Best in Class
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IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
The IHG One Rewards Premier Card is a strong long-term keeper if you stay at IHG properties even once a year. The annual free night (worth up to 40,000 points) easily offsets the $99 fee. The 140,000-point sign-up bonus, Platinum Elite status, 4th night free on award stays, and solid travel perks make this card valuable for both occasional and frequent travelers. IHG can be a powerful backup option for road trips, small towns, or even international stays— though it might not be your primary hotel brand. This card stands out in its price range because of its ease of use and flexible benefits.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
This card offers strong value both for earning points and for keeping long-term. The current 140,000-point sign-up bonus is enticing, especially with a low $3,000 minimum spend in the first 3 months. The $99 annual fee is easily justified by the free night certificate each year (up to 40,000 points). And the "4th night free" award (book 4 nights, get the 4th one free) — is a huge perk if you use IHG points frequently. You can "stack this benefit," meaning if you book 8 consecutive nights with points, 2 of those nights are free!
Additional Perks
- IHG Platinum Elite status for as long as you hold the card.
- $25 United TravelBank deposit (twice per year).
- A credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS.
- Strong earning potential:
- 5x points on travel, dining, and gas.
- Up to 26x points at IHG properties (10x from the card, 10x for being an IHG Rewards member, and 6x from Platinum Elite status).
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
Here are some exceptions where the card might not be good for you:
- You don’t ever stay at IHG properties so the free night per year would be wasted
What to Know About IHG One Rewards
IHG is our “utility” hotel points system. If you just need a night or two, and aren’t looking for glitz and glamor, IHG points go a long way.
- The IHG brand consists mostly of Holiday Inns, which are in nearly every small town or international city you might want to stay. We use it as the Hyatt’s “not there” filler.
- There are also several luxury hotels part of IHG’s umbrella, and while redemptions can be high, there is plenty of variety in IHG properties
- The generous sign-up bonuses (especially if you wait for a special offer) will cover 6-8 nights per card.
- IHG is part of the Chase partner rewards system, but IHG redemptions can be very high, so this isn't usually a great transfer option except for topping off.
How The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card Fits In The IHG One Rewards Ecosystem
IHG offers two personal cards:
- IHG One Rewards Club Premier ($99 annual fee) comes with a 140,000-point sign-up bonus (on $3,000 spend in 3 months). You also get a free anniversary night (up to 40k points), and a 4th night free on stays of at least 4 nights. Last perk? Platinum Elite status.
- IHG One Rewards Traveler (No annual fee) gets you an 80,000-point sign up bonus (on $2,000 spend in 3 months). But there is no free anniversary night, and no 4th night free perk.
If you don’t plan to keep the card long-term, the Traveler card might seem like a better option. However, we recommend getting the Premier for the higher sign-up bonus and free night, then downgrading to the Traveler after the first year if needed. If you’re near Chase’s 5/24 limit, consider the IHG One Rewards Premier Business card, which doesn’t count toward your 5/24 status and has nearly identical perks as the personal Premier card.
My Experience, No Filter
This was one of the first hotel-branded personal cards we got. The free anniversary night makes holding this card worth the $99 annual fee. We've never used the "4th night free" perk, only because we prefer extended stays at Hyatts while vacationing. But if you're whetted to IHG properties, the 4th free night could make this card a screaming deal for you.
Card Information
Bonus Points
140,000
Minimum Spend
$3,000 / 3mo
Point Value
0.6 ¢
Annual Value
Annual Fee
$99
1st Year Value
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Differentiating Perks
IHG Platinum Elite Status
Anniversary Free Night
26X on IHG Hotels and Resorts
5X on Travel
5X on Restaurants
5X on Gas Stations
3X on All Purchases
Card Extras
Extra
Worth/Fit
Est. Value
Total Annual Value
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No extras to display for this card.
Card Benefits
No benefits are available for this card.
Historical Card Offers
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Average Frequency
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Average Offer Length
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Estimated Next Offer
Start Date
Offer Length
Bonus
Minimum Spend
Spend Categories
6¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
3¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
3¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
3¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
1.8¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
IHG One Rewards Premier Application Rules
You're not eligible for a new card bonus if you have received a bonus from either personal IHG card within the last 24 months
Chase applications will be declined if 5 new cards have been added to your personal credit report in the past 24 months.
You'll be declined if you apply for a third Chase card of any kind within 30 days
Chase will decline your application you apply for a 5th Chase card (personal or BUSINESS) in 6 months
Point Transfer Options
+26 Lower Value Transfers Show
South African Airways Voyager
Value: 1.3¢
43% Value Retained
5:1
Korean Air SKYPASS
Value: 1.3¢
43% Value Retained
5:1
China Eastern Airlines
Value: 1.1¢
37% Value Retained
5:1
Air China PhoenixMiles
Value: 1¢
33% Value Retained
5:1
Malaysia Airlines Enrich
Value: 1¢
33% Value Retained
5:1
China Southern Airlines
Value: 1¢
33% Value Retained
5:1
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
Value: 0.8¢
27% Value Retained
5:1
Best for Series
Below is a snapshot of where this card performs best compared to the other cards in our database:
Rank
8th
Rank
5th
Rank
4th
Rank
7th
Rank
8th
Rank
4th
Ranking of Cards Offering IHG One Rewards
Downgrade Options
IHG One Rewards Traveler
IHG One Rewards