CreditStud.io may earn commissions from credit card applications through affiliate links. This does not affect our rankings or recommendations. Learn more
Chase

IHG One Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Annual fee
$99
Welcome bonus
175,000 IHG points
Intro APR
No intro APR offer on purchases
Reg. APR
21.49% – 28.49% Variable
Apply at Chase →

Quick verdict

Best for people who stay at ihg hotels 5+ nights per year (holiday inn, crowne plaza, intercontinental, kimpton). Skip if you don't stay at ihg properties. the earning rates outside ihg hotels are mediocre (3x dining/gas is common on no-af cards), and ihg points are worth only ~0.5¢ each. this card is only worth it if you actually book ihg hotels.

Rewards
★★★☆☆
3 / 5
Perks
★★★★☆
4 / 5
AF Value
★★★★½
4.5 / 5
Approval Ease
★★★☆☆
3 / 5
Overall
★★★½☆
3.8 / 5

🎁 Welcome bonus

175,000 IHG points after $3,000 spend in 3 months (worth ~$875 in hotels)

⚡ Rewards

CategoryRateType
IHG hotels & resorts 26x points
Dining 3x points
Gas stations 3x points
Flights on IHG partner airlines 3x points
Transit 3x points
Everything else 1x points

Points/miles valued at 0.50¢ each (CreditStud.io estimate based on typical travel redemption).

💰 Annual Credits ($300 total face value)

Free night award (up to 40K points) (Typical value of a 40K-point night) $200
$100 IHG statement credit (On purchases of $200+) $100

Credit value depends on you actually using them. Many credits are split monthly or semi-annually, so factor in your usage habits before counting them against the AF.

✨ Perks

🎯 Who should consider this card

✅ Best for

  • People who stay at IHG hotels 5+ nights per year (Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, InterContinental, Kimpton)
  • Families who book 4+ night stays (the 4th night free is huge)
  • Anyone who values a free annual night more than a $99 fee

❌ Skip if

You don't stay at IHG properties. The earning rates outside IHG hotels are mediocre (3x dining/gas is common on no-AF cards), and IHG points are worth only ~0.5¢ each. This card is only worth it if you actually book IHG hotels.

📊 Example: Typical traveler/diner

Dining: $400/mo × 12 × 3x$72 value
Everything else: $1500/mo × 12 × 1x$90 value
+ Annual credits (full use)$300
– Annual fee–$99
Net annual value+$363

Based on illustrative spending. Use our AF Worth It Calculator to plug in your real numbers.

📋 Application tips

Credit needed
Good to Excellent (670+)
Issuer rules
5/24 rule applies. Chase will typically deny if you've opened 5+ cards (any issuer) in 24 months. IHG card specifically may also be denied if you have an existing IHG card.

Not sure if you'll qualify? Try our credit score simulator to see what rate range you might fall into.

⚖️ Compare to similar cards

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase • $95 AF
Read review →
The Platinum Card® from American Express
American Express • $695 AF
Read review →
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
Citibank • $95 AF
Read review →

Side-by-side comparison tool →

❓ Frequently asked questions

Is the IHG Premier worth the $99 annual fee?
Yes, easily — if you stay at IHG hotels even once a year. The free night award (worth ~$150-200) and $100 statement credit together are worth $250-300, dwarfing the $99 fee. You're netting $150-200/year minimum just from the annual benefits.
How does the 4th night free on award stays work?
When you book an award stay of 4 or more nights at an IHG property using points, every 4th night is free (0 points required for that night). On a 4-night stay, you pay for 3 nights. On an 8-night stay, you pay for 6. This can save 25% on longer stays.
How much are IHG points worth?
~0.5¢ each, making the 26x rate on IHG stays equivalent to 13% back. That sounds great until you realize 175,000 points ≈ $875 in free nights. The points are most valuable at lower-tier properties like Holiday Inn Express where a night can cost 15,000-25,000 points.
Is the free night award really worth $200?
You can redeem it for any IHG hotel that costs up to 40,000 points per night. Many Holiday Inn Express and even some Crowne Plaza properties fall in this range. If you use it at a $200/night property (common in major cities), the value is $200. If you apply it to a $150 Holiday Inn, the value is $150.
How does this compare to the Hyatt card for hotel stays?
Hyatt points are worth ~1.5¢ each vs IHG's ~0.5¢ each, making Hyatt's earning more valuable per point. However, IHG has far more properties (6,000+ vs 1,300+), so availability is better. If you can find Hyatt properties where you travel, the Chase Hyatt card is better. If you need broad coverage, IHG wins.
Can I combine the free night with the 4th night free?
Yes! Book a 4-night award stay, and the 4th night is free. Then use your annual free night certificate for one of the paid nights. This combination can make a 4-night stay cost just 2 nights worth of points plus one certificate — incredibly efficient.

Ready to apply?

Application takes 5 minutes. Approval decision typically instant for qualified applicants.

Apply at Chase →

Reviewed by CreditStud.io editorial team • Last updated 2026-04-30 • Methodology & disclosure