IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card Review

IHG Hotels and Resorts is an international hotel company with over 6,000 hotels worldwide, including everyday lodgings like the Holiday Inn and luxury escapes like Six Senses and the InterContinental.

In partnership with Chase, IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card is offering a generous sign-up bonus currently, so if you’re an avid traveler for business or play, you need to consider tucking this rewards credit card into your wallet.

IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
• No foreign transaction fees
• Automatic “elite” status
• Extra travel and purchase coverage
• Multiple anniversary perks

Cons:

• Rewards inflexible
• Not ideal for everyday purchases

IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card Review

• Annual Fee: $0 First Year, then $89
• Regular APR: 15.99 to 22.99% variable
• Rewards: Up to 25 points per $1 spent at IHG hotels; 2x points at grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants; 1x point on all other purchases
• Foreign Transaction Fee: None
• Sign-Up Bonus: 150,000 bonus points
• Category:Travel

IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card Rewards

Earning Rewards

You can earn up to 25x the points per dollar at IHG hotels and Resorts outside of the very substantial welcome offer.

The earning schedule seems a little convoluted on paper, but the reality is that anyone approved for this card will earn the full 25x point bonus because of becoming an IHG Rewards Club member and then bumping up to Platinum Elite status is automatic.

Here is the breakdown:

• 10x the points at IHG Hotels and Resorts
• PLUS an additional 10x the points for being an IHG Rewards Club member
• PLUS an additional 5x the points from IHG Platinum Elite Status

By gaining Platinum Elite status, you can earn an additional point spread on top of what’s offered to normal members.

Read the fine print to verify how many points your preferred hotel or resort will earn you, as some do not earn the full 10-fold. For example, staying at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas will earn you 2,000 points per visit, but as a Platinum Elite member, you’ll receive an extra 1,000 points.

Cardmembers can collect 2x the points per $1 spent at grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, as well as 1x the points per $1 spent on all other purchases. You cannot earn rewards off balance transfers or cash advances, and betting transactions like purchasing casino chips or lottery tickets also don’t qualify. This is true of all credit cards.

Redeeming Rewards

You can redeem your rewards at IHG hotels and resorts at a dynamic rate where the redemption price roughly correlates with the cash cost of a room depending on the demand for your trip dates.

Reward nights can be redeemed with a combination of points and cash. You can also transfer your IHG points to over 30 national and international airlines at a 5 to 1 rate.

IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card Features and Benefits

Generous 150,000 Bonus Points Welcome Offer

You must spend $3,000 on your new card in the first three months of account opening to earn the additional 150,000 points.

This sizable offer is estimated to be worth $750 by credit card gurus. This bonus is not afforded to current IHG Premier cardholders or those who have received a bonus on this card in the past two years.

Anniversary Reward Night

On each yearly anniversary of account opening, cardmembers can redeem one standard room for one night stay.

The prior version of this credit card had an uncapped reward night, allowing cardmembers the chance to stay in 5-star dwellings for less. However, these hotels can only cost up to 40,000 points a night. Don’t forget, you’re on the hook for parking, and other resorts fees, or any incidentals, and this reward cannot be transferred, extended past the expiration date, or credited back for points.

Speaking of anniversaries, every 12 months, you can earn an additional 10,000 points if you spend $20,000 during the year and make at least one additional purchase after you reach the $20,000 threshold.

Fourth Reward Night

When redeeming reward night stays for four consecutive nights, your fourth night is free at participating IHG hotels or resorts.

This offer does not apply to paid stays or point bookings, but you can enjoy this fourth reward night on an unlimited number of trips annually.

IHG Platinum Elite Status

As an IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Cardholder, you are automatically upgraded to IHG Rewards Club Platinum Elite status.

Of course, you must remain a cardmember to enjoy this benefit. Platinum status affords you many bonuses like exclusive rates, complimentary room upgrades, and priority check-in.

How Does IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card Compare to Other Cards?

#1. IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card vs. Citi Premier® Card

The Citi Premier® Card may be more useful for travelers who aren’t loyal to a certain hotel chain. Its annual fee is slightly higher than the IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card, but both do not have foreign transaction fees.

Citi Premier rewards do not expire, unlike those from IHG. However, these rewards hold less value than their IHG counterparts.

#2. IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card vs. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

When opening a Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, new members are eligible for a 60,000-mile bonus as long as they spend $3,000 on purchases within the three months of account opening.

This card earns 2x the miles on everyday purchases and offers more flexibility with redemption than the IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card does.

#3. IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card vs. World of Hyatt Credit Card

Both the IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card and World of Hyatt Credit Card offer anniversary perks in the form of free nights.

In the same respect, the IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card caters to IHG loyalists. The Hyatt card is made for the frequent Hyatt patron.

According to credit card experts, the World of Hyatt Credit Card rewards hold the most value for luxury travelers than other hotel-specific card options.

#4. IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card vs. Platinum Card® from American Express

American Express is known for its prestigious benefits, and with a $695 annual fee, the Platinum Card® from American Express certainly delivers.

This exclusive card has rewards from airline credits and monthly Uber cash to Audible credits and access to over 1,300 airport lounges across the globe.

Additionally, cardmembers earn 10x the points on eligible restaurants worldwide plus 5x points on air and hotel-related purchases.

It’s much easier to qualify for the IHG card as you must have an excellent credit score and enjoy a high level of income to be approved for the AMX.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Credit Score Do You Need for IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card?

690-850, or good to excellent. As always, the higher your score, the greater likelihood of approval with a lower APR.

Is the IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card Worth It?

If you’re not an avid traveler, the IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card may not worth signing up for. However, their 150,000 bonus is a lot if you consider redeeming night stays for as little as 10,000 a night. Another perk of the IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card is protecting travel-related purchases such as baggage delay insurance, trip cancellation or interruption protection, and lost luggage reimbursement.

We would be remiss to not mention Chase’s 5/24 rule the company doesn’t readily publish. It states no one is eligible for a new Chase credit card if they have opened five or more credit cards in the past 24 months, regardless of the bank’s creditor. If you are near your five-card limit, the IHG credit card might not be the best one to take the last slot.

Does IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card Have an Annual Fee?

After the first year free, it is $89 annually.

Bottom Line: IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card Review

The IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card is a must-have for IHG loyalists, but if you want different hotel options, ­you may be better off with a more versatile travel card.

The welcome bonus translates to a lot of points per dollar (remember, it’s 25x the points!), and according to Chase, the offer is ending soon.