Three credit cards earn points in an IHG rewards program. There are two personal cards – IHG Reward Prime Minister Credit Card (See rates and fees) and IHG A Reward Traveler Credit Card (See rates and fees) – a business card, ihg reward prime minister business credit card (See rates and fees).
While these cards offer plan-specific benefits, such as elite identity, you may stop and automatically unplug the credit card with the hotel logo of your residence. Is this really the best card, or should you use something else to maximize your revenue?
Let’s take a look at some popular credit cards you might want to use to pay for your next stay at IHG hotels and resorts.
Comparison of credit cards IHG stays
In addition to using IHG shared brand credit cards, you can also pay with a full range of travel reward cards that earn transferable points when purchasing a trip, including your next hotel stay. Here are some cards you might want to pay for, and what you can get when using these cards:
*Based on TPG’s June 2025 valuation, not card issuers.
Information on American Express green card has been collected independently by Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Which credit card should you use for IHG accommodation?
The best strategy is to hold an IHG reward credit card to get benefits and cards in Elite status, but use the General Travel Reward Card to actually pay for your accommodation.
Consider two things when determining which credit card to use in the next reward affiliate property of IHG: the benefits you can earn and the value of points you can earn.
TPG’s June 2025 valuation believes that IHG is worth half the value. So, although you are earning 10 points per dollar IHG A Prime Minister’s Card or IHG’s main business cardthese 10 points are actually only 5 cents. The value of 3 points per dollar on an AMEX green card is lower than the value you get because the value of Amex points is 2 cents – the total value per dollar per dollar is 6 cents.
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Now, like Amex Green or Wells Fargo Signature Journey (Original) Unlock external benefits, such as room upgrades. Fortunately, even if the credit card is the only reason you hold the status, your IHG Elite allowance is not bound to the credit card you pay for.
This means that holding a credit card with a common brand of IHG may simply be eligible for elite status and receive related benefits. You can then pay with different credit cards to earn more valuable points.
It is also worth noting that through Chase Sapphire Reserve’s 2025 overhaul, the card now offers free IHG Platinum identity (until December 31, 2027), as well as the opportunity to invest at least $75,000 on the card in a calendar year to unlock the IHG IHG Diamond Status.
In addition, the card can also increase directly at IHG (4 points per dollar) and hotels booked through Chase Travel Travel Portal (8 points per dollar) hotels booked directly. That said, it is worth noting that using cards like sapphire reserves to pay for IHG is probably not the best option. That’s because these reservations are considered third-party bookings and therefore are not eligible for IHG points.
Even so, if you need to earn a balance in your upcoming redemption, you are free to transfer points (Ultimate Rewards) on the card (Ultimate Rewards). However, there are many other (better) ways to make the most of these points. Additionally, the card’s high $795 year fee should be taken into account how to weigh the value of these benefits.
You will also miss the allowance for leveraging any Elite status during your stay, so be sure to consider when determining your reservation (and payment).
Related: Why You Don’t Earn Points When Booking Through OTA
Bottom line
With IHG’s credit card and staying at the IHG hotel, deciding which credit card to use may involve trade-offs. If you pay with IHG’s own credit card, the points you get aren’t that valuable, even if you’ll get a lot.
For maximum value, your best bet is probably to hold an IHG credit card for status benefits, but use another credit card to pay at the front desk.
Related: 6 Reasons to Avoid Booking Through Online Travel Agency
