Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
IHG One Rewards Premier vs Delta SkyMiles Blue: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: This card is designed for frequent IHG guests, offering accelerated points on stays, travel, gas, and restaurant spending.
- Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: This no-annual-fee card is perfect for occasional travelers and diners looking to earn Delta SkyMiles on flights and restaurant purchases.
IHG One Rewards Premier Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "502", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Excellent Travel Choice" } ]]
Why We Like It
This card packs a lot of value for IHG loyalists, and here’s a closer look at why we think it’s a strong contender.
- It comes loaded with valuable perks like automatic Platinum Elite status and a fourth reward night free on longer award stays.
- The card has an annual fee but includes valuable travel protections and no foreign transaction fees.
- The anniversary free night certificate, valid at properties costing up to 40,000 points, can easily offset the annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Cardholders receive an anniversary free night certificate and automatic Platinum Elite status, which unlocks perks like room upgrades and priority service.
- The fourth reward night free feature provides significant value on longer award stays, letting you extend your trip for no extra points.
- It includes essential travel benefits like a statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS and no foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- The card has an annual fee that isn't waived in the first year.
- Reward points have limited transfer partners, and their value is maximized almost exclusively at IHG properties.
- It lacks some premium travel protections found on competing cards, and the anniversary free night certificate is subject to a redemption cap.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "263", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Entry-Level Card" } ]]
Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of why we like the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card.
- This card is a great entry point for earning Delta SkyMiles without the commitment of an annual fee or foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees).
- You can earn 2x miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide, plus 1x miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Since there's no annual fee, you start getting value from your very first mile earned, making the break-even immediate (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Earn bonus miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide.
- Enjoy no foreign transaction fees and receive statement credits on eligible in-flight Delta purchases. Terms apply.
Cons
- Fewer Delta-specific benefits compared to other Delta cards, such as no free checked bags or priority boarding.
- Limited earning on everyday purchases and less flexible redemption options than many other travel rewards cards.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express vs IHG One Rewards Premier
Categories
Deciding which is better, the IHG One Rewards Premier or Delta SkyMiles Blue, depends entirely on your personal travel habits and brand loyalty.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is built for frequent travelers who regularly stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts. This card is best for maximizing rewards and leveraging elite status perks specifically within the IHG family of properties.
- Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is an entry-level card ideal for occasional Delta flyers and budget-conscious travelers. It allows users to earn SkyMiles without committing to an annual fee.
Redemption
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Points are redeemed primarily for hotel nights across IHG's global network of brands, offering a straightforward way to cover accommodation costs.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: SkyMiles are used to book award travel on Delta and its partner airlines, with redemption options also available for upgrades and other travel-related perks. Terms apply.
Travel Perks
- Foreign Transaction Fees: The IHG Premier card is designed for global use and does not have foreign transaction fees. In contrast, the Delta SkyMiles Blue card includes a foreign transaction fee, making it less ideal for purchases abroad. Terms apply.
- Loyalty Status: With the IHG Premier card, you automatically receive IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, unlocking valuable hotel perks like complimentary room upgrades. The Delta SkyMiles Blue card is an entry-level option that does not grant any form of Delta Medallion elite status.
- Primary Benefits: The IHG Premier card's standout benefit is an anniversary free night certificate. While neither card provides airport lounge access, the Delta SkyMiles Blue card offers a statement credit on eligible in-flight Delta purchases. Terms apply.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
If you're looking to eliminate the guesswork, Kudos offers a data-driven platform to compare thousands of credit cards and find the perfect match for your spending habits.
- Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, you can use your real spending data to see personalized projections of potential rewards for any card. This data-driven simulation shows your potential earnings without impacting your credit score.
- Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis based on your credit report to understand your chances of being approved for different cards.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, the platform will match it.
- Kudos Boost rewards: Earn extra rewards on top of your regular card points when you shop at participating stores.
- Personalized matching: Get matched with cards that will earn you the most based on your actual spending history.
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, Kimpton, or InterContinental. These cardholders will get the most value from its key perks, such as automatic Platinum Elite status and a fourth reward night free on longer stays. Ultimately, if you can maximize the annual free night certificate, this card easily justifies its annual fee for loyal IHG customers.
Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express?
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is an excellent choice for occasional Delta flyers who want to earn miles without committing to an annual fee, making it a risk-free entry point to the program. It also appeals to budget-conscious international travelers, thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees, and dining enthusiasts who can capitalize on earning 2x miles at restaurants worldwide. Ultimately, it serves as a perfect starter card for newcomers or as a secondary card for established Delta loyalists who don't need premium perks.
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.
Alternatives to Consider
So, the IHG One Rewards Premier vs Delta SkyMiles Blue comparison didn't reveal a clear winner for your spending habits? Let's explore a few other excellent travel cards that could be the right choice for you.
[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["510", "106"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["$300 Annual Travel Credit", "Serious Points on Flights"]} ]]
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
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score, as most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
- Plan how you will naturally meet the minimum spending requirement for the welcome offer.
- Review the card’s core benefits to ensure they match your spending and travel patterns.
Application Strategy
- Be aware of issuer-specific application rules that may affect your eligibility.
- Try different application channels or browsers to find the best available welcome offer.
- Time your application before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending threshold.
Our Methodology
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.
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
What types of rewards do these cards earn?
The IHG® One Rewards Premier Credit Card earns IHG One Rewards points, which are redeemable for hotel stays. The American Express® Delta SkyMiles Blue Card earns Delta SkyMiles, which can be used for flights with Delta and its airline partners.
Which card is better for hotel stays versus flights?
The IHG One Rewards Premier card is designed for travelers who want to earn rewards and benefits specifically within the IHG Hotels & Resorts portfolio. The Delta SkyMiles Blue Card is geared toward earning miles for flights on Delta Air Lines.
Do these cards offer automatic elite status?
Yes, holding the IHG One Rewards Premier card grants you automatic IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status. The Delta SkyMiles Blue Card does not come with complimentary Delta Medallion status.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
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.
.webp)
