IHG One Rewards Premier vs Citi Double Cash: Which Is Better In 2025?

Citi Double Cash® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down the key reasons why the Citi Double Cash® Card stands out.

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• It offers a straightforward 2% cash back on all purchases, with 1% earned at the time of purchase and another 1% when you pay your bill.
• While there's no annual fee, other fees may apply for things like balance transfers or foreign transactions (See Rates & Fees).
• For someone with $5,000 in credit card debt, transferring the balance could save approximately $1,500 in interest over the promotional period, even after accounting for the initial transfer fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Straightforward cash back rewards on every purchase without the need to track rotating categories.
• A generous introductory APR period on balance transfers helps you manage existing debt.
• Cash back can be converted to ThankYou® Points, offering flexible redemption options.

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Cons

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• A foreign transaction fee makes it a less-than-ideal choice for international travel.
• The introductory 0% APR offer applies only to balance transfers, not new purchases.
• There are no bonus categories, so you can't earn accelerated rewards on specific spending like dining or groceries.

Citi Double Cash® vs IHG One Rewards Premier

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, IHG One Rewards Premier or Citi Double Cash, depends entirely on your spending habits and financial goals.

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• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card - This card is designed for frequent travelers, particularly those loyal to the IHG family of hotels. It excels by offering a range of benefits tailored to enhance hotel stays and travel experiences.
• Citi Double Cash® Card - This card is a strong choice for individuals seeking straightforward cash back rewards on every purchase or those looking to consolidate debt with a balance transfer offer.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: With this card, you redeem points primarily for stays across IHG's extensive portfolio of hotels and resorts. Your points can also be used for other travel-related options, such as transferring them to airline partners.

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Citi Double Cash® Card: Redemption is centered around straightforward cash back, which you can receive as a statement credit, direct deposit, or check. This provides a flexible way to get value back from all your spending without being tied to a specific brand.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is built for travel and does not charge a foreign transaction fee. The Citi Double Cash® Card, on the other hand, does include a foreign transaction fee, making it less optimal for purchases made outside the U.S.
• Direct Travel Perks: The IHG card is loaded with travel-specific benefits, including an anniversary free night, automatic IHG Platinum Elite status, and a statement credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership fee. The Citi Double Cash® Card is a straightforward cash back card and does not offer these types of built-in travel benefits.
• Ecosystem and Flexibility: Value from the IHG card is maximized within its own ecosystem, primarily when redeeming points for stays at IHG properties. In contrast, the Citi Double Cash® Card offers total flexibility, as the cash back earned can be applied as a statement credit to cover any travel expense, regardless of the brand or booking site.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For a more personalized comparison, tools like Kudos can help you evaluate thousands of credit cards based on your unique spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see personalized earnings projections before you apply.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Monitor your spending and credit score, and earn extra rewards through the Kudos Boost feature.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, ensuring you receive the best available bonus for any card you get through the platform.

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, or Kimpton. These cardholders will get the most value from its automatic Platinum Elite status and the fourth-reward-night-free benefit on longer stays. Furthermore, the annual free night certificate can easily offset the annual fee, making it a financially savvy choice for loyal IHG guests.

Who Should Choose the Citi Double Cash®?

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The Citi Double Cash® card is an excellent choice for consumers who value simplicity and want to earn a high, flat-rate cash back on all their everyday spending without tracking categories. It's also a powerful tool for anyone looking to consolidate high-interest debt, thanks to its industry-leading 0% introductory APR on balance transfers. As detailed in this comprehensive review, it’s ideal for those who want a straightforward, no-annual-fee card that delivers consistent value for both spending and debt management.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our IHG One Rewards Premier vs Citi Double Cash® comparison has you feeling like neither card is the perfect match, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent options out there that might better suit your spending habits and travel goals.

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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.}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer without overspending.
• Review the benefits - Understand the card’s perks to ensure they align with your lifestyle and spending habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules - Some issuers have application restrictions that could affect your approval.
• Consider the ecosystem - See if the card complements your travel habits or can be paired with other cards you own.
• Match the card to your goal - Choose a card that aligns with a primary goal, such as paying down debt or earning hotel rewards.

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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Should I get a hotel card or a cash back card?

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A hotel card is ideal if you're loyal to a specific brand and can use its perks, while a cash back card offers greater flexibility for all types of spending. Consider your travel frequency with a particular hotel chain versus your desire for simple, versatile rewards.

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Can I use both a hotel card and a cash back card?

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Absolutely; using both can be a powerful strategy. You can use a co-branded hotel card for stays and brand-specific benefits, while using a flat-rate cash back card for all other everyday purchases to maximize your overall rewards.

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What happens to my hotel points if I close my credit card?

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Your IHG One Rewards points are tied to your loyalty program account, not the credit card itself. As long as your loyalty account remains active according to the program's rules, you will keep your points even if you cancel the card.

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