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 up to 185,000 bonus points: 150,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus an additional 35,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening.
This bonus is worth up to $1,110, according to TPG's April 2026 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 15.6%, 3% and 1.8% return on spending, respectively, based on our 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.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.