What you get with an IHG credit card
An IHG credit card gives you points on every purchase you make, which you can redeem for free nights at InterContinental Hotels Group properties. The card also comes with a welcome bonus — typically a large number of points after you spend a certain amount in the first few months — and ongoing perks like free night certificates, elite status, and points multipliers on hotel stays and dining.
The specific rewards and benefits vary depending on which IHG card you choose. IHG offers several versions through different banks, each with its own annual fee, earning rates, and bonus structure. The most common versions are issued by Chase, and there are also cards from other issuers.
You use the card like any other credit card for purchases, but the rewards accumulate in your IHG One Rewards account. When you have enough points, you can book a free night at any IHG hotel worldwide, or combine points with cash for a stay.
Key Takeaways
- IHG credit cards earn points on all purchases, with higher earning rates on hotel and dining spending.
- The welcome bonus typically requires you to spend a set amount within the first few months to unlock a large point award.
- Most IHG cards charge an annual fee, which is usually offset by an annual free night certificate you receive as a cardholder benefit.
- You can redeem points for free nights at any of the thousands of IHG properties worldwide, or combine points with cash.
- Elite status benefits like room upgrades and late checkout come with certain IHG cards and increase the value beyond just earning points.
How the welcome bonus works
When you open an IHG credit card, you receive a welcome bonus offer. This bonus is usually stated as a number of points you'll earn after meeting a spending requirement — for example, 80,000 points after you spend $2,000 in the first three months.
The spending requirement is the key condition. You must charge that amount to the card within the timeframe stated in the offer. Only purchases that post to your account count toward the requirement; pending transactions do not. Once you meet the threshold, the bonus points post to your IHG account within a few weeks.
The welcome bonus is designed to give you enough points for a free night or two right away, which can offset the annual fee in your first year. The exact value depends on which hotels you want to stay at, since point requirements vary by property and season.
Annual fees and free night certificates
Every IHG credit card charges an annual fee, typically ranging from $49 to $99 depending on the card tier. This fee posts to your account each year on your card anniversary.
To offset this cost, most IHG cards include an annual free night certificate as a cardholder benefit. This certificate lets you book one free night at an IHG property each year, up to a certain point value. For example, a card might give you a free night certificate valid at properties requiring up to 50,000 points per night.
If you use that free night certificate once per year, the value of the night often exceeds the annual fee, making the card's net cost lower or even free. However, the certificate has restrictions: it typically expires after one year if unused, and it may not be valid during peak travel seasons at all properties.
Earning rates on different types of spending
IHG credit cards earn points at different rates depending on what you buy. You typically earn a base rate on all purchases — often 1 point per dollar spent — but higher rates on specific categories.
Hotel stays and dining are the most common bonus categories. You might earn 10 points per dollar at IHG hotels when you use the card to pay, and 3 points per dollar at restaurants. Gas, groceries, and other everyday purchases usually earn only the base rate.
The earning rates are set by the card issuer and do not change based on your spending habits or account history. Some cards offer bonus categories that rotate quarterly, similar to other rewards cards, while IHG cards typically keep the same categories year-round.
How to redeem points for hotel stays
Points are stored in your IHG One Rewards account, which is separate from your credit card account but linked to it. You can view your balance anytime by logging into the IHG website or app.
To book a free night, you search for hotels and dates on the IHG website just as you would to pay with cash. The search results show the point cost for each property and date. Point costs vary widely — a budget property might cost 10,000 points per night, while a luxury resort could cost 100,000 or more. Peak season dates typically cost more points than off-season dates at the same property.
You can also combine points with cash if you don't have enough points for a free night. This option lets you use fewer points and pay the difference in dollars. Once you complete the booking, the points post when ready to your reservation.
Elite status and other cardholder benefits
Depending on which IHG card you hold, you receive automatic elite status in the IHG One Rewards program. Elite status gives you perks like room upgrades (when available), late checkout, and bonus points on stays.
The level of elite status varies by card. A basic IHG card might grant you Silver Elite status, while a premium card could give you Gold or Platinum Elite. Higher elite status means better perks, but it also comes with a higher annual fee.
Other cardholder benefits often include complimentary room upgrades at check-in, late checkout (usually until 2 p.m. or 4 p.m.), and bonus points on your anniversary. Some cards also offer travel protections like trip cancellation insurance or baggage delay reimbursement, though these vary by card and issuer.
Comparing IHG cards from different issuers
IHG credit cards are issued by multiple banks, most commonly Chase, but also by other financial institutions. Each issuer structures the card differently, so the annual fee, welcome bonus, earning rates, and benefits are not the same across all IHG cards.
Chase typically offers the most widely available IHG cards, including a standard version and a premium version. The premium version has a higher annual fee but also a higher welcome bonus and better ongoing benefits. Other issuers may offer regional or co-branded versions with different terms.
Before opening an IHG card, compare the specific offer you're looking at against other versions. Check the annual fee, welcome bonus, earning rates, and free night certificate value. The best card for you depends on how much you travel, which IHG properties you prefer, and how much you spend on dining and other bonus categories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to stay at IHG hotels to make the card worth it?
No, but the card is most valuable if you do stay at IHG properties regularly or plan to. If you never use IHG hotels, the points accumulate slowly and the annual fee becomes a net cost. However, if you stay at IHG hotels even once or twice per year, the free night certificate and welcome bonus often make the card worthwhile.
Can I transfer IHG points to other loyalty programs?
IHG points cannot be transferred to other hotel or airline programs. Points can only be used for IHG stays, dining at partner restaurants, or other redemptions within the IHG ecosystem. This is different from some other hotel cards that allow point transfers.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your IHG One Rewards account and points remain active even after you close the credit card. The points do not disappear. However, if your IHG account shows no activity for a long period (typically 24 months), IHG may deactivate the account and points could be forfeited. Using the points or staying at an IHG hotel keeps the account active.
Is the welcome bonus worth more than the annual fee?
Usually yes, but it depends on which hotels you want to stay at. A welcome bonus of 80,000 points might be worth $500 to $1,000 in free nights at luxury properties, but only $300 to $500 at budget properties. Calculate the point value for hotels you actually plan to visit before deciding whether the card makes sense for you.
Can I get the welcome bonus again if I close and reopen the card?
Most credit card issuers have rules that prevent you from earning the same welcome bonus twice within a certain period — often 24 months. Check the specific terms of the card offer you're considering, as this policy varies by issuer and card version.