Chase Freedom Unlimited vs IHG One Rewards Premier: Which Is Better In 2025?

IHG One Rewards Premier Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we think the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is a top contender for travelers.

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• Cardholders automatically receive Platinum Elite status, which provides valuable perks like complimentary room upgrades and late check-out.
• You get a fourth reward night free when redeeming points for award stays of four or more consecutive nights, offering significant savings for longer trips.
• The annual Anniversary Free Night certificate, redeemable at properties worth up to 40,000 points, can easily justify the annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• There are no foreign transaction fees, making it a great choice for international travel.
• Your points won’t expire as long as you are a cardmember, offering you more flexibility to save up for a big trip.
• The card includes valuable travel protections, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance and lost luggage reimbursement.

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Cons

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• The card has an annual fee that is not waived for the first year.
• Points have limited transfer flexibility, and the card’s value is best realized by those who frequently stay at IHG properties.
• It lacks some of the premium travel protections found on other travel cards in the same category.

IHG One Rewards Premier vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, Chase Freedom Unlimited or IHG One Rewards Premier, it's crucial to look at the primary user each card is designed to benefit.

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• Chase Freedom Unlimited® - This card is ideal for cash back seekers. It is designed for those looking to maximize cash back rewards on everyday spending without tracking complicated categories.
• IHG One Rewards Premier - This card is best for frequent travelers. It is built for those who often stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts and want to maximize hotel rewards and elite status benefits.

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Redemption

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®: This card offers straightforward cash back on every purchase, but rewards can also be redeemed for travel or gift cards through the Chase portal.

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IHG One Rewards Premier: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for free nights at the wide portfolio of IHG Hotels & Resorts worldwide.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: As a cash back-focused card, its travel perks are minimal. Cardholders can redeem rewards for travel through the Chase portal, but the card does charge a foreign transaction fee. It does not include benefits like airport lounge access.
• IHG One Rewards Premier: This card is built for travel within the IHG ecosystem. It offers no foreign transaction fees, making it a strong choice for international travel. Key perks include an annual free night certificate and automatic Platinum Elite status, which provides benefits at IHG properties. However, it does not offer airport lounge access.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is an excellent tool that helps you compare top-rated cards and maximize your rewards.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply.
• Receive personalized card recommendations based on your actual transaction history.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee—if a better offer is found within three months, Kudos will match it.
• Manage multiple credit cards, monitor your spending, and track your credit score all in one platform.
• Earn additional rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at your favorite stores.

Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for everyday spenders who want a straightforward way to earn rewards without the hassle of tracking rotating categories. It's particularly well-suited for those new to credit card rewards, as well as existing Chase customers looking to maximize their points by pairing it with a premium card. If you're seeking valuable purchase protections and travel benefits without an annual fee, this card delivers a powerful combination of simplicity and value.

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 regularly stay at IHG properties like Holiday Inn, InterContinental, or Kimpton. These cardholders value the automatic Platinum Elite status, which provides perks like room upgrades and late check-out, and they often book stays of four nights or more to leverage the fourth-reward-night-free benefit. For those who can maximize its benefits, such as the annual free night certificate, the card offers significant value that can easily offset its annual fee, as detailed in our full IHG Premier Card review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. IHG One Rewards Premier comparison didn't reveal a clear winner for your wallet, there are other options to explore. Let's look at a few alternative cards that might be a better match for your needs.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending: Make sure you can meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer without overspending.
• Have a rewards strategy: Know how you plan to use your points or cash back to maximize their value.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules: Be aware of application restrictions some issuers have, such as Chase's 5/24 rule.
• Consider card pairings: Evaluate how a new card complements others in your wallet to create a powerful rewards strategy.
• Time your application wisely: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet spending requirements naturally.

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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Is it better to have a hotel-specific credit card or a general travel rewards card?

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The best choice depends on your travel habits. If you are loyal to a hotel chain like IHG, a co-branded card offers tailored benefits and elite status, while a general rewards card provides more flexibility for booking with various brands.

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Can I have both the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card?

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Yes, many people hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. This strategy allows you to use the IHG card for hotel-specific perks and the Freedom Unlimited® for its broader bonus categories.

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Do points from the Chase Freedom Unlimited® transfer to IHG?

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Chase Ultimate Rewards points earned with the Freedom Unlimited® can be transferred to IHG One Rewards. However, you must also hold a premium Chase card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, to enable point transfers to travel partners.

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