IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $99
• APR: 21.49%-28.49% variable
• Rewards: 26X at IHG, 5X travel/gas/dining, 3X on everything else
• Bonus: 150,000 bonus points after $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
• Best For: IHG loyalists who want massive point earning and a free annual night
• Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670+)

Overview

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is one of the highest-earning hotel cards on the market, delivering a staggering 26X total points per dollar at IHG properties (including base earning). With IHG's portfolio spanning Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, InterContinental, Kimpton, and more, the 6,000+ global properties give cardholders plenty of options for earning and redeeming.

The 150,000-point welcome bonus is among the largest available in the hotel card category, worth three to five free nights at mid-tier IHG properties. On top of that, the card provides a free night certificate (valid at properties up to 40,000 points) every card anniversary, which alone can cover the $99 annual fee. Cardmembers also receive IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, which includes room upgrades, late checkout, welcome amenity, and bonus points on stays.

With 5X points on travel, dining, and gas, this card pulls double duty as a strong everyday earning card. The 3X rate on all other purchases means nothing slips through the cracks. For anyone who stays at IHG properties even a handful of times per year, this card offers exceptional value relative to its annual fee.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 21.49%-28.49% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: 21.49%-28.49% variable
• Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable
• Penalty APR: None

Note: Your APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. There is no penalty APR, but a late payment fee may apply.

Benefits Overview

IHG Elite Status & Perks

• Automatic IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status
• Room upgrades at check-in when available
• Late checkout and welcome amenity
• Fourth reward night free on award stays of 4+ nights
• Bonus points on every IHG stay through elite multiplier

Free Night & Travel Benefits

• Free night certificate each anniversary at properties up to 40,000 points
• No foreign transaction fees on international purchases
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit (up to $100 every 4 years)
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance

Accelerated Earning

• 26X total points per dollar at IHG properties
• 5X points on travel, dining, and gas station purchases
• 3X points on all other purchases
• Points pool with other IHG One Rewards members for family redemptions

Rewards & Points

• 26X total points per dollar at IHG hotels and resorts
• 5X points on travel, dining, and gas station purchases
• 3X points on all other purchases

IHG One Rewards points are worth approximately 0.5-0.6 cents each on average. Points can be transferred to airline partners and used for Reward Nights across 6,000+ IHG properties globally. The fourth night free on award stays of 4+ nights is a built-in 25% discount on longer redemptions.

Welcome Bonus

Earn 150,000 bonus IHG One Rewards points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. At average IHG redemption values, 150,000 points are worth approximately $750-$900, enough for three to five free nights at Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Express properties.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $99
• Balance Transfer Fee: 5% (min $5)
• Cash Advance Fee: 5% (min $10)
• Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• IHG frequent guests who stay at Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, InterContinental, or Kimpton properties regularly
• Road warriors who want 5X on travel, dining, and gas for work trips
• Bonus maximizers who want one of the highest welcome bonuses available in a hotel card
• Budget travelers who want free nights at IHG's large network of mid-range and upscale hotels

Not Good For

• Luxury-focused travelers who prefer boutique or luxury chains with smaller, curated portfolios
• Points hoarders who want the highest per-point value, as IHG points are worth less individually than Hyatt
• Non-travelers who rarely stay at hotels and would not use the free night or elite status

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• 26X earning rate at IHG properties is industry-leading for hotel cards
• 150,000-point welcome bonus is among the highest hotel card bonuses available
• Free annual night certificate at properties up to 40,000 points covers the fee
• 5X on travel, dining, and gas makes it a strong everyday card
• 3X on all other purchases ensures solid base earning
• Fourth reward night free on stays of 4+ nights saves 25%
• Automatic Platinum Elite status with room upgrades and late checkout
• No foreign transaction fees for international hotel stays
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit every 4 years
• IHG has 6,000+ hotels globally for wide redemption options

Cons

• $99 annual fee is not waived for the first year
• IHG points are worth less per point than Hyatt or Hilton
• No airport lounge access included with the card
• No 0% intro APR offer on purchases or balance transfers
• Free night certificate capped at 40,000-point properties
• Point values can fluctuate with dynamic pricing at IHG properties
• Elite status is mid-tier, not top-tier like Diamond

Alternatives to Consider

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

Total estimated first-year value: $1,735 including the welcome bonus (valued at $825 at 0.55 cents per point). Annual value after year one is approximately $910.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If...

• You stay at IHG hotels multiple times per year across any of their brands
• You want a massive welcome bonus to fund several free nights immediately
• You value a free annual night certificate that more than covers the fee
• You spend heavily on travel, dining, and gas and want 5X earning
• You book longer award stays and want the fourth night free benefit
• You want Platinum Elite status without qualifying through stays alone

You Should Skip It If...

• You rarely stay at IHG properties and prefer other hotel chains
• You prioritize per-point value over point volume
• You want airport lounge access bundled with your hotel card
• You are looking for a no-annual-fee hotel card instead
• You prefer boutique or luxury-only hotel programs

Apply Now

Apply for IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

Information accurate as of May 2026. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.