IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
The IHG One Rewards Premier Card remains one of the stronger hotel cards in its price range. The annual free night certificate, worth up to 50,000 points and able to be topped off with additional points, can go a long way toward offsetting the $150 annual fee if you stay at IHG properties even once or twice per year. The card also includes a 140,000 (current special 180,000)-point welcome offer, automatic Gold Elite status, 15 Elite Night Credits each year, and fourth night free on award stays. Even if IHG is not your primary hotel chain, its large footprint can make the card particularly useful for road trips, smaller cities, and international travel where other hotel programs may have fewer options.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The IHG One Rewards Premier Card offers strong value both upfront and long term. The 140,000 (current special 180,000)-point welcome offer comes with a relatively low spending requirement of $3,000 (currently $3,000) within the first 3 months, and the $150 annual fee can be largely offset by the annual free night certificate worth up to 50,000 points. You can also top up the free night certificate with IHG points to book more expensive properties.
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 Perks
- Complimentary IHG Gold Elite status
- 15 Elite Night Credits each year toward higher status and Milestone Rewards
- $25 United TravelBank credit twice per year
- Up to $100 in annual IHG Food & Beverage Rewards, issued as a $25 voucher each quarter
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit
- 30% discount on IHG points purchases
- Early access to IHG Reward Night sales
- Earn 2 additional Elite Night Credits for every $5,000 spent
- Spend $15,000 in a calendar year to earn Platinum Elite status, 5 additional Elite Night Credits, and 15,000 bonus points
- Spend $40,000 in a calendar year to earn Diamond Elite status
- Strong earning rates:
- 5x points on travel, dining, grocery stores, and gas stations
- 3x points on all other purchases
- Up to 24x points at most IHG properties:
- 10x from the card
- 10x as an IHG One Rewards member
- 4x from Gold Elite status
Beginning January 1, 2027, the 5x travel category will narrow to airfare booked directly with airlines and car rentals. Other travel purchases will earn 3x points.
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 50,000-point anniversary free night, elite night credits, and other benefits to justify the $150 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 Credit Card Fits In The IHG One Rewards Ecosystem
The IHG One Rewards Premier Card is the middle ground in IHG's personal card lineup and likely the best fit for many travelers. It currently offers a 140,000 (current special 180,000)-point welcome bonus after $3,000 (currently $3,000) in spending within 3 months, and you don't need to stay with IHG frequently to get value from it since the annual free night certificate can potentially cover the $150 annual fee by itself.
- Want more premium IHG benefits? The IHG One Rewards Premier Select Card offers a 200,000-point welcome bonus after $5,000 in spending within 3 months. It's geared toward travelers who stay with IHG several times per year and pairs a 60,000-point anniversary free night with Platinum Elite status, 20 Elite Night Credits each year, and a larger collection of credits and spend-based benefits.
- Looking for a business card? The IHG One Rewards Premier Business Card offers a 140,000-point welcome bonus after $4,000 in spending within 3 months. It has a similar value proposition to the Premier but does not add to your 5/24 count, making it a good option if you're eligible for business cards.
- Trying to avoid an annual fee? The IHG One Rewards Credit Card offers a 80,000-point welcome bonus after $2,000 in spending within 3 months. It has no annual fee, but the case for keeping it has weakened now that its annual free night requires $5,000 in calendar-year spending.
For occasional IHG guests, we think the Premier hits the strongest balance. You get an anniversary free night without having to meet an annual spending requirement, while avoiding the higher cost of the Premier Select.
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
Differentiating Perks
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Historical Card Offers
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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
Best for Series
Below is a snapshot of where this card performs best compared to the other cards in our database:
