IHG One Rewards Card Review: Plentiful Points, No Annual Fee

Solid welcome bonus

The IHG One Rewards Credit Card comes with a pretty generous welcome offer for a $0-a-year card: Earn 125,000 Bonus Points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best credit card bonuses for new cardholders

An introductory bonus for adding an authorized user

Earn 10,000 bonus points after adding an authorized user in the first three months of opening the account. Your authorized user gets a physical credit card linked to your account with spending privileges and a chance to piggyback on your good credit. It’s a decent offer, but you’ll have to be cautious of who you add as an authorized user since they have the ability to spend on your account and the payments are your responsibility.

Automatic Silver Elite status

As a cardholder, you get automatic Silver Elite status with the IHG One Rewards program, which includes 20% bonus points, no blackout dates for reward nights, expiration-free points, complimentary internet and late checkout when available.

Elevated rewards on IHG purchases

Use your IHG One Rewards Credit Card to book an eligible IHG hotel room and you'll earn 5 points per $1 spent. On top of that, for most bookings, you get 10 points per dollar spent for being an IHG One Rewards member. (If you aren't already a member, you'll automatically be signed up when you're approved for the card). Finally, you'll earn an additional 2 points per $1 spent for having Silver Elite status.

Free night potential

Each calendar year that you make purchases of $5,000 or more with the card, you’ll get a fourth reward night free for the remainder of the year in which you qualify and the following calendar year. This offer starts in 2027 and applies to a standard room rewards night stay of four or more consecutive nights within the same redemption. Terms apply.

5 Elite Night Credits each calendar year

The 5 Elite Night Credits you receive every year can inch you closer to the next status tier level, which unlocks even more membership perks.

Potentially more incentives for big spenders

You can earn Gold Elite status and 10,000 bonus points when you spend at least $15,000 with the card in a calendar year. Depending on your expenses, it might be possible to meet the requirement if you put most of your purchases on the card. The status is good through the end of the year it’s earned and the following calendar year. Gold Elite Status can get you a 40% bonus on base points earned through the IHG rewards membership, no blackout dates for reward nights, expiration-free points, complimentary internet, rollover nights for next year’s status and extended checkout when available.

Lower point value

A low individual point value isn't necessarily bad if you earn enough points per dollar to make up for their lesser value. But it's still something to keep in mind when comparing hotel loyalty programs. This card can earn you a pile of points, but they may not go as far as the points from other hotel rewards programs or travel rewards cards.

Limited use of your rewards

If you're considering a particular hotel card, take into account how much you'll benefit from the loyalty program. If you don't see yourself spending most of your travel nights at an IHG property, then this isn't the card for you. Although it's possible to transfer points to one of IHG's airline partners, you won't get great value going this route, nor with options such as merchandise, gift cards or donations.

Possible alternatives

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

If you'd appreciate greater flexibility, consider a general-purpose travel rewards card whose points aren't locked into a particular loyalty program. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, for example, earns the following:

• 5 points per $1 spent on all travel purchased through Chase.

• 3 points per $1 spent on dining (including eligible delivery services and takeout).

• 3 points per $1 spent on select streaming services.

• 3 points per $1 spent on online grocery purchases (not including Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).

• 3 points per $1 spent on gas and EV charging.

• 3 points per $1 spent on vacation homes booked directly with brands like Airbnb and VRBO.

• 2 points per $1 spent on travel not purchased through Chase.

• 1 point per $1 spent on other purchases.

It also comes with a generous sign-up bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. With the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, points can potentially take on greater value when you redeem them for travel through Chase. You can also transfer them to multiple travel partners. The card's annual fee is $95.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

The IHG portfolio includes more than 7,000 hotels and resorts, but if you want even greater variety for both earning and redeeming hotel rewards, consider the Marriott network of over 10,000 properties. Marriott offers multiple cards, but if you're looking to avoid an annual fee, check out the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card. It pays 3 points per dollar spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties, plus 2 points on:

• Grocery store purchases.

• Rideshare purchases.

• Select streaming, internet, cable and phone services.

It, too, comes with a welcome bonus: Earn 45,000 Bonus Points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card! NerdWallet estimates the value of Bonvoy points at 0.7 cent apiece.

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