What is the Best IHG Credit Card Offer?

For travelers who choose IHG hotels, it pays to have one of the hotel's credit cards. You'll earn bonus points at IHG properties and receive the fourth night free when booking an award reservation.

One card has an annual fee and enhanced benefits. The other has no fee but still offers some attractive perks. Which is the best IHG credit card offer? Here’s a closer look to help you decide.

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card vs. the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card

Let's compare the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card and the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card across the welcome offers, annual fees, included perks and opportunities to earn bonus points.

And now, let's go deeper.

A closer look at IHG credit card offers

Welcome bonus

Currently, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers a nice welcome bonus: Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. You can earn an additional 10,000 bonus points and a $100 statement credit if you spend $20,000 in one calendar year and make at least one additional purchase following the $20,000 spending requirement.

The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card has a smaller welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. You can earn an additional 10,000 bonus points if you spend at $10,000 in one calendar year and make at least one additional purchase after hitting the $10,000 spending threshold.

The best IHG credit card offer for a welcome bonus is the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card since you get 55,000 more bonus points upfront, in addition to a free night each year you renew the card.

» Learn more: The best travel credit card welcome bonuses right now

Annual fee

The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is an appealing option because you receive many benefits for a $0 annual fee.

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card charges an $99 annual fee, which can be offset just with the value of the annual free night.

Bonus points at IHG hotels

When you use an IHG-branded card to make charges at IHG hotels, you get bonus points.

Travelers using the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card earn up to 26x points per dollar spent at IHG hotels. This includes up to 10x points earned just for being an IHG member, plus an additional 10x points for using the card and up to 6x points from Platinum Elite status membership. That status level is included with the card.

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card also earns 5x points spent at gas stations, travel and restaurants, and all other purchases earn 3x points.

IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card gets you up to 17x points: 5x from the card, 10x as an IHG member and 2x from automatic Silver elite status. This card also earns 3x points per dollar spent on monthly bills, gas stations and restaurants, and all other purchases earn 2 points per dollar.

For people who stay at IHG hotels frequently, the additional 9x points per dollar from the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card adds up over time.

Spending bonus

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card will give you 10,000 bonus points and a $100 statement credit if you spend $20,000 in one calendar year and make at least one additional purchase following the $20,000 spending requirement.

Similarly, the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card will award you with 10,000 bonus points if you spend at $10,000 in one calendar year and make at least one additional purchase after hitting the $10,000 spending threshold.

Because the $100 statement credit isn't enough to justify spending $10,000 more, the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card wins here.

Elite status

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card includes automatic Platinum Elite status, which includes benefits like space-available room upgrades, extended checkout when available and a welcome amenity. If you spend more than $40,000 on the card in a calendar year, you (as the primary cardholder) will receive top-tier Diamond status through Dec. 31 of the following calendar year.

The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card includes automatic Silver status, but with a chance to upgrade through spending. Earn Gold Elite status after you spend $20,000 on purchases and make one additional purchase each calendar year.

Perks that are the same

Regardless of which card you choose, all cardholders have access to these identical benefits.

• Credit card spend counts toward elite status. All of the purchases on your credit card count toward earning or maintaining elite status with IHG One Rewards. Between the points earned on your IHG hotel stays and the IHG credit card bonus points, the path to elite status is accelerated when you have either IHG card. The welcome bonus received with a new card application doesn't count toward elite status.

• Fourth night free on award reservations. The value of IHG One Rewards points goes even further when booking reservations of four nights or more. With either IHG card, you'll receive the fourth night free when using points to book a reservation.

• Save money on points purchases. If you want to buy points to top off your account or book an award reservation, you'll save 20% on points purchases when using either of the IHG credit cards.

• No foreign transaction fees. Neither card charges a foreign transaction fee, which can save international travelers up to 3% on purchases outside of the U.S.

Benefits unique to the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

If you're willing to pay the modest annual fee, you'll get access to additional benefits with the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, like:

Anniversary free nights

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card includes an annual free night just for renewing the card each year. The free night certificate can be redeemed at any IHG brand hotel as long as the reward night costs 40,000 points or less.

Because the number of IHG One Rewards points you need for a stay varies by demand and season, a free night certificate could get you a stay in some nice resorts during less popular times of the year.

Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit

Global Entry and TSA PreCheck help speed travelers through airport checkpoints. The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card includes reimbursement of up to $100 for either membership program once every four years. This benefit isn't available with the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card.

What hotel brands are part of IHG?

There are 16 brands under the IHG One Rewards umbrella, ranging from budget to luxury, and there are over 6,000 hotels and resorts around the world to choose from.

» Learn more: IHG One Rewards: More value for the frugal traveler

Choose the best IHG credit card offer for you

No matter which IHG credit card you choose, you'll earn IHG points on spending and enjoy extra benefits when staying at IHG hotels.

While the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card may be appealing with its $0 annual fee, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is probably better for most people. It earns more points at IHG hotels, provides automatic Platinum Elite status and includes one free night stay every year that you renew the card. The larger welcome bonus and annual free night easily justify the $99 annual fee.