Why you should get (and keep) the IHG One Rewards Premier card
Editor's Note
Whether you stay at IHG hotels and resorts a few times each year or weekly, you should seriously consider the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (see rates and fees).
This card has a compelling welcome offer to attract new cardholders. But it is also one of my favorite cards to keep long-term due to its many perks, which can easily offset its modest $99 annual fee.
Here’s why I love my IHG One Rewards Premier card and plan to keep it in my wallet for the foreseeable future.
Welcome offer
The welcome offer for the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
So, based on TPG’s June 2025 valuations, the welcome offer is worth $700.
Note that the IHG One Rewards Premier card and its welcome offer aren’t available if you are a:
- Current cardmember of any personal IHG One Rewards credit card
- Previous cardmember who received a new cardmember bonus within the last 24 months for any personal IHG One Rewards credit card
The Chase 5/24 rule may also prevent you from being approved for a new Chase credit card.
Related: Is the IHG One Rewards Premier card worth the annual fee?
Anniversary night
Even if you don’t spend many nights in hotels or prefer a different hotel loyalty program, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card may still be worth its $99 annual fee. After all, most cardholders can get more than $99 of value each year from one benefit: the IHG anniversary night certificate you receive after each account anniversary.
You can use the anniversary night for a night with a redemption rate of 40,000 points or less. If you want to use your anniversary night toward a night costing more than 40,000 points, you can redeem points from your IHG account to top up the certificate. You must redeem your anniversary night and complete your stay within 12 months of the certificate's issue date.
I’ve gotten good value from my anniversary nights over the years. And as long as you’re getting more than $99 of value from your anniversary night certificate each year, keeping the IHG One Rewards Premier card long-term likely makes sense, especially once you consider the card’s other perks.
Related: The 19 best IHG hotels in the world
Fourth-night reward perk
My favorite perk of the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is the “redeem three nights, get fourth reward night free” benefit. In short, this perk lets you pay zero points for every fourth night when you redeem IHG points for a stay of four nights or longer.
Let’s look at an example. For the following stay, I’d pay zero points for my fourth night due to the IHG fourth-night reward perk.
This perk also works for longer stays. For example, here’s an eight-night stay during which my fourth and eighth nights would cost zero points after the fourth-night reward perk.
Every fourth night will cost zero points, regardless of whether these nights are the cheapest or most expensive of your stay. Best of all, you can use this benefit unlimited times. So, if you frequently redeem IHG points for stays of four nights or longer, this card benefit will likely save you a significant amount of points.
Related: How my IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card pays for itself each year
Other valuable benefits
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers other useful benefits to cardholders, including:
- Automatic IHG Platinum Elite status for as long as you keep your IHG One Rewards Premier card
- The ability to earn Diamond Elite status through the end of the following calendar year, during any calendar year you make at least $40,000 in purchases with your IHG One Rewards Premier card
- No foreign transaction fees
- A Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for an application fee charged to your card
- A $25 United Airlines TravelBank cash deposit in your MileagePlus account twice a year (on or around Jan. 5 and July 5; you must complete a one-time registration for this perk)
- Earn a $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points each calendar year you make at least $20,000 in purchases with your IHG One Rewards Premier card
Plus, you’ll earn 10 points per dollar at IHG hotels and resorts, 5 points per dollar on other travel and hotels, gas stations and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services), and 3 points per dollar spent on other purchases with your card.
Related: The best hotel credit cards with annual fees under $100
Bottom line
Once you have the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, two card benefits — the anniversary night certificate and the fourth-night-reward perk — should provide significantly more value than the $99 annual fee each year. As such, I believe the IHG One Rewards Premier card is valuable to get and keep long-term.
Check out our full IHG Premier Credit Card review for more details.
Apply here: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.