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Chase Sapphire Preferred vs IHG One Rewards Premier: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This is a versatile travel card that’s great for earning points on travel, dining, select streaming services, and online groceries.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Best for IHG loyalists, this card offers accelerated points on hotel stays, travel, gas, and dining, plus valuable elite perks.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why the Chase Sapphire Preferred® consistently ranks as a top travel card.
It offers a powerful combination of rewards, with accelerated earning on travel, dining, select streaming services, and online groceries.
Cardholders get access to a suite of robust travel protections and a complimentary DoorDash DashPass subscription for at least one year.
The $50 annual hotel credit covers over half of the card's $95 annual fee, making it easy to offset the remaining cost with regular spending on bonus categories (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
Highly flexible rewards program with multiple redemption options, including valuable transfers to airline and hotel partners.
Comprehensive travel insurance and purchase protections provide peace of mind while on the go.
Accelerated rewards on popular spending categories like travel and dining, plus a generous welcome offer.
Cons
The card has an annual fee, which may not be justifiable for those who don't travel frequently enough to maximize its benefits.
Strict application rules can make approval challenging, particularly for applicants who have recently opened several other credit cards.
Maximizing rewards requires some strategy, as the best redemption values are tied to travel, and certain benefits are only available through the Chase travel portal.
IHG One Rewards Premier Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of why we think the IHG One Rewards Premier card is a strong contender for travelers.
- You'll automatically receive Platinum Elite status, unlocking perks like room upgrades and late check-out.
- Cardholders get a fourth reward night free when redeeming points for stays of four or more consecutive nights.
- The anniversary free night certificate, valid at properties costing up to 40,000 points, can easily offset the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Cardholders receive automatic Platinum Elite status, which comes with valuable perks like room upgrades, late check-out, and priority service.
- When you redeem points for a stay of four or more nights, the fourth night is free—a benefit that can be used an unlimited number of times per year.
- The card includes a suite of travel protections, such as trip cancellation insurance and lost luggage reimbursement, and charges no foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- The card has an annual fee that is not waived during the first year.
- The rewards program is less flexible than many competitors, with limited transfer partners and the best value concentrated within IHG's hotel network.
- It lacks some of the premium travel insurance protections found on other top-tier travel cards.
IHG One Rewards Premier vs Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Categories
Deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Preferred or IHG One Rewards Premier, depends entirely on your travel style and spending habits. Each card excels in its own niche, catering to different types of travelers.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card is best for entry-level travel, making it a top choice for those looking to maximize travel rewards without committing to a premium card. It offers flexible rewards that are valuable for a wide range of travel and dining purchases.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: This card is ideal for frequent travelers who regularly stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts. It is designed to reward brand loyalty with hotel-specific perks and elite status benefits.
Redemption
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: With the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, you have flexible redemption options, including transferring points to various airline and hotel partners or booking travel directly through the Chase travel portal. You can also redeem points for cash back or statement credits, offering a versatile rewards experience.
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: The IHG One Rewards Premier card's points are primarily redeemed for free nights at IHG Hotels & Resorts worldwide. This makes it a straightforward redemption process for travelers loyal to the IHG brand.
Travel Perks
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card provides a broad travel ecosystem. Cardholders can book travel through the Chase portal, and points can also be transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners. It does not charge foreign transaction fees. However, the card does not include complimentary airport lounge access.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: The ecosystem for this card is centered entirely on IHG properties. Bookings are made directly with IHG, and the card’s main perks, like the anniversary free night and fourth-night-free on award stays, are brand-specific. It also comes with automatic IHG Platinum Elite status. This card does not have foreign transaction fees but does not offer airport lounge access.
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Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred®?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a top choice for frequent travelers looking to maximize rewards without paying a premium annual fee. The card also caters to foodies and everyday spenders by offering accelerated points on dining, online groceries, and select streaming services. As detailed in a 2025 card review, it’s best suited for cost-conscious individuals who value strong travel protections and flexible point redemption options, making it a powerhouse for entry-level travel.
Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Premier?
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is tailor-made for travelers who frequently stay at IHG properties like Holiday Inn or InterContinental. As detailed in our credit card review, the ideal cardholder is someone who values the automatic Platinum Elite status, which provides perks such as room upgrades and late check-out. The card is also a great fit for those who can maximize benefits like the annual free night certificate and the fourth reward night free on longer stays, making it a valuable tool for IHG loyalists.
Alternatives to Consider
If our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card comparison has you feeling like neither is the perfect match, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent travel rewards cards on the market worth considering.
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Tips for Application Success
Applying for a new travel rewards card is exciting, but a little preparation goes a long way toward ensuring approval and maximizing your rewards from day one.
Before You Apply:
- Check your credit score. Most premium travel cards require good to excellent credit, typically a score of 670 or higher, for the best approval odds.
- Know your 5/24 status. If you're considering a card from Chase, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, be aware of the 5/24 rule. Your application will likely be denied if you’ve opened five or more personal credit cards from any bank in the last 24 months.
- Plan your spending. Most top-tier cards offer a substantial welcome bonus after you meet a minimum spending requirement in the first few months. Ensure you can meet this threshold organically without forcing unnecessary purchases.
- Research the rewards ecosystem. Understand how you’ll use the points before you apply. For a flexible card, that means knowing its transfer partners. For a co-branded hotel card, it means confirming you’ll stay with that hotel brand enough to justify holding the card.
Application Strategy:
- Be patient. If you're hunting for a specific elevated offer, don't jump on the first one you see. Card offers can change, and waiting can sometimes lead to a better deal.
- Try different methods. Card offers can be targeted. If you don't see the offer you're looking for, try using a different browser, an incognito window, or a referral link from a friend.
Pro tip: Time your application just before a large, planned purchase—like a vacation, new furniture, or a home renovation project. This can help you meet the minimum spending requirement for the welcome offer naturally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the annual fees for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® and IHG One Rewards Premier cards?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has a $95 annual fee. The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has a $99 annual fee.
Can I get a free hotel night with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® or IHG One Rewards Premier?
The IHG One Rewards Premier card offers an Anniversary Free Night certificate each year after your account anniversary. While the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card does not offer a specific free night certificate, its points can be redeemed for hotel stays through the Chase travel portal.
Are IHG points as flexible as Chase Ultimate Rewards® points?
IHG One Rewards points are primarily used for stays within the IHG ecosystem of hotels. Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, earned with the Sapphire Preferred® card, are generally more flexible as they can be transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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