• Automatic Silver Elite status as long as you remain an IHG One Rewards cardmember. Plus, enjoy 5 Elite Night Credits annually (new!).
• No Foreign Transaction Fees
• IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at Hotels & Resorts such as InterContinental®, Kimpton®, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza®, EVEN® Hotels, & Holiday Inn®
• Member FDIC

When it comes to IHG One Rewards points, the best way to maximize your points is to redeem them for travel.

We don't recommend: Redeeming for Cash Back
Using your points for cash back typically provides a lower value than redeeming for travel.

We sometimes recommend: Booking through the IHG Portal
You can redeem your points for hotel stays directly through the IHG portal, but this usually gives you a value of 0.5 cents per point or less. It's a decent option, but it's not the best.

We always recommend: Using Points for Free Nights
Redeeming points for free nights at IHG hotels provides the best value. This can give you more than 0.7 cents per point, especially if you take advantage of IHG promotions.

Don't sleep on the grocery category either. The card now earns 3X points at grocery stores, so putting your regular grocery spending on it is an easy way to build toward your next free night.

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While The New IHG One Rewards Credit Card does have certain airline and hotel transfer partners, those ratios do not provide the best value for your points...or really any value for that matter.

The Occasional IHG Guest
If you stay at IHG properties like Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, or InterContinental a few times a year, this card lets you earn hotel points without paying an annual fee. You'll earn up to 17X total points on IHG stays, get automatic Silver Elite status, and pick up 5 Elite Night Credits every year. It's a low-commitment way to get real value from IHG without needing to stay often enough to justify a fee.

The Points-and-Miles Beginner
If you're just getting started with travel rewards, this card is an easy first step. There's no annual fee to worry about, the 125,000 bonus point launch offer is a great way to see what points can do, and the 3X categories (dining, grocery stores, and gas stations) cover spending most people already do every month. Plus, with no foreign transaction fees, you can use it on your trip once you get there.

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Here's a good rule of thumb: You probably shouldn't own a credit card if you: (1) have a bad credit score, (2) are a non-U.S. resident (for this particular card), and (3) cannot control your spending. If your credit score is low, you'll need to improve it before applying for travel credit cards. Be honest with yourself: if a new credit card will tempt you to overspend, it's best to avoid it. Credit cards are crucial for earning miles and points, but they require responsible use.

And if you stay with IHG often, the Premier card's Anniversary Free Night, Gold Elite status, and higher earning rates may be worth the $150 annual fee.

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A good to excellent credit score is recommended for The New IHG One Rewards Credit Card. But if you're in a solid place with your credit and feel ready for a new card, don't let the fear of being rejected keep you from applying. The worst they can say is "no."