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IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card Review – Full Review [2024]

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Jarrod West
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Jarrod West

Senior Content Contributor

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Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 6 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in o...
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Stella Shon

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With a degree in media and journalism, Stella has been in the points and miles game for more than 6 years. She most recently worked as a Corporate Communications Analyst for JetBlue. Find her work in ...
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Kellie Jez

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Kellie’s professional experience has led her to a deep passion for compliance, data reporting, and process improvement. Kellie’s learned the ins and outs of the points and miles world and leads UP’s c...

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IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
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  • 140,000 points

  • $99

  • 21.49% - 28.49% Variable

  • Good to Excellent (670-850)

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

The perfect card for IHG fans, offering a free night every year, automatic Platinum Elite status, and your fourth night free on award stays.

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
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Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

If you regularly visit IHG hotels throughout the year, then the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is probably a perfect card to have in your wallet.

The IHG Premier card offers a great bundle of perks and benefits, including automatic Platinum elite status, an annual free night certificate, and travel protections.

Card Snapshot

Welcome Bonus & Info

  • Earn 140,000 Bonus Points
  • Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Plus, enjoy a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay.
  • Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
  • Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier cardmember
  • Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 ($120 starting 10/1/24) every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
  • IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at Hotels & Resorts such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®
  • Member FDIC

Pros

  • Up to 26x points per $1 on IHG stays
  • 5x points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants
  • 3x points per $1 on all other purchases
  • Automatic Platinum Elite status, and the ability to spend your way to Diamond Elite status
  • Free anniversary night certificate
  • Fourth-night free on award stays
  • 20% off when buying IHG Rewards points
  • Up to $50 in United Airlines TravelBank Cash each year
  • Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS fee credit of up to $120 every four years (as of October 1, 2024)
  • Earn a $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on the card in a calendar year
  • Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
  • Purchase protection
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • $99 annual fee
  • Does not earn transferable points

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Great Card If

  • You enjoy staying in IHG-branded hotels
  • You want IHG Platinum Elite status
  • You know you’ll get more value out of the card than what you’ll pay for the annual fee

Don’t Get If

  • You’re not a fan of IHG hotels, or don’t travel much
  • You want a card with no annual fee
  • You want a card that earns transferable travel points

IHG Premier Card — Is It Worth It?

If IHG is your hotel chain of choice, and you stay at one of its hotels at least a few times a year, then the IHG Premier card would likely be very worth it for you.

With the IHG Premier card, you won’t just earn more points on all of your IHG stays, you’ll also receive automatic IHG Platinum elite status. This status offers 50% more points, extended checkout and priority check-in, complimentary room upgrades, and a welcome amenity.

While the IHG Premier card charges an annual fee, you can easily offset that thanks to the free night certificate you’ll receive each year. Plus, the card gives you added value on award stays by giving you your fourth night free when you use points for a 4-night stay or longer.

IHG Premier Card Top Benefits

Anniversary Free Night Certificate

The free night certificate, given to cardholders each year on their account anniversary can easily offset the cost of the $99 annual fee on its own. You can redeem the certificate for a free night at any IHG hotel that costs up to 40,000 points per night.

IHG One Rewards no longer publishes an award chart, but rest assured that a 40,000 points hotel in the portfolio can easily cost between $200 to $300 a night depending on the location and season.

Hot Tip: IHG now allows IHG Premier cardholders to add points on top of their annual free night certificate to book more expensive hotels. For instance, if you want to book a night at a property that costs 60,000 points per night, you could apply your free night certificate, plus 20,000 points, to do just that!

Platinum Elite Status

IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, earned after 40 qualifying nights or 60,000 qualifying points, comes complimentary to cardholders of the IHG Premier card.

Your new Platinum Elite status comes with the following perks:

  • 60% bonus points earned on IHG stays
  • Priority check-in and extended checkout
  • Complimentary room upgrades
  • Welcome amenity

The 60% bonus jumps your points earned from 10x points per $1 to 16 points per $1 on your IHG stays. Don’t forget, when you use your IHG Premier card to pay for your stay, you’ll earn another 10x points per $1 for a total of 26 IHG One Rewards points per $1 on stays. This represents a return of 13% on your IHG stays based on our points and miles valuations.

As if that’s not enough, you’ll also receive complimentary room upgrades, a welcome amenity during check-in, and extended checkout times. So if you stay at IHG hotels with any sort of regularity, you should be able to get plenty of value out of your IHG Platinum Elite status.

Further, those who are big spenders will have the ability to spend their way to top-tier Diamond Elite status by spending $40,000 on the card in a calendar year.

Fourth Night Free on Award Stays

Once you’ve racked up a large balance of IHG One Rewards points, your IHG Premier card will help you stretch those points even further by giving you your fourth night free on all award stays. Keep in mind that this benefit only applies to award stays and not paid stays.

Best Ways To Earn and Redeem Your IHG One Rewards Points

If you want to earn lots of IHG One Rewards points, you have far more options than simply using the IHG Premier card for your purchases. Read through our dedicated guide to the best ways to earn lots of IHG One Rewards points for all of your options.

When you’re ready to redeem your points, you might find yourself a bit overwhelmed with all of the options. While you could just redeem your points at any hotel that seems convenient, you should read our guide to the best ways to redeem your IHG One Rewards points if you want to get the maximum value out of your points.

Alternative Cards to the IHG Premier Card

The World of Hyatt Credit Card

If you’re not a fan of the IHG One Rewards program or are more agnostic when it comes to hotel loyalty programs, then you should consider the World of Hyatt card.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The World of Hyatt card offers a fast track to Hyatt elite status, an annual free night, and up to 9x points per $1 on Hyatt stays.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)
The World of Hyatt card offers a fast track to Hyatt elite status, an annual free night, and up to 9x points per $1 on Hyatt stays.
Earn 5 free nights at any Category 1 - 4 Hyatt hotel or resort after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.* These nights could be worth up to 90,000 points.
5 Free Nights
$1,350
$95
21.49% - 28.49% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The World of Hyatt Credit Card makes your Hyatt stays more rewarding and helps you get coveted World of Hyatt elite status faster. This card is a must-have for any traveler who regularly stays at Hyatt hotels, or even for anyone who’s able to take advantage of the card’s annual free night certificate.

When you factor in all the benefits the World of Hyatt card offers, it’s easy to see why it is one of the best co-branded hotel credit cards on the market.

Pros
  • Up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays – 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
  • 2x points per $1 at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit, rideshares, and fitness clubs/gym memberships
  • 1x point per $1 on all other purchases
Cons
    • $95 annual fee
  • Earn 5 free nights at any Category 1 - 4 Hyatt hotel or resort after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.* These nights could be worth up to 90,000 points.
  • Enjoy complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open.
  • Get 1 free night each year after your Cardmember anniversary at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort
  • Receive 5 tier qualifying night credits towards status after account opening, and each year after that for as long as your account is open
  • Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year
  • Earn 2 qualifying night credits towards tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card
  • Earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays – 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
  • Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships
  • Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

World of Hyatt

Many people love the World of Hyatt program due to its great elite benefits and reasonable redemptions. Similar to the IHG Premier card, the World of Hyatt card offers a free night each year, great earnings on Hyatt stays, and automatic elite status.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

If you prefer the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, then you should consider the Marriott Boundless card.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual Free Night Award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)
Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual Free Night Award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.
Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening.
125,000 points
$875
$95
21.49%–28.49% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

If you’re a frequent traveler and a Marriott loyalist, there’s a lot to love about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. The card comes packed with several great benefits like a free hotel night once a year, automatic Silver Elite status (with a fast-track to Gold Elite status), and multiple options for redeeming points.

Pros
  • Earn big when you use your card at thousands of participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
  • Earn big at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
  • Automatic Silver Elite Status
Cons
  • $95 annual fee
  • Marriott Silver Elite Status is the lowest status tier
  • Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening.
  • Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
  • Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
  • 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
  • Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card.
  • Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite status, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 21.49%–28.49% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: $0
Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

The Marriott Boundless card offers automatic Silver Elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program, an annual free night certificate, and 15 Elite Night credits each year to help you reach higher levels of elite status.

The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the annual fee on the IHG Premier card?

The annual fee is $99.

Is the IHG Premier card worth it?

If you visit IHG hotels at least a few times a year and would get value out of IHG elite status and the annual free night certificate, then yes, the IHG Premier card would likely be worth it for you.

Do IHG One Rewards points expire?

Your IHG One Rewards points will expire after 12 months of no account activity. To keep them alive, you just need a qualifying activity such as earning or redeeming points.

Is the IHG Premier card metal?

No, the card is plastic, not metal.

Is the IHG Premier card subject to the Chase 5/24 rule?

Yes, the card is subject to the Chase 5/24 rule. So if you’ve opened up 5 or more new credit card accounts within the last 24 months, it is very unlikely that you’ll be approved for the card.

Does the IHG Premier card charge foreign transaction fees?

The card is a no foreign transaction fee card. So the card can be used anywhere in the world that accepts Mastercard with no additional fee.

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About Jarrod West

Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 6 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in outlets like The New York Times.

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