What happened
Chase will charge $99 instead of $49 on the IHG Rewards Select Credit Card, which is closed to new applicants, at each cardholder's 2027 renewal, after Cardmember Agreement changes take effect December 2, 2026.
Holders began receiving change-in-terms notices in October 2026. Automatic Platinum Elite status and a 10% rebate on certificate redemptions are expected to stay. Doctor of Credit has reported a possible free-night certificate cap increase from 40,000 to 50,000 points, but AwardWallet says that change is not confirmed. Unwanted accounts can be product-changed to another eligible Chase card to keep the credit line and history. Chase refunds the annual fee if the account is closed within 30 days of the charge.
Unless the anniversary night will be used, product-change before the 2027 fee posts or close within 30 days of the charge for a refund.
- Starts
- Dec 2, 2026
- Numbers
- $49: current annual fee
- $99: new annual fee
- 40,000 points: current free-night certificate redemption cap
- 10,000 points: unconfirmed increase in certificate value
- 50,000 points: unconfirmed new free-night certificate cap
- 10%: rebate on award certificates
- 30 days: window after the annual-fee charge to close and receive a refund
- Who qualifies
- Current holders of the legacy IHG Rewards Select Credit Card
- Takeaway
- Watch for the Chase notice, then before the 2027 renewal decide whether to keep the card, product-change, or close within 30 days of the fee posting.