Why the Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is Worth It

The Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card enhances your travel experience with free nights, priority perks, and high rewards. Discover more inside!

By: Bruna Silveira in February 14, 2025 Last Update: February 17, 2025

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Traveling just got better with the Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card. Designed for IHG hotel enthusiasts, this card comes packed with high-value rewards, elite status upgrades, and complimentary free nights every year.

Whether you stay at Holiday Inn, InterContinental, or Kimpton Hotels, this card helps you earn and redeem points effortlessly.

Plus, with travel protection and priority services, you can enjoy stress-free trips. Want to know how this card can elevate your hotel stays? Keep reading to find out!

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Benefits of the Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

The Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers a variety of perks designed to enhance the travel experience for frequent IHG hotel guests.

From accelerated rewards to exclusive elite status benefits, this card ensures that every stay is more rewarding. Here are the key advantages:

Earn up to 26X points per $1 spent at IHG Hotels & Resorts.
Receive a free anniversary night each year, redeemable at eligible hotels.
Automatic Platinum Elite status, unlocking room upgrades, priority check-in, and late checkout.
No foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for international travelers.
Reward points on everyday purchases, including dining, travel, and gas stations.
Valuable travel protections, including trip cancellation insurance and baggage delay coverage.

Prerequisites to Apply for the Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

Before applying for the Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, it’s essential to understand the eligibility requirements. This card is best suited for individuals with good to excellent credit scores, typically 690 or higher. Here are the main prerequisites:

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Good to excellent credit score (690+).
U.S. residency and a valid Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
Minimum age of 18 (or 19 in some states) to apply.
A steady source of income to meet Chase’s financial requirements.
No recent history of excessive credit applications (Chase’s 5/24 rule applies).

Applicants should also consider Chase’s 5/24 rule, which may impact approval if they have opened five or more credit cards from any issuer within the past 24 months.

About Chase Bank

Chase Bank, part of JPMorgan Chase & Co., is one of the largest and most well-established financial institutions in the world.

Founded in 1799, Chase has more than 200 years of experience in banking and financial services.

It currently serves over 60 million households and 4 million small businesses in the United States, with a network of 4,700+ branches and 16,000 ATMs nationwide.

As a traditional bank, Chase provides a wide range of financial products, including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, and investment services.

It is particularly well-known for its credit card offerings, including co-branded cards with IHG, Marriott, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.

With a strong reputation for innovation, customer service, and financial strength, Chase continues to be a trusted institution for millions of customers, offering both in-person and digital banking solutions to meet modern financial needs.

Who Is the Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card For?

The Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is ideal for frequent travelers and loyal IHG hotel guests who want to maximize their hotel stays with valuable rewards and exclusive perks.

This card is best suited for:

IHG enthusiasts who frequently stay at Holiday Inn, InterContinental, Kimpton Hotels, and other IHG properties.
Business travelers who regularly book hotels for work and want to enjoy free nights and elite status benefits.
Vacationers looking for a way to earn free hotel stays while taking advantage of travel protections.
International travelers who want a card with no foreign transaction fees and worldwide acceptance.
Individuals with good to excellent credit who can take advantage of a premium hotel rewards card.

For those who rarely stay at IHG properties, this card may not be the best fit, as the highest rewards are tied to IHG hotel purchases.

However, for loyal IHG customers, it offers unmatched value.

What Rewards and Programs Does the Card Offer?

The Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card comes with a generous rewards program, giving cardholders multiple ways to earn and redeem points for free stays and travel perks.

Rewards Program

Earn up to 26X points per $1 spent at IHG Hotels & Resorts (includes base points + cardholder bonuses).
5X points on travel, dining, and gas station purchases, helping you accumulate rewards even when you’re not staying at IHG properties.
3X points on all other purchases, ensuring that every dollar spent contributes to your rewards balance.

Elite Benefits & Perks

Automatic Platinum Elite Status, offering room upgrades, priority check-in, late checkout, and bonus points on every stay.
A free anniversary night each year, redeemable at eligible IHG properties.
Fourth night free when you redeem points for a stay of four or more consecutive nights.
No foreign transaction fees, making it a great choice for international travel.

Other Travel Privileges

Trip cancellation/interruption insurance, helping protect against unexpected travel disruptions.
Baggage delay coverage, reimbursing you for essential purchases if your luggage is delayed.
Purchase protection, covering eligible items against damage or theft.

With a high earning potential and valuable travel perks, the Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is a top choice for travelers looking to maximize their hotel stays and enjoy premium travel benefits.

Initial Credit Limit

The Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card comes with a flexible credit limit, which is determined based on the applicant’s credit history, income, and overall financial profile. Here’s what you can expect:

Minimum credit limit: $5,000
Maximum credit limit: Varies based on individual qualifications, but can exceed $20,000 for well-qualified applicants.

Chase reviews each application carefully and assigns a credit limit based on factors like credit score, existing debt, and income level.

If you have a strong credit profile, you may qualify for a higher limit.

Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for the Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

Applying for the Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is a simple and straightforward process. Follow these steps to get started:

Visit the official Chase website: Go to the official application page: Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.
Check the eligibility requirements: Ensure you meet the credit score and income requirements before applying.
Fill out the application form, rovide personal details such as name, address, date of birth, and Social Security Number (SSN).
Enter your employment and income information.
Review and submit your application: Double-check all the details before submitting your request.
Wait for approval: Chase may provide an instant decision, but some applications require manual review, which can take a few days.
Receive your card and activate it: If approved, your card will arrive within 7–10 business days. Activate it online or via the Chase mobile app.

TAP TO ACCESS THE CARD PAGE

Card’s Pros and Cons

Pros

High reward potential – Earn up to 26X points per dollar at IHG hotels.
Annual free night – Get a complimentary night stay every year on your account anniversary.
Automatic Platinum Elite status – Enjoy room upgrades, priority check-in, and late checkout.
No foreign transaction fees – Ideal for international travelers.
Fourth night free benefit – Redeem points for a four-night stay and get the fourth night free.
Comprehensive travel protections – Includes trip cancellation, baggage delay, and purchase protection.

Cons

Annual fee of $99 – Some travelers may prefer a no-annual-fee alternative.
IHG-focused rewards – Best for IHG loyalists, but less rewarding for those who prefer flexibility.
High APR on purchases – Interest rates can be high if you carry a balance.
Limited redemption options – Points are most valuable when redeemed for IHG stays, offering less flexibility than general travel cards.

How to Unlock the Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

Once your Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card arrives in the mail, you’ll need to activate it before use. Here’s how to do it:

Online Activation

Go to Chase’s activation page
Log in to your Chase account or create one if you don’t already have an online banking profile.
Enter your card details, including the card number, expiration date, and security code.
Confirm activation – Once verified, your card will be ready for use.

Activation via Mobile App

Download the Chase Mobile App
Log in to your Chase account.
Find the activation section, enter your card details, and follow the on-screen instructions.
Your card is now activated and ready to use.

Phone Activation

Call the Chase customer service number: (800) 432-3117.
Follow the automated prompts to enter your card details.
Once confirmed, your card will be activated and ready for purchases.

Fees and Tariffs

Before applying, it’s important to understand the main costs associated with the Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.

Annual Fee: $99
Purchase APR: Variable APR of 21.49% – 28.49%, based on creditworthiness.
Balance Transfer Fee: $5 or 5% of the transfer amount, whichever is greater.
Cash Advance Fee: $10 or 5% of the amount, whichever is greater.
Late Payment Fee: Up to $40 if you miss a payment deadline.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: Ideal for international travelers.