For travelers who choose IHG hotels, it pays to have one of the hotel's credit cards. You'll earn bonus points at IHG properties, automatic elite status and other benefits.
On Oct. 1, 2026, Chase and IHG launched a new top-tier card, the IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card, and upgraded the three existing cards. That makes four IHG cards: three for consumers and one for small business owners. Here's how to pick.
The IHG cards compared
IHG's consumer credit cards
Annual fee
- $0
- $150
- $350
Earning rates
• Up to 17 total points per $1 when you stay at an IHG hotel. (Includes points earned from using the card, points earned from being an IHG One Rewards member and bonus points from the Silver Elite status you get automatically as a cardholder.)
• 3 points per $1 at gas stations, restaurants and grocery stores.
• 2 points per $1 on all other purchases.
• Up to 24 total points per $1 when you stay at an IHG hotel. (Includes points earned from using the card, points earned from being an IHG One Rewards member and bonus points from the Gold Elite status you get automatically as a cardholder.)
• 5 points per $1 on flights booked directly, car rental agencies, dining, gas stations and grocery stores.
• 3 points per $1 on all other purchases.
• Up to 28 total points per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel. (Includes points earned from using the card, points earned from being an IHG One Rewards member and bonus points from the Platinum Elite status you get automatically as a cardholder.)
• 6 points per $1 on dining and all other travel including rideshare services.
• 3 points per $1 on all other purchases.
Bonus offer
Earn 125,000 Bonus Points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Earn 180,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 200,000 Bonus Points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Learn more
A closer look at IHG credit card offers
When evaluating the value of the welcome offers, keep in mind NerdWallet's valuation of IHG points at 0.6 cent each. The welcome offers on each card are:
- The IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card ($350 annual fee): Earn 200,000 Bonus Points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card ($150 annual fee): Earn 180,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- The IHG One Rewards Business Credit Card ($200 annual fee): Earn 190,000 Bonus Points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- The IHG One Rewards Credit Card ($0 annual fee): Earn 125,000 Bonus Points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Use the calculator below to find how much these sign-up offers are worth.
» Learn more: The best travel credit card welcome bonuses right now
Annual fees and the Anniversary Free Night
The Anniversary Free Night is the benefit that does the most to justify the annual fees on IHG's cards.
- The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card ($150 annual fee) offers a free night capped at 50,000 points (a value of about $300 at 0.6 cent each). That alone is double the annual fee.
- The IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card ($350 annual fee) comes with a higher, 60,000-point cap. That's worth about $360, which covers the fee on its own.
Then again, you do have to stay at an IHG hotel at least once a year to make the free night worth anything at all. If you're worried about committing to an IHG stay once a year, then the IHG One Rewards Credit Card, which has a $0 annual fee, is a better fit.
Note that all of those free nights can be topped off with points, so a room that costs 70,000 points could be booked using a 50,000 point award if you kick in 20,000 of your own points.
Of course, you could use it on a room that costs less than the award's full value, but you’d lose the difference.
Annual credits
The IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card has the most credits: up to $300 in food and beverage rewards (issued as $75 each quarter), a $200 airline statement credit and $50 in United TravelBank Cash. The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card and IHG One Rewards Business Credit Card offer smaller versions, at $100 each for food and beverage (broken out as $25 per quarter) and $100 for airlines.
These credits come with some strings, including that:
- Food and beverage credits apply only to purchases charged to your room at participating IHG hotels, so you can't use them at a local bar or restaurant. Maxing out those quarterly credits means staying and dining at IHG every quarter.
- The airline credit requires booking directly with the airline. Additionally, you must make a flight purchase of at least $250 to qualify for the credit.
Bonus points at IHG hotels and more
All four cards earn extra points on IHG stays, on top of what you earn as an IHG One Rewards member and from your elite status. The totals range from up to 17x on the IHG One Rewards Credit Card to up to 28x on the IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card. At NerdWallet's valuation, 28x works out to roughly a 17% return on your stay.
Here are some other key spending rewards on the card:
- IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card: 6x total points on dining and all other travel, including rideshare and 3x points per $1 on all other purchases.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: 5x total points on flights booked directly, car rental agencies, on dining, at grocery stores or gas stations and 3x points per $1 on all other purchases.
- IHG One Rewards Credit Card: 3x points on dining, at grocery stores and gas stations and 2x points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
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Elite status
Each card now comes with automatic status, and no stays are required:
- Platinum Elite: IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card and IHG One Rewards Business Credit Card.
- Gold Elite: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.
- Silver Elite: IHG One Rewards Credit Card.
Note that the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card used to come with automatic Platinum Elite status. If status is your priority, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is no longer the fastest path. Platinum perks include a welcome amenity, Confirmable Suite Upgrades, early check-in and late checkout, all subject to availability.
Cardholders also get elite night credits each year. The IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card's 20 credits immediately unlock IHG's first Milestone Reward, the 20-night milestone.
IHG cards, side-by-side
Annual fee | $0. | $150. | $350. | $200. |
Points earned for hotel stays at IHG Hotels and Resorts worldwide | Up to 17x total points when you combine IHG Card benefits with existing IHG One Rewards member benefits. | Up to 24x total points when you combine IHG Card benefits with existing IHG One Rewards member benefits. | Up to 28x total points when you combine IHG Card benefits with existing IHG One Rewards member benefits. | Up to 26x total points when you combine IHG Card benefits with existing IHG One Rewards member benefits. |
Welcome offer | Earn 125,000 Bonus Points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. | Earn 180,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | Earn 200,000 Bonus Points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | Earn 190,000 Bonus Points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. |
Anniversary night | None. | Up to 50,000 points. | Up to 60,000 points. | Up to 50,000 points. |
Elite status | Receive automatic Silver Elite status. | Receive automatic Gold Elite status. | Receive automatic Platinum Elite status. | Receive automatic Platinum Elite status. |
Annual credits | None. | $100 F&B, $100 airline (when you spend $250), $50 United TravelBank. | $300 F&B, $200 airline (when you spend $250), $50 United TravelBank. | $100 F&B, $100 airline (when you spend $250), $100 Expensify. |
Free night certificates can be topped off with IHG points if your room costs more than the cap. F&B is short for the Food & Beverage Rewards.
What hotel brands are part of IHG?
There are well over a dozen brands under the IHG One Rewards umbrella, ranging from budget to luxury, and there are over 6,000 hotels and resorts around the world to choose from.
IHG brands
- Atwell Suites.
- Avid.
- Candlewood Suites.
- Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts.
- Even.
- Garner.
- Holiday Inn Club Vacations.
- Holiday Inn Express.
- Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts.
- Hotel Indigo.
- Hualuxe.
- Iberostar Beachfront Resorts.
- InterContinental Hotels & Resorts.
- Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants.
- Regent Hotels & Resorts.
- Ruby.
- Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas.
- Staybridge Suites.
- Vignette Collection.
- Voco.
» Learn more: IHG One Rewards: More value for the frugal traveler
Which IHG card is best for you?
Best for most IHG travelers: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card ($150 annual fee). If you stay at IHG at least once a year, the Anniversary Free Night is worth about twice the fee, and you still get Gold status, 24x at IHG hotels and a $100 airline credit.
Best for IHG loyalists: IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card ($350 annual fee). If you stay and dine at IHG several times a year, the higher credits, Platinum status and larger free night can add up to well over the fee. Here's how it works out for a traveler who maxes out the benefits:
- Free night: about $360.
- Food and beverage credits: up to $300.
- Airline credit: $200.
- United TravelBank Cash: $50.
That's more than $900 in potential value, though you'll need to use it all. If you can't commit to IHG stays or direct-booked flights every year, the IHG One Rewards Credit Card is likely the better pick.
Best for business owners: IHG One Rewards Business Credit Card ($200 annual fee). It offers Platinum status, a 50,000-point free night, 26x at IHG hotels and a $100 Expensify credit.
Best for casual IHG stays: IHG One Rewards Credit Card ($0 annual fee). You'll still earn bonus points, get Silver status and unlock the fourth night free after $5,000 in spending, with no annual fee.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
- Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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