Is the IHG One Rewards Premier card worth the annual fee?

Every year, you should evaluate what's in your wallet and decide which cards you're keeping. Typically, it's best to make that decision before the next annual fee is due.

Among the things you should consider are how much the annual fee costs and what kind of value you're getting out of a card. And remember, even if a card has a lower annual fee, that doesn't automatically mean it's worth keeping.

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (see rates and fees) is a popular hotel card with a $99 annual fee, but is it worth a place in your wallet? Here's what you should know before choosing.

Welcome offer

New applicants for the IHG Premier card can earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

This bonus is worth $700, according to TPG's June 2025 valuations.

Note that you can't get this bonus if you currently have a personal IHG credit card, such as the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card (see rates and fees), or if you've received a welcome bonus on any IHG personal credit card in the past 24 months.

You can redeem your points for luxury stays at hotels like the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort or budget-friendly properties like the Holiday Inn Agra — the city in which you can visit the Taj Mahal.

Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions

Annual free night award

On each account anniversary, you'll receive a free night award worth up to 40,000 points, valid for bookings with IHG One Rewards. If you want to redeem it for a hotel that costs more, you can top it up with points from your account.

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This free night award can be used for up to $200 in value, per TPG's June 2025 valuations, meaning this benefit alone could justify the card's annual fee of $99.

Related: How to use the IHG One Rewards anniversary night certificate

United TravelBank Cash

In January and July, you'll receive $25 credits to your United TravelBank Cash balance. These funds can be used to purchase flights operated by United and United Express.

These credits can reduce your out-of-pocket costs when buying cash fares, but they do have limitations:

• They expire about six months after they are deposited, i.e., on July 15 and Jan. 15.
• Funds cannot be used to pay taxes and fees on award travel or for inflight purchases.
• TravelBank funds cannot be combined with vouchers from canceled flights.

Still, if you can maximize this benefit, you'll easily justify over half the card's annual fee.

Related: The 5 easiest travel credits to redeem

Automatic status

Cardholders will enjoy complimentary Platinum Elite status with the IHG Premier card, which is the second-highest tier in the IHG One Rewards program.

Benefits at this level include:

• Complimentary upgrades at check-in (based on availability)
• Early check-in and late checkout, subject to availability
• A welcome amenity of either points or a drink and snack
• Guaranteed room availability within 72 hours

Related: So, what exactly is elite status in travel — and how can I get it?

Fourth night free on award stays

IHG cardholders can also use the fourth night free benefit when redeeming points for award stays with IHG.

When using points to cover a stay of four nights or more, each fourth night is free. The value of this benefit will vary based on how often you use it and the price of the hotels where you use it.

Other perks

Cardholders earn 10 points per dollar spent at IHG when paying for a stay with the IHG Premier card. This means they can net up to 26 points per dollar spent when they earn an additional 10 points per dollar spent for being IHG One Rewards members on top of 6 points per dollar spent thanks to their Platinum elite status (a benefit that comes with this card).

You'll also earn 5 points per dollar spent on travel, hotels, gas stations and dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and 3 points per dollar spent on other purchases.

That amounts to a 13%, 2.5% and 1.5% return on spending, respectively, based on TPG's June 2025 valuations.

Other key benefits include reimbursement (once every four years) for your application fee to Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus and a 20% discount on points purchases (though this can't be added to other sales on IHG points).

You'll also earn a $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases on your card in a calendar year.

The IHG Premier card also offers valuable travel and shopping protections. You'll enjoy trip cancellation and interruption insurance and purchase protection.

Related: How an often overlooked credit card benefit put $1,400 back in my wallet

Bottom line

If you can use this card's perks for average value (or better), you should have no problem justifying its annual fee and keeping it in your wallet.

But if your IHG stays are infrequent and you don't take advantage of the cardholder benefits that come with the IHG Premier card, then the $99 annual fee may not be worth it.

For more details, read our full review of the IHG One Rewards Premier.

Apply here: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card