during peak times, the IHG renewal certs can provide great savings and value.
Where are you dreaming of using your IHG renewal certs?
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Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
Holiday Inn Vacation Clubs are gross and depressing. This article is a great reminder of why I bailed on my IHG credit card for Marriott.
@Ben Which one(s) did you stay in? I haven’t stayed in any yet, but several of our readers like the one in Orlando.
I have a Cert expiring next month,and I waited too long to redeem it trying to find the perfect redemption so now I have not choice but to use it. It’s hard to use certificates for a 1 nighter you know?
I’m going to do a staycation for 1 weekend night at the Kimpton Hotel in Huntington Beach. It’s right across the beach, same area as the Hilton resort & Hyatt Regency.
@lea That sounds like a great location to use your free night cert! I love Huntington Beach.
Nice choices. I think I may have 2 Free Certs due to me in a few months. I like to use them for roadtrips, but some places are over 40,000 so we’ll see what I can use them on.
@Stephanie Those IHG certs are perfect for road trips due to the huge footprint of IHG. I hope you find a good use for them!