The IHG One Rewards program makes it easy to earn free hotel nights and receive elite benefits during all your stays, even at its budget brands. IHG-branded credit cards are popular because they work harmoniously with the IHG One Rewards program. Anyone with an IHG-branded card who frequently visits IHG properties knows the value of this partnership.
The lineup went through a major refresh on October 1, 2026. Chase and IHG reworked the earning rates, benefits, and annual fees, added a new premium card, and renamed 2 cards. There are now 4 IHG credit cards: 3 personal cards and 1 business card.
If you are an IHG loyalist but don’t have an IHG-branded credit card, we’re happy to share many reasons why you should consider pairing a card with your IHG One Rewards membership. Let’s look at how cards from IHG, Chase, and American Express can elevate earnings, provide valuable redemption options, and deliver additional benefits you can use.
Best IHG-Branded Personal Cards
Here’s how the 3 personal cards — the IHG One Rewards Credit Card, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, and the IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card — compare in terms of earnings, free hotel nights, and core card features. We’ll expand on the additional travel and shopping benefits of each card shortly.
Card Summary
|
Benefit |
The New IHG One Rewards Credit Card |
The New IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card |
IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card |
|
Welcome offer |
LIMITED-TIME OFFER125,000 pointsThe New IHG One Rewards Credit CardEarn 125,000 Bonus Points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. | LIMITED-TIME OFFER180,000 pointsThe New IHG One Rewards Premier Credit CardEarn 180,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | LIMITED-TIME OFFER200,000 pointsThe Brand New IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit CardEarn 200,000 Bonus Points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. |
|
Earning rates |
Up to 17x points |
Up to 24x points |
Up to 28x points |
|
Complimentary elite status |
Silver Elite |
Gold Elite |
Platinum Elite |
|
Free hotel night each cardholder anniversary |
No |
Yes (worth up to 50,000 points) |
Yes (worth up to 60,000 points) |
|
Food and Beverage Rewards |
None |
Up to $100 ($25 per quarter) |
Up to $300 ($75 per quarter) |
|
Airline statement credit |
None |
$100 annually |
$200 annually |
|
United TravelBank Cash |
None |
Up to $50 |
Up to $50 |
|
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit |
None |
Up to $120 every 4 years |
Up to $120 every 4 years |
|
Discount on purchasing IHG points |
30% |
30% |
30% |
|
Annual fee |
$0 | $150 | $350 |
|
Foreign transaction fees |
None |
None |
None |
Bottom Line:
Even if you stay occasionally at IHG properties, the IHG Premier card is a strong pick for maximum earnings, an annual fee hotel night, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit. IHG loyalists who stay frequently and want richer credits can find even more value with the IHG Premier Select card.
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
The IHG Premier card is the sweet spot of the personal lineup for most IHG fans. Although it charges a $150 annual fee, it delivers value for the IHG loyalist that can far exceed that annual outlay. Let’s examine the earnings, redemptions, and how the card complements the IHG One Rewards program.
Generous Welcome Offer
Welcome offers change, but you can generally expect a welcome offer good for several free hotel nights in IHG One Rewards after meeting spending requirements within the first 3 months after card approval. Check our card details above for the most current welcome offer.
If IHG is your brand of choice and you have an upcoming visit, securing the IHG Premier card before your hotel stay could be a smart move. Paying for the stay with your new card can help you meet the spending requirement to earn your welcome offer while also getting the benefits of the elite status that comes with the card. You also earn more points, up to 24x points, on IHG purchases.
Elevated Earnings
Purchases you make at IHG properties with your card earn the most rewards points per $1 spent. The IHG Premier card earns IHG points on every purchase you make, including higher earnings on everyday bonus categories:
- Up to 24 points per $1 spent at IHG properties
- 5x points on flights booked directly, car rentals, dining, grocery stores, and gas stations
- 3x points on all other purchases
That headline rate at IHG is built from 3 pieces: 10 points per $1 spent on the card, 10 points per $1 for being an IHG One Rewards member, and 4 points per $1 from the Gold Elite status the card provides.
IHG One Rewards Gold Elite Status
The card comes with automatic IHG One Rewards Gold Elite level status. The card previously included automatic Platinum Elite status. If you’re an existing IHG Premier cardmember, you’ll keep your Platinum Elite status through December 31, 2027.
Gold Elite status delivers benefits such as bonus points on stays, a welcome amenity, and member rates. You can climb higher through spending, too. Spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year to earn Platinum Elite status, and spend $40,000 to reach Diamond Elite status.
Free Annual Hotel Night
Each year at your IHG Premier card anniversary, you receive a free hotel night certificate that can be redeemed for a night that would typically cost 50,000 points or less. As an IHG Premier cardholder, you can add points from your IHG One Rewards account if the hotel night you select exceeds 50,000 points.
Spending Milestones
Spending on the IHG Premier card unlocks more than better points earnings. When you spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year, you earn 15,000 bonus points and 5 Elite Night Credits, along with the Platinum Elite status noted above.
Annual Credits
The card’s October 2026 refresh added a set of annual credits to the IHG Premier card, and 2 credits arrive in pieces across the year:
- Food & Beverage Rewards: Receive up to $100 annually, delivered as a $25 voucher each quarter for a drink or meal at IHG hotels. The vouchers are issued quarterly and expire at the end of the quarter if you don’t use them.
- Airline statement credit: You get a $100 annual credit when you spend at least $250 on flights purchased directly with any airline, available each calendar year through December 31, 2027.
- United TravelBank Cash: Receive up to $50 each year, deposited as $25 in January and $25 in July. This benefit requires a United MileagePlus membership and a one-time registration.
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit: Get reimbursement for the application fee, up to $120 every 4 years.
Bottom Line:
The IHG Premier card offers up to 24x earnings at IHG properties plus 5x earnings on flights booked directly, car rentals, dining, grocery stores, and gas stations. Add a free hotel night at each card anniversary, new annual credits, and the Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit, and the card benefits can more than offset the annual fee.
IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card
New to the lineup, the IHG Premier Select card is the top-tier personal IHG-branded option. It carries a $350 annual fee and is built for IHG loyalists who want the richest set of perks. Here’s what you get for that higher fee.
Elevated Earnings
- Up to 28 points per $1 spent at IHG properties
- 6x points on dining and all other travel, including ride-shares
- 3x points on all other purchases
The IHG Premier Select card’s rate at IHG breaks down as 12 points per $1 from the card, up to 10 points per $1 for being an IHG One Rewards member, and up to 6 points per $1 from the Platinum Elite status the card provides.
Platinum Elite Status and Beyond
The IHG Premier Select card includes automatic Platinum Elite status, which delivers Confirmable Suite Upgrades, a welcome amenity, late checkout, and bonus points on stays. Spend $25,000 on the card in a calendar year to reach Diamond Elite status, IHG’s top published tier.
Richer Annual Credits
- Food & Beverage Rewards: Get up to $300 annually, delivered as a $75 voucher each quarter and subject to the same use-it-or-lose-it quarterly expiration.
- Airline statement credit: Receive a $200 annual credit on flights purchased directly with any airline (minimum $250 per purchase), through December 31, 2027.
- United TravelBank Cash: Get up to $50 each year, deposited as 2 credits of $25 (a United MileagePlus membership and one-time registration are required).
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit: Get up to $120 every 4 years.
Anniversary Free Night
The IHG Premier Select card comes with an Anniversary Free Night with a redemption cap of 60,000 points, the highest cap in the personal lineup, and you can add points from your account to book a pricier property.
Bottom Line:
The IHG Premier Select card debuted on October 1, 2026, and it’s the choice for frequent IHG guests who can put its up-to-$300 in Food & Beverage Rewards, $200 airline credit, and higher earning rate to work. If you can use these perks, the value can outrun the $350 annual fee.
IHG One Rewards Credit Card
Formerly known as the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card, the IHG One Rewards card is the $0-annual-fee entry point to the lineup. When you spend at IHG properties, the earnings aren’t quite as strong as with the fee cards, but for a $0-annual-fee card, you’ll find an earning structure that lets you rack up free hotel nights.
- Up to 17 points per $1 spent at IHG properties
- 3x points on dining, grocery stores, and gas stations
- 2x points on all other purchases
That IHG rate is 5 points per $1 from the card, up to 10 points per $1 as an IHG One Rewards member, and up to 2 points per $1 from the Silver Elite status the card provides.
The IHG One Rewards card does not offer a free night on the card anniversary or a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit. However, it comes with complimentary Silver Elite status and 5 Elite Night Credits each calendar year to give you a head start toward status. If you spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year, you earn Gold Elite status along with 10,000 bonus points. Starting in 2027, that same $15,000 in annual spending also unlocks a fourth Reward Night free on consecutive 4-night award stays (the benefit kicks in after $5,000 in annual spending).
The card’s best feature is that it has a $0 annual fee but offers additional earning opportunities and travel and shopping benefits.
Hotel-Branded Personal Credit Card Comparison**
If you’re wondering how the IHG personal cards compare to similar hotel-branded cards, this snapshot may provide the answer. Let’s examine the overall earnings and hotel-related benefits provided by each card.
|
Hotel-Branded Credit Card |
Earning Rates |
Hotel Benefits |
|
The New IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card |
|
|
|
IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card |
|
|
|
The World of Hyatt Credit Card |
|
|
|
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card |
|
|
|
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card |
|
|
Best IHG-Branded Business Card
If you have a business, even a small business, and you stay at IHG properties, consider the IHG One Rewards Business Credit Card. Packed with bonus earnings on several common business purchase categories, it makes it easy to earn free hotel nights quickly.
Let’s look at how you earn on the IHG Business card:
- Up to 26 points per $1 spent at IHG properties
- 5x points on flights booked directly, car rentals, dining, some advertising, and gas stations
- 3x points on all other purchases
The IHG rate is 10 points per $1 from the card, 10 points per $1 as an IHG One Rewards member, and 6 points per $1 from the Platinum Elite status the card provides.
You can also earn more by spending on the card:
- Spend $50,000 in a calendar year to reach IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status.
- Spend $60,000 in a calendar year to earn a second Anniversary Free Night.
In addition to the card’s robust earning structure, you receive automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you have the card, an annual free night certificate (for a stay of up to 50,000 points), and special redemption privileges that let you use points to supplement the free night certificate’s value.
Like the personal cards with annual fees, the IHG Business card added new annual credits in the October 2026 refresh: up to $100 in Food &Beverage Rewards (a $25 voucher each quarter), a $100 airline statement credit, and a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit of up to $120 every 4 years. New to this card is a statement credit of up to $100 per year toward Expensify purchases. One benefit went away, though: The IHG Business card no longer offers United TravelBank Cash.
Cardholders also receive the fourth consecutive reward night free and a 30% discount on IHG One Rewards points purchases.
Bottom Line:
The IHG Business card offers many of the features and benefits of the IHG personal cards, along with additional bonus earning categories, including online advertising. The card also offers extra incentives for higher levels of spending.
Additional Features and Benefits of IHG-Branded Cards
So far, we’ve focused on the stellar earning capabilities of IHG-branded cards. Let’s continue with more information on IHG-related benefits, your options at redemption time, and the additional travel and shopping benefits on the cards.
Fourth Night Free
Get a reward night when you redeem points for a stay of 4 or more nights. You can use this benefit more than once during the same stay. For example, book 8 nights and receive the fourth and eighth night free. On the IHG Premier card, IHG Premier Select card, and IHG Business card, the benefit applies when you redeem points for consecutive nights. On the no-annual-fee IHG One Rewards card, the benefit begins in 2027 and requires $5,000 in annual purchases to unlock.
30% Discount on Point Purchases
Need some points to top off your account for an award redemption? With the refresh, IHG-branded cards now provide a 30% discount when you purchase IHG points, up from the previous 20% discount.
Redeeming Your Points
Regardless of the card on which you earn your IHG One Rewards points, you have the same basic redemptions. The best value for redeeming your IHG points is for free hotel nights, but there are additional choices:
- Free hotel nights (starting at 10,000 points per night)
- Points and cash for free hotel nights
- Gift certificates and gift cards
- Transfer to airline partners
- TSA PreCheck fee
- Merchandise
- InterContinental Ambassador membership
- Digital rewards (digital downloads of music, games, and software start at 400 points)
- Donate to charity
In addition to redeeming points for free hotel nights, the IHG Premier card, IHG Premier Select card, and IHG Business card allow you to supplement your annual free hotel night certificate with your IHG One Rewards points when a hotel costs more than the certificate’s cap.
Not all redemptions are a good value. Those that involve redeeming points for free hotel nights generally deliver the best value. A redemption that yields just 0.5 cents per point is poor value, and 1 cent per point or more can be considered a good redemption.
Bottom Line:
While you have several options for redeeming your IHG One Rewards points, including transferring them to airline partners, you receive the most value when redeeming your points for free hotel nights.
Travel and Shopping Benefits and Protections
Your IHG-branded card makes staying at IHG properties more rewarding, but the cards also come with a long list of valuable benefits and protections.
Travel Benefits and Protections
- Trip interruption and trip cancellation coverage
- Automobile rental coverage (decline the rental agency’s coverage and receive secondary coverage when your entire rental is paid with the card; coverage is primary on the IHG Business card when you rent for business purposes)
- No foreign transaction fees
- Lost luggage or baggage delay coverage
- Travel accident insurance
- Travel and emergency assistance services
Shopping Protections and Benefits
- Purchase protection
- Extended warranty
- Complimentary Instacart+ membership and monthly credit: Receive a 3-month complimentary Instacart+ membership and a $10 monthly Instacart credit with an active Instacart+ membership to use on an order with your eligible card. Benefits end December 31, 2027.
IHG One Rewards Elite Status
All IHG-branded cardholders receive complimentary IHG One Rewards elite status, with an option to earn higher status by spending on the card. The IHG One Rewards card includes Silver Elite status, the IHG Premier card includes Gold Elite status, and both the IHG Premier Select card and IHG Business card include Platinum Elite status.
Let’s glance at an overview of what it takes to qualify for IHG One Rewards elite status and what some of the benefits look like at each level:
|
Elite Status Tier |
Silver Elite |
Gold Elite |
Platinum Elite |
Diamond Elite |
|
Nights or points required annually |
10 nights |
20 nights or 40,000 points |
40 nights or 60,000 points |
70 nights or 120,000 points |
|
Bonus earnings on top of base points |
20% |
40% |
60% |
100% |
Beyond Platinum, IHG’s top published tier is Diamond Elite, which cardholders can reach through spending: $40,000 on the IHG Premier card, $25,000 on the IHG Premier Select card, and $50,000 on the IHG Business card in a calendar year.
Elite benefits include features such as elite rollover nights, 2 p.m. late checkout, room upgrades, complimentary breakfast at some brands, and guaranteed room availability. For elite member award redemptions, reward nights count toward elite status. There are no blackout dates for reward nights, and points don’t expire as long as you hold elite status.
Bottom Line:
Every IHG-branded card comes with IHG One Rewards elite status, with the option to upgrade to a higher elite status by spending on the card.
Alternative Cards To Consider
If you travel frequently, you can reap additional benefits by selecting a travel rewards credit card that can be paired with an IHG-branded card. Travel rewards cards can deliver benefits such as elevated earnings for travel purchases, lounge access, elite status, and statement credits.
Let’s look at some of our top choices and why we like them for IHG loyalists.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card ranks as one of our favorite travel rewards cards. You earn valuable Ultimate Rewards points for every $1 you spend on the card and have several flexible redemption options when it comes time to utilize your points.
In addition, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers fantastic travel benefits, including lounge access, statement credits for hotels, entertainment, and more, as well as travel insurance.
Why We Like the Card for IHG Loyalists
- Complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, with the ability to earn IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status after you spend $75,000 in a calendar year
- Earn 8x points on all Chase Travel purchases, 5x points on Lyft rides (through September 2027), 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly, and 3x points on all dining purchases worldwide
- $300 annual travel credit
- $500 annual credit with The Edit
- Transfer points to the Chase travel partners (including IHG One Rewards)
- Trip cancellation, interruption, and trip delay coverage
- No foreign transaction fees
Bottom Line:
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card makes a worthy companion to any hotel rewards card, including the IHG-branded cards.
Sapphire Reserve for Business℠
The Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card should be a top choice for business owners who can maximize annual credits for travel, business purchases, and more.
Why We Like the Card for IHG Loyalists
- Complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, with the ability to receive IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status if you spend $120,000 on the card in a calendar year
- 8x points on Chase Travel for airline tickets, hotels, including The Edit, car rentals, cruises, activities and tours, 5x total points on Lyft rides through September 30, 2027, and 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
- $300 annual travel credit
- $500 annual credit for The Edit by Chase Travel
- $100 Giftcards.com credit
Platinum Card® from American Express
Hot Tip: Apply and find out if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of as high as 175,000 points with the Amex Platinum. Welcome offers may vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
For frequent travelers who appreciate luxury travel benefits, the Amex Platinum card is worth considering. The card excels in providing luxury benefits, including worldwide lounge access, hotel elite status, statement credits for purchases, and more.
Why We Like the Card for IHG Loyalists
- Get worldwide lounge access to over 1,550 properties, including the prestigious Centurion Lounge network.
- Earn 5x Membership Rewards points for flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com and premium flights booked through Platinum Member Airfares (up to $500,000 per year then 1x).
- Earn 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com.
- Transfer points to one of the American Express transfer partners.
- Get hotel elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and Leaders Club (upon enrollment)
- Receive access to Platinum Nights by Resy.
- Get statement credits for lululemon, Resy, airline incidentals, CLEAR+, prepaid hotels, digital entertainment, Oura Ring, Equinox, Uber Cash, TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, and more (enrollment required for some benefits).
- Receive travel insurance, including trip cancellation and interruption, and trip delay insurance, when you pay for trips with your card.
- Pay no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees).
Frequently, we find that a single travel rewards card does not cover all your travel needs for earning maximum rewards and delivering benefits. Selecting the best combination involves matching your own personal travel preferences.
With that in mind, review our list of the best travel rewards cards to find the perfect card for supplementing your IHG-branded card.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Business owners, even small-business owners, can benefit from a Chase business credit card. Every purchase you make earns valuable rewards that can offset business expenses or fund a personal vacation.
One of our favorite business credit cards is the Ink Business Preferred card, which earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
Why We Like the Card for IHG Loyalists
- 3x points earned for travel purchases, internet, cable, and phone, shipping, and advertising purchased through certain social media and search engines (maximum $150,000 in purchases per year)
- Ultimate Rewards points earned on the card can be transferred to IHG, though the ratio is 1:1 and it’s not a good use of your points (an exception might be to top off your IHG account for a specific redemption)
- Primary automobile rental coverage
- Trip interruption, cancellation, and delay coverage
- Cell phone protection
Though you won’t receive any direct IHG benefits from having the Ink Business Preferred card, the business traveler can reap plenty of benefits from earning and redeeming Ultimate Rewards points. Plus, the travel protections on the card can offer great value.
Final Thoughts
IHG Hotels & Resorts, its associated IHG One Rewards program, and an IHG-branded card can provide exceptional value, even for the occasional traveler. If you’re a road warrior, a family weekend traveler, or travel primarily domestically, you’re likely to find even more reasons to consider the combination.
With its Holiday Inn Express brand, for instance, you can expect a clean, well-located hotel with an adequate breakfast for your family. You may also be able to secure free nights for as few as 10,000 points at that IHG brand (and others).
International travelers may also find value with IHG. Several IHG brands can offer essential airport locations, comfortable city budget lodging, or centrally located, midlevel accommodations.
Regardless of the level of your relationship with IHG, IHG One Rewards and an IHG-branded card can offer value, and it doesn’t take a high level of exposure to the brand to benefit from the combination.