The IHG One Rewards Premier from Chase now has a $150 annual fee for new cardmembers and an anniversary Free Night worth up to 50,000 points, after Chase rebuilt its IHG cards on October 1, 2026. It adds up to $100 a year in Food and Beverage Rewards at IHG hotels, a $100 annual airline credit and 15 Elite Night Credits a year, and its automatic status is now Gold Elite. Chase says existing cardmembers get a notice in October 2026 with the date each change applies to them, and their fee changes in 2027. Confirm current terms and any welcome offer at Chase.
What changed on October 1, 2026
Chase announced new benefits for every IHG One Rewards card on October 1, 2026 and launched a fourth card above this one, the $350 Premier Select. For the Premier, the fee rises by $51 and automatic status drops a tier, while 2 new annual credits worth up to $200 and a bigger free night arrive.
| Feature | Before October 1, 2026 | From October 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $99 | $150 for new cardmembers; existing cardmembers change in 2027 |
| Anniversary Free Night | Up to 40,000 points | Up to 50,000 points, with points top-up |
| Automatic status | Platinum Elite | Gold Elite |
| Elite Night Credits | None | 15 a year, plus 2 per $5,000 spent |
| Food and Beverage Rewards | None | Up to $100 a year at IHG hotels |
| Airline statement credit | None | $100 a year on qualifying flights |
| United TravelBank cash | Up to $50 | Up to $50 |
| Points at IHG hotels | Up to 26x | Up to 24x |
| 5x categories | Travel, dining, gas | Flights booked directly, car rental agencies, dining, gas stations, grocery stores |
| Everything else | 3x | 3x |
| Fourth Reward Night Free | Yes | Yes |
Chase says existing cardmembers are being notified in October 2026 with details and the effective date of each update. Read that notice for your own dates before you decide whether to keep the card.
What the IHG One Rewards Premier earns
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| Category | Rate |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 for new cardmembers |
| IHG hotels | Up to 24x total points, including elite bonuses |
| Flights booked directly, car rental agencies, dining, gas stations, grocery stores | 5x |
| Everything else | 3x |
| Anniversary Free Night | Up to 50,000 points, top up with your own points |
| Elite status | Automatic Gold Elite, 15 Elite Night Credits a year |
If you already hold the Premier. Per Frequent Miler (October 1, 2026) and 10xtravel, existing cardmembers keep Platinum Elite through the end of 2027 and pay the new $150 fee from their 2027 renewal; renewals between October 1 and December 31, 2026 still bill $99. Your October notice from Chase sets your own dates.
The perks and details
The anniversary Free Night is still the anchor. It now covers a stay costing up to 50,000 points, and you can add your own points to book a pricier hotel. The new annual credits are up to $100 in Food and Beverage Rewards at IHG properties and $100 back on qualifying flight purchases, alongside up to $50 in United TravelBank cash. The fourth reward night is free when you redeem points for 4 consecutive nights.
Status is the step down. Automatic status is now Gold Elite, which brings member rates, free Wi-Fi auto connect and late check-out subject to availability. Platinum Elite, with confirmable suite upgrades, moved to the Premier Select. The 15 Elite Night Credits a year, plus 2 more for every $5,000 you spend, count toward IHG Milestone Rewards and higher status, and Chase lists further spend-based unlocks on the card page.
Chase’s card page lists a statement credit of up to $120 every 4 years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS. Spending $15,000 in a calendar year brings Platinum Elite for that year, 15,000 bonus points and 5 more Elite Night Credits, and $40,000 brings Diamond Elite. As a Chase card, the Premier counts toward 5/24.
The fee math
The fee is $150 for new cardmembers. Count only the value you will use. Example: a 50,000-point free night at a hotel that would cost $250 in cash, plus the $100 airline credit, returns $350 against the $150 fee. Use the free night at a hotel that costs $120 in cash and skip the credits, and the card loses money. The Food and Beverage Rewards only count if you eat or drink at IHG hotels.
Compare the hotel cards
See how the IHG Premier fits among the best hotel cards.
Premier or Premier Select
The new IHG One Rewards Premier Select costs $350 a year, $200 more than the Premier. For that it adds automatic Platinum Elite, 20 Elite Night Credits a year instead of 15, a Free Night worth up to 60,000 points, up to $300 in Food and Beverage Rewards instead of $100, a $200 airline credit instead of $100, up to 28x at IHG hotels and 6x on dining and all other travel. If you would use both bigger credits in full, the extra $300 in credits exceeds the $200 fee difference. If you stay at IHG a few nights a year, the Premier is the better buy.
Who it fits and who it does not
It fits anyone who stays at IHG brands a few times a year, will redeem the anniversary night at a hotel priced near 50,000 points, and will use the airline credit. It fits less if you never stay IHG, if Platinum Elite was the reason you held it, or if you are near your Chase 5/24 limit. Confirm current terms at Chase.
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FAQ
What is the IHG One Rewards Premier annual fee?
$150 for new cardmembers since October 1, 2026, up from $99. Chase says existing cardmembers will see their fee change in 2027. Confirm the current fee and any welcome offer at Chase.
How much is the IHG Premier free night worth?
An anniversary Free Night for a stay costing up to 50,000 points, raised from 40,000 on October 1, 2026, and you can add your own points to reach a higher-priced hotel. Confirm current terms at Chase.
Does the IHG Premier still give Platinum status?
No. Since October 1, 2026 the Premier gives automatic Gold Elite status and 15 Elite Night Credits a year. Automatic Platinum Elite moved to the $350 Premier Select. Existing cardmembers should check the notice Chase is sending in October 2026 for the date this applies to them.
Does the IHG Premier give a fourth night free?
Yes. When you redeem points for 4 consecutive nights at an IHG hotel, the fourth reward night is free. Confirm current terms at Chase.
Last reviewed October 2026. We verify every rule, ratio, and figure against issuer terms and current reporting, and date each one. See our editorial standards for how we research and correct guides.
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