IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
The IHG Premier is an outstanding hotel card value. For $99 you get an anniversary free night worth up to 40,000 points, automatic Platinum Elite status, the fourth night free on award stays, and $50 in annual United TravelBank Cash.
Pros & cons
- 185,000-point limited-time welcome offer among the best Chase hotel card offers available
- Anniversary free night up to 40,000 points -- more than the annual fee on a single use
- Fourth Reward Night Free on award stays amplifies value on every multi-night stay
- Automatic Platinum Elite status with room upgrades and late checkout
- $50 United TravelBank Cash each year after registering
- $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck every 4 years
- IHG points worth approximately 0.5-0.7 cents each -- lower than Chase or Amex points
- Platinum Elite does not include breakfast or lounge at most IHG properties
- $50 United TravelBank Cash requires registering card with MileagePlus
- IHG property quality varies widely across brands
Who this card is for
Frequent IHG guests who stay at Holiday Inn, Kimpton, Crowne Plaza, or InterContinental 4+ times a year
United Airlines flyers who can use the $50 TravelBank Cash
Travelers who take multi-night award stays and benefit from the fourth-night-free
Those who need Global Entry/TSA PreCheck coverage at a low annual fee
Travelers whose primary hotel brand is Marriott, Hilton, or Hyatt
Those seeking aspirational award redemptions -- IHG points do not stretch as far as Hyatt
Cardholders who rarely stay at IHG brands and cannot use the anniversary free night
Earning rates
Benefits breakdown
The IHG Premier earns at elevated rates on IHG stays and everyday spending, with structured annual benefits that more than offset the fee for regular IHG guests.
What to look out for
Anniversary Night Capped at 40,000 Points
Higher-end InterContinental or Kimpton properties require supplementing with account points.
Platinum Elite Has Limits
No complimentary breakfast at all properties and lounge access is property-dependent. Diamond status ($40,000 spend) unlocks more.
United TravelBank Cash Requires Registration
Must link card to MileagePlus. Not automatic.
