Our experts answer readers' credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess credit cards). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.
If you have a business venture — even if it's a side gig like delivering for DoorDash or freelancing — you could qualify for a small-business credit card.
Small-business credit cards are some of the most dynamic tools in the world of travel rewards. They're often more robust than personal credit cards in terms of ongoing benefits. The
IHG Business Credit Card Review: Is It the Best Credit Card for You?
With this
You can also earn IHG points quickly when spending on the following purchases:
- 10 points per dollar at IHG Hotels and Resorts
- 5 points per dollar on travel and at gas stations, dining, social media and search engine advertising, and at office supply stores
- 3 points per dollar for all other eligible purchases
If you want to book IHG hotels but aren't necessarily loyal to the brand, you could instead open a card like the
IHG is also a Bilt Rewards partner, so you can transfer points earned from the
We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card Rewards
IHG Business Credit Card welcome bonus offer
The
However, it's possible to get significantly more value than that if you know the best ways to use IHG points.
How to earn points from the IHG Business Credit Card
With the card, you'll also receive the following return rates for your spending:
- 10 points per dollar at IHG Hotels and Resorts
- 5 points per dollar on travel and at gas stations, dining, social media and search engine advertising, and at office supply stores
- 3 points per dollar for all other eligible purchases
The ability to earn a bonus of 10 points per dollar at IHG hotels is significant. This is on top of the 10 base points you'll earn, as well as a 60% bonus on base points for the automatic Platinum elite status you'll receive with the card. In other words, by using your
How to use points from the IHG Business Card
IHG hotels may not sound like a familiar chain to you, but it's got some of the most ubiquitous hotel brands in the country — and plenty of international properties, too. Here are all the brands you can book with IHG points:
IHG hotels generally cost between 10,000 and 100,000 points per night (though a handful of hotels charge an outlandish 120,000 points per night). With this card's welcome bonus offer, you could stay:
- Up to four nights at the five-star InterContinental Bangkok
- Up to seven nights at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile
- Up to two nights at the five-star InterContinental London Park Lane
- Up to eight nights at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jacksonville North-Fernandina
And remember, if you book three consecutive nights with this card, you'll get your fourth night for zero points.
You've also got less straightforward options for redeeming your IHG points. We don't recommend these, as you often will get an inferior value per point:
- Transfer IHG points to airline partners
- Donate IHG points to charity
- Redeem points for gift cards, digital rewards, merchandise, and magazines
- Cash in points for exclusive events and experiences
IHG Business Credit Card Benefits and Features
The
IHG elite status
The
You can also earn Diamond elite status when spending $40,000 on purchases in a calendar year and making one additional purchase. Diamond status demands 70 nights or 120,000 points per year, so the ability to earn it from credit card spending is great.
Free anniversary nights
The
You can also use this benefit at hotels costing more than 40,000 points — but you must supplement the award price with IHG points. For example, if a hotel costs 70,000 points, you'll pay with a combination of your free night and 30,000 points.
You'll receive a second identical free night award each calendar year you spend $60,000 on purchases and make one additional purchase.
Fourth reward night free on IHG points stays
When booking three consecutive award nights during a single stay, cardholders will receive the fourth night free. That's a 25% savings on stays of four nights. You can really stretch your points by using this benefit often.
Application fee credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, and NEXUS
Cardholders receive a NEXUS, Global Entry, or TSA PreCheck fee credit of up to $100 every four years.
TSA PreCheck allows you to speed through TSA security checkpoints without removing your shoes, belt, and light jacket. You can keep your laptop and TSA-approved toiletries in your bag, too. You even get a dedicated security lane that is often much shorter.
Global Entry gives you an expedited immigration experience when returning to select US airports from abroad. It comes with TSA PreCheck.
NEXUS offers expedited entry into Canada — and it also offers both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry benefits.
20% discount when you purchase points with your card
If you decide to purchase IHG points, this card will unlock a 20% discount. The caveat is that you can't use this benefit in tandem with other IHG points promotions — and IHG frequently publishes points sales with up to a 100% bonus.
It doesn't usually make sense to buy loyalty program points unless you need to top off your account for an award. But if you find yourself in that situation, you'll get a 20% discount on IHG points purchases when you use your
10,000 bonus points and $100 statement credit
You can earn 10,000 bonus IHG points and a $100 statement credit after you spend $20,000 on purchases and make one additional purchase each calendar year. This benefit alone easily offsets your annual fee each year.
Up to $50 per year in United TravelBank Cash
You'll receive $25 in United TravelBank Cash around January 1 of each year, and another $25 around July 1.
TravelBank deposits do not roll over — that is, you cannot accrue these rewards. Instead, TravelBank deposits made on or after January 1 will expire on June 30, and TravelBank deposits made on or after July 1 will expire on December 31.
Note that you must first register to receive this benefit.
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
This card offers great travel insurance that covers you for various complications during your trip. When you pay for your travel with the card, you can be reimbursed up to $1,500 per person ($6,000 maximum per trip) for prepaid nonrefundable travel expenses that are interrupted due to things like severe weather and illness.
Travel and emergency assistance services
This card also offers free medical and legal referrals or other emergency assistance during your trip. While the service is free, you'll have to pay for any third-party expenses.
Car rental insurance
When you use your card to pay for your car rental and decline the rental company's collision insurance, you're covered for damage due to theft or collision on most cars. You'll get primary car rental insurance in the US when renting for business purposes.
Purchase protection
If an eligible item you've bought with the
Extended warranty
The
DoorDash DashPass membership
If you have the
IHG Business Credit Card Annual Fee and Other Costs
The
In other situations, you may have to pay fees, including:
- Balance transfer fee:
IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card - Balance Transfer Fee - Foreign transaction fee:
IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card - Foreign Transaction Fee - Cash advance fee: Either $15 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
How the IHG Business Credit Card Compares
IHG Premier Business Card vs other IHG credit cards
Annual fee | |||
Rewards rate | 10x points at IHG Hotels and Resorts (up to 26x points)* 5x points on travel and at gas stations, dining, social media and search engine advertising, and at office supply stores 3x points for all other eligible purchases | 10x points at IHG Hotels and Resorts (up to 26x points)* 5x points for travel, dining, and at gas stations 3x points for all other eligible purchases | 5x points at IHG Hotels and Resorts (up to 17x points)* 3x points on utilities, internet, cable, phone, and select streaming services 3x points on dining and at gas stations 2x points for all other eligible purchases |
Welcome bonus offer | |||
Card benefits | Automatic IHG Platinum Elite status Diamond elite status after spending $40,000 on purchases and making one additional purchase each calendar year with the card Annual free night award worth up to 40,000 points An additional free night each year you spend $60,000 on purchases and make one additional purchase each calendar year 10,000 bonus points and a $100 statement credit after spending $20,000 on purchases and making one additional purchase each calendar year Fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a stay of three or more nights Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit Up to $50 in United TravelBank Cash each calendar year World Elite Mastercard for Business benefits | Automatic IHG Platinum Elite status Diamond elite status after spending $40,000 on purchases and making one additional purchase each calendar year with the card Annual free night award worth up to 40,000 points 10,000 bonus points and a $100 statement credit after spending $20,000 on purchases and making one additional purchase each calendar year Up to $50 in United TravelBank Cash each calendar year Fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a stay of three or more nights Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit 20% discount when you purchase points with your card World Elite Mastercard benefits | Fourth reward night free on award stays of three or more nights Automatic IHG Silver elite status IHG Gold elite status each calendar year you spend $20,000 or more on eligible purchases 10,000 bonus points each year you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases Car rental insurance (secondary in the US, primary otherwise) World Mastercard benefits 20% discount when you purchase points with your card |
Review |
* Bonus points at IHG hotels are in addition to the points members would normally earn from a stay
IHG Premier Business Card vs other small-business hotel credit cards
Annual fee | |||
Rewards rate | 10x points at IHG Hotels and Resorts (up to 26x points)* 5x points on travel and at gas stations, dining, social media and search engine advertising, and at office supply stores 3x points for all other eligible purchases | 6x Marriott Bonvoy points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program* 4x points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers, and on U.S. shipping purchases 2x points on all other eligible purchases | 12x points on purchases made directly with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio* 6x points on eligible purchases at U.S. gas stations, U.S. shipping purchases, wireless telephone services purchases directly from U.S. service providers, U.S. restaurants, airfare purchased directly from airlines or Amex Travel, and on car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies 3x points on all other eligible purchases |
Welcome bonus offer | |||
Card benefits | Automatic IHG Platinum Elite status Diamond elite status after spending $40,000 on purchases and making one additional purchase each calendar year with the card Annual free night award worth up to 40,000 points An additional free night each year you spend $60,000 on purchases and make one additional purchase each calendar year 10,000 bonus points and a $100 statement credit after spending $20,000 on purchases and making one additional purchase each calendar year Fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a stay of three or more nights Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit Up to $50 in United TravelBank Cash each calendar year World Elite Mastercard for Business benefits | Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status A second free night award if you spend $60,000 or more in a calendar year*** 15 elite night credits each calendar year Secondary car rental insurance Baggage insurance plan Global Assist Hotline Purchase protection Extended warranty Access to discounts and bonus points through Amex Offers** | Automatic Hilton Honors Gold elite status Free night award when you spend $15,000 or more in a calendar year A second free night award if you spend a total of $60,000 or more in a calendar year Secondary car rental insurance Baggage insurance plan Global Assist Hotline Purchase protection Extended warranty Access to discounts and bonus points through Amex Offers** |
Review |
* Bonus points at IHG, Marriott, and Hilton hotels are in addition to the points members would normally earn from a stay
***The
IHG Business Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What credit score do you need for the IHG Business credit card?
To be considered for the
Is the IHG Premier Business card worth it?
Even if you book just a couple of IHG hotel stays per year, this credit card can save you far more than the
For example, the card offers an annual free night certificate worth up to 40,000 points — and a second 40,000-point certificate each calendar year you spend $60,000 on the card.
You'll also receive up to $50 in United TravelBank Cash (which you can use toward United Airlines airfare), IHG Platinum elite status, and 10,000 points plus a $100 statement credit after spending $20,000 in a calendar year.
Who is eligible for the IHG Premier Business card?
This is a small-business credit card, so you'll need a business venture to be eligible. Whether you're a freelance writer, a seller on Etsy, or a tutor, your small business could qualify you for a small-business card.
This card is subject to the Chase 5/24 rule, which means if you've opened five or more credit cards from any bank (excluding some small-business cards), you won't be approved for the card. You also cannot hold more than one
Is the IHG Business Credit Card metal?
No, the
Is there a no-fee IHG Business Card?
The
Methodology: How we reviewed the IHG Business Credit Card
Insider's credit cards team reviewed the
- Welcome bonus offer — Is there a valuable welcome bonus offer, and is it easy to achieve the minimum spending requirement to unlock the bonus? Is the offer comparable to or better than those on similar cards?
- Ongoing rewards earning — Beyond the welcome bonus offer, does the card have strong bonus categories and earn points at a competitive rate? Are any of the bonus categories capped at a maximum amount of spending?
- Benefits — Does the card offer additional perks for travelers, like elite status, anniversary free nights, travel protections, or statement credits? Are employee cards free to add?
- Annual fee — Most of the best travel credit cards charge an annual fee. If the card charges a fee, is it worth it based on the rewards and benefits you receive?
For a deeper dive into our methodology, read about how we rate credit cards at Insider.