UPDATE: All cards come with 10K points when you add AU. “Get 10,000 Bonus Points After You Add An Authorized User In The First 3 Months From Account Opening”
Chase and IHG have restructured their co-branded credit card lineup and added new premium card. Also, offering all-time-high signup bonuses across the entire portfolio with an annual fee hike for existing cards.
The update introduces a $350 premium tier (the IHG One Rewards Premier Select) while jacking up the annual fees and adding “coupon-book” style statement credits to the existing mid-tier cards.
The New IHG Portfolio at a Glance
| Card | Annual Fee | Current SUB | FNC Value | Key Statement Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Select (NEW) | $350 | 200k ($5k/3mo) | 60k Points | $300 F&B, $200 Flight, $50 United, $120 Instacart, $120 DoorDash |
| Premier | $150 (was $99) | 180k ($3k/3mo) | 50k Points | $100 F&B, $100 Flight |
| Business | $200 (was $99) | 190k ($5k/3mo) | 50k Points | $100 F&B, $100 Flight, $100 Expensify |
| One Rewards (No Fee) | $0 | 125k ($2k/3mo) | None | None |
Direct link to IHG cards lineup.
IHG Premier Select (New)
Annual Fee: $350
- Signup Bonus: 200,000 points after $5,000 spend in the first 3 months.
- Anniversary Free Night (FNC): 60,000 point value.
- The Credits ($790 Total Stated Value):
- $75 quarterly Food & Beverage voucher at IHG ($300/yr).
- $200 statement credit (triggered when spending $250+ directly with an airline).
- $50 United TravelBank cash per year.
- $10/month Instacart credit ($120/yr).
- $10/month DoorDash non-restaurant voucher ($120/yr, ends Dec 31, 2027).
- Status & Perks: 20 elite qualifying nights automatically, early access to reward night sales, and earns 28x total points at IHG properties.
IHG Premier (Refreshed)
Annual Fee: Increased to $150 (up from $99)
The fee jumped by $51, and automatic Platinum Elite status was downgraded to Gold Elite. However, they increased the FNC value and added credits to offset the fee hike.
- Signup Bonus: 180,000 points after $3,000 spend in the first 3 months.
- Anniversary Free Night (FNC): Increased to a 50,000 point value (up from 40k).
- The Credits ($200 Total Stated Value):
- $25 quarterly Food & Beverage voucher at IHG ($100/yr).
- $100 statement credit (triggered when spending $250+ directly with an airline).
- Status & Perks: Downgraded to Gold Elite status. Gives 15 elite qualifying nights automatically.
IHG Business (Refreshed)
Annual Fee: Increased to $200 (up from $99) (Renamed from IHG One Rewards Premier Business)
The business card took the largest fee hike (a $101 increase) and lost its United TravelBank perk, replacing it with a software credit.
- Signup Bonus: 190,000 points after $5,000 spend in the first 3 months.
- Anniversary Free Night (FNC): Increased to a 50,000 point value (up from 40k).
- The Credits ($300 Total Stated Value):
- $25 quarterly Food & Beverage voucher at IHG ($100/yr).
- $100 statement credit (triggered when spending $250+ directly with an airline).
- $100 statement credit for Expensify purchases.
- Status & Perks: Gives 15 elite qualifying nights automatically.
IHG One Rewards (Refreshed)
Annual Fee: $0 (Renamed from IHG One Rewards Traveler)
The base card retains its zero annual fee, but it suffered a massive stealth devaluation.
- Signup Bonus: 125,000 points after $2,000 spend in the first 3 months.
- The Nerf (4th Night Free): Historically, holding any IHG card granted the 4th Reward Night Free benefit. Starting in 2027, this no-fee card will require $5,000 in calendar year spend to unlock the 4th night free perk.
- Status & Perks: Gives 5 elite qualifying nights automatically.
Our Verdict:
IHG card is now following Amex model of “Coupon booklet”.
The new $350 Premier Select is no brainer for Year 1. A 200k signup bonus and a highly usable $200 airline flight credit heavily outweigh the $350 fee. The fact that the flight credit only requires $250 in spend to trigger makes it incredibly easy to liquidate. Keeping for year 2 makes sense only if you can take advantage of flight credit + other benefits. But there are other cards out there.
Overall, this looks refresh is more of negative changes unless you can fully utilize coupon style benefits. Makes sense for SUB bonus and then downgrade to free version.