Editor’s observe: It is a recurring publish, frequently up to date with new data.
InterContinental Inns Group (IHG) refreshed its bank card lineup in March of 2022. That included a revamp of its two present playing cards and the addition of a small-business bank card. That brings us to a few bank cards that earn factors within the IHG One Rewards program.
And the 2 private playing cards, the IHG Rewards Premier Credit score Card and the IHG Rewards Traveler Credit score Card, are presently providing their highest-ever sign-up bonuses, making now a good time to get certainly one of them.
However whereas these playing cards do provide particular advantages similar to a degree of standing, you may pause earlier than mechanically pulling out a bank card that bears the emblem of the resort the place you’re staying. Is that actually the perfect card to pay with, or do you have to use one thing else to maximise your earnings?
Right here’s a take a look at some in style bank cards you may use to pay in your subsequent keep at IHG resorts and resorts, evaluating what these playing cards can give you by way of return on spending and perks throughout your keep.
Evaluating bank cards for an IHG keep
* Bonus worth is an estimated worth calculated by TPG and never the cardboard issuer.
The knowledge for the Amex Inexperienced card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Associated: Present welcome presents on IHG bank cards
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Which card do you have to use?
Contemplate two issues when deciding which bank card to make use of in your subsequent keep at an IHG One Rewards-affiliated property: the advantages you may get and the worth of the factors you may earn.
Now, playing cards just like the Amex Inexperienced or Chase Sapphire Reserve don’t (by themselves) unlock on-property advantages like room upgrades. Fortunately, your IHG elite perks aren’t tied to the bank card you pay with — even when the bank card is the only real motive you maintain standing.
Which means it may be worthwhile to carry an IHG cobranded bank card merely to qualify for elite standing and obtain the related advantages. Then, you may pay with a special bank card to earn extra beneficial factors. And in case you pay with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the factors you earn (Final Rewards) will be transferred freely and instantly to IHG if you should prime off your stability for an upcoming redemption — although there are lots of different (higher) methods to profit from these factors.
That stated, it’s price noting that utilizing a card just like the Sapphire Reserve to pay for an IHG keep by way of the Chase Journey portal is probably not the most suitable choice. That’s as a result of these reservations are handled as third-party bookings and thus aren’t eligible to earn IHG factors. You’ll additionally miss out on using any elite standing perks throughout your keep, so make sure you issue that in when deciding e book (and pay).
Associated: Why you don’t earn resort factors when reserving by way of an OTA
Backside line
With IHG’s bank cards and stays at IHG resorts, deciding which bank card to make use of can contain tradeoffs. In the event you pay with IHG’s personal bank cards, the factors you earn aren’t that beneficial — although you’ll get plenty of them. With the intention to get most worth, your finest wager may be holding an IHG bank card for standing advantages however utilizing a special bank card to pay on the entrance desk.
And now, each private IHG playing cards are providing the best sign-up bonuses we have seen, so it’s a nice time so as to add one to your pockets.
Editor’s observe: “Factors of View” is a sequence evaluating selections on which bank card to make use of. In the event you’re dealing with a dilemma about which card is finest for an upcoming cost, electronic mail us at ideas@thepointsguy.com.
Additionally on this sequence:
For charges and costs of the Amex Inexperienced card, click on right here.
Extra reporting by Emily Thompson.
