IHG Business Credit Card review: Top-notch travel benefits
Becky Pokora
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Robin Saks Frankel
Senior Content Editor
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The IHG Business Credit Card stands out as a fantastic travel card with no hoops to jump through. The $99 annual fee can easily offset the annual fee for many cardholders through the annual free night certificate alone — even before factoring in the other travel benefits, automatic Platinum Elite status, and a strong welcome bonus topping 140,000 points. Anyone who stays at IHG properties once a year will appreciate this card. If you’re not convinced yet, this IHG business credit card review will walk you through its earning rates, benefits, welcome offer, and how it compares to other business cards on the market.
IHG Premier business credit card overview
The IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card is issued by Chase and carries an annual fee of $99 per year. Designed for small business travelers with loyalty to IHG properties — including Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, and Intercontinental — it stands out for benefits that aren’t redundant to what you’d earn automatically through elite status. An annual free night certificate and fourth night free on award stays are fan favorites that add strong value.
When you aren’t redeeming points, the earning rates on paid stays add up quickly. Keep in mind that the card, like most credit cards, has a high variable interest rate which means that if you carry a balance, the interest charges can quickly outweigh any rewards earned.
Like many of the best business credit cards, the IHG business card requires good to excellent credit for approval, which typically coincides with a FICO® score of 670 or higher. Approval is not guaranteed and depends on additional factors, beyond just a credit score.
Welcome bonus and sign-up offer
The welcome bonus is one of the first things you’ll notice about this card: New cardholders can earn 140,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months after approval. The exact value of those points depends on when and where you choose to redeem them, but you should estimate a value of approximately $700 based on point valuations of 0.5 cents per point.
Chase has stricter eligibility restrictions than some other card issuers. The Chase 5/24 rule is not officially published, but it is often reported by applicants that new cardholders will not be approved if they’ve applied for five or more other credit cards in the past 24 months. Because of this, you’ll want to consider your application timing for this card.
Earning rewards with the IHG business card
You’ll earn IHG One Rewards points for every purchase made on this credit card, with bonuses in select spending categories.
Earning at IHG properties (up to 26x points)
The headlining earning rate on this card is, unsurprisingly, for spending at IHG properties: You can earn up to 26 points per dollar at IHG Hotels & Resorts, which is worth about 13% back if with an IHG One Reward point value of 0.5 cents.
However, be aware that this number is slightly misleading. The overall earning rate is calculated based on earning 10X when charging the cost to your card, along with the 10X you automatically earn as an IHG member and 6X from the Platinum Elite bonus that the card bestows to cardholders. In other words, Platinum members could earn 16X even when paying via other methods. That said, even the 10X points directly from card charges is worth paying attention to.
Bonus categories (5x points)
The IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card also has several other bonus categories earning 5 points per dollar including all other travel, gas stations, restaurants, office supply stores, and social media and search engine advertising. That’s a generous list that earns a return rate worth approximately 2.5% back.
All other purchases (3x points)
All other purchases on the IHG Premier Business credit card earn 3 points per dollar spent, or about a 1.5% return. That’s a nice step up from most other business cards which only offer 1% cash back.
Annual spending bonuses
Businesses with higher spending will have even more to love about this card. Cardholders will earn a $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points when they spend $20,000 in a calendar year. Keep spending and you’ll be upgraded to Diamond Elite status after hitting $40,000 in purchases, and you can earn a second annual free night certificate after $60,000 in purchases.
Card benefits and perks
Annual free night certificate
The annual free night certificate is one of the best reasons to get — and keep — the IHG business card. Each year after renewal, cardholders will receive a free night certificate that can be used at properties priced at 40,000 points or less. These hotels would otherwise cost $100 or more when paying cash (and could easily cost much more), which can outweigh the IHG Business Card’s annual fee of $99 when used strategically on one quick reservation.
If you prefer, the certificate can also be used as a 40,000-point discount on more expensive properties for even more flexibility.
Fourth night free on award stays
One of the other most valuable IHG business card benefits from this card is the ability to enjoy your fourth night free on award stays. To use this benefit, you’ll need to book four or more consecutive nights at a single property and redeem points to cover the reservation cost in full. The fourth night will automatically reprice at zero points for an easy yet substantial discount.
There is no limit to the number of times you can use this benefit and no restrictions on participating properties, as long as award nights are available. You can even use this benefit twice in a row on longer stays: Instead of booking an eight-night award stay, book two separate reservations of four nights each and you’ll receive two free nights during your trip.
Complimentary IHG Platinum Elite status
All cardholders automatically receive IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status simply for holding the card.
Platinum benefits include:
- Member rates and promotions
- Reward night discounts
- Complimentary internet
- Room upgrades, when available
- Early check-in and late checkout, when available
- Bonus points on stays
- Hertz Gold+ Five Star status
Notably, IHG Platinum status does not include complimentary breakfast. However, if you earn Diamond Elite status through card spending or frequent stays, you’ll be eligible to select free breakfast as an additional benefit.
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit
Like many travel credit cards, the IHG business card includes up to $120 in statement credits once every four years to cover application or renewal fees for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS. To earn the credit, simply use your card to pay for your application fees and a credit will be applied to your account after the purchase is processed.
United TravelBank cash credit
Cardholders will receive $50 in United TravelBank cash each year after registering your IHG One business card with your United MileagePlus account. TravelBank cash can be used to cover airfare costs when flying on United.
Travel and purchase protections
Though less glamorous, the IHG business card includes helpful built-in protections, including:
- Trip cancellation insurance
- Trip interruption insurance
- Purchase protection
Coverage is automatically included on qualifying purchases when paying with your IHG credit card.
No foreign transaction fees
This credit card has no foreign transaction fees, which could save you up to 3% compared to other business credit cards when making payments in foreign currencies. International business travelers, as well as companies with international spending for supplies and services, will find this a valuable benefit.
Free employee cards
Primary cardholders can add employee cards at no additional cost. That’s a quick way to add convenience for your business as well as building your rewards balance from the extra charges.
Redeeming IHG One Rewards points
IHG business card points can be redeemed at all 20 IHG brands including Holiday Inn, Kimpton, Hotel Indigo, Iberostar, and Intercontinental.
Similar to cash rates, the cost in points per night varies by property and dates of stay. Prices are clearly displayed by selecting “Reward Nights” when searching online or via the IHG app. Since there’s no fixed award chart, it can be challenging to set savings goals far in advance, but typical redemptions hover around 0.5 cents per point (meaning a $200 stay would cost around 40,000 points). Exact values may vary depending on redemption method, dates, and availability.
Keep in mind that cardholders can save significantly on the cost of their award stay by using the card’s fourth-night-free benefit or applying an annual free night certificate.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Annual free night certificate
- Large welcome bonus
- Fourth-night-free benefit
- Automatic Platinum Elite status
- Above-average earning rates
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Few benefits if you don’t stay at IHG properties
- Dynamic pricing makes redemptions unpredictable
- Additional bonuses require high spending
- Limited redemption flexibility
Alternative business travel cards to consider
Chase Ink Business Preferred
The Ink Business Preferred has a similar annual fee at $95 but offers more flexible travel rewards. You’ll earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® on every purchase, which can be redeemed as cash back, used to book travel without blackout dates in the Chase travel portal, or transferred to airline and hotel partners – including IHG One Rewards. The tradeoff to this flexibility is that you don’t have access to any hotel benefits, like free nights or elite status.
Capital One Venture X Business
The Capital One Venture X Business comes with a much higher annual fee ($395), but offers more flexible travel benefits and redemptions, which could make it worthwhile if you’re not loyal to IHG. Airport lounge access, a $300 annual travel credit, and transferable miles make this card potentially more valuable. Additionally, it earns a flat 2 miles per dollar on all purchases for easier-to-understand earnings.
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
If you have the flexibility to consider other hotel chains for your business travel, the $125-annual-fee Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card may fit your needs better. It includes automatic Gold Elite status, a free night award each year worth up to 35k Bonvoy points (plus you can top off that certificate with up to 15k more points), and solid earning rates at Marriott hotels, making it comparable in structure to the IHG Premier business card but geared toward a different hotel ecosystem. Terms apply.
A good option for racking up hotel points. Comes with membership, travel, and airport perks.
Pros
- Earn valuable points with Marriott Bonvoy Hotels and other popular spending categories
- Free Night Awards each year.
Cons
- Marriott Bonvoy points are most valuable when you understand how to use them.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
The The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card may be a better choice for Hilton loyalists. It carries a $195 annual fee and offers complimentary Hilton elite status, strong earning rates on Hilton stays, and a fifth-night-free benefit on award stays. However, it doesn’t offer any automatic free night certificates. Instead, you can earn up to $240 in credits per year by paying for Hilton stays with your card.
A great card for the frequent business traveler who enjoys staying at Hilton properties. This card comes with a Hilton rewards status which allows you to enjoy travel perks from room upgrades to bonus points to earn free nights.
Pros
- Generous welcome offer and reward bonus structure.
Cons
- Higher interest rate and an annual fee.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
Who should get the IHG Premier Business credit card?
Top contenders for the IHG business credit card are business owners with good or excellent credit who stay at IHG properties and want to enjoy the added benefits and rewards that come from being a cardholder. If you expect to be able to redeem your annual free night certificate, wish to earn automatic elite status, and have business spending that coincides with the card’s bonus categories, you should consider applying to the IHG business credit card.
On the other hand, if you rarely stay at IHG hotels or would prefer flexible travel rewards, the card may not be for you. You may also want to reevaluate your application timing if you can’t meet the minimum spending requirements to earn the welcome bonus.
How to apply for the IHG Premier Business card
Applying for the IHG Premier Business can be done in a few simple steps:
- Check your credit score. The IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card typically requires good to excellent credit (700 or higher).
- Gather your business information. You’ll need basic details including your name, address, business structure (sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, etc.), tax identification number, and estimated business revenue.
- Watch out for Chase’s relationship requirements. Chase may deny your application if you’ve opened too many accounts recently.
- Submit an application. You can apply online, via phone, or in person at a Chase branch. Many applications receive a decision the same day.
Fees and rates
Annual fee: $99
APR: Variable (based on creditworthiness), currently 19.24 to 27.74%
Balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 5% of the transfer amount, whichever is greater
Cash advance fee: Either $15 or 5% of each transaction, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee: None
Given the high APR, carrying a balance will quickly erase the value of any rewards you earn. This card is best for businesses that expect to pay in full each month. If you need to carry a balance, a 0% APR card may be a better fit for your business.
All information about the IHG Premier Business card has been collected independently by Nav. This card is not currently available through Nav. To see what business credit cards are available, please visit Nav’s credit card marketplace.
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Becky Pokora
Becky Pokora is a credit expert and financial writer who specializes in helping people make smarter decisions with credit. She previously owned and operated a small business, giving her firsthand experience navigating cash flow, credit, and financial tradeoffs from a business owner’s perspective. Additionally, Becky has covered credit cards, lending, and personal finance for Forbes Advisor and other major publications, translating complex rules and fine print into clear, practical guidance. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her hiking in the mountains, traveling, or spoiling her dog.
Robin Saks Frankel
Senior Content Editor
Robin has worked as a personal finance writer, editor, and spokesperson for over a decade. Her work has appeared in national publications including Forbes Advisor, USA TODAY, NerdWallet, Bankrate, the Associated Press, and more. She has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC, and CBS TV affiliates nationwide.
Robin holds an M.S. in Business and Economic Journalism from Boston University and dual B.A. degrees in Economics and International Relations from Boston University. In addition, she is an accredited CEPF® and holds an ACES certificate in Editing from the Poynter Institute.