Insider’s experts choose the best products and services to help make smart decisions with your money (here’s how). In some cases, we receive a commission from our our partners, however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.
The IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card has the highest potential value of any IHG credit card. It comes with many of the same benefits as the IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card, but also offers excellent incentives for big spenders, such as an additional free night award (worth up to 40,000 points) and the ability to achieve top-tier Diamond elite status.
Review: Is the IHG Premier Business Card the best credit card for you?
If you have a business venture — even if it’s a side gig like DoorDash delivery or petsitting — you could qualify for a small-business credit card.
Small-business cards are some of the most dynamic tools in the world of travel rewards. They’re often more robust than personal credit cards in terms of ongoing benefits. The IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card is no exception.
With this IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card-annual-fee card, you can receive potentially $800+ in value each year. Plus, the card’s current bonus of IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card is worth IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card in hotel stays, per Insider’s valuations.
You can also earn IHG points quickly when spending on the following purchases:
10 points per dollar at IHG Hotels and Resorts5 points per dollar on travel and at gas stations, dining, social media and search engine advertising, and at office supply stores3 points per dollar for all other eligible purchases
If you want to book IHG hotels but aren’t necessarily loyal to the brand, you could instead open a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. These cards earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which you can convert into IHG points. Plus, you’ve got several other transfer partners (such as Hyatt and Marriott) to choose from.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
How to earn rewards with the IHG Premier Business Card
The IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card offers a huge IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card.
Insider estimates IHG points value to be 0.7 cents each, making this bonus worth IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card in travel. However, it’s possible to get significantly more value than that if you know the best ways to redeem IHG points.
You’ll also receive the following return rates for your spending:
10 points per dollar at IHG Hotels and Resorts5 points per dollar on travel and at gas stations, dining, social media and search engine advertising, and at office supply stores3 points per dollar for all other eligible purchases
The ability to earn a bonus of 10 points per dollar at IHG hotels is significant. This is on top of the 10 base points you’ll earn, as well as a 60% bonus on base points for the automatic Platinum elite status you’ll receive with the card. In other words, by using your IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card at IHG hotels, you’ll earn up to 26 points per dollar.
How to use IHG points
IHG hotels may not sound like a familiar chain to you, but it’s got some of the most ubiquitous hotel brands in the country — and plenty of international properties, too. Here are all the brands you can book with IHG points:
IHG hotel brands:
InterContinental Hotels and ResortsKimpton Hotels and RestaurantsSix Senses ResortsRegentVocoHotel IndigoCrowne PlazaHualuxeEVEN HotelsHoliday InnHoliday Inn ExpressHoliday Inn ResortsHoliday Inn Club VacationsAvidStaybridge Suites Candlewood Suites
IHG hotels generally cost between 10,000 and 100,000 points per night (though a handful of hotels charge an outlandish 120,000 points per night). With this card’s welcome bonus offer, you could stay:
6+ nights at the five-star InterContinental Bangkok5+ nights at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile1 night at the five-star InterContinental London Park Lane8+ nights at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jacksonville North-Fernandina
And remember, if you book three consecutive nights with this card, you’ll get your fourth night for zero points.
You’ve also got less straightforward options for redeeming your IHG points. We don’t recommend these, as you often will get an inferior value per point:
Transfer IHG points to airline partnersDonate IHG points to charityRedeem points for gift cards, digital rewards, merchandise, and magazinesCash in points for exclusive events and experiences
If you’re not planning to travel in the near future, you won’t need to worry about your IHG points expiring so long as this card is open. Because it provides IHG Platinum status, your points will never expire. Without IHG elite status, IHG points expire after 12 months of account inactivity.
Benefits and features
The IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card offers lots of impressive benefits — in fact, for an annual fee of IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, it’s hard to beat the range and value of perks you’ll receive as a cardholder.
IHG elite status
The IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card offers automatic IHG Platinum elite status, which would otherwise require 40 nights or 60,000 points to achieve. Platinum status offers benefits like room upgrades (where available), late checkout, complimentary internet, 60% bonus points on paid bookings, and more.
You can also earn Diamond elite status when spending $40,000 on purchases in a calendar year and making one additional purchase. Diamond status demands 70 nights or 120,000 points per year, so the ability to earn it from credit card spending is great.
Free anniversary nights
The IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card provides one free night each year after your cardmember anniversary. It can be used for any hotel costing 40,000 points or less. As Insider estimates IHG points to be worth 0.7 cents each, this free night is worth up to $280.
You can also use this benefit at hotels costing more than 40,000 points — but you must supplement the award price with IHG points. For example, if a hotel costs 70,000 points, you’ll pay with a combination of your free night and 30,000 points.
You’ll receive a second identical free night award each calendar year you spend $60,000 on purchases and make one additional purchase.
Fourth reward night free on IHG points stays
When booking three consecutive award nights during a single stay, cardholders will receive the fourth night free. That’s a 25% savings on stays of four nights. You can really stretch your points by using this benefit often.
Application fee credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, and NEXUS
Cardholders receive a NEXUS, Global Entry, or TSA PreCheck fee credit of up to $100 every four years.
TSA PreCheck allows you to speed through TSA security checkpoints without removing your shoes, belt, and light jacket. You can keep your laptop and TSA-approved toiletries in your bag, too. You even get a dedicated security lane that is often much shorter.
Global Entry gives you an expedited immigration experience when returning to select US airports from abroad. It comes with TSA PreCheck.
NEXUS offers expedited entry into Canada — and it also offers both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry benefits.
20% discount when you purchase points with your card
If you decide to purchase IHG points, this card will unlock a 20% discount. The caveat is that you can’t use this benefit in tandem with other IHG points promotions — and IHG frequently publishes points sales with up to a 100% bonus.
It doesn’t usually make sense to buy loyalty program points unless you need to top off your account for an award. But if you find yourself in that situation, you’ll get a 20% discount on IHG points purchases when you use your IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card.
10,000 bonus points and $100 statement credit
You can earn 10,000 bonus IHG points and a $100 statement credit after you spend $20,000 on purchases and make one additional purchase each calendar year. This benefit alone easily offsets your annual fee each year.
Up to $50 per year in United TravelBank Cash
You’ll receive $25 in United TravelBank Cash around January 1 of each year, and another $25 around July 1.
TravelBank deposits do not roll over — that is, you cannot accrue these rewards. Instead, TravelBank deposits made on or after January 1 will expire on June 30, and TravelBank deposits made on or after July 1 will expire on December 31.
Note that you must first register to receive this benefit.
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
The IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card covers you for various complications during your trip. When you pay for your travel with the card, you can be reimbursed up to $1,500 per person ($6,000 maximum per trip) for prepaid nonrefundable travel expenses that are interrupted due to things like severe weather and illness.
Travel and emergency assistance services
This card also offers free medical and legal referrals or other emergency assistance during your trip. While the service is free, you’ll have to pay for any third-party expenses.
Car rental insurance
When you use your IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card to pay for your car rental and decline the rental company’s collision insurance, you’re covered for damage due to theft or collision on most cars. Coverage is primary in the US when renting for business purposes.
Purchase protection
If an eligible item you’ve bought with the IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card is damaged or stolen within 120 days of purchase, you could be eligible for up to $10,000 in reimbursement per claim, and up to $50,000 per account.
Extended warranty
The IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card extends the time period of a US manufacturer’s warranty on eligible items by an additional year, on warranties of three years or less when you pay with your card.
Fees and costs
The IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card charges a IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card annual fee. There are no foreign transaction fees, so you can use the card abroad without incurring extra fees.
You can also expect to pay for things like balance transfers, cash advances, and late or returned payments.
Comparison: IHG Premier Business Card vs other IHG credit cards
IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
IHG® Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card
Annual fee
IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
IHG® Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card
Rewards rate
10x points at IHG Hotels and Resorts (up to 26x points)*
5x points on travel and at gas stations, dining, social media and search engine advertising, and at office supply stores
3x points for all other eligible purchases
10x points at IHG Hotels and Resorts (up to 26x points)*
5x points for travel, dining, and at gas stations
3x points for all other eligible purchases
5x points at IHG Hotels and Resorts (up to 17x points)*
3x points on utilities, internet, cable, phone, and select streaming services
3x points on dining and at gas stations
2x points for all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
IHG® Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card
Card benefits
Automatic IHG Platinum Elite status
Diamond elite status after spending $40,000 on purchases and making one additional purchase each calendar year with the card
Annual free night award worth up to 40,000 points
An additional free night each year you spend $60,000 on purchases and make one additional purchase each calendar year
10,000 bonus points and a $100 statement credit after spending $20,000 on purchases and making one additional purchase each calendar year
Fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a stay of three or more nights
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit
Up to $50 in United TravelBank Cash each calendar year
World Elite Mastercard for Business benefits
Automatic IHG Platinum Elite status
Diamond elite status after spending $40,000 on purchases and making one additional purchase each calendar year with the card
Annual free night award worth up to 40,000 points
10,000 bonus points and a $100 statement credit after spending $20,000 on purchases and making one additional purchase each calendar year
Up to $50 in United TravelBank Cash each calendar year
Fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a stay of three or more nights
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit
20% discount when you purchase points with your card
World Elite Mastercard benefits
Fourth reward night free on award stays of three or more nights
Automatic IHG Silver elite status
IHG Gold elite status each calendar year you spend $20,000 or more on eligible purchases
10,000 bonus points each year you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases
Car rental insurance (secondary in the US, primary otherwise)
World Mastercard benefits
20% discount when you purchase points with your card
Review
IHG Rewards Premier card review
IHG Rewards Traveler card review
* Bonus points at IHG hotels are in addition to the points members would normally earn from a stay
IHG Premier Business Card vs other small-business hotel credit cards
IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
Annual fee
IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
Rewards rate
10x points at IHG Hotels and Resorts (up to 26x points)*
5x points on travel and at gas stations, dining, social media and search engine advertising, and at office supply stores
3x points for all other eligible purchases
6x points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program*
4x points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers, and on U.S. shipping purchases
2x points on all other eligible purchases
12x points on purchases made directly with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio*
6x points on eligible purchases at U.S. gas stations, U.S. shipping purchases, wireless telephone services purchases directly from U.S. service providers, U.S. restaurants, airfare purchased directly from airlines or Amex Travel, and on car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies
3x points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
Card benefits
Automatic IHG Platinum Elite status
Diamond elite status after spending $40,000 on purchases and making one additional purchase each calendar year with the card
Annual free night award worth up to 40,000 points
An additional free night each year you spend $60,000 on purchases and make one additional purchase each calendar year
10,000 bonus points and a $100 statement credit after spending $20,000 on purchases and making one additional purchase each calendar year
Fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a stay of three or more nights
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit
Up to $50 in United TravelBank Cash each calendar year
World Elite Mastercard for Business benefits
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status
A second free night award if you spend $60,000 or more in a calendar year***
15 elite night credits each calendar year
Secondary car rental insurance
Baggage insurance plan
Global Assist Hotline
Purchase protection
Extended warranty
Access to discounts and bonus points through Amex Offers**
Automatic Hilton Honors Gold elite status
Free weekend night award when you spend $15,000 or more in a calendar year
A second free weekend night award if you spend a total of $60,000 or more in a calendar year
Secondary car rental insurance
Baggage insurance plan
Global Assist Hotline
Purchase protection
Extended warranty
Access to discounts and bonus points through Amex Offers**
Review
Amex Marriott Bonvoy Business card review
Amex Hilton Honors Business card review
* Bonus points at IHG, Marriott, and Hilton hotels are in addition to the points members would normally earn from a stay
***The Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card offers an annual free night award each year after your card renewal month for hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program that cost up to 35,000 points
IHG Premier Business Card frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What credit score do you need for the IHG Premier Business credit card?
To be considered for the IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, you’ll need a credit score in the good to excellent range (a FICO score of at least 670). If your score is below that, check out our guides to improving your credit score and how using credit cards can help boost your score.
Is the IHG Premier Business card worth it?
Even if you book just a couple of IHG hotel stays per year, this credit card can save you far more than the IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card annual fee.
For example, the card offers an annual free night certificate worth up to 40,000 points — and a second 40,000-point certificate each calendar year you spend $60,000 on the card.
You’ll also receive up to $50 in United TravelBank Cash (which you can use toward United Airlines airfare), IHG Platinum elite status, and 10,000 points plus a $100 statement credit after spending $20,000 in a calendar year.
Who is eligible for the IHG Premier Business card?
This is a small-business credit card, so you’ll need a business venture to be eligible. Whether you’re a freelance writer, a seller on Etsy, or a tutor, your small business could qualify you for a small-business card.
This card is subject to the Chase 5/24 rule, which means if you’ve opened five or more credit cards from any bank (excluding some small-business cards), you won’t be approved for the card. You also cannot hold more than one IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card at once.
However, if you have other IHG credit cards, like the IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card or the IHG® Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card, you’re still eligible to open this card.