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The
IHG Premier Credit Card Review: Is It the Best Card for You?
Aside from the generous welcome bonus offer, the recurring benefits make this card a keeper. The yearly anniversary free night alone is worth the annual fee of
Any good hotel credit card welcome bonus offer should offer a minimum of one free night at a top-tier hotel. The
The
If you're interested in booking a stay at an IHG hotel but you don't want to tie yourself to one hotel brand, you could consider the
Another option is to earn points 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 Credit Card Rewards
Welcome bonus offer
The
How to earn points
The
- 10 points per dollar at participating IHG hotels (this is in addition to up to 10x points for being an IHG Rewards Club member and a 60% bonus on points earned from stays due to having Platinum status from the card)
- 5 points per dollar for travel, dining, and at gas stations
- 3 points per dollar for all other eligible purchases
How to use points
Whether it's an overwater villa in French Polynesia or a Candlewood Suites in the suburbs, there's a wide range of ways to get maximum value out of IHG points. While IHG now has variable award pricing depending on demand and season, free nights typically range from 10,000 to 70,000 points (with super high-end exceptions that cost up to a jaw-dropping 120,000 points per night).
The welcome bonus offer from the
If you don't have IHG hotel stays planned in the near future, you don't have to worry about your points expiring as long as your
There are other ways to use IHG points apart from hotel award stays, but you typically won't get as much value from your points with these options:
- 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 Premier Card Benefits and Features
The
Free anniversary night
The most compelling benefit of the
Plus, you can now use your annual certificate alongside your IHG points to stay at hotels costing more than 40,000 points per night. For example, if you want to stay at a hotel that costs 60,000 points per night, you can redeem your 40,000-point certificate and 20,000 IHG points. That makes this free night award much more flexible.
IHG elite status
The
This card also allows you to achieve top-level Diamond elite status when spending $40,000 on purchases in a calendar year and making one additional purchase. To otherwise earn Diamond status, you'd have to stay 70 nights or earn 120,000 points per calendar year.
Fourth reward night free on IHG points stays
Cardholders also get a fourth night free on points stays of three or more consecutive nights. That translates to a 25% savings on four-night award stays, and can help stretch your sign-up bonus from the
Up to $50 per year in United TravelBank Cash
After registering, you're eligible to receive two $25 deposits into your United TravelBank Cash account. You'll receive the first around January 1 of each year, and the second around July 1.
TravelBank deposits expire before each new deposit. In other words, you can't collect and use them together for the same ticket. 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.
10,000 bonus points plus a $100 statement credit
You can earn 10,000 bonus IHG points and a $100 statement credit each account anniversary year you spend $20,000 on purchases (and make one additional purchase at least one day after you spend $20,000).
Application fee credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS
Cardholders receive a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit of up to $100 every four years, and this perk has been expanded to include NEXUS (which offers expedited entry into Canada as well as Global Entry and TSA PreCheck benefits).
This is a benefit that is usually included on cards with higher annual fees like the
20% discount when you purchase points with your card
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
Car rental insurance
When you use your
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
If you've paid for your trip with the
Travel accident insurance
When you pay for your air, bus, cruise, or train transportation with the
Lost luggage reimbursement
When you pay for your fare with the
Baggage delay insurance
If your bags are delayed for six hours or more, you could be reimbursed for essential purchases (like clothing and toiletries) up to $100 per day for up to three days.
Purchase protection
If an eligible item you've bought with the
Extended warranty
The
Travel and emergency assistance services
If you're traveling away from home and run into a problem, you can get help with medical and legal referrals or other emergency assistance. This service is free, but any third-party costs are the cardholder's responsibility.
Monthly Gopuff credit
Through December 31, 2023, cardholders receive $10 per month in Gopuff credits when they add the
The Gopuff credit automatically appears on your card statement shortly after you make a qualifying purchase with Gopuff. The minimum order amount is $10 and you'll pay a flat $3.95 delivery fee per order.
Complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership
IHG One Rewards Premier Card Annual Fee and Other Costs
The
Like most other cards, the
How the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card Compares
IHG One Rewards Premier Card vs Other IHG Credit Cards
Annual fee | |||
Rewards rate | 10x points at IHG Hotels and Resorts* 5x points for travel, dining, and at gas stations 3x points for all other eligible purchases | 5x points* at IHG Hotels and Resorts 3x points on utilities, internet, cable, phone, and select streaming services 3x points on dining and at gas stations 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases | 10x points at IHG Hotels and Resorts* 5x points on travel and at gas stations, dining, social media and search engine advertising, and at office supply stores 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases |
Welcome bonus | |||
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 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 Car rental insurance (secondary in the US, primary otherwise) Trip cancellation/interruption insurance Travel accident insurance Lost luggage reimbursement Baggage delay insurance Travel and emergency assistance services Purchase protection Extended warranty No foreign transaction fees $10 per month in Gopuff credit through December 2023 One-year free DoorDash DashPass membership (activation required by December 31, 2024) | Automatic IHG Silver elite status Gold elite status after spending $20,000 on purchases and making one additional purchase each calendar year with the card Fourth reward night free on award stays of three or more nights 10,000 bonus points each year you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases and make one additional purchase Car rental insurance (secondary in the US, primary otherwise) Trip cancellation/interruption insurance Travel accident insurance Lost luggage reimbursement Baggage delay insurance Travel and emergency assistance services Purchase protection Extended warranty 20% discount on IHG point purchases with your card No foreign transaction fees $10 per month in Gopuff credit through December 2023 One-year free DoorDash DashPass membership (activation required by December 31, 2024) | 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*** An additional free night each year you spend $60,000 on purchases and make 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 10,000 bonus points and a $100 statement credit after spending $20,000 on purchases and making one additional purchase each calendar year 20% discount when you purchase points with your card Car rental insurance (primary when renting for business purposes in the US) Trip cancellation/interruption insurance Travel and emergency assistance services Purchase protection Extended warranty No foreign transaction fees One-year free DoorDash DashPass membership (activation required by December 31, 2024) |
Review |
* Bonus points at IHG hotels are in addition to the points members would normally earn from a stay
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card vs Other Hotel Cards
Annual fee | |||
Rewards rate | 10x points at IHG Hotels and Resorts* 5x points for travel, dining, and at gas stations 3x points for all other eligible purchases | 12x points* on eligible Hilton purchases 6x points at eligible US supermarkets, gas stations, and restaurants 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases | 6x bonus points* on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases |
Welcome bonus | |||
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 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 Car rental insurance (secondary in the US, primary otherwise) Trip cancellation/interruption insurance Travel accident insurance Lost luggage reimbursement Baggage delay insurance Travel and emergency assistance services Purchase protection Extended warranty No foreign transaction fees $10 per month in Gopuff credit through December 2023 One-year free DoorDash DashPass membership (activation required by December 31, 2024)
| Hilton Gold elite status Upgrade to Diamond status after you spend $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year Free night certificate after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership** with 10 free visits per year Secondary car rental insurance Baggage insurance plan Purchase protection Extended warranty Global Assist Hotline No foreign transaction fees | Marriott Bonvoy Silver elite status 15 elite night credits each calendar year Car rental insurance (secondary in the US, primary otherwise) Lost luggage reimbursement Trip delay reimbursement Baggage delay insurance Purchase protection Extended warranty Travel and emergency assistance services Visa Signature concierge No foreign transaction fees $10 per month in Gopuff credit through December 2023 One-year free DoorDash DashPass membership (activation required by December 31, 2024) |
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* Bonus points at IHG, Marriott, and Hilton hotels are in addition to the points members would normally earn from a stay
IHG Premier Card Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score do you need for the IHG One Rewards Rewards Premier credit card?
Usually, most people who get approved for the
Is the IHG One Rewards Premier card worth it?
The
Who is eligible for the IHG One Rewards Premier card?
The
You are, however, eligible to open this card and earn its bonus if you have the
Is the IHG One Rewards Premier a Visa or Mastercard?
The
How do you get TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS with the IHG One Rewards Premier card?
When you use your
Is the IHG One Rewards Premier card metal?
No, the
Is it worth keeping the IHG One Rewards Premier card?
In short, yes! The
Should I upgrade my IHG Select card to the IHG One Rewards Premier card?
Before the
There are pros and cons to upgrading. The Select card only charges an annual fee of $49 (and you'll still get an anniversary free night), so you'll pay just over twice that if you product change to the
However, the
Methodology: How We Reviewed the IHG Premier Card
Personal Finance Insider's credit card experts evaluated the
The factors we assessed included:
- Ease of use — Is the card's rewards program easy to use? Is redeeming points straightforward, or do you have to navigate complicated award charts and rules?
- Earning potential — Is the welcome bonus offer competitive and valuable? Does the card have bonus categories that are useful for everyday spending as well as travel?
- Fees — When there's an annual fee, do the card's benefits justify it (like elite status or anniversary free nights)? Are there other charges to look out for, like foreign transaction fees or a high APR?
- Benefits — Does the card offer perks that can save travelers money or make their journey more comfortable? Are any of the benefits unique?
Read about how we rate credit cards at Insider to learn more about our methodology.