IHG One Rewards and Chase have a co-branded credit card partnership. We’ve just seen the portfolio completely overhauled. In a separate post, I covered how we’ve just seen the introduction of the new IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card.
In this post, I’d like to cover how the existing portfolio of three IHG credit cards is also being completely overhauled. The annual fees on two of the cards are increasing, and some benefits are improving, while others are getting worse.
IHG One Rewards credit card portfolio changes
What’s changing with IHG’s existing credit cards? Well, just about everything, from the annual fees to the perks. There’s both good news and bad news, so let’s cover the details of each product.
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card updates
The New IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is the updated mid-range IHG personal credit card, and it has an excellent limited time welcome offer of 180,000 IHG One Rewards bonus points after spending $3,000 within the first three months.
I’ll cover the changes in more detail below, but just to summarize, the annual fee is going up significantly, but the card is getting an IHG hotel food & beverage credit, an airline credit, and a more valuable annual free night award. Unfortunately the card loses automatic Platinum status, though. Here are the IHG One Rewards Premier Card changes in a bit more detail:
- The card annual fee is now $150, up from the previous fee of $99
- The card now offers up to $100 in annual food & beverage rewards to redeem at IHG properties; this comes in the form of a $25 quarterly credit that will be deposited in your account, which can be redeemed during a hotel stay, and each needs to be used during a single stay
- The card now has a $100 annual airline statement credit on qualifying flight purchases, currently valid through December 31, 2027; just book a flight directly with an airline costing at least $250, and you’ll get a $100 statement credit
- The card anniversary free night award is now valid at properties costing up to 50,000 points, compared to the previous cap of 40,000 points; you can still top-off the certificates with more points
- The card continues to offer up to $50 in United TravelBank Cash annually, in the form of a semi-annual credit of $25
- The card continues to offer a fourth night free on award redemptions, when you redeem for a consecutive four night stay
- The card now offers IHG One Rewards Gold status just for being a cardmember, and IHG One Rewards Platinum status when you spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year; previously the card offered Platinum with no spending requirement
- The card now offers 15 elite night credits toward status each calendar year, to help you unlock Milestone Rewards perks, plus two additional elite night credits for every $5,000 spent on the card
- The card now offers 10x points on IHG spending, 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines, rental cars, dining, grocery stores, and gas, and 3x points on all other purchases; all that has changed is the 5x points categories, as the card previously offered 5x points on travel, gas stations, and dining
IHG One Rewards Business Credit Card updates
The New IHG One Rewards Business Credit Card is the updated IHG business credit card, and it has an excellent limited time welcome offer of 190,000 IHG One Rewards bonus points after spending $5,000 within the first three months.
I’ll cover the changes in more detail below, but just to summarize, the annual fee is going up significantly, but the card is getting an IHG hotel food & beverage credit, an airline credit, and a more valuable annual free night award. Here are the IHG One Rewards Business Card changes in a bit more detail:
- The annual fee is now $200, up from the previous fee of $99
- The card now offers up to $100 in annual food & beverage rewards to redeem at IHG properties; this comes in the form of a $25 quarterly credit that will be deposited in your account, which can be redeemed during a hotel stay, and each needs to be used during a single stay
- The card now has a $100 annual airline statement credit on qualifying flight purchases, currently valid through December 31, 2027; just book a flight directly with an airline costing at least $250, and you’ll get a $100 statement credit
- The card now has a $100 annual Expensify credit, which can be used across one or multiple transactions
- The card anniversary free night award is now valid at properties costing up to 50,000 points, compared to the previous cap of 40,000 points; you can still top-off the certificates with more points
- The card offers a second annual free night award if you spend at least $60,000 on the card in a calendar year
- The card continues to offer a fourth night free on award redemptions, when you redeem for a consecutive four night stay
- The card continues to offer IHG One Rewards Platinum status just for being a cardmember, and IHG One Rewards Diamond status when you spend $50,000 on the card in a calendar year
- The card now offers 20,000 bonus points plus five elite night credits toward status each calendar year when you spend $25,000 in a calendar year, plus two additional elite night credits for every $5,000 spent on the card
- The card now offers 10x points on IHG spending, 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines, rental cars, dining, select advertising, and gas, and 3x points on all other purchases; all that has changed is the 5x points categories
IHG One Rewards Credit Card updates
The New IHG One Rewards Credit Card is the updated no annual fee IHG personal credit card, and it has an excellent limited time welcome offer of 125,000 IHG One Rewards bonus points after spending $2,000 within the first three months.
I’ll cover the changes in more detail below, but just to summarize, the card will still have no annual fee, but it’s losing what I’d consider to be its single strongest benefit — access to the fourth night free benefit with no spending requirement. Here are the IHG One Rewards Card changes in a bit more detail:
- The card continues to have no annual fee
- The card now only offers a fourth night free on award redemptions if you spend at least $5,000 on the card per calendar year
- The card continues to offer IHG One Rewards Silver status just for being a cardmember, and IHG One Rewards Gold status when you spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year
- The card now offers five elite night credits toward status each calendar year
- The card now offers 5x points on IHG spending, 3x points on dining, grocery stores, and gas, and 2x points on all other purchases
What happens to existing IHG credit card members?
If you’re an existing IHG credit card member, how do these changes impact you? Card members are being told that they’ll be informed of the changes this month (October 2026), and then the new annual fee applies as of 2027, whenever a cardmember’s fee is ordinarily due.
As far as switching from the old benefits to the new benefits goes, that’s really nuanced, given that some changes are positive, and others are negative.
For example, I have the IHG Premier Card (the personal mid-range card), and the email I received from IHG suggests the following timing for changes:
- I get to keep IHG One Rewards Platinum status through December 31, 2027
- The free night award I’m issued in 2027 will be worth 50,000 points rather than 40,000 points
- The updated spending bonus categories will apply as of January 1, 2027
My take on these IHG credit card portfolio changes
I think these changes pretty closely follow the trend we’ve seen in the industry — annual fees go up, and while there’s potential to get more outsized value, it also takes more effort to do so. In isolation that’s totally fine, but for those of us with a lot of credit cards, just maximizing credit card perks is a part time job. A few thoughts:
- I’m happy to see the IHG free night awards get a higher cap, given the points inflation we’ve seen over the years; that partly helps offset the annual fee increases
- These new airline credits and food & beverage credits on both the IHG One Rewards Premier Card and IHG One Rewards Business Card definitely help with offsetting the annual fee
- It’s rather frustrating how the IHG One Rewards Premier Card no longer offers Platinum status without spending, not that I’ve actually ever received any meaningful perks for being a Platinum member
- There’s really not much merit anymore to having the IHG One Rewards Credit Card, because the fourth night free benefit is no longer an automatic perk
- With these changes, I think the IHG One Rewards Premier Select Card might just be the best option, both due to the absolute value proposition of the card, plus due to the negative changes we’ve seen on other cards
Bottom line
IHG and Chase have completely overhauled their credit card portfolio. We’ve seen the introduction of the IHG One Rewards Premier Select Card, along with an overhaul of the IHG One Rewards Premier Card, IHG One Rewards Business Card, and IHG One Rewards Credit Card.
As you’d expect, the changes are a mixed bag, though they follow the general industry trend. The good news is that if you’re willing to put in the effort to maximize value, you may be better off than ever before. However, if you don’t, these changes are largely going to be negative.
What do you make of these IHG credit card changes?
Yay, more quarterly coupons.
Oops, I mean, "ways to engage with our very best most loyal customers."
I agree with your distaste for "coupons" with credit card. My strategy is to get the card only if 1) it's worth it without coupon use or 2) the coupon use is fairly automatic. The UA credit will probably just expire, but if I book with them, I get free money. My IHG use is primarily Staybridge and Candlewood, so I'll get $25 of pantry items free each stay with little effort or planning.
@Lucky, do you have any info on the legacy IHG Select card? If that's keeping its $49 AF, Anniversary FNC (40k fixed), 10% reward rebate, and Platinum status, then it's still probably a good combo with the refreshed Premier card.
What's the ideal combo for you? It seems as though you can theoretically have 3 of the new/refreshed cards to get 50 elite nights (Premier Select, Premier, and Business), 2 CSU, annual lounge pass, and only need 20 nights for Diamond.
@Lucky perhaps update the post that Thrifty Traveler has a Chase spokesperson saying the Select AF will rise to $99 next year; no word on benefit changes: https://thriftytraveler.com/news/credit-card/chase-ihg-credit-card-changes/
I will still keep it at $100.
Yeah, curious what's up with this. I assume at some point it's going to have to be transitioned to the Premier, and somewhat hard to imagine the Platinum status stays for much longer?
Can you use the F&B credits in properties without being a guest?
I do not think so. The food/beverage credit is applied against your f/b charges on the bill.
They go 99$ benefit still the same
Since Ben values IHG points at 0.5 cents each, 3X on "everything else" isn't very compelling. Seems like the One Rewards Traveler card has become about like the United Gateway card: No fee but almost no real benefits.
Ben,
‹The card now has a $100 annual airline statement credit on qualifying flight purchases, currently valid through December 31, 2027; just book a flight directly with an airline costing at least $250, and you’ll get a $200 statement credit›
I think the last number should be $100.
@Lucky:
You wrote:
"The card now has a $100 annual airline statement credit on qualifying flight purchases, currently valid through December 31, 2027; just book a flight directly with an airline costing at least $250, and you’ll get a $200 statement credit".
Did you mean $100 statement credit?
I think $200 is a typo. I received an email from Chase as an existing cardholder and it says $100 for charges through Dec 2027.
Even though the credit runs calendar, not cardholder year, existing cardholders only get the credit once, not twice.
Yeah I noticed that too. It's $200 on the business, $100 on the personal
Looks like it's $100 airline credit when you see details on the card application.
This is one of the few cards I have with an AF. My outlook is as follows. For $150 I get a free hotel room once a year that would have cost at least that much. A quick look finds properties in the 40,000-50,000 range are generally $350/night or more. The $25 f/b vouchers expire at the end of the quarter they are issued. Still, my current IHG pattern will let me use two. But,...
This is one of the few cards I have with an AF. My outlook is as follows. For $150 I get a free hotel room once a year that would have cost at least that much. A quick look finds properties in the 40,000-50,000 range are generally $350/night or more. The $25 f/b vouchers expire at the end of the quarter they are issued. Still, my current IHG pattern will let me use two. But, hey $50 extra. I stay enough that, with the 15 night headstart, I'll earn at least plantinum every year, even if I replace an extended stay with point redemption. The only charges I but on the card are stays.
Oh, and it's my only card with a TSA precheck reimbursement, so about another $60 every 5 years. (It pays up to $120 every 4 years for precheck, global entry, etc.)
meanwhile on $49 annual fee IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card island, I remain a stubborn / non-contacted remote tribe with these coupon book changes
Keep. That. Card. 40K + Platinum already.
It's no longer in my wallet, but it does seem that Chase has stopped asking me to try and upgrade it. The free night now is usually a Holiday Inn Express on a road-trip for example, but for $49 I can't complain.
I still have that one, and the Premier!
@Lucky, can you confirm if the $100 airline reimbursement and the $50 United travel banks are given every calendar year or card anniversary year? Thanks.
Google is free
Got’em bo! You totally ‘owned’ Trey for not ‘doing his own research.’ And yet… Google does cost us more than we’ll ever know. We’ve traded away our privacy without really considering the full implications. Sure, it seems ‘free’… but is it really?
@Trey. I have been getting one $25 credit between January 1-15 and the other one between July 1-15, both typically post on the 7th. The previous credit expires on the 15th. Therefore, this year I bought a planned United ticket before the 15th, so I was able to get $50 off the ticket price.
Can the IHG Select $49 card be product changed to this new card? Thanks
They go 99$ benefit still the same
Don’t do it! Keep that legacy card as long as they’ll let you. 40K + Platinum. It’s a winner.
no changes to $49 card, right?
Holding on to one...
In the email I received, it also mentioned:
Save 30% on Points Purchases:
Save at least 30% on points purchases when you pay for those points with your IHG One Rewards, Premier, Premier Select, or Business Credit Cards. Point purchase amounts are subject to change by IHG One Rewards. These points are Non-Elite Qualifying points. Upon completion of the points purchase, you agree that the total dollar price of the points, minus the discount,...
In the email I received, it also mentioned:
Save 30% on Points Purchases:
Save at least 30% on points purchases when you pay for those points with your IHG One Rewards, Premier, Premier Select, or Business Credit Cards. Point purchase amounts are subject to change by IHG One Rewards. These points are Non-Elite Qualifying points. Upon completion of the points purchase, you agree that the total dollar price of the points, minus the discount, will be immediately charged to your credit card. The cost for the points purchased is non-refundable. The 30% discount cannot be combined with any other points purchase offer. Point purchase transactions managed by Points.com.
Diamond Elite Status After Annual Spend: After spending $40,000 with your IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card in purchases each calendar year, you, as the primary cardmember, will qualify for IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite Status for the remainder of the calendar year in which you qualify and the following calendar year.
This is disappointing. I've been a fan of the Premier Credit Card for many years. Been able to get some good value out of this(especially in Asia). Now I will have to either upgrade to a more expensive card with more "coupon" benefits. Sign of the times unfortunately.
Lucky, isn’t the OMAAT valuation for 50k points is around $250? I also have the business card. If I stay twice a quarter(which I will if I use certificates as they’ll be separate reservations) then I’ll nab both $25 F&B credits. No problem keeping both.
The airline credit is free money. I’ll just book a ticket and cancel it 25 hours later (once I’m outside the auto refund window where it would get refunded...
Lucky, isn’t the OMAAT valuation for 50k points is around $250? I also have the business card. If I stay twice a quarter(which I will if I use certificates as they’ll be separate reservations) then I’ll nab both $25 F&B credits. No problem keeping both.
The airline credit is free money. I’ll just book a ticket and cancel it 25 hours later (once I’m outside the auto refund window where it would get refunded to my card). That way the whole amount goes to my airline wallet. That’s $100 right there.
I’ll stop there ;)
My annual fee usually posts the end of December so I suppose that means it will still be $99 for me this year and I won't have to pay the increased fee until December 2027? Also, when does the $100 airline credit go live and is it per calendar year? i.e. we can use one this year and another one next yearr?
The problem with IHG is IHG.
With the exception of Regent (which is basically not an option in the USA), some Intercontinentals and most Kimptons, IHG has low-end hotels.
Has anyone stayed at a Holiday Inn lately? That brand has went downhill big time. It’s now just a Farfield or Holiday Inn Express with a bar.
And don’t get me started on Crowne Plaza.
I have had two IHG cards for years. Having automatic platinum...
The problem with IHG is IHG.
With the exception of Regent (which is basically not an option in the USA), some Intercontinentals and most Kimptons, IHG has low-end hotels.
Has anyone stayed at a Holiday Inn lately? That brand has went downhill big time. It’s now just a Farfield or Holiday Inn Express with a bar.
And don’t get me started on Crowne Plaza.
I have had two IHG cards for years. Having automatic platinum status was nice because if I was traveling through a small town or in the middle of nowhere I knew I could stay at a Holiday Inn Express and avoid having the worst room in the hotel.
I couldn’t imagine doing 70 actual nights or spending $40,000 for top-tier diamond status. I’ve had it. I’ve had Intercontinental ambassador. It’s just not worth it because there are so few better-than-average IHG properties at least in the USA.
I concede that IHG can be worth it in Asia and in the Middle East. But in the USA and even the UK? Definitely not.
Taking away automatic platinum status from my card means I probably just stay with IHG twice a year using my free night vouchers. I’m not going to go out of my way to do 25 nights with the card.
I maintain the cards strictly for stays in Europe and Asia and have had tremendous value from them over the years. I agree it's a complete afterthought in the US. I used to like Kimpton but have noticed they've gone way down hill. Intercontinental is very hit or miss (and I consider the brand luxury-lite now). Regent Santa Monica is terrific but obviously that's a very specific trip. If I didn't travel to Europe and...
I maintain the cards strictly for stays in Europe and Asia and have had tremendous value from them over the years. I agree it's a complete afterthought in the US. I used to like Kimpton but have noticed they've gone way down hill. Intercontinental is very hit or miss (and I consider the brand luxury-lite now). Regent Santa Monica is terrific but obviously that's a very specific trip. If I didn't travel to Europe and Asia so often I wouldn't consider the cards, although I guess the new airfare rebate is a nice perk.
What are your picks in Europe and Asia ?
buy points at 0.5cpp and use 4th nite free when possible.
the refreshed ccs offer outsized value for semiregular ihg stayors.
not the worst offerings ihg.
So I really don’t want to pay double AF for IHG biz in Jan. But I have points reservation in singapore holiday inn express in July with the 4th night free. What happens to my reservation if I cancel IHG biz card and lose platinum status? Will they cancel my reservation or charge me for 4th night?
Thank you advance for your input.
I don't know what happens when you cancel the card and have a 4th night free in a future reservation. But, the 4th night free isn't worth $150 (not double the old $99 AF)? I'm guessing the $150 is way less than a night would cost in Singapore. NFI.
Can’t help but feel that this makes the Hyatt card look so much better. The Hyatt card was cheaper by $5, and offered more bonus categories with points being worth 3-4x that of IHG. Now the IHG card is $55 more and provides slightly less earning at IHG.
Enjoy it till it lasts - may be 3 months ? Hyatt card(s) by Chase will be overhauled next !
Is there a comparison table available?
I guess the new 50K card anniversary free night award will start on Jan 1st. My renewal in march, hope I can score a good deal.
Current IHG Premier personal cardholder: Received SUB in March 2024. If I close this account after using my annual free night and subsequently sign up for a new account will I get the SUB? I've read conflicting reports that no since received SUB within 5 years, and other reports saying SUB received > 24 months ago is acceptable. Is it recommended/safe to call the 800 number on the card to ask?
Wonder if one can use the $25 F&B credit when not staying at the hotel. I don't stay at IHG properties each quarter to make use of this.
No. You need to stay at hotel to use F&B credit.