What you get with an IHG credit card

IHG credit cards come from a partnership between InterContinental Hotels Group and a bank — usually Chase or Bank of America, depending on which card you choose. The card gives you points for every dollar you spend, bonus points when you book IHG hotels, and perks like free nights or room upgrades. You pay an annual fee, usually between $49 and $99, though some versions waive the first year.

The main draw is that points accumulate faster at IHG properties than they do elsewhere, and you can use them to pay for rooms without touching cash. The card also typically includes travel protections like trip cancellation coverage and emergency medical coverage abroad, though the details depend on which version you hold.

IHG runs ten hotel brands under its umbrella — InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites, Kimpton, Voco, Six Senses, and Regent — so your points work across all of them. A night at a budget Holiday Inn Express costs fewer points than a night at an InterContinental, just as it would with cash.

Key Takeaways

  • IHG credit cards earn points on every purchase, with bonus points when you book IHG hotels directly through the card.
  • You can redeem points for free hotel nights, room upgrades, or airline miles through IHG's transfer partners.
  • The annual fee ranges from $49 to $99 depending on the card, and some cards offer a free night certificate that can offset the cost.
  • Points do not expire as long as your account stays active, but closing the card ends your membership in the IHG rewards program.
  • The card works best if you stay at IHG hotels regularly or can use the annual free night benefit to cover the fee.

How points and redemption work

Every IHG credit card earns a base rate — typically 2 points per dollar spent on most purchases, and 4 or 5 points per dollar when you book an IHG hotel through the card's shopping portal. Some cards offer higher earning rates on specific categories like dining or gas, but the exact structure varies by card version.

Once you have points, you can use them in three ways. The most straightforward is booking a free night: you search for an available room at an IHG property and pay points instead of cash. The number of points required depends on the hotel's category — a Category 1 hotel (usually a budget property) might cost 10,000 points per night, while a Category 9 (luxury) might cost 70,000 or more. IHG publishes the category for each property, so you can see the cost before you search.

You can also transfer points to airline partners — typically at a rate of 1,000 IHG points to 250 airline miles, though the rate varies by airline. This is useful if you want to combine a hotel stay with a flight, but the conversion is usually less valuable than booking a hotel directly. A third option is to use points for room upgrades, late checkout, or other perks at the front desk, though this is the least common use.

Annual fees and the free night certificate

Most IHG credit cards charge an annual fee between $49 and $99. The card typically includes an annual free night certificate that you can use at any IHG property up to a certain category level. For example, a card with a $99 annual fee might include a free night at any Category 1 through 4 property, which covers most Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza locations.

If you stay at an IHG hotel once a year, the free night certificate often covers the annual fee entirely. A night at a mid-range Holiday Inn or Crowne Plaza typically costs $100 to $150, so the certificate pays for itself. If you do not travel to IHG hotels regularly, the annual fee becomes a pure cost with no offsetting benefit.

Some versions of the card waive the annual fee for the first year, which gives you time to decide whether the rewards and perks justify keeping it. After the first year, you will be charged the full fee unless you close the account.

Sign-up bonuses and introductory offers

IHG credit cards often come with a sign-up bonus — typically a large number of points if you spend a certain amount within the first few months. The bonus might be 50,000 to 100,000 points, depending on the card and the current promotion. Some offers also include a free night certificate as part of the sign-up bonus, on top of the annual free night you receive each year.

The catch is that you have to meet a spending requirement to earn the bonus. This is usually $2,000 to $5,000 in purchases within three months. If you are planning to use the card for regular expenses anyway, this is straightforward. If you would have to manufacture spending just to hit the threshold, the bonus is not worth pursuing.

Sign-up offers change frequently, so the bonus available today may not be the same next month. Check the card issuer's website directly — Chase or Bank of America, depending on the card — to see the current offer before you explore.

When an IHG card makes sense for your wallet

An IHG credit card is worth considering if you stay at IHG hotels at least once or twice a year, or if you are willing to shift your hotel bookings to IHG properties to earn rewards. The annual free night certificate is the key: if you can use it, the card pays for itself. If you cannot, the annual fee is a cost with no return.

The card also works well if you are building a points balance for a specific trip. Earning 4 or 5 points per dollar at IHG hotels, plus bonus points from the sign-up offer, can add up to a free night or two within a year if you travel regularly for work or leisure.

The card is less useful if you rarely stay at hotels, prefer other chains like Marriott or Hilton, or book through third-party sites like Expedia or Booking.com. Points earned through those channels go to the third-party site, not to your IHG account, so you lose the bonus earning rate.

How points interact with your IHG membership

The IHG credit card is tied to your IHG Rewards membership account. When you open the card, you automatically become an IHG member if you are not already one. Points you earn from the card go into your membership account, where they combine with points from hotel stays and other activities.

Your membership status — whether you are a base member, Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Diamond — determines how many bonus points you earn per stay and what perks you receive at the front desk. The credit card itself does not change your status, but it can help you reach higher tiers faster if you earn enough points. Higher tiers unlock benefits like free room upgrades, late checkout, and bonus points on stays.

If you close the credit card, your IHG membership account stays open and your points remain in it. However, if your account becomes inactive — typically after 12 months with no activity — your points may expire. Activity includes staying at an IHG hotel, earning points from the credit card, or transferring points to an airline partner.

Comparing IHG cards and choosing between them

IHG offers multiple credit card versions through Chase and Bank of America, each with different annual fees, earning rates, and benefits. The Chase IHG Premier Card typically has a higher annual fee but offers more points per dollar spent and a higher-category free night certificate. The Chase IHG One Card has a lower annual fee and lower earning rates, making it a better fit for occasional travelers.

Bank of America also offers an IHG card with its own fee structure and benefits. The best choice depends on how much you spend, which IHG properties you prefer, and whether you value the additional perks enough to justify a higher fee.

Before you choose, compare the annual fee, the free night certificate category limit, the earning rates on different purchase types, and the sign-up bonus. A spreadsheet with your typical annual spending at IHG hotels and other categories can show you which card would earn the most points relative to its cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do IHG points expire?

Points do not expire as long as your IHG Rewards account stays active. Activity includes staying at an IHG hotel, earning points from the credit card, or transferring points to an airline partner. If your account has no activity for 12 months, your points may expire. Closing the credit card does not when ready expire your points, but it removes one way to keep your account active.

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

The free night certificate comes with a category limit. Most cards allow you to use it at Category 1 through 4 properties, which covers budget and mid-range hotels like Holiday Inn Express and Crowne Plaza. Premium cards may allow higher categories. You cannot use the certificate at luxury properties like Regent or InterContinental unless the card specifically includes that tier.

What happens to my points if I close the card?

Your points stay in your IHG Rewards account and do not disappear when you close the card. However, you lose the ability to earn points from credit card purchases, and your account may become inactive if you do not stay at IHG hotels or use another way to earn points. Inactive accounts may lose points after 12 months.

Is the sign-up bonus worth the spending requirement?

The sign-up bonus is worth pursuing only if you would spend that amount on the card anyway within the required timeframe. If you have to make extra purchases just to hit the threshold, the bonus value is offset by spending you would not have made otherwise. Calculate whether the bonus points cover a free night you actually plan to take.

Can I earn points faster by booking directly through the card instead of the IHG website?

Yes. Booking through the card's shopping portal typically earns 4 or 5 points per dollar, while booking directly on the IHG website earns fewer points. However, the difference is small — usually 1 to 2 extra points per dollar. If the card's portal has the same room available at the same price, it is worth using, but do not pay more for a room just to earn extra points.