What the IHG Hotels Credit Card Does
The IHG Hotels Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by Capital One in partnership with InterContinental Hotels Group. It earns points on hotel stays at IHG properties and everyday purchases, then lets you redeem those points for free nights, room upgrades, and other hotel benefits. The card comes with an annual fee, a welcome bonus after you meet spending requirements, and perks like automatic elite status at IHG.
The card is designed for people who stay at IHG hotels regularly—properties like Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, InterContinental, and Kimpton. If you rarely stay at hotels or prefer other chains, this card may not be the right fit. The earning rate and redemption value depend on which version of the card you hold, since IHG offers multiple versions with different benefits and annual fees.
Key Takeaways
- The IHG Hotels Credit Card earns points on hotel stays and everyday purchases, with higher earning rates at IHG properties than on other spending.
- You receive a welcome bonus after spending a set amount in the first few months, though the exact bonus varies by card version.
- The card charges an annual fee that is waived the first year on some versions, and you get an anniversary bonus of free night certificates each year you keep the card open.
- Points can be redeemed for free hotel nights, room upgrades, airline miles, or gift cards, though redemption value varies widely by hotel and location.
- The card comes with automatic IHG elite status, which provides benefits like room upgrades, late checkout, and bonus points on stays.
How Points Earning Works
The IHG Hotels Credit Card earns points at different rates depending on where you spend. At IHG hotels, you earn 10 points per dollar spent on room rates and incidental charges like meals and parking. On all other purchases—groceries, gas, restaurants outside IHG properties—you earn 1 point per dollar. Some versions of the card offer bonus categories or higher earning rates, so check the specific terms of the version you are considering.
Points accumulate in your IHG Rewards account, which is separate from your credit card account. You can check your balance online or through the IHG mobile app. Points do not expire as long as you have activity in your IHG account at least once every 24 months, which includes credit card spending, hotel stays, or transfers from other loyalty programs.
If you hold multiple IHG credit cards or have an IHG Rewards membership, all points pool into one account. This can help you reach redemption thresholds faster if you are close to booking a free night.
Welcome Bonus and Annual Fees
When you open an IHG Hotels Credit Card, you receive a welcome bonus after you spend a certain amount within a set timeframe—typically $2,000 to $3,000 in the first three months. The bonus is usually stated in points, though some promotions offer a free night certificate instead. The exact bonus changes periodically, so the amount you see when you open the card may differ from what is advertised at other times.
The card carries an annual fee that varies by version. Some versions waive the fee for the first year, while others charge it when ready. Every year you keep the card open, you receive an anniversary bonus—usually a free night certificate good for one night at most IHG properties, or a points bonus. This certificate can offset the annual fee if you use it, though certificate terms vary (some have blackout dates or require a minimum number of points to book).
You are responsible for paying the annual fee each year the card remains open. If you close the card before the anniversary date, you will not receive the anniversary bonus. If you close it after the anniversary, you keep the bonus you just earned.
Redeeming Points for Hotel Stays
Points are redeemed through the IHG Rewards website or app. You search for available dates at IHG properties, and the system shows you the point cost for each room type and date. The cost varies dramatically—a free night at a budget Holiday Inn might cost 10,000 points, while a night at a luxury InterContinental could cost 50,000 or more. Peak dates and popular locations cost significantly more than off-season or less-visited properties.
When you book a free night with points, you pay taxes and resort fees out of pocket—the points cover only the room rate. Some properties charge resort fees of $20 to $50 per night, so factor that into your decision. You can also use points to upgrade your room category on a paid stay, though the point cost for upgrades is set by the property and may not be worth the cost.
The anniversary free night certificate you receive each year comes with restrictions. Most certificates are valid for one night at most IHG properties up to a certain point value—often 50,000 points or less. This means you cannot use the certificate at the most expensive properties, and it expires if unused within a set period, usually one year.
Other Ways to Use Points
Beyond hotel stays, you can transfer IHG points to airline partners at a set conversion rate, typically 1,000 IHG points for 300 to 500 airline miles depending on the airline. This conversion rate is usually poor compared to redeeming points for hotels, so transfers make sense only if you are close to a specific airline award and cannot reach it another way.
You can also redeem points for gift cards to retailers and restaurants, though the value per point is typically lower than hotel redemptions. Some IHG properties allow you to use points to pay for dining, spa services, or other incidentals, which can be useful if you have leftover points that would not cover a full night.
Points can be donated to select charities through the IHG Rewards program, though this provides no value to you and should only be done if you have points you cannot otherwise use.
Elite Status and Cardholder Perks
Holding the IHG Hotels Credit Card automatically grants you Silver Elite status in the IHG Rewards program. This status provides benefits including room upgrades (when available), late checkout, bonus points on stays, and access to elite-only rates. The exact perks depend on the property and availability—upgrades are not may provide, and some properties may not honor all benefits.
Some versions of the IHG card offer higher elite status, such as Gold Elite, which adds benefits like complimentary room upgrades and additional bonus points. Check the specific card terms to see what status level you receive. You also receive a statement credit or points bonus on your card anniversary each year, in addition to the free night certificate. Some versions offer a $50 or $100 statement credit that can be used toward IHG stays or other purchases. This benefit is automatic—you do not need to request it.
Comparing IHG Card Versions
Capital One offers multiple versions of the IHG Hotels Credit Card, each with different annual fees, welcome bonuses, and elite status levels. The standard IHG Rewards Card typically waives the annual fee the first year, then charges $99 annually. The IHG Premier Card waives the fee the first year, then charges $149 annually and comes with higher elite status and a larger anniversary free night certificate.
The welcome bonus and anniversary benefits vary by version and change periodically. Before opening a card, compare the annual fee against the value of the anniversary certificate and other perks for your specific travel patterns. A higher annual fee may be worth it if you stay at IHG hotels frequently and can use the anniversary certificate, but the standard card may be sufficient if you stay less often.
| Feature | IHG Rewards Card | IHG Premier Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 first year, then $99 | $0 first year, then $149 |
| Elite Status | Silver Elite | Gold Elite |
| Anniversary Bonus | Free night certificate (50,000 points or less) | Free night certificate (75,000 points or less) |
| Earning at IHG Hotels | 10 points per $1 | 10 points per $1 |
| Earning on Other Purchases | 1 point per $1 | 1 point per $1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get enough points for a free night?
It depends on your spending and the property you want to visit. If you stay at IHG hotels regularly, you earn 10 points per dollar on the room rate, so a $100 night earns 1,000 points. A budget property might require 10,000 to 15,000 points for a free night, which you could reach in one or two stays. A luxury property could require 40,000 to 60,000 points, which would take many stays or significant everyday credit card spending.
Can I use my free night certificate at any IHG hotel?
No. The anniversary free night certificate comes with a point cap—usually 50,000 or 75,000 points depending on the card version. You can only book properties where the nightly point cost is at or below that cap. Luxury and resort properties often exceed the cap, so your options are limited to mid-range and budget IHG properties.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points remain in your IHG Rewards account and do not disappear when you close the card. However, points expire if there is no activity in your IHG account for 24 months. Activity includes credit card spending, hotel stays, or transfers from partners. If you close the card and do not stay at IHG hotels or use the account otherwise, your points will expire after two years of inactivity.
Is the annual fee worth it?
That depends on how often you stay at IHG hotels and whether you use the anniversary free night certificate. If you stay at least once per year and redeem the certificate, the certificate value often covers or exceeds the annual fee. If you rarely stay at IHG properties, the annual fee is unlikely to be worth the cost.
Can I earn points on a stay I paid for with points?
No. When you book a free night with points, you do not earn additional points on that stay. You only earn points on paid stays and credit card purchases. Some elite status members earn bonus points on free night stays, but the base earning is zero.