What the IHG Chase Credit Card offers
The IHG Chase Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by Chase Bank in partnership with InterContinental Hotels Group. It's designed for people who stay at IHG properties — which include brands like Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, InterContinental, and Kimpton — and want to earn rewards on those stays and everyday purchases.
The card comes in two versions: the standard IHG Chase card and the IHG Chase Premier card. Both earn points on hotel stays and other spending, but the Premier version includes higher annual benefits like more elite status nights and a higher annual point bonus. Both versions charge an annual fee, which you pay once per year to keep the card open.
The main draw is that points earned on this card can be redeemed for free nights at IHG hotels, room upgrades, and other perks within the IHG rewards program. If you regularly stay at these hotels for work or leisure, the earning rate and sign-up bonus can offset the annual fee.
Key Takeaways
- The card earns points on IHG hotel stays and everyday purchases, with higher earning rates at IHG properties than most other cards.
- Both versions include an annual fee, and the Premier version costs more but includes higher elite status benefits and a larger annual point bonus.
- New cardholders receive a sign-up bonus of points after meeting a minimum spending requirement within a set timeframe.
- Points are redeemed through the IHG Rewards program for free nights, room upgrades, and other hotel-related benefits.
- The card is most valuable for people who stay at IHG hotels multiple times per year and can use the elite status benefits included with the card.
How earning and redemption work
When you use the IHG Chase card at an IHG hotel, you earn a set number of points per dollar spent. The exact rate depends on which version of the card you hold. Outside of IHG properties, you earn a lower rate on all other purchases — groceries, gas, restaurants, and so on.
Points accumulate in your IHG Rewards account, which is separate from your Chase account. You log into the IHG website or app to see your balance and redeem points. One free night certificate — which covers one night at a participating IHG hotel up to a certain point value — is the most common redemption. You can also use points toward room upgrades, airline miles transfers, or other IHG partner rewards.
The value you get from each point varies depending on the hotel and the night you book. A point might be worth more at a luxury property than at a budget hotel, so redemption value is not fixed. This is why some people focus on earning enough points for free nights at higher-end IHG properties to maximize what each point is worth.
Annual fees and what they include
The standard IHG Chase card charges an annual fee each year you keep it open. The Premier version charges a higher annual fee. In exchange, both cards include benefits meant to offset that cost.
Both versions give you elite status in the IHG Rewards program automatically. Elite status means you earn bonus points on stays, get room upgrades when available, and may receive late checkout. The Premier version grants a higher elite status tier, which includes more perks like complimentary room upgrades and lounge access at certain properties.
Both versions also include an annual free night certificate that you can use once per year. This certificate is typically good for one free night at most IHG properties up to a certain point value. If you use this certificate once per year, it can cover a significant portion of the annual fee, especially if you book a mid-range hotel.
Sign-up bonus and how to earn it
New cardholders receive a sign-up bonus after they spend a certain amount on the card within a set timeframe — usually three months. The bonus is paid in points, not cash. The exact bonus amount changes periodically, so check the current offer before you explore.
To earn the bonus, you must meet the minimum spending requirement using the card. This means you need to charge enough purchases to the card to reach that threshold. Some people meet it through regular spending; others plan larger purchases they were already planning to make anyway.
The sign-up bonus is typically the largest chunk of points you'll earn in the first year, so it's worth factoring into whether the card makes sense for you. If you don't think you'll spend enough to meet the requirement, the card may not be worth opening.
Who benefits most from this card
The IHG Chase card makes the most sense for people who stay at IHG hotels at least a few times per year. If you travel for work and your company books IHG properties, or if you take regular leisure trips to hotels in the IHG portfolio, the earning rate and elite status benefits can add up.
The card is less valuable if you rarely stay at hotels, or if you stay at other chains most of the time. In that case, a general travel rewards card or a card from a different hotel chain might earn you more value.
The annual fee is a real cost, so you should think about whether you'll actually use the free night certificate and whether the elite status perks matter to you. If you book one IHG stay per year and never use the elite benefits, the card may cost you more than it saves.
Comparing the standard and Premier versions
| Feature | Standard Card | Premier Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | Lower amount | Higher amount |
| Elite status tier | Silver Elite | Gold Elite or higher |
| Annual free night certificate | Included | Included, higher point value |
| Annual point bonus | Lower amount | Higher amount |
| Points per dollar at IHG hotels | Standard rate | Slightly higher rate |
| Best for | Occasional IHG guests | Frequent IHG guests |
The Premier card costs more per year but includes higher elite status, a larger annual point bonus, and a free night certificate with a higher point cap. If you stay at IHG hotels frequently — several times per year — the Premier card's higher earning rate and better elite perks may justify the extra cost. If you stay only once or twice per year, the standard card is usually the better choice.
Things to know before you open the card
The IHG Chase card is a credit card, not a debit card or prepaid card. This means you're borrowing money from Chase, and you're responsible for paying it back. If you carry a balance month to month, you'll pay interest charges on that balance. The card also has an interest rate (called an APR) that applies to purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances.
Opening any credit card results in a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can temporarily lower your credit score by a few points. If you've recently opened other credit cards or accounts, opening this one may have a larger impact.
The card's rewards and benefits are only valuable if you actually use them. If you open the card, pay the annual fee, and then don't stay at IHG hotels or use the free night certificate, you're paying for benefits you're not getting. Make sure you have a realistic plan to use the card before you open it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use points from this card at hotels outside of IHG?
No. Points earned on the IHG Chase card are only redeemable through the IHG Rewards program, which means they can only be used at IHG properties or transferred to IHG partner airlines and other partners. You cannot transfer them to unrelated hotel chains or redeem them for cash.
What happens to my free night certificate if I don't use it?
Most free night certificates expire after one year if you don't use them. Some have specific blackout dates or restrictions on which properties you can book. Check your certificate's terms to see when it expires and what restrictions explore.
Do I earn points on the annual fee itself?
No. The annual fee is a charge from Chase, not a purchase, so it does not earn points. You only earn points on actual purchases you make with the card.
Is the sign-up bonus worth more than the annual fee in the first year?
Usually yes, but it depends on the current offer and how you value points. If the sign-up bonus is large and you meet the spending requirement, the points you earn often exceed the annual fee in value. However, the value of points varies, so you should research current redemption rates before deciding.
What if I want to cancel the card after the first year?
You can cancel anytime. There's no penalty for closing the card early. However, if you cancel before the annual fee posts for the next year, you won't pay it. If the fee has already posted, contact Chase to ask about a refund — they sometimes grant one if you cancel shortly after the fee is charged.