IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $99
• APR: 21.49%-28.49% variable
• Rewards: 26X total points at IHG hotels, 5X on travel/gas/dining, 3X on all other purchases
• Bonus: Free night reward after first purchase, plus additional bonus points with qualifying spend
• Best For: Business travelers who frequently stay at IHG properties and want accelerated hotel point earning
• Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670+)

Overview

The IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card is the go-to card for businesses that book frequently at IHG properties including Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, InterContinental, Kimpton, and Hotel Indigo. The card earns a massive 26X total points per dollar at IHG hotels (including the 10X base member earning rate plus 16X card bonus), 5X on travel, gas stations, and restaurants, and 3X on all other purchases.

The annual free night certificate is the standout benefit, often worth far more than the $99 annual fee when used at a premium IHG property. The card also provides automatic IHG Platinum Elite status, which includes room upgrades when available, late checkout, welcome amenities, and bonus points on stays. For business travelers who stay at IHG properties even a few times per year, these status benefits add meaningful comfort and value.

Additional perks include a fourth night free on reward stays booked through IHG, no foreign transaction fees, and the ability to earn Global Entry or TSA PreCheck reimbursement. The 3X base rate on all non-category purchases is higher than most hotel co-branded cards offer, making this card solid for everyday spending even outside of travel categories.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 21.49%-28.49% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: N/A
• Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable
• Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% variable

Note: Your APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. There is no introductory APR offer on purchases.

Benefits Overview

IHG Point Earning

• 26X total points per dollar at IHG hotels and resorts
• 5X points on travel, gas stations, and restaurants
• 3X points on all other purchases
• Points earning includes base IHG member rate plus card bonus

Free Night and Elite Status

• Annual free night certificate at eligible IHG properties
• Automatic IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status
• Platinum Elite includes room upgrades, late checkout, and welcome amenities
• Fourth night free on reward stays of four or more nights

Travel Benefits

• No foreign transaction fees
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
• Free employee cards that earn points on purchases
• Travel and purchase protection benefits

Rewards & Points

• 26X total points at IHG hotels and resorts
• 5X on travel, gas stations, and restaurants
• 3X on all other purchases

IHG One Rewards points are worth approximately 0.5 to 0.6 cents each, though value varies by property and redemption. The fourth night free on reward stays effectively saves 25% on longer stays. Platinum Elite status provides room upgrades and bonus points that increase overall value.

Welcome Bonus

New cardholders receive a free night reward certificate after their first purchase, which can be used at most IHG properties. Additional bonus points are available with qualifying spend thresholds in the first year. The free night certificate alone can be worth $100 to $300+ depending on the property and dates chosen.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $99
• Balance Transfer Fee: N/A (balance transfers not available)
• Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount, whichever is greater
• Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Employee Card Fee: $0

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• IHG frequent guests who stay at Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, InterContinental, or Kimpton properties
• Business travelers who want Platinum Elite status and room upgrades without qualifying through stays
• Road warriors who can use the annual free night certificate for high-value stays
• Everyday spenders who appreciate the 3X base rate on all non-category purchases

Not Good For

• Non-IHG travelers who prefer Marriott, Hilton, or Hyatt and would benefit from those co-branded cards
• Infrequent travelers who cannot use the free night or status benefits enough to justify the fee
• Cash back seekers who prefer simple cash rewards over hotel loyalty points

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• 26X total points at IHG properties is an exceptional hotel earning rate
• Annual free night certificate typically worth more than the $99 fee
• Automatic Platinum Elite status with room upgrades and late checkout
• 5X on travel, gas, and dining covers key business spending
• 3X on all other purchases is a strong base rate for a hotel card
• Fourth night free on reward stays saves 25% on longer stays
• No foreign transaction fees for international business travel
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit included
• Free employee cards that earn the same bonus rates
• IHG portfolio includes 6,000+ properties worldwide

Cons

• $99 annual fee is not waived in the first year
• IHG points have relatively low per-point value compared to Hyatt or Hilton
• Points are locked to the IHG ecosystem with no transfer partners
• No 0% intro APR for purchases
• Platinum Elite is not the top status tier and may not guarantee upgrades
• Free night certificate has property restrictions at some premium locations
• Balance transfers are not available on this card
• 26X rate only applies at IHG properties, which may not always be your first choice

Alternatives to Consider

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

Annual estimated value: $1,485 from ongoing earning, plus the free night certificate (worth $100-$300+), plus Platinum Elite status benefits. First-year total value can reach $1,800+ when including the welcome bonus.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If...

• You stay at IHG properties regularly for business travel
• You want automatic Platinum Elite status for room upgrades and perks
• The annual free night certificate covers or exceeds the $99 fee for you
• You travel internationally for business and need no foreign transaction fees
• You appreciate the high 3X base earning rate on everyday purchases
• You book multi-night reward stays and can use the fourth night free benefit

You Should Skip It If...

• You prefer Marriott, Hilton, or Hyatt over IHG properties
• You do not travel enough to use the free night or status benefits
• You prefer cash back or transferable points over hotel-locked rewards
• You need a 0% intro APR for business purchases
• Your business travel rarely includes IHG hotels

Apply Now

Apply for IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

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