Should You Get the IHG Traveler or Premier Card in 2026?

Some of our favorite hotel credit cards have just rolled out major new welcome bonus offers, but which one should you choose?

It mainly comes down to how often you stay at IHG properties, which brands you tend to stay at (luxury, midrange, or budget), and how much you’d like to pay in annual fees. Or you could choose the card entirely based on its welcome offer — because these offers are pretty legit.

Right now, eligible new applicants on the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card can earn a higher-than-usual 175,000-point welcome offer after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Meanwhile, the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card currently features an increased 2-part welcome offer of up to 120,000 points.

While a key differentiator between the cards is their annual fees — $99 for the IHG Premier card and $0 for the IHG Traveler card — there’s a lot more to consider.

Here’s what you need to know to help you decide.

IHG Premier Card Overview

As its name suggests, the IHG Premier card is the top-tier product currently available in Chase’s IHG lineup. Its latest welcome offers give new cardholders the chance to earn 175,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.

OFFER ENDING SOON

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.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

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 140,000 175,000 Bonus Points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

140,000 175,000 Bonus Points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$875

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

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Limited Time Offer! Earn 175,000 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 $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

Though the exact value of the bonus depends on the properties where you redeem your free nights, with any of them, you can easily get several nights at a budget hotel, a few at a midrange spot, and 1 or 2 at a more luxurious resort. Beyond the welcome bonus offer, here are the travel benefits cardholders can get:

• You have complimentary IHG Platinum Elite status as long as you hold the card.
• Earn up to 26 points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels and Resorts (16x points from being a Platinum elite member and 10x points with the IHG Premier card).
• Earn 5 points per $1 spent on travel, gas stations, restaurants, and 3 points per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
• Earn an anniversary free night certificate at each cardmember renewal period, worth up to 40,000 points each.
• Score a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit of up to $120 every 4 years
• 20% off when buying IHG Rewards points.
• Earn a $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on the card in a calendar year.
• Get up to $50 in United Airlines TravelBank Cash each year.
• Receive travel and purchase protections.
• Pay no foreign transaction fees.

IHG Traveler Card Overview

The IHG Traveler card has a $0 annual fee, making it fantastic for budget-minded travelers who still want meaningful perks. Its up-to-120,000-point welcome offer comes split into 2 parts:

• Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
• Earn up to 30,000 additional points by earning an additional 3x points on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening on up to $10,000 spent except at IHG Hotels & Resorts).

OFFER ENDING SOON

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

IHG One Rewards Traveler 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.

Earn up to 17x when you stay at IHG hotels, 3x on monthly bills, at gas stations, and restaurants, and 2x on all other purchases.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card

Earn up to 17x when you stay at IHG hotels, 3x on monthly bills, at gas stations, and restaurants, and 2x on all other purchases.

Welcome Offer

Earn up to 120k bonus points. Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 bonus points by earning an additional 3x on purchases, except on IHG Hotels & Resorts, in the first 6 months from account opening on up to $10,000 spent.

Up to 120,000 Bonus Points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$600

Annual Fee

$0

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’re someone who is looking to enhance your IHG stays by earning more points and benefits, without paying an annual fee, then the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card might be the perfect fit for you.

In this guide, we will provide a detailed view of what the card can offer so you can decide if it makes sense to add to your wallet.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Up to 17x total points per $1 on IHG stays
• 3x points per $1 on monthly bills, at gas stations, and restaurants
• 2x point per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• Not as rewarding as the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Limited Time Offer! Earn up to 120,000 Bonus Points
• No Annual Fee
• Earn up to 17 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
• Earn 3 points per $1 spent on purchases on monthly bills, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
• No Foreign Transaction Fees
• Redeem 3 Nights, Get the 4th Night Free
• 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

Rewards Center

IHG Rewards Loyalty Program Review

Thanks to this limited-time offer, you’d earn 40,000 more points than the standard welcome bonus offer that’s offered throughout the year, making it a great time to pick up the card. Other perks include:

• Have complimentary IHG Silver Elite status as long as you hold the card.
• Earn up to 17 points per $1 at IHG hotels and resorts (10x points from being an IHG One Rewards member, 2x points from being a Silver Elite member, and 5x points from the IHG Traveler card).
• Earn 3 points per $1 on dining, utilities, certain streaming services, and gas stations, and 2 points per $1 on all other purchases.
• Earn 10,000 bonus points after you spend $10,000 each calendar year.
• Receive travel and purchase protections.
• Pay no foreign transaction fees.

Should You Apply for the IHG Premier Card?

IHG’s brands range from economical to luxury. If you tend to stay at hotels falling on the higher end of the spectrum (standard to premium), the IHG Premier card is a no-brainer.

Beyond the fact that the welcome offer is significantly higher, you’d get perks such as IHG Platinum elite status, which means you’d get space-available room upgrades and a welcome amenity upon arrival.

The anniversary free-night award can justify paying the ongoing annual fee, since it can often be redeemed at a value far higher than the cost of the yearly charge. Upgraded Points values IHG One Rewards points at 0.5 cents apiece, so you’re looking at roughly $200 in redemption value with this certificate on the low end.

Should You Apply for the IHG Traveler Card?

The IHG Traveler card offers a generous sum of points after you meet the minimum spending requirement, though not quite as high as the IHG Premier card.

Many of the key benefits found on the IHG Premier card are also included with the IHG Traveler card, making it a solid pick for budget-conscious travelers. You still get perks like getting your fourth night free on consecutive award stays, no foreign transaction fees when traveling internationally, and solid points-earning potential on eligible travel and everyday purchases.

If you’re looking to avoid annual fees while still racking up a large number of points, the IHG Traveler card could be your best bet. The total welcome offer is worth around $600 in IHG hotel and resort stays if you’re able to earn the full 120,000 amount.

What To Know Before Applying for Either Chase IHG Card

Since both IHG products are Chase credit cards, it’s important to understand the bank’s application rules before you apply.

First, if you’ve opened more than 5 credit cards in the past 24 months, regardless of the issuer, your application for either IHG card will likely be denied. This unofficial guideline, known as the Chase 5/24 rule, is designed to discourage excessive credit card applications.

Additionally, you won’t be eligible for the current welcome offer if you’ve received a new cardmember bonus for either the IHG Traveler card or the IHG Premier card within the last 24 months. Keep this timeframe in mind if you already hold either IHG card.

Final Thoughts

The Chase IHG credit cards currently have some of their strongest welcome offers of 2025, making it a great time to lock in free hotel nights for future travel. However, beyond the upfront welcome bonus offer, it’s important to weigh the ongoing benefits and annual fees to determine whether the IHG Premier card or the IHG Traveler card best fits your travel and spending habits.