Why the IHG Premier Card Is the Most Underrated Hotel Card in My Wallet

It’s no secret that I enjoy traveling and staying in hotels. In fact, I spend more than 100 nights at hotels across many of the world’s biggest hotel chains each year.

This is largely thanks to the benefits offered by various hotel credit cards. I carry more than 10 hotel cards, each delivering considerable value. However, one that often flies under the radar, despite its impressive perks, is the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.

IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s largest hotel groups, offers incredible stays and great value to travelers. Let’s take a closer look at why the IHG Premier card stands out in my wallet and why it deserves more attention.

IHG Premier Card Overview

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

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

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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.

Welcome Offer

Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

140,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$700

Annual Fee

$99

APR

19.24% - 27.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

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 card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

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.

Pros & Cons

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

Cons

• $99 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable points

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Card Highlights

• Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 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 $120 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, Hotel Indigo^® & Holiday Inn^®
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.24% - 27.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The IHG Premier card currently has a fantastic welcome offer: Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.. Aside from the intriguing welcome offer, here’s a look at the earning structure and benefits:

• Up to 26x points on IHG stays
• 5x points on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants
• 3x points on all other purchases
• Free anniversary night certificate
• Automatic Platinum Elite status, and the ability to spend your way to Diamond Elite status
• Fourth-night free on award stays
• Up to $50 in United Airlines TravelBank Cash each year
• Fee credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS
• No foreign transaction fees
• $99 annual fee

Why the IHG Premier Card Stays in My Wallet

The IHG Premier card is nowhere near the best credit card for everyday purchases. However, it can provide a ton of value for travelers who frequently stay at IHG hotels — just by holding the card. Here’s a look at 4 of my favorite perks on the IHG Premier card.

1. Anniversary Free Night

The biggest selling point of any hotel credit card is the free anniversary night certificate. Fortunately, the IHG Premier card provides one. IHG’s version gives cardholders a reward night at hotels participating in IHG One Rewards, up to 40,000 points)

IHG prices award nights dynamically, meaning you’ll need to do a calendar search to find flexible dates when a standard room costs 40,000 points or less. As mentioned above, we estimate the value of IHG One points to be 0.5 cents, meaning this 40,000-point certificate is worth $200.

What’s great is that IHG Premier cardholders can top off your free night certificate with an unlimited amount of points to book more expensive hotels. For example, if a hotel can be booked for 50,000 points, you can apply your free night certificate plus 10,000 points.

If you can utilize the free anniversary night certificate effectively, you can more than cover the card’s annual fee. This year, I redeemed my free anniversary night certificate at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, where cash rates for standard rooms often exceed $400 per night.

2. Platinum Elite Status

One excellent perk of the IHG Premier card is that it provides complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum elite status. Typically, you would need to spend 40 qualifying nights or earn 60,000 qualifying points to earn Platinum elite status, so it’s great that carrying this card unlocks this benefit automatically. Benefits include:

• 60% bonus points earned on IHG stays
• Priority check-in and extended checkout
• Complimentary room upgrades (subject to availability and as determined by the hotel)
• Welcome amenity
• Late 2 p.m. checkout (when available)

I have spent 16 nights at IHG hotels this year and have been upgraded to a nicer room each time (and a suite a few times). I also always tend to take full advantage of the 2 p.m. late checkout.

Card members can also earn Diamond Elite status through the end of the following calendar year by spending $40,000 or more on the IHG Premier card.

3. Up to $50 United Airlines TravelBank Cash 

The IHG Premier card also comes with a $25 United TravelBank Cash into your United MileagePlus account twice a year, upon enrollment. TravelBank is an easy way to save for future travel on United and can be used to buy flights on United Airlines and United Express, alone or in combination with most other forms of payment.

Since I am based out of Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), it’s safe to say that I fly United a lot. I am able to take full advantage of the TravelBank Cash for flight purchases with United Airlines without a problem.

4. Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS Fee credit

Lastly, the IHG Premier card also comes with a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS fee credit of up to $120 every 4 years. The credit is provided as a reimbursement for the application fee.

Most travel credit cards do provide a similar Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, but Chase is one of the only issuers to provide a credit for NEXUS, a pre-clearance program between the U.S. and Canada. Since my wife is Canadian, it’s particularly useful for us when we cross the border in my vehicle, as it provides access to dedicated drive-in lanes.

Final Thoughts

Although it may not get as much love as other hotel credit cards, the IHG Premier card comes with several key benefits that outweigh the $99 annual fee. Between the automatic Platinum Elite status, free night certificate and annual credits, I already get more value than what I pay for.