United Explorer 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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This section breaks down why we’re fans of the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.

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• It offers a massive earning potential of up to 26 total points per dollar spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts.
• Cardholders automatically receive Platinum Elite Status, unlocking valuable perks like room upgrades when available.
• 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).

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Pros

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• An annual free night certificate that can be redeemed at eligible IHG properties.
• Automatic Platinum Elite status, which unlocks benefits like room upgrades and late check-out.
• A fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a stay of four or more consecutive nights.

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Cons

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• An annual fee is charged and is not waived for the first year.
• Points have limited flexibility, as they are most valuable when redeemed at IHG properties and have few transfer partners.
• The card lacks some of the premium travel protections available on other travel credit cards.

IHG One Rewards Premier vs United Explorer

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Explorer or IHG One Rewards Premier, depends entirely on your travel habits and brand loyalty.

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• United℠ Explorer Card is designed for frequent travelers, particularly those who often fly with United Airlines.
• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is a hotel rewards card ideal for frequent travelers who prefer staying at IHG properties.

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Redemption

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United℠ Explorer Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for flights with United and its partner airlines. You can also use them for seat upgrades, in-flight purchases, and other travel experiences.

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IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Cardholders redeem points mainly for free nights and room upgrades at thousands of IHG hotels and resorts worldwide, including brands like InterContinental, Holiday Inn, and Kimpton.

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Travel Perks

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• Lounge Access: The United℠ Explorer Card provides two one-time United Club passes each year. The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card does not offer airport lounge access.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards have no foreign transaction fees, making them suitable for international travel.
• Application Fee Credits: Both cards offer a statement credit for the Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee.
• Primary Perks: The United℠ Explorer Card's key benefits are airline-centric, including a free first checked bag and priority boarding on United flights. In contrast, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card focuses on hotel stays, offering an anniversary free night and automatic Platinum Elite status.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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If you're looking for a way to compare top-rated cards based on your own spending, a tool like Kudos can help.

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• Test drive credit cards: The Test Drive feature allows you to see potential earnings from a new card based on your actual spending history before you apply, without impacting your credit score.
• Maximize rewards: Kudos helps you use the best card for every purchase by autofilling it at checkout and offers additional Kudos Boost rewards when you shop at participating stores.
• Centralized management: You can manage multiple credit cards, track your spending, and monitor your credit score from a single platform.
• Personalized recommendations: The platform provides actionable insights and discovers new credit cards that match your personal spending habits.
• Exclusive incentives: Members get access to special promotions, a welcome offer guarantee, and rewards like the $100 Kudos Kickstart+.

Who Should Choose the United Explorer?

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The United℠ Explorer Card is an excellent choice for frequent United Airlines flyers who can maximize its airline-specific perks. It also appeals to budget-conscious travelers looking to offset the annual fee with benefits like a free first checked bag and statement credits for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry. Those with good to excellent credit who travel internationally will appreciate the card's lack of foreign transaction fees and its comprehensive travel protections.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Premier?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is an excellent choice for travelers who frequently stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts, including brands like Holiday Inn, InterContinental, and Kimpton. These cardholders will get the most value by leveraging perks like automatic Platinum Elite status, a fourth reward night free on longer award stays, and an annual free night certificate. Beyond hotel-specific benefits, the card is also a strong contender for those who want to earn bonus points on travel, gas, and dining without paying foreign transaction fees, as this credit card review explains.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our United Explorer vs IHG One Rewards Premier comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the perfect travel companion for you, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent travel rewards cards on the market that might be a better fit for your wallet.

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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 good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can naturally meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Have a redemption strategy: Research how you’ll use your rewards to ensure the card aligns with your goals.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer’s rules: Be mindful of issuer-specific guidelines on new account applications.
• Align cards with your habits: Co-branded cards like the United Explorer or IHG Premier are best for travelers loyal to those brands.
• Time your application: Applying before a large planned purchase can help you naturally meet spending requirements.

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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Can I transfer points between United MileagePlus and IHG One Rewards?

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No, you cannot directly transfer points between the United MileagePlus and IHG One Rewards programs. Each card earns rewards that are specific to its co-branded partner.

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What are the annual fees for these cards?

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The United Explorer Card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95. The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has a $99 annual fee.

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Which card is better for earning on everyday spending?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Card generally offers stronger earning rates on everyday categories like gas stations and dining. The United Explorer Card's bonus categories are more limited to United purchases, dining, and hotel stays.

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