IHG and Chase are rolling out significant updates to their cobranded credit card offerings. These changes will introduce new perks, improved earning options, and additional pathways for cardholders to achieve elite status.
Currently, three IHG credit cards will see updates, which involve renaming two of them, increasing annual fees for two, enhancing the limits on free nights awards, and adding more Elite Night Credits. Additionally, they are launching a new premium card: the IHG One Rewards Premier Select World Elite Mastercard.
The updates promise more potential value for cardholders, along with new benefits tied to spending thresholds and statement credits. Let’s break down what to expect from the revamped IHG credit card lineup.
The new four-card IHG lineup
The refreshed lineup will feature four cards, including a new addition, with annual fees ranging from $0 to $350. Each card provides a unique combination of IHG benefits and elite-status advantages. Here’s how they stack up:
| Card | Welcome offer | Annual fee | Earning at IHG hotels | Elite status | Elite Night Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IHG One Rewards Credit Card | Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 in the first three months. Offer ends Nov. 18. | $0 | Up to 17 points per dollar | Silver | 5 |
| IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card | Earn 180,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months. Offer ends Nov. 18. | $150 | Up to 24 points per dollar | Gold (down from Platinum) | 15 |
| IHG One Rewards Business Credit Card | Earn 190,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first three months. Offer ends Nov. 18. | $200 | Up to 26 points per dollar | Platinum | 15 |
| IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card | Earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first three months. Offer ends Nov. 18. | $350 | Up to 28 points per dollar | Platinum | 20 |
IHG One Rewards Card (updated)
The no-annual-fee IHG One Rewards Card, which was previously called the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card, keeps its $0 annual fee but gains new Elite Night Credits and tweaks to its earning rates. Cardholders will still receive automatic IHG One Rewards Silver Elite status and now earn 5 Elite Night Credits each calendar year. These will be posted within weeks of opening an account, with existing cardholders seeing these for the first time in 2027. Also, the spend requirement for Gold Elite status has dropped from $20,000 to $15,000 per year.
The card now earns:
- Up to 17 points per dollar at IHG properties (10 points as an IHG member, 5 points from cardholder status, 2 points for Silver Elite)
- 3 points per dollar on dining, gas, and grocery purchases
- 2 points per dollar on other eligible purchases
Interestingly, grocery stores are a new bonus category; however, certain services like utilities and streaming will no longer earn at an elevated rate starting in 2027.
A big change is that from 2027 onward, cardholders will need to spend $5,000 each year to unlock the fourth-night-free benefit, which was previously included automatically.
IHG One Rewards Premier (updated)
The mid-tier IHG One Rewards Premier is gaining more benefits, yet its annual fee will rise from $99 to $150 starting in 2027 for current cardholders. Among the new perks are up to $100 in IHG Food & Beverage Rewards (broken down to $25 quarterly) and a $100 airline statement credit (with a $250 minimum spend on flights directly purchased through the airline each year, applicable until 2027). The anniversary free night cap is also increasing from 40,000 to 50,000 points, with the improved free night benefit commencing in 2027.
The Premier card now earns:
- Up to 24 points per dollar at IHG properties (10 for being an IHG member, 10 as a cardholder, 4 for Gold Elite status)
- 5 points per dollar on flights, dining, gas, and grocery purchases
- 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
This card is also losing automatic Platinum Elite status, now providing Gold Elite status with 15 Elite Night Credits each year. Current Premier cardholders will keep their Platinum status until the end of 2027. They can earn additional Elite Night Credits with more spending, and new thresholds for status upgrades have been introduced.
IHG One Rewards Business Card (updated)
The IHG One Rewards Business Card, previously called the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, will see a hefty increase in annual fees from $99 to $200 in 2027. New features include up to $100 in IHG Food & Beverage Rewards, a $100 airline credit (for spending at least $250 directly on flights each year before 2027), and a $100 credit for eligible purchases on Expensify. The anniversary free night cap is also increasing from 40,000 to 50,000 points starting 2027.
The Business card will earn:
- Up to 26 points per dollar at IHG properties (10 points for membership, 10 for cardholder status, 6 for Platinum Elite status)
- 5 points per dollar on travel-related purchases and select advertising
- 3 points per dollar on other purchases
However, some benefits are being reduced. For example, no bonus points will be awarded for office supply purchases, and earning potential in the travel category is being narrowed down to flights and car rentals. The United TravelBank cash benefit will also be discontinued after 2026, though current cardholders can utilize it through that year.
IHG One Rewards Premier Select (new card)
The new IHG One Rewards Premier Select represents the most premium card in the IHG lineup, with an annual fee of $350. It offers automatic Platinum Elite status, 20 Elite Night Credits per year, and an anniversary free night worth up to 60,000 points, starting in 2027. The card also grants a maximum of $300 in annual IHG Food & Beverage Rewards and a $200 airline statement credit after meeting spending requirements.
This card is specifically aimed at frequent IHG guests who can fully utilize its hotel-specific perks.
What to know for existing and new IHG cardholders
For those who currently hold an IHG credit card, the timeline for these changes varies. New applicants can access the updated cards with their benefits now. Existing Premier and Business cardholders will notice new fees starting in 2027. Many benefits will kick in starting October 1, but some have unique timing or eligibility rules, and Chase will directly communicate the specifics.
It’s still unclear what will happen for holders of the legacy IHG One Rewards Select Card.
Final thoughts
In short, IHG and Chase are revamping the IHG One Rewards credit card range with fresh benefits and more elite status earning opportunities. However, not all changes are favorable for some consumers, especially with increased annual fees and the culling of certain benefits.
For those already holding cards, the new value largely depends on how well they can utilize new credits and incentives. For newcomers, it’s a good moment to consider these cards since they come with various limited-time sign-up offers ending on November 18.
