IHG's Existing Credit Cards Just Got a Big Refresh — Here's What Actually Changed

Chase and IHG didn't just launch a new premium card — they also reworked the existing IHG One Rewards cards. Some of it stings (higher annual fees, a status downgrade on the Premier), but there are genuinely useful new perks too. Here's the breakdown, plus the timing quirks that matter if you already hold one of these cards.

The Premier card: more expensive, less automatic status

Let's get the bad news out of the way first. The IHG One Rewards Premier card's annual fee jumps from $99 to $150, and the elite status you get just for holding the card drops from Platinum to Gold. Neither of those is fun.

If you're already a cardholder, though, the status hit is delayed — you'll keep Platinum through the end of 2027. New applicants get Gold from day one.

• Annual fee: $150, up from $99
• Automatic status: Gold for new cardholders; existing cardholders keep Platinum through 2027
• Existing cardholders won't see the higher fee until their 2027 renewal

A welcome offer worth paying attention to

Through November 18, 2026, the Premier card is offering 180,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 in the first three months. That's a strong haul for a relatively modest spending requirement.

There's also a smaller bonus of 10,000 points for adding an authorized user in the first three months. If you've got a partner or family member who could use a card, that's an easy extra 10,000 points.

New perks that can actually offset the fee

The refresh adds a few credits that, used well, can cover a good chunk of the $150 annual fee. The most straightforward is a $25 food and beverage reward each quarter, up to $100 a year. You redeem it against food and drink charges at IHG hotels during your stay, before checkout.

One catch: each $25 reward is use-it-or-lose-it. If you spend $19, the remaining $6 vanishes. It does apply across multiple charges in the same stay, so a $12 breakfast and a $13 round of drinks can both be covered by one reward. Just aim to max it out.

There's also a $100 statement credit when you spend $250 or more in a single transaction on a flight booked directly with an airline. This runs through December 31, 2027, and you can earn it once in 2026 and once in 2027. Watch out if you're buying multiple tickets: airlines often charge each ticket separately, and the charge that posts needs to be at least $250 on its own.

• $25 quarterly food and beverage reward, up to $100 per year
• $100 airline statement credit on a single $250+ direct airline purchase, through 12/31/27
• Rewards expire at the end of each quarter if unused

Earning rates and the anniversary night got a tune-up

The card still earns 10x at IHG properties, but the 5x categories have shifted. You now get 5x on flights booked directly with airlines, car rentals, dining, grocery stores, and gas stations. The old broad 'travel' category at 5x is gone — though existing cardholders keep the old rates through December 31, 2026.

For many people, the addition of grocery stores at 5x will more than make up for losing generic travel. It also makes it easier to rack up spend toward the big-spend bonuses.

The anniversary free night certificate is now good for nights up to 50,000 points, up from 40,000, and you can still top it up with points. If your card renews between October 1 and December 31, 2026, you'll get the old 40,000-point version this year.

• 10x IHG stays
• 5x flights booked directly, car rentals, dining, grocery, gas
• 3x all other purchases
• Anniversary night cap raised to 50,000 points

Big spend bonuses are now about elite nights

The old big-spend structure gave you 10,000 points plus a $100 statement credit after $20,000 in a calendar year, and Diamond status after $40,000. The new version is more focused on earning elite nights.

You'll get 2 elite night credits for every $5,000 spent. Spend $15,000 in a calendar year and you'll pick up 5 additional elite nights, 15,000 bonus points, and Platinum status. Hit $40,000 and you'll earn Diamond.

The card also comes with 15 elite night credits each year, which is a nice head start toward IHG's Milestone Rewards. Those start at 20 nights, so even a handful of stays can unlock a perk like a Confirmable Suite Upgrade.

• 2 elite night credits per $5,000 spent
• 5 elite nights + 15,000 points + Platinum after $15,000 in a calendar year
• Diamond status after $40,000 in a calendar year
• 15 elite night credits included annually

What to watch out for

If you're an existing cardholder, the timing is a bit uneven. Most new benefits and earning rates are live now, but the annual fee increase doesn't hit until your 2027 renewal, and the annual elite night credits don't start until January 1, 2027.

The airline credit is generous but has a trap: buying two $200 tickets in one transaction might not trigger it if the airline splits the charges. And using this card for flights means you may give up better travel protections from another card.

Finally, the 30% discount on buying IHG points only applies when points are sold at full price — it won't stack with IHG's frequent 100% bonus promotions.

• Existing cardholders: fee increase delayed to 2027 renewal, elite nights start 2027
• Airline credit requires a single charge of $250+
• Points discount doesn't stack with bonus-point sales

Bottom Line

• The Premier card's annual fee rises to $150 and new cardholders get Gold status instead of Platinum.
• A 180,000-point welcome offer is available through November 18, 2026, after $3,000 in spend.
• New $25 quarterly food and beverage credits and a $100 airline statement credit can help offset the fee.
• Existing cardholders keep Platinum through 2027 and won't pay the higher fee until their 2027 renewal.
• The anniversary free night now covers nights up to 50,000 points.

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