IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
The card is designed for travelers who stay at IHG properties regularly enough to take advantage of its premium benefits. Its 60,000-point anniversary free night, which can be topped off with additional points, can go a long way toward offsetting the $350 annual fee. The card also includes a 200,000-point welcome offer, automatic Platinum Elite status, 20 Elite Night Credits each year, and fourth night free on award stays.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The IHG One Rewards Premier Select Card is IHG's top tier card, offering substantial value for travelers who stay at IHG properties regularly enough to use its premium benefits. The 200,000-point welcome offer requires $5,000 in spending within the first 3 months, while the annual free night certificate is worth up to 60,000 points and can be topped up with additional IHG points for more expensive stays.
Another standout perk is the “4th night free” benefit on award stays. If you book four consecutive nights with points, the fourth night costs zero points. This benefit stacks as well, meaning an eight-night award stay would include two free nights.
Additional Benefits and Perks
- Complimentary IHG Platinum Elite status
- 20 Elite Night Credits each year toward higher status and Milestone Rewards
- Up to $300 in annual IHG Food & Beverage Rewards, issued as a $75 voucher each quarter
- $200 annual statement credit on airfare booked directly with an airline through December 31, 2027, after making an eligible purchase of at least $250
- $25 United TravelBank credit twice per year
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit
- 30% discount on IHG points purchases
- 12 months of complimentary DashPass when activated by December 31, 2027
- 3 months of complimentary Instacart+ when activated by December 31, 2027
- Earn 2 additional Elite Night Credits for every $5,000 spent
- Spend $15,000 in a calendar year to earn 5 additional Elite Night Credits and 20,000 bonus points
- Spend $25,000 in a calendar year to earn Diamond Elite status for the remainder of that year and the following calendar year
- Spend $40,000 in a calendar year to earn an additional free night certificate worth up to 60,000 points
There are also some strong spending multipliers to help build even more points:
- 6x points on travel and dining
- 3x points on all other purchases
- Up to 28x points at most IHG properties:
- 12x from the card
- 10x as an IHG One Rewards member
- 6x from Platinum Elite status
The $200 annual airfare credit is currently scheduled to end after December 31, 2027, so we would not count on that benefit when evaluating the card's long-term value.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
Here are some exceptions where the card might not be good for you:
- You rarely or never stay at IHG properties, so the anniversary free night and other IHG-specific benefits would go unused.
- You don’t expect to get enough value from the 60,000-point anniversary free night, Platinum Elite status, Elite Night Credits, and other benefits to justify the $350 annual fee.
- You would rather save your eligibility under the IHG Personal 1/24 Rule for a different personal IHG card.
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 Select Credit Card Fits In The IHG One Rewards Ecosystem
The IHG One Rewards Premier Select Card sits at the top of IHG's personal card lineup and is our preferred option for travelers who stay with IHG several times per year. It currently offers a 200,000-point welcome bonus after $5,000 in spending within 3 months, while its 60,000-point anniversary free night, Platinum Elite status, 20 Elite Night Credits, and additional credits can provide significantly more value than the lower-tier IHG cards for frequent guests.
- Best for most travelers: The IHG One Rewards Premier Card offers a 140,000-point welcome bonus after $3,000 in spending within 3 months. It offers the best balance of annual fee and ongoing value for travelers who stay with IHG occasionally, and its annual free night certificate can go a long way toward offsetting the $150 annual fee on its own.
- Business owners: The IHG One Rewards Premier Business Card offers a 140,000-point welcome bonus after $4,000 in spending within 3 months. Its benefits are comparable to the personal Premier Card, and it does not add to your 5/24 count, making it an attractive option if you want to preserve space under 5/24.
- No-fee option: The IHG One Rewards Credit Card offers a 80,000-point welcome bonus after $2,000 in spending within 3 months. It avoids an annual fee, but its long-term value is more limited since earning its annual free night requires $5,000 in calendar-year spending.
Card Information
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Historical Card Offers
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IHG One Rewards Premier Select 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
