IHG One Rewards Premier card review: A benefit-rich, must-have card for anyone even considering an IHG stay this year
2 min read
Our take: The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card may command a $99 annual fee (which is $99 more than its baby brother, the IHG One Rewards Traveler) but it piles on the perks and benefits to compensate. With a 140,000-point welcome bonus (after meeting the minimum spending requirement), instant Platinum Elite status (granting free upgrades/early check-in), up to 16X on IHG purchases, an automatic free anniversary night, and $150 in travel credits it’s virtually impossible not to glean $99 worth of value from this card.
That said, its IHG One Rewards points are really only good towards future IHG stays and upgrades so it’s no good as a general-use travel card. And if you’d rather not have yet-another annual fee to worry about—regardless of value—the Traveler card is a better fit.
But if you’re even considering staying at an IHG property this year (Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza etc.), the IHG One Rewards Premier card is a must-have.
Pros
- Staggering welcome bonus which when leveraged properly could get you over a week of stays
- Automatic Platinum Elite status grants free upgrades and early check-in
- The card’s base 10X combines with free IHG membership (10X) and automatic Platinum Elite status (6X) for a net 26X on IHG purchases
- Fourth night free on award bookings
- Automatic free night each year instantly covers the $99 annual fee
- Up to $150 worth of travel-related statement credits
- Travel insurance and purchase protection top off an impressive overall package
Cons
- IHG points are only worth roughly 0.7 cents each
- No cash redemption, and non-IHG redemption options (shopping, mile transfers) are a poor value
- Anniversary free night capped at 40k points in value (~$280), though you can book a more expensive stay by adding additional point to the certificate
- If you rarely or never stay at an IHG property, you won’t get your money’s worth from this card
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card Highlights
Card type: Hotel rewards, Travel…
Chris Butsch
2024-02-08 10:24:57
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