Is the IHG One Rewards Premier card worth the annual fee?
Editor's Note
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 175,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
This bonus is worth $875, 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.
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
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees