Amex Business Gold vs IHG One Rewards Premier: Which Is Better In 2026?

IHG One Rewards Premier Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a breakdown of why we’re fans of the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.

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• It delivers exceptional value for frequent IHG guests through an annual free night and automatic elite status.
• The fourth-night-free benefit on award stays is a rare and lucrative perk for those who book longer hotel stays.
• It’s a great companion for international travel thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees and included travel protections.

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Pros

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• Automatic Platinum Elite status and an annual free night certificate offer significant ongoing value.
• Receive a complimentary reward night when you redeem points for longer stays, a rare perk among hotel cards.
• Excellent for international travel with no foreign transaction fees and a statement credit for expedited security screening programs like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®.

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Cons

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• The card comes with an annual fee, and its value is best realized by those who frequently stay at IHG properties.
• Reward points have limited transfer partners, offering less flexibility than some competing travel cards.
• It lacks some of the premium travel protections found on other high-end travel cards.

IHG One Rewards Premier vs American Express® Business Gold Card

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, Amex Business Gold or IHG One Rewards Premier, it's important to understand that each card serves a very different type of user. One is a versatile tool for business expenses, while the other is tailored for loyal hotel guests.

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• American Express® Business Gold Card: This card is a versatile business tool designed for business owners. It's ideal for companies with variable expenses who want to maximize rewards across their top spending categories.
• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: This card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers, particularly those who regularly stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts. It focuses on providing value through hotel-specific rewards and elite status perks.

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Redemption

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American Express® Business Gold Card: Points earned with this card offer significant flexibility, as they can be redeemed for a wide variety of business needs, including travel through Amex's portal or by transferring them to airline and hotel partners.

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IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Rewards are primarily geared toward hotel stays, allowing cardholders to redeem points for nights at the thousands of properties within the IHG Hotels & Resorts portfolio.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For a data-driven approach, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards—far more than most review sites—to find the best fit for your spending habits.

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• Test Drive Cards: Before you apply, you can test drive a card using your real spending data to see personalized earnings projections without a hard credit pull.
• Personalized Matching: The platform analyzes your spending history to match you with cards that will maximize your earnings.
• Comprehensive Approval Odds: Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Bonus Tracking: Keep track of your sign-up bonus progress for free to ensure you don’t miss out on rewards.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card points when you shop at participating stores through the platform.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, they will match it.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Business Gold Card?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card is tailored for established business owners with significant and varied expenses, particularly those spending over $50,000 annually. It's an excellent fit for growing companies, such as consulting firms or tech startups, whose top two spending categories frequently change. These businesses can maximize value by automatically earning 4X Membership Rewards® points on their highest-spend areas without being locked into fixed bonus categories, though terms do apply.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Premier?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier® Credit Card is tailor-made for travelers who frequently stay at IHG properties like Holiday Inn, InterContinental, and Kimpton. These cardholders will get the most value by leveraging the automatic Platinum Elite status and the annual anniversary free night certificate. It's also an excellent choice for those who book longer hotel stays, as they can take advantage of the fourth-night-free benefit on award bookings.

Alternatives to Consider

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In the American Express® Business Gold Card vs. IHG One Rewards Premier card debate, you're choosing between a premium business card with flexible rewards and a co-branded card for hotel loyalists. If neither card is a clear winner for you, here are some other top-notch alternatives to consider.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most premium cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can meet any welcome offer spending requirements organically.
• Review the card’s benefits - Know how you will use the rewards and perks to justify the card.

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Application Strategy

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• Be patient - If you don't receive the best offer initially, you can often decline and try again later.
• Use the right information - For business cards like the American Express® Business Gold Card, ensure you are applying as a business owner.
• Consider your loyalty - Co-branded cards like the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card are most valuable if you frequently use that brand.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Which card is better for earning flexible rewards?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card is superior for flexible rewards, as it earns Membership Rewards® points that transfer to many airline and hotel partners. The IHG One Rewards Premier Card earns points locked into the IHG ecosystem. Terms apply.

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Can I transfer points between American Express and IHG?

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Yes, American Express Membership Rewards® points can be transferred to your IHG One Rewards account. Always check the current transfer ratio to ensure you're getting good value before moving your points. Terms apply.

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Does the IHG One Rewards Premier Card come with elite status?

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It does. Cardholders automatically receive IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, a valuable benefit that includes perks like complimentary room upgrades and late check-out.

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