IHG Hotels and Resorts is the fourth largest hotel chain with more than 6,000 properties in more than 100 countries and 19 hotel brands.
Like most hotel chains, it offers several common branded credit cards. IHG and Chase currently offer three credit cards (two individuals and one business) and they earn a reward point. From occasional travelers to IHG loyalists, there is a card for everyone, with annual fees ranging from $0 to $99.
You may decide between an IHG reward credit card (see Fees and Fees) and an IHG reward traveler credit card (see Interest Rates and Fees).
Let’s check the card details to see which card is better for your strategy.
ihg A Reward Prime Minister and IHG A Reward Traveler
| card | ihg a reward prime minister | IHG A Reward Traveler |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | For a limited time, spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of opening an account, earning five free nights (up to 60,000 per night). The offer ends on July 23. | Within a limited time, you spent $2,000 in purchases in the first three months of opening an account, earning 120,000 bonus points. The offer ends on July 23. |
| Annual fee | $99 | $ 0 |
| Point Assessment* | 0.5 cents per point | 0.5 cents per point |
| Reward structure |
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| Other benefits |
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| Travel and shopping protection |
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*Points value is based on TPG’s June 2025 valuation and is not provided or reviewed by the issuer.
IHG One Rewards Prime Minister and IHG One Rewards Travelers Welcome Offer
New applicants at IHG can earn five free nights (up to 60,000 per night) for a limited time, after spending $5,000 in purchases in the first three months of opening an account. This offer ends on July 23.
According to TPG’s June 2025 valuation, if you fully maximize the free night at 60,000 points (total 300,000 points), the bonus is worth $1,500.
This matches the highest ever welcome quote we’ve seen on the card, which was last offered in September 2024.
On the other hand, for a limited time, those applying for IHG can earn 120,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 in the first three months after opening an account. This offer ends on July 23.
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According to TPG’s June 2025 valuation, this welcome offer is worth $600. This matches the highest ever welcome offer we’ve seen on the card, which was offered over two years ago.
Both cards offer limited welcome bonuses, and now is a great time to apply for both cards.
It is important to remember that since Chase issues these two cards, they follow the 5/24 rule. This means that if you have opened five or more credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months, you may not be approved for use.
winner: ihg a reward for the Prime Minister. Its welcome quote is worth $900 more than more than travelers.
Related: Best Welcome Bonus of the Month
ihg A reward for the Prime Minister and IHG A reward for travelers
IHG rewards to Prime Minister and Traveler Cards have some benefits. These include:
With IHG a reward traveler, you will receive:
- Automatic Silver Elite Status: Earn the Golden Elite identity by December 31 of the next calendar year after spending $20,000 in one calendar year.
On the other hand, IHG rewards the Prime Minister to offer a wider range of benefits and statement credit, such as:
- Automatic Platinum Elite Status: You will get Platinum Elite Status and can get Diamond Elite Status by December 31 of the next calendar year after spending $40,000 in one calendar year.
- Anniversary Free Night Award: Get free nights worth up to 40,000 points per account anniversary. If the room costs more than 40,000 points, you can top up this free reward with points from your IHG account.
- Earn $100 in statement credit and 10,000 bonus points per year: If you spend $20,000 in a calendar year, you will receive a $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points (according to TPG’s June 2025 valuation of $50).
- TSA Precheck/Global Antry/Nexus Application Fee Credit: Get global entry every four years, TSA Precheck or Nexus with a maximum declared credit limit of $120.
- United Airlines Travel Bank Credit: Receive up to $50 in United Travelbank cash credits (up to $25 every two years) each year in your United Travelbank account.
winner: ihg a reward for the Prime Minister. It offers a free anniversary night with higher auto elite status than the Traveler Card.
Related: Comparison of the best hotel elite status tiers and how to earn them
Win points on IHG, one rewards Prime Minister and one reward traveler
Both the Prime Minister’s Card and the Traveler Card have won a bonus point.
With an IHG reward to the Prime Minister, you will receive:
- Spend 10 o’clock on IHG Hotels and Resorts
- Spend 5 points per dollar on dining (including takeout and qualified delivery), gasoline purchases and travel
- Spend 3 points per dollar on all other purchases
These revenue rates represent 5%, 2.5% and 1.5% respectively, based on TPG’s June 2025 valuation.
You can also earn up to 26 points per dollar for using Premier Card at IHG Hotels (10 points from the card, 10 points, and is a reward member of IHG and up to 6 points from the Platinum Elite status provided by the card).
With IHG a reward traveler, you will receive:
- 5 points per dollar spent at IHG hotels and resorts
- Spend 3 points per dollar on cable, internet and telephone services; dining (including takeout and qualified delivery); gas stations; select flow services; and utilities
- Spend 2 points per dollar on all other purchases
These revenue rates represent 2.5%, 1.5% and 1% expenditure gains, respectively, based on TPG’s June 2025 valuation, respectively.
With Traveler Card, you can also spend up to 17 points in IHG Hotels (get 5 points, 10 points from the card, and be a reward member of IHG, up to 2 points from the Silver Elite status provided by the card).
Premier Card offers more points in almost all categories, and in the only category it matches the revenue rate on the Traveler Card.
Neither card offers sample rates, but they both get a decent return on buying IHG. However, you’d better use another card to use your hotel accommodation and daily purchases, such as the Chase SapphirePreferred® card (see Rates and Fees) or Capital One Venture Rewards credit card, as other cards can offer higher returns.
winner: ihg a reward for the Prime Minister. In most purchases, it earns more points than travelers.
Related: How to earn IHG points through stays, credit cards, etc.
A reward for the Prime Minister with IHG and a reward for traveler
Both cards earn a reward point and can be redeemed in the same way. A reward points can be redeemed for hotel accommodation, digital rewards and charitable donations and can be transferred to airline partners.
To maximize the value of your IHG points, it is best to redeem them for hotel accommodation. IHG takes advantage of dynamic pricing, which means that the price of points per night depends on availability and season, but big deals can still be found. The awards party prices are as low as 5,000 a night.
TPG Newsletter and Partnership Editor Emily Thompson extends her points by booking reservations for Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express and using the fourth night’s PERK in the rewards.
winner: tie. Both cards earn one bonus point for IHG and offer the same redemption option.
Related: Should you buy IHG points from Chase or transfer rewards?
Transfer points with IHG a reward for Prime Minister and IHG a reward for travelers
Both cards have access to multiple transfer partners, including American Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines. Most airlines convert IHG to miles at a 5:1 ratio.
While this is not usually the best use for points, it would be beneficial to transfer IHG points to airline partners in certain situations.
For example, if you need to book a reward flight and on a mileage short circuit, it’s hard to make money with an airline’s mileage, like Korean Air, transferring an IHG point may be a good option.
It is important to note that transferring points to airlines is cumbersome compared to other hotel chains. You must call IHG at 888-211-9874 for a reward to initiate the transfer. Transfer time varies by airline; transfers can take up to six weeks to process.
winner: tie. Both cards have the same transfer partner.
Related: Should you transfer your hotel points to your airline partner?
Should I receive an IHG reward for Prime Minister or an IHG reward traveler?
IHG loyalists and frequent travelers are better suited for an IHG reward, thanks to its higher income rate and automatic platinum elite identity. The card costs $99 annually, but the annual fee for free anniversary nights is far more than the annual fee. If you don’t want to pay the annual fee, a traveler is a better choice.
Related: Why You Should Obtain (and Keep) an IHG Reward Premier Card
How to upgrade from IHG a reward traveler to IHG a reward prime minister
If you currently have one of these cards and are over 5/24 or are not eligible for a new IHG card welcome bonus, you may need to choose to change the product. You can upgrade from a traveler to a prime minister or downgraded from a prime minister to a traveler.
To request a product change (upgrade or downgrade), simply call the number on the back of the card. It is important to make sure you wait until at least a year before making changes so that you don’t lose your welcome bonus.
Related: Credit Card Upgrade Guide
Bottom line
The IHG Rewards Prime Minister and Traveler Card is a great way to jump into an IHG rewards program and take advantage of some of its redemption options. You can’t go wrong because IHG has thousands of properties worldwide.
If you use free nights every year, then the Prime Minister is a better value proposition – most people should be able to do that. In addition, it has a higher elite status.
However, if you don’t stay in IHG Properties often and want to experience your travel experience, a travel card is a stable unfamiliar choice.
To learn more, check out our full review of IHG One Rewards Premier Card and IHG One Rewards Traveler Card.
Apply here: IHG Reward Prime Minister
Apply here: IHG A Reward Traveler
