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The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card now costs $150 a year. It can justify that fee for travelers who stay at IHG hotels and can use its anniversary award, qualifying fourth-night-free reward stays, and credits. The value is not automatic: each benefit has rules, and credits help only if you would use them without spending extra just to earn them.
What changed on the IHG Premier card in 2026?
IHG and Chase updated the card portfolio in October 2026. The Premier card’s current annual fee is $150, and its benefits include an anniversary award capped at 50,000 points, an IHG points-stay benefit, and recurring credits. The current IHG and Chase portfolio announcement and Chase Premier card terms are the best places to confirm terms before applying; card offers and benefits can change.
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The welcome offer advertised by IHG and Chase is 180,000 bonus points after $3,000 in purchases within the first three months, through November 18, 2026. That is a time-limited offer, not a continuing card benefit: confirm the live application terms and your eligibility before applying.
Is the IHG Premier card worth the $150 annual fee?
It can be worthwhile if you regularly stay at IHG properties, can redeem the anniversary award at a hotel you want, and naturally use enough of the credits. It is a weaker fit if you rarely stay with IHG, prefer rewards you can transfer among several programs, or would have to spend more than planned to use the credits.
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Benefits that can offset the fee
- Anniversary award: Chase lists an award night capped at 50,000 points. You can add points from your IHG One Rewards account to book an eligible hotel night priced above that cap.
- Fourth Reward Night: On a qualifying consecutive four-night IHG stay booked with points, the fourth Reward Night is free at the same hotel during that stay.
- Food and beverage vouchers: Up to $100 a year, issued as four quarterly $25 vouchers for eligible IHG food and beverage purchases.
- Airline statement credit: Up to $100 per calendar year when you spend at least $250 on flights purchased directly from an airline. Chase lists this benefit through December 31, 2027.
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS: Up to $120 every four years toward an eligible application fee.
- United TravelBank Cash: Up to $50 after registration.
Chase also lists DoorDash and Instacart benefits. Their eligibility, enrollment, and expiration conditions matter, so check the detailed terms on the current card page rather than treating them as unconditional cash value.
How to judge the credits realistically
Do not add the face value of every credit to the anniversary night and assume that total is what the card saves you. A credit has value only to the extent that you meet its conditions and would otherwise make the eligible purchase. The airline credit, for example, requires at least $250 in direct airline flight purchases in a calendar year; the food and beverage vouchers are quarterly and must be used for eligible IHG purchases.
Rank #2
- Not redeemable at hotel locations or if you choose the Pay at Hotel option online
- Redemption: Online only
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
Estimate the value you can actually use over a year, then compare it with the $150 fee. Separately consider whether the points earnings, status, and award-night rules suit your travel. The card is most compelling when those benefits match trips you already take, rather than prompting extra spending or IHG stays you would not otherwise choose.
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Chase lists an anniversary award night with a redemption limit of 50,000 points. If the IHG property you want costs more than 50,000 points for the night, you may add points from your IHG One Rewards account to cover the difference. The award therefore is not limited to hotels priced at or below the cap, but it still depends on eligible award availability and having enough points for any top-up.
Rank #3
- Not redeemable at hotel locations or if you choose the Pay at Hotel option online
- Redemption: Online only
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
Think of the award as a points-night benefit, not a cash-rate discount. Its practical value depends on where you can redeem it and whether the available night fits your plans.
Does IHG give you the fourth night free?
Yes, for the qualifying award booking: book four consecutive nights at the same IHG hotel using points, and the fourth Reward Night is free during that stay. This is not a discount on a cash booking, and it does not apply to stays of one, two, or three nights. It is most useful when you can plan a four-night points stay at a hotel where the award nights are available.
Rank #4
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How does the card earn points and provide status?
Earning on IHG stays
Chase advertises up to 24 points per dollar on IHG stays. That maximum combines up to 10 points per dollar from the card, up to 10 from IHG membership, and up to 4 from Gold Elite status. It is not 24 points per dollar from the card alone; the total depends on the other earning components and the applicable terms.
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Chase lists 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines, car rentals, dining, gas stations, and grocery stores, and 3 points per dollar on other purchases. Check Chase’s current terms for category definitions and any changes before relying on a particular purchase to earn at a listed rate.
Best Value
- Not redeemable at hotel locations or if you choose the Pay at Hotel option online.
- Redeemable online only
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
Gold Elite and spend-earned status
Premier cardmembers receive automatic IHG One Rewards Gold Elite status while they remain Premier cardmembers. Chase also lists a route to Platinum Elite after $15,000 in purchases in a calendar year and Diamond Elite after $40,000. Those higher tiers are tied to meeting the stated spending thresholds; they are not automatic cardholder status.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How does Premier compare with IHG’s other cards?
IHG and Chase identify a no-annual-fee IHG One Rewards Credit Card and a $350 Premier Select card alongside Premier. The key trade-off is whether you want a lower-cost way into the IHG program or are prepared to pay more for the higher-tier card’s advertised benefits. Compare the live application terms and benefit details before choosing; the figures below reflect the portfolio information available in October 2026.
| Card | Annual fee | How to think about it |
|---|---|---|
| IHG One Rewards Credit Card | $0 | A lower-cost entry point for someone who wants an IHG card without an annual fee. |
| IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card | $150 | The middle option reviewed here, with an anniversary award, qualifying fourth-night-free points stays, credits, and Gold Elite status. |
| IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card | $350 | A higher-fee option with larger advertised benefits; check its current terms to decide whether they justify the added cost for your travel. |
Annual fee alone does not establish which card is best. Compare the award-night rules, credits you can actually use, earning categories, and status benefits against the IHG stays you expect to make. For an independent comparison and discussion of whether the IHG program suits your preferences, see NerdWallet’s IHG credit card review.
Quick Recap
Who should consider the IHG Premier card?
- Consider it if you stay at IHG hotels often enough to use the points benefits and can make good use of the anniversary award and eligible credits.
- Compare the no-fee card if you want to earn within IHG without taking on an annual fee.
- Assess Premier Select carefully if you are considering its higher $350 fee; a larger advertised benefit package matters only if you can use it.
- Look beyond IHG if you want flexible rewards across hotel programs or do not expect to stay at IHG properties. A general-purpose travel card or another hotel card may fit better.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
