Editor’s notice: This is a recurring put up, frequently up to date with new info.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) refreshed its bank card lineup in March of 2022. That included a revamp of its two current 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 Card and the IHG Rewards Traveler Credit Card, are at the moment providing their highest-ever sign-up bonuses, making now a good time to get one among them.
But whereas these playing cards do provide particular advantages similar to a degree of standing, you would possibly pause earlier than robotically pulling out a bank card that bears the emblem of the resort the place you’re staying. Is that actually the most effective card to pay with, or must you use one thing else to maximise your earnings?
Here’s a have a look at some common bank cards you would possibly use to pay in your subsequent keep at IHG motels and resorts, evaluating what these playing cards can give you when it comes to return on spending and perks throughout your keep.
Comparing bank cards for an IHG keep
Aside from utilizing an IHG cobranded bank card, you could possibly additionally pay utilizing an all-around journey rewards card that earns transferable factors on journey purchases, together with your subsequent resort keep. Here are some playing cards you would possibly pay with and what you could possibly get when utilizing these playing cards:
* Bonus worth is an estimated worth calculated by TPG and never the cardboard issuer.
The info for the Amex Green card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
Related: Current welcome gives on IHG bank cards
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Which card must you use?
Consider 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 will get and the worth of the factors you may earn.
TPG values IHG factors at half a cent every. Thus, when you can earn 10 factors per greenback when paying with the IHG Premier card or IHG Premier Business card, these 10 factors are literally price simply 5 cents. That’s much less worth than you’d get with 3 factors per greenback on the Amex Green Card since Amex factors are price 2 cents every — a complete of 6 cents in worth for every greenback spent.
Now, playing cards just like the Amex Green or Chase Sapphire Reserve don’t (by themselves) unlock on-property advantages like room upgrades. Luckily, your IHG elite perks aren’t tied to the bank card you pay with — even when the bank card is the only real purpose you maintain standing.
That means it could 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 distinct bank card to earn extra helpful factors. And in case you pay with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the factors you earn (Ultimate Rewards) might be transferred freely and instantly to IHG if you must high off your stability for an upcoming redemption — although there are numerous different (higher) methods to take advantage of these factors.
That mentioned, it’s price noting that utilizing a card just like the Sapphire Reserve to pay for an IHG keep by the Chase Travel portal might not be 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 you’ll want to issue that in when deciding find out how to e book (and pay).
Related: Why you don’t earn resort factors when reserving by an OTA
Bottom line
With IHG’s bank cards and stays at IHG motels, deciding which bank card to make use of can contain tradeoffs. If you pay with IHG’s personal bank cards, the factors you earn aren’t that helpful — though you’ll get lots of them. In order to get most worth, your greatest guess could be holding an IHG bank card for standing advantages however utilizing a distinct 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 notice: “Points of View” is a collection evaluating choices on which bank card to make use of. If you’re dealing with a dilemma about which card is greatest for an upcoming cost, e-mail us at tips@thepointsguy.com.
Also on this collection:
For charges and charges of the Amex Green card, click on right here.
Additional reporting by Emily Thompson.