What the IHG Chase Credit Card does

The IHG Chase Credit Card is a rewards card issued by Chase Bank that earns points on hotel stays at InterContinental Hotels Group properties — brands like Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, and InterContinental. You earn points on everyday purchases too, but the card is designed around hotel stays. The card charges an annual fee, which means you pay money each year just to hold it, whether you use it or not.

The card comes in two versions: the standard IHG One Rewards card and the IHG One Rewards Premier card. The Premier version has a higher annual fee but comes with a free night certificate each year, which can offset the cost if you stay at IHG hotels regularly. Both versions earn the same points rate on hotel purchases, but the Premier card earns more points on other spending.

Key Takeaways

  • The IHG Chase card charges an annual fee ($69 for the standard version, $189 for the Premier version), and you pay it whether you use the card or not.
  • You earn bonus points when you first open the card, and then earn ongoing points on hotel stays and everyday purchases, but the earning rates differ between the standard and Premier versions.
  • The card's main value comes from free night certificates and point redemptions at IHG hotels, so it makes sense only if you stay at those brands regularly.
  • Your credit score affects whether Chase will approve you and what interest rate you'll pay if you carry a balance, though the card's rewards are separate from interest charges.
  • You can cancel the card anytime, but you should do it before the annual fee posts if you decide not to keep it.

How points and free night certificates work

When you open the card, Chase offers a sign-up bonus — typically 80,000 to 100,000 points after you spend a certain amount in the first few months. The exact bonus changes, so check the current offer before you explore. Those points go into your IHG rewards account and never expire as long as your account stays active.

After the sign-up bonus, you earn points on every dollar you spend. The standard card earns 10 points per dollar at IHG hotels and 1 point per dollar on everything else. The Premier card earns 10 points per dollar at IHG hotels and 2 points per dollar on other purchases. You also earn 1 point per dollar when you pay your bill, which stacks on top of the purchase points.

The Premier card includes a free night certificate each year on your card anniversary — the date you opened the account. That certificate covers one night at an IHG hotel up to a certain point value (usually 50,000 points). If you use it, you save the points you would have spent. If you don't use it before the next anniversary, it expires.

Annual fees and when they cost you money

The standard IHG card costs $69 per year. The Premier card costs $189 per year. Chase charges this fee on the date you open the card and then every 12 months after that. The fee posts whether you use the card, whether you earn rewards, or whether you even make a single purchase.

The Premier card's free night certificate can make the higher fee worthwhile if you stay at IHG hotels at least once a year. A free night at many IHG properties costs 50,000 points or more, which is worth $500 to $1,000 depending on the hotel. If you use the certificate, you're getting value that covers most or all of the $189 fee. If you don't use it, you're paying $189 for nothing.

If you decide the card isn't for you, cancel it before the annual fee posts. You can call the number on the back of your card and ask to close the account. If the fee posts before you cancel, you can call and ask Chase to refund it — they sometimes do within 30 days of the charge, but there's no may provide.

Credit score requirements and approval odds

Chase typically approves the IHG card for people with a credit score of 670 or higher, though scores in the 700s and above have much better approval odds. Your credit score is a number that reflects your history of paying bills on time and how much debt you're carrying. You can check your score free through your bank, your credit card company, or sites like AnnualCreditReport.com.

Chase also looks at your income, how many credit cards you've opened recently, and whether you already have other Chase cards. If you've opened more than one or two cards in the last few months, Chase may deny you even with a good score. If you're denied, you can call the reconsideration line (the number is on the denial letter) and ask them to review your process again, though this rarely changes the outcome.

Approval does not mean you'll get the best interest rate. If you carry a balance on the card (meaning you don't pay it off in full each month), Chase charges interest. The rate depends on your credit score and credit history — people with higher scores get lower rates. The card's rewards are the same regardless of what interest rate you get, but carrying a balance costs you money in interest charges.

How to decide if this card makes sense for you

The IHG card makes financial sense only if you stay at IHG hotels regularly enough to earn back the annual fee in points or free nights. If you stay once or twice a year, the Premier card's free night certificate might cover the $189 fee. If you stay less than once a year, the standard $69 card might still work if you earn enough points on everyday spending to redeem a free night. If you rarely stay at IHG properties, this card will cost you money.

Before you open the card, think about where you actually stay when you travel. If you use Airbnb, stay with friends, or prefer other hotel brands, this card won't help you. If you stay at Holiday Inn or Crowne Plaza regularly for work or leisure, the card's earning rate and free night certificate can save you money over time.

You should also compare this card to other hotel cards or general rewards cards. Some cards earn points at multiple hotel chains, which gives you more flexibility. Some cards have no annual fee but earn fewer points. The right card depends on your travel patterns and what you value most.

What happens to your points if you close the account

Your IHG rewards points live in your IHG account, not on the credit card itself. If you close the credit card, your points stay in your IHG account as long as you have account activity at least once every 12 months. Activity means staying at an IHG hotel, earning points through the card, or even just logging into your IHG account online.

If your IHG account goes inactive for 12 months with no stays, no card spending, and no login, IHG may close the account and delete your points. So if you close the credit card, you need to either stay at an IHG hotel once a year or keep the card open to maintain your points balance. This is one reason people keep hotel cards even when they don't use them much — the points would otherwise disappear.

Interest rates, late fees, and how to avoid them

If you carry a balance on the IHG card (meaning you don't pay the full statement balance by the due date), Chase charges interest. The interest rate varies based on your credit score and credit history, but it's typically between 18% and 27% annually. That means if you carry a $1,000 balance for a year, you'll pay $180 to $270 in interest alone — money that goes to Chase, not toward your balance.

The card also charges a late fee if you miss a payment. The first late payment usually costs $25 to $35. If you're late again within six months, the fee goes up to $35 to $40. These fees stack on top of interest charges, so missing payments gets expensive fast.

The best way to avoid interest and late fees is to pay the full statement balance every month. Set up automatic payments from your bank account if you tend to forget. The rewards you earn are only worth it if you're not paying interest that's larger than the value of those rewards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the free night certificate at any IHG hotel?

The free night certificate works at most IHG properties, but it has a point cap — usually 50,000 points. If the hotel you want costs more than that in points, you have to pay the difference out of pocket. Some luxury properties exceed the cap, so check the point value of your hotel before you book.

What if I don't spend enough to meet the sign-up bonus requirement?

You won't receive the bonus points. The bonus has a spending threshold (often $2,000 or $3,000 in the first three months), and you have to hit that number to get the points. If you don't think you'll spend that much, don't open the card — the bonus is the main value of signing up.

Does the annual fee get refunded if I cancel the card?

No, the annual fee is not refunded once it posts to your account. However, if you call Chase within 30 days of the fee posting, they may refund it as a courtesy. After 30 days, the fee is yours to keep. This is why it's important to cancel before the anniversary date if you've decided not to keep the card.

How long do points take to show up after I make a purchase?

Points typically post to your IHG account within one to three business days after your purchase posts to the credit card. The purchase itself may take a few days to post, so there can be a delay of up to a week. Sign-up bonus points usually post within one to two weeks after you meet the spending requirement.

Can I transfer IHG points to another person?

IHG does not allow you to transfer points to someone else. Points are tied to your IHG account and can only be used by you. You can use your points to book a room for someone else, but the points themselves stay in your account.