InterContinental Lodges 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 whereas these playing cards do supply some stage of standing, you may pause earlier than mechanically pulling out a bank card that bears the emblem of the resort the place you are staying. Is that actually the perfect card to pay with, or must you use one thing else to maximise your earnings?
Here is a have a look at some fashionable bank cards you may use to pay in your subsequent keep at IHG accommodations and resorts, evaluating what these playing cards can give you by way of return on spending and perks throughout your keep.
Evaluating bank cards for an IHG keep
* Bonus worth is an estimated worth calculated by TPG and never the cardboard issuer.
The knowledge for the Amex Inexperienced card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Associated: Present welcome provides on IHG bank cards
Which card must you use?
Think about 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.
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Now, playing cards just like the Amex Inexperienced or Chase Sapphire Reserve do not (by themselves) unlock on-property advantages like room upgrades. Fortunately, your IHG elite perks aren’t tied to the bank card you pay with — even when the bank card is the only motive you maintain standing.
Which 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 special bank card to earn extra worthwhile factors. And for those who pay with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the factors you earn (Final Rewards) could be transferred freely and instantly to IHG if you could prime off your stability for an upcoming redemption — although there are various different (higher) methods to take advantage of these factors.
That mentioned, it is value noting that utilizing a card just like the Sapphire Reserve to pay for an IHG keep via the Chase Journey portal might not be the most suitable choice. That is as a result of these reservations are handled as third-party bookings and thus aren’t eligible to earn IHG factors. You may additionally miss out on using any elite standing perks throughout your keep, so make sure you issue that in when deciding the way to guide (and pay).
Associated: Why you do not earn resort factors when reserving via an OTA
Backside line
With IHG’s bank cards and stays at IHG accommodations, deciding which bank card to make use of can contain tradeoffs. In the event you pay with IHG’s personal bank cards, the factors you earn aren’t that worthwhile — despite the fact that you may get a whole lot of them. So as to get most worth, your greatest wager could be holding an IHG bank card for standing advantages however utilizing a special bank card to pay on the entrance desk.
Editor’s observe: “Factors of View” is a collection evaluating choices on which bank card to make use of. In the event you’re going through a dilemma about which card is greatest for an upcoming cost, electronic mail us at ideas@thepointsguy.com.
Additionally on this collection:
For charges and charges of the Amex Inexperienced card, click on right here.
