It’s no secret that I am a fan of IHG credit cards. They have given me great value internationally in Dubai and Vietnam. In both of those places, I got suite upgrades! I have also used IHG points to stay at beautiful Kimpton hotels in the USA. Redeeming IHG points at hotels like Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites is great for families, too. This post is all about IHG credit cards.

 

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has an annual fee of $99, and the fee is not waived the first year. With the IHG Premier card, you’ll earn: 

• 10 points per $1 spent at IHG hotels and resorts
• 5 points per $1 spent on travel, gas stations, and restaurants 
• 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases

This makes it a great card for paying for gas, which has skyrocketed lately. It is also a good card for dining out. Other great benefits include:

• Free annual night certificate at hotels that cost up to 40,000 points/night (you can top off each certificate with points from your IHG account to stay at higher-priced properties)
• Automatic Platinum Elite status for as long as you have the card (has given me suite upgrades in Asia)
• Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit every four years
• Fourth night free on award stays—this is a huge benefit!!
• $50 United TravelBank Cash after enrolling ($25 semi-annually)

 

I think that this is one of those cards where the benefits outweigh the annual fee. I keep it year after year. It is possible to use the free annual night certificate for a hotel that is worth over $200. Getting that fourth night free on award stays also saves me a ton of points. The IHG Premier Card is a card my husband and I have, and we have no intention of closing it unless we decide to go for the welcome offer again in the future. Is it worth a 5/24 spot, though? If hotels are your main goal, yes. However, we always prefer to earn more transferrable points due to their flexibility. 

 

IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card

The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card does not have an annual fee and does not come with a free night certificate each year. You cannot hold both the IHG Premier card and the IHG Traveler card. If we had to choose one, we would choose the Premier because the benefits are much better.  

With the IHG Traveler card, you’ll earn: 

• 5 points per $1 spent at IHG hotels and resorts
• 3 points per $1 spent on utilities, internet, cable, phone services, select streaming services, gas stations, and restaurants 
• 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases

Other great benefits include:

• Automatic Silver Elite status for as long as you have the card 
• Fourth night free on award stays

 

 

 

IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

The IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card is the business version of the personal Premier card, and the benefits are almost identical. Because business cards don’t count towards your 5/24 count, it could make more sense to open the business version (or both if you really want to rack up IHG points)! The annual fee is $99, and this card will also get you that free night certificate we like so much! With the IHG Premier Business card, you’ll earn: 

• 10 points per $1 spent at IHG hotels and resorts
• 5 points per $1 spent on travel, gas stations, restaurants, social media, search engine advertising, and office supply stores
• 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases

Other perks include:

• Free annual night certificate at hotels that cost up to 40,000 points/night (you can top off each certificate with points from your IHG account to stay at higher-priced properties)
• Automatic Platinum Elite status for as long as you have the card
• Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit every four years
• Fourth night free on award stays
• $50 United TravelBank Cash after enrolling ($25 semi-annually)

 

 

 

What You Can Do With 140,000 IHG Rewards Points

If you are looking for a luxury hotel, look at the IHG Kimpton or Intercontinental brands. You could get 3-4 nights at one of these hotels, depending on the rate when you are looking. 

 

IHG points are also great for family stays at Staybridge Suites. Free breakfast, free laundry, pets welcome, and free bites in the evening from Monday-Wednesday. It really is so family-friendly. Wanting to go to Disney World? The Staybridge Suites: Orlando Airport is a great choice for families with two queen beds, a living area with a sleeper sofa, and a full kitchen. And I found nights for 25,000 points, so you could get 5 nights for 100,000 points with one night free as an IHG cardholder!

 

Bottom Line

The IHG Premier Card is a great beginner card and comes with great benefits. It is one of my favorite cards that I keep year after year, and my annual free night certificate more than covers the annual fee. It is a keeper in my wallet and one that I highly recommend. I will also be applying for the business version soon as I find my IHG cards very valuable.