Which credit card should you use for IHG stays?
Three credit cards earn points in the IHG One Rewards program.
There are two personal cards — the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card and the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card — and one business card, IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card.
But while these cards offer specific benefits, such as elite status, you might pause before automatically pulling out a credit card that bears the logo of the hotel where you're staying. Is that really the best card to pay with, or should you use something else to maximize your earnings?
Here's a look at some popular credit cards you might use to pay for your next stay at IHG hotels and resorts, comparing what these cards can offer you in terms of return on spending and perks during your stay.
Comparing credit cards for an IHG stay
Aside from using an IHG cobranded credit card, you could also pay using an all-around travel rewards card that earns transferable points on travel purchases, including your next hotel stay. Here are some cards you might pay with and what you could get when using these cards:
| Card name | Earning rate at IHG properties | Value of the rewards earned* | IHG-related benefits from the card | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card | 10 points per dollar | 5 cents | Automatic Platinum Elite status, offering perks like 60% bonus points on paid stays, room upgrades at check-in (possibly to suites), early check-in and late checkout privileges, and a welcome amenity of points or a snack
Fourth night free on stays using points | $99 |
| IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card | 5 points per dollar | 2.5 cents | Automatic Silver Elite status, offering 20% bonus points on paid stays and access to the priority check-in line
Fourth night free on stays using points | $0 |
| IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card | 10 points per dollar | 5 cents | Automatic Platinum Elite status, offering perks like 60% bonus points on paid stays, room upgrades at check-in (possibly to suites), early check-in and late checkout privileges, and a welcome amenity of points or a snack
Fourth night free on stays using points | $99 |
| American Express® Green Card | 3 points per dollar | 6 cents | None | $150 (see rates and fees) |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | 3 points per dollar (or 10 points per dollar if booked via the Chase travel portal) | 6.15 cents (or 20.5 cents) | None | $550 |
| Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card | 5 points per dollar | 5 cents | None | $95 (see rates and fees) |
* Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer.
The information for the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: Current welcome offers on IHG credit cards
Which credit card should you use for IHG stays?
The best strategy is to hold an IHG One Rewards cobranded credit card for elite status benefits and card perks but use a general travel rewards card to actually pay for your stay.
Consider two things when deciding which credit card to use for your next stay at an IHG One Rewards-affiliated property:
- the benefits you can get
- the value of the points you can earn
TPG values IHG points at half a cent each. Thus, while you can earn 10 points per dollar when paying with the IHG One Premier card or IHG One Premier Business card, those 10 points are actually worth just 5 cents. That's less value than you'd get with 3 points per dollar on the Amex Green Card since Amex points are worth 2 cents each — a total of 6 cents in value for each dollar spent.
Now, cards like the Amex Green or Chase Sapphire Reserve don't (by themselves) unlock on-property benefits like room upgrades. Luckily, your IHG elite perks aren't tied to the credit card you pay with — even if the credit card is the sole reason you hold status.
That means holding an IHG cobranded credit card might be worthwhile simply to qualify for elite status and receive the associated benefits. Then, you can pay with a different credit card to earn more valuable points.
And if you pay with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the points you earn (Ultimate Rewards) can be transferred freely and immediately to IHG if you need to top off your balance for an upcoming redemption — though there are many other (better) ways to make the most of those points.
That said, it's worth noting that using a card like the Sapphire Reserve to pay for an IHG stay through the Chase Travel portal may not be the best option. That's because these reservations are treated as third-party bookings and, thus, aren't eligible to earn IHG points.
You'll also miss out on utilizing any elite status perks during your stay, so be sure to factor that in when deciding how to book (and pay).
Related: Why you don't earn hotel points when booking through an OTA
Bottom line
With IHG's credit cards and stays at IHG hotels, deciding which credit card to use can involve tradeoffs. If you pay with IHG's own credit cards, the points you earn aren't that valuable — even though you'll get a lot of them. To get maximum value, your best bet might be holding an IHG credit card for status benefits but using a different credit card to pay at the front desk.
For rates and fees of the Amex Green card, click here.