The Best Hotel Card in the US?; IHG® One Rewards Premier Credit Card

Unlock Exceptional Travel Benefits with the IHG® One Rewards Premier Credit Card

The IHG® One Rewards Premier Credit Card, issued by Chase, is a compelling choice for travelers seeking to maximize their stays at IHG Hotels & Resorts. With a generous welcome offer, robust earning potential, and a suite of travel perks, this card enhances your travel experiences while delivering significant value. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the card’s features, current welcome offer, and strategies to optimize its benefits.

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Earning Points

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers a tiered rewards structure:

Up to 26X Points at IHG Properties

• 10X Points per dollar spent using the card at IHG Hotels & Resorts.
• Up to 10X Points from IHG for being an IHG One Rewards member.
• Up to 6X Points from IHG with Platinum Elite Status, a benefit of this card.

Why It Matters: This accelerated earning rate allows you to accumulate points rapidly during your stays, facilitating quicker access to free nights and other rewards.

5X Points on Travel, Dining, and Gas Stations

• 5X Points per dollar spent on travel, dining (including takeout and eligible delivery), and at gas stations.

Why It Matters: These everyday spending categories enable you to earn elevated points on routine expenses, enhancing the card’s overall value.

3X Points on All Other Purchases

• 3X Points per dollar on all other purchases.

Why It Matters: A solid return on general spending ensures that every purchase contributes meaningfully to your rewards balance.

Key Benefits

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is equipped with several features designed to enhance your travel experience:

Anniversary Free Night

Receive an anniversary free night certificate each account anniversary year, redeemable at IHG properties with a point redemption cap of 40,000 points. You can also use existing points to redeem your Anniversary Night at hotels above the 40,000-point level.

Why It Matters: This benefit can offset the card’s annual fee, providing substantial value year after year.

Fourth Reward Night Free

When you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG hotel stay, you receive the fourth Reward Night free.

Why It Matters: This perk maximizes the value of your points during extended stays, effectively reducing the cost per night.

Automatic Platinum Elite Status

Enjoy Platinum Elite Status as long as you remain a cardmember, granting benefits like complimentary room upgrades (subject to availability), extended check-out, and priority customer service.

Why It Matters: Elite status enhances your stay with added comfort and convenience, elevating your overall travel experience.

Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS Statement Credit

Receive a statement credit of up to $100 (increasing to $120 starting October 1, 2024) every four years as reimbursement for the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS when charged to your card.

Why It Matters: Expedited airport security screening saves time and reduces travel stress, streamlining your journey.

United® TravelBank Cash

Earn up to $50 in United® TravelBank Cash each calendar year after registering your card with your MileagePlus® account.

Why It Matters: This feature provides additional savings on United Airlines flights, adding flexibility to your travel plans.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

Use your card internationally without incurring foreign transaction fees.

Why It Matters: This benefit makes the card ideal for international travel, saving you money on purchases abroad.

Annual Fee

The card carries an annual fee of $99.

Why It Matters: The array of benefits, including the anniversary free night and elevated earning rates, can easily offset the annual fee for frequent travelers.

Maximizing Your IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

Meet the Welcome Offer Spending Requirement

Aim to spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months to earn the 140,000 bonus points.

• Tip: Utilize the card for everyday expenses such as groceries, dining, and travel bookings to reach this threshold.

Optimize Spending in Bonus Categories

Use your card for travel, dining, and gas station purchases to earn 5X points per dollar spent.

• Tip: Consolidate spending in these categories to maximize point accumulation.

Leverage the Anniversary Free Night

Plan to use the anniversary free night certificate at properties where the nightly rate exceeds the card’s annual fee to maximize value.

• Tip: Book early, especially during peak travel seasons, to ensure availability.

Take Advantage of the Fourth Night Free Benefit

When planning longer stays, aim for four-night redemptions to receive the fourth night free, effectively reducing the total points required.

• Tip: This benefit is ideal for vacations or business trips requiring extended stays.

Maintain Elite Status

Enjoy the perks of Platinum Elite Status, such as room upgrades and late check-out, to enhance your stays.

• Tip: Always present your IHG One Rewards number upon check-in to ensure benefits are applied.

Utilize the Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS Credit

Apply for one of these trusted traveler programs using your card to receive a statement credit for the application fee.

• Tip: Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck® benefits, making it the best choice for international travelers.

Register for United® TravelBank Cash

Link your card to your United MileagePlus® account to receive up to $50 in United TravelBank Cash annually.

• Tip: Apply this cash to United flights to save on airfare costs.

Plan Ahead for Reward Stays

Use IHG’s Points & Cash option if you don’t have enough points for a full redemption, allowing you to combine points and cash for stays.

• Tip: Book reward stays during promotional periods or at properties with lower redemption rates to stretch your points further.

Use the Card Internationally

Take advantage of the no foreign transaction fees feature when traveling abroad, saving money on purchases in foreign currencies.

• Tip: Use the card for dining, shopping, and accommodations during international trips to earn elevated points.

Redeeming Points

IHG points can be redeemed for various rewards, with hotel stays offering the best value:

Hotel Stays

Redeem points for free nights at IHG properties, including brands like InterContinental, Kimpton, Crowne Plaza, and Holiday Inn.

• Tip: Look for PointBreaks promotions, which offer stays at select properties for as little as 5,000 points per night.

Experiences and Merchandise

Redeem points for travel experiences, gift cards, and merchandise, though the redemption value may be lower than for hotel stays.

• Tip: Focus on travel-related redemptions to maximize point value.

Points Transfer

Transfer points to airline partners to book flights, though this typically offers less value compared to hotel redemptions.

• Tip: Only transfer points when you have a specific flight redemption in mind.

Is the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card Right for You?

This card is ideal for individuals who frequently stay at IHG properties and value flexibility in earning and redeeming rewards. The generous welcome offer, elevated earning rates, and travel perks like the anniversary free night and fourth reward night free make it a top choice for both leisure and business travelers.

However, if you rarely stay at IHG properties or prefer a card with broader travel benefits, you may want to explore other options.

Final Thoughts

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers an impressive array of benefits tailored for IHG loyalists. From earning points on everyday purchases to enjoying exclusive travel perks like the anniversary free night and Platinum Elite Status, this card delivers exceptional value.

• By strategically utilizing its features, you can enhance your travel experiences while offsetting the card’s annual fee. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a global adventure, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is a valuable tool to help you achieve your travel goals.
  
• Note: The information provided is accurate as of October 2024. Please visit the official Chase website for the most up-to-date details and terms.