Every year, you should evaluate what’s in your wallet and determine which card to keep. Usually, it is best to make that decision before the next annual fee.
Things you should consider include how much the annual fee is and the value you get from your card. Remember that even if the card is low annual fee, it doesn’t mean it’s worth keeping.
IHG A Rewards Credit Card (see Fees & Fees) is a popular hotel card with an annual fee of $99, but is it worth mentioning in your wallet? This is what you should know before choosing.
Welcome offer
New applicants for IHG Premier cards can earn five free nights (worth up to 300,000 points) after spending $5,000 in the first three months of opening. The offer ends on July 23.
According to TPG’s June 2025 valuation, the bonus is worth up to $1,500.
Please note that if you currently have a personal IHG credit card, such as an IHG reward traveler credit card (see rates and fees), or if you have received a welcome bonus on any IHG personal credit card in the past 24 months, you will not be able to receive this bonus.
You can redeeve points for luxury stay in hotels such as the Maamunagau resort of InterContinental Maldives or budget-friendly properties like Holiday Inn Agra, where you can visit the city of Taj Mahal.
Related: Final Guide to Credit Card Application Restrictions
Free Night Award of the Year
On each account anniversary, you will receive a free night reward worth 40,000 points, which is valid for bookings of one IHG reward. If you want to redeemed it for a hotel that costs more, you can add it to your points in your account.
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According to TPG’s June 2025 valuation, the free night reward can be used for up to $200 in value, meaning that this gain alone can prove that the card’s annual fee is $99.
Related: How to use IHG for an Anniversary Night Certificate
United Travel Bank Cash
In January and July, you will receive $25 in credits to cash out your United Travelbank cash balance. These funds can be used to purchase flights operated by United and United Express.
These points can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses when purchasing cash fares, but there are limits:
- They expire about six months after depositing from July 15 to January 15.
- Funds cannot be used to pay for taxes and fees for reward travel or transfer purchases.
- TravelBank funds cannot be combined with vouchers for cancellation of flights.
However, if you can maximize this benefit, you will easily prove that the card has more than half the annual fee.
Related: The Easiest 5 Travel Credits to Redeemed
Automatic status
Cardholders will enjoy free Platinum Elite status with IHG Premier card, the second highest tier in the IHG One Rewards program.
Benefits of this level include:
- Free upgrade when checking in (based on availability)
- Early check-in and party checkout, depending on the circumstances
- Welcome convenience or drinks and snacks
- Guaranteed room availability within 72 hours
Related: So, what exactly is the elite identity in travel? How can I get it?
Free reward for the fourth night
IHG cardholders can also use the Fourth Night Free Benefit when rewarding with IHG Rewards.
Each fourth night is free when using points to cover four or more accommodations. The value of this benefit varies depending on how often you use it and the price of the hotel you use.
Other privileges
Cardholders earn 10 points on IHG when paying with IHG Premier card. This means that when they earn an extra 10 points per dollar for being an IHG reward member, their extra expenses can earn 10 points per dollar, thanks to their Platinum Elite identity (the benefits this card brings).
You will also earn 5 points per dollar on travel, hotels, gas stations and dining (including takeaway and qualified delivery services) while spending 3 points per dollar.
According to TPG’s June 2025 valuation, this is 13%, 2.5% and 1.5% return on spending, respectively.
Other key benefits include reimbursement for your application fee for global entry, TSA Precheck or Nexus (once every four years), and a 20% discount on purchasing points (although it cannot be added to other sales on IHG points).
After spending $20,000 in purchases over the calendar year, you will also receive a $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points.
The IHG Premier card also offers valuable travel and shopping protection measures. You will enjoy cancel travel and interruption insurance and purchase protection.
Related: How to Put $1,400 Back in My Wallet, the Frequently Neglected Credit Card Benefit
Bottom line
If you can use the privileges of this card to get an average value (or higher), you should have no problem proving its annual fee and keeping it in your wallet.
However, if you have very little IHG stay and you don’t take advantage of the cardholder benefits that comes with your IHG Premier card, the $99 annual fee may not be worth it.
For more details, please read our full review of the IHG Rewards Prime Minister.
Apply here: IHG Reward Prime Minister Credit Card
