What is the best IHG® Credit Card Offer in November 2024?
While the [data-lightrail id="1147"]{name}[/data-lightrail] has an annual fee, it also has a better sign-up bonus and more points-earning potential, making it the best IHG credit card.
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For frequent travelers who enjoy staying at IHG® hotel properties, being part of the IHG Rewards Program can help you earn free nights, perks and privileges. One of the best ways to accumulate those points is by getting one of the co-branded IHG credit cards from Chase: The [data-lightrail id="1209"]{name}[/data-lightrail] or the [data-lightrail id="1147"]{name}[/data-lightrail]. Business owners and entrepreneurs can also earn valuable IHG rewards with the [data-lightrail id="2254"]{name}[/data-lightrail]. While these cards are similar, they all feature differing annual fees, sign-up bonuses and rewards rates.
Choosing between the IHG cards really depends on how much traveling you do, and if achieving status in the Rewards Program is important to you.
Compare the best IHG Credit Cards of [date:custom:Y]
[table-creditcard-roundup ids="1209,1147,2254,92" links="#Which,#Which,#Which,#Which" max_default_rows="30"] No annual fee | Elevated benefits and status | Business owners | Travel rewards[/table-creditcard-roundup]Which IHG credit card should you choose?
Choosing a hotel credit card should always start by figuring out your needs.
Choose the [data-lightrail id="1209"]{name}[/data-lightrail] if…
You want to earn rewards to put toward occasional hotel stays and you have a brand loyalty to IHG hotels, but don’t want to pay an annual fee.
Choose the [data-lightrail id="1147"]{name}[/data-lightrail] if…
You want to achieve tier status in IHG's Rewards Program, and you plan to do enough travel to take advantage of the extra card benefits and outearn the annual fee.
Choose the [data-lightrail id="2254"]{name}[/data-lightrail] if…
You are a business owner or entrepreneur who wants to take advantage of business spending to earn rewards to put towards hotel stays at IHG hotels.
Choose the [data-lightrail id="92"]{name}[/data-lightrail] if…
You need flexible travel rewards to book hotels outside of the IHG umbrella.
The [data-lightrail id="1209"]{name}[/data-lightrail] vs. the [data-lightrail id="1147"]{name}[/data-lightrail]
The best way to describe how the two personal IHG cards compare is to think of the [data-lightrail id="1209"]{name}[/data-lightrail] as an introductory product, and the [data-lightrail id="1147"]{name}[/data-lightrail] as an upgrade for luxury perks. The IHG Rewards Premier Business Credit Card is nearly identical to the [data-lightrail id="1147"]{name}[/data-lightrail], but geared toward business owners.
For those who plan to get away a few times per year and enjoy IHG properties, the [data-lightrail id="1209"]{name}[/data-lightrail] should suffice. On the other hand, frequent travelers who want to score higher-end VIP travel perks will find the [data-lightrail id="1147"]{name}[/data-lightrail] well worth the annual fee. Business owners can earn the same higher-end perks and rewards with the IHG Rewards Premier Business Credit Card.
Here's how the card features match up:
Both IHG cards award points in the same categories, with the exception of monthly bills, but their earning rates on IHG Hotel & Rewards purchases differ. With the [data-lightrail id="1209"]{name}[/data-lightrail], you can [data-lightrail id="1209"]{rewardsRateDesc}[/data-lightrail]
The [data-lightrail id="1147"]{name}[/data-lightrail] allows you to [data-lightrail id="1147"]{rewardsRateDesc}[/data-lightrail]
Winner: [data-lightrail id="1147"]{name}[/data-lightrail]
Sign-up bonuses are typically a big draw for co-branded hotel cards. The [data-lightrail id="1209"]{name}[/data-lightrail] lets you [data-lightrail id="1209"]{signUpBonus}[/data-lightrail]. Based on our estimated point value, this bonus is worth approximately $400. That could be worth as much as three free nights depending on the property you choose.
The [data-lightrail id="1147"]{name}[/data-lightrail] offers a slightly higher bonus, but with a higher-spending threshold: You'll [data-lightrail id="1147"]{signUpBonus}[/data-lightrail]. That’s around $700 in value, which can score as many as five free nights depending on a property’s redemption values.
Winner: [data-lightrail id="1147"]{name}[/data-lightrail]
Another perk of hotel cards is often an annual bonus or a free room night certificate. The entry-level [data-lightrail id="1209"]{name}[/data-lightrail] does not offer any yearly benefits, however. This is where the higher-tier [data-lightrail id="1147"]{name}[/data-lightrail] and [data-lightrail id="2254"]{name}[/data-lightrail] stand out. Cardholders get a free night certificate on their card anniversary each year. The card also offers a 10,000-point bonus if you reach $20,000 of spending on the card each year.
Winner: [data-lightrail id="1147"]{name}[/data-lightrail] and [data-lightrail id="2254"]{name}[/data-lightrail]
The [data-lightrail id="1209"]{name}[/data-lightrail] doesn't charge an annual fee. The [data-lightrail id="1147"]{name}[/data-lightrail] and [data-lightrail id="2254"]{name}[/data-lightrail] have an annual fee — but that fee could be worthwhile for certain types of spending styles. The free anniversary night on its own practically cancels it out — assuming you will use the certificate.
Both cards offer a higher sign-up bonus worth more than the [data-lightrail id="1209"]{name}[/data-lightrail], which essentially covers the annual fee for three years. Note that you also need to consider if you can meet a higher spending minimum to activate that bonus.
Deciding if paying the annual fee is worth it really comes down to whether you stay often enough at IHG hotels to take advantage of either card's higher earning rate on hotel stays and hotel benefits.
Winner: [data-lightrail id="1209"]{name}[/data-lightrail]
The [data-lightrail id="1209"]{name}[/data-lightrail] offers automatic Silver Elite status, which unlocks benefits like priority check-in and Elite Members points that don't expire.
Of course, the higher the IHG elite-status tier, the better the perks and benefits. The [data-lightrail id="1147"]{name}[/data-lightrail] and IHG Rewards Premier Business Credit Card reward automatic Platinum Elite status, with no spending threshold required. This gives members access to all of the same Silver and Gold Elite benefits plus additional perks like complimentary room upgrades and 60% bonus earnings on base points.
Status chasers will be well served by the [data-lightrail id="1147"]{name}[/data-lightrail], whereas those who don’t plan on using such benefits might opt for the no-fee [data-lightrail id="1209"]{name}[/data-lightrail].
Winner: [data-lightrail id="1147"]{name}[/data-lightrail] and [data-lightrail id="2254"]{name}[/data-lightrail]
All three cards offer the fourth night free when you redeem points on a stay of four or more nights. Cardholders of both programs also get travel protections including baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, purchase protection, and trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance.
However, only the [data-lightrail id="1147"]{name}[/data-lightrail] and [data-lightrail id="2254"]{name}[/data-lightrail] offer a "]Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit of up to $100 every four years.
Winner: [data-lightrail id="1147"]{name}[/data-lightrail] and [data-lightrail id="2254"]{name}[/data-lightrail]
How much are IHG points worth?
IHG points are worth approximately .5 cents each.
The value of your IHG points can vary depending on how you choose to redeem them. With hotel co-branded credit cards, typically you get the most value by redeeming them for award stays.
How many IHG points are needed for a rewards night?
The points needed to book a free night at an IHG hotel or resort varies based on the property and other factors. You can book a room at select IHG properties for as little as 5,000 IHG points in some cases.
IHG hotel brands
IHG is home to 18 hotel brands at over 6,000 destinations around the world. Brands cover a multitude of travel needs and accommodation types from luxury and all-inclusive resorts to extended-stay suites and economy hotels. IHG brands include:
- Atwell Suites
- Avid Hotels
- Candlewood Suites
- Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts
- EVEN Hotels
- Holiday Inn Club Vacations
- Holiday Inn Express
- Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts
- Hotel Indigo
- HAULUXE Hotels and Resorts
- Iberostar Hotels & Resorts
- InterContinental Hotels and Resorts
- Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants
- Regent Hotels and Resorts
- Six Senses Hotels Resorts and Spas
- Staybridge Suites
- Vignette Collection
- Voco Hotels
Tips for using an IHG credit card
To make the most of the IHG credit cards' benefits, try to do the following:
- Spend the minimum amount required to earn the sign-up bonus for the card you choose, as it’s the biggest upfront reward you can get. Ideally, you should time your card application with a large purchase you were planning to make anyway.
- Use the card to book stays at IHG hotels and make purchases on the properties.
- If you don’t have other rewards cards with better rates on gas, groceries and restaurants, consider using the card for those purchases as well.
- Take advantage of perks and benefits (such as the anniversary night on the [data-lightrail id="1147"]{name}[/data-lightrail], or the fourth night free offer on both).
- If you're a business owner, you can earn points faster by providing your employees with additional cards at no cost.
Is a co-branded IHG credit card right for you?
An IHG credit card isn't necessarily right for everyone.
If you are a frequent traveler or someone who prefers to stay at IHG properties when you do travel, an IHG card is a great option for earning and redeeming points for free stays.
It can also help you gain access to valuable travel and IHG brand benefits. If you aren't a fan of IHG or prefer to keep your options open, a general travel rewards card like the [data-lightrail id="92"]{name}[/data-lightrail] makes more sense. The points that you earn with a flexible travel card like the [data-lightrail id="92"]{name}[/data-lightrail] can be used for travel with any hotel or airline — not just IHG.
Recap of the best IHG credit cards of November 2024
- Best for no annual fee (co-branded): [data-lightrail id="1209"]{name}[/data-lightrail]
- Best for higher-level benefits and status (co-branded): [data-lightrail id="1147"]{name}[/data-lightrail]
- Best for business owners (co-branded): [data-lightrail id="2254"]{name}[/data-lightrail]
- Best for flexible travel rewards: [data-lightrail id="92"]{name}[/data-lightrail]
Frequently asked questions
Before you apply for one of the IHG credit cards, here are some other things to know.
Do IHG credit cards have foreign transaction fees?
None of the IHG credit cards charge foreign transaction fees.
Is an IHG credit card worth it?
This is a matter of personal preference. If you are loyal to IHG hotel brands when you travel, it is worth considering one of the cards. Whether or not you need the higher-level [data-lightrail id="1147"]{name}[/data-lightrail] depends on your travel spending. If you’d rather have more flexibility with how you redeem travel points, a general rewards card might be a better option.
Can you have both IHG credit cards?
You can, but there really would be no benefit to having both cards as the rewards structure is the same.
Can you add an authorized user to an IHG credit card?
You can add up to five additional authorized users to your account.
Do the bonus points from your IHG credit card expire?
Your IHG Rewards Club account will not expire as long as there is IHG Rewards Club program activity within 12 months. You will lose all points that haven’t been transferred to IHG Rewards Club if you close your card, or if your card account is closed for program misuse, fraudulent activities, failure to pay, bankruptcy or other reasons described in the terms of the Rewards Program Agreement.
Methodology
To make choosing the right card easier, we've looked at credit cards reviewed on ValuePenguin as well as cards on major issuer sites to compile a list of the best rewards credit cards available right now. Our recommendations are based on the additional value you can earn with the cards — including the rewards value, cost of ownership and value of benefits such as travel and purchase protections, lounge membership and airline companion passes. Our choices are not influenced by our advertisers. Learn more on how we calculate rewards.
These responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Advertiser Disclosure: The products that appear on this site may be from companies from which ValuePenguin receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). ValuePenguin does not include all financial institutions or all products offered available in the marketplace.
How We Calculate Rewards: ValuePenguin calculates the value of rewards by estimating the dollar value of any points, miles or bonuses earned using the card less any associated annual fees. These estimates here are ValuePenguin's alone, not those of the card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer.
Example of how we calculate the rewards rates: When redeemed for travel through Ultimate Rewards, Chase Sapphire Preferred points are worth $0.0125 each. The card awards 2 points on travel and dining and 1 point on everything else. Therefore, we say the card has a 2.5% rewards rate on dining and travel (2 x $0.0125) and a 1.25% rewards rate on everything else (1 x $0.0125).