If you’re someone who books even one hotel night a year with points, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is one of the best value-packed travel cards you can keep in your wallet. The $99 annual fee is easily outweighed by just a single benefit: the Anniversary Free Night Certificate. Every year on your account anniversary, you get a free night worth up to 40,000 points and you can even top it off with your own IHG points to book more expensive hotels. That benefit alone can easily be worth $200+ in value depending on where you redeem it.
But the card doesn’t stop there. It also gives you Platinum Elite status automatically, which unlocks perks like room upgrades, early check-in, late check-out, and bonus points on IHG stays without needing to earn your way there.
When you do stay at IHG hotels (think InterContinental, Kimpton, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza), you can earn up to 26X points per dollar that’s some of the best earn rates for hotel stays across any loyalty program.
Other standout perks include:
And if you’re a heavy spender, there’s even a path to Diamond Elite status with $40K in annual spend.
Throw in trip cancellation insurance, purchase protection, early access to IHG sales, and a 20% discount on IHG point purchases, and you’ve got a card that delivers serious bang for your buck.
Even if you only use the free night certificate every year, you’re getting more than your money’s worth. But if you actually take advantage of the other perks—this $99 card punches way above its weight.