IHG and Chase Overhaul Credit Card Lineup with New Premium Tier and Fee Hikes

Key points

• The IHG credit card portfolio now consists of four cards: the no-fee IHG One Rewards Card, the $150 Premier Card, the $200 Business Card, and the new $350 Premier Select Card.
• Annual fees have increased for the Premier and Business cards, rising from $99 to $150 and $200 respectively, effective for existing holders in 2027.
• The new Premier Select Card offers 200,000 bonus points, 20 Elite Night Credits, and up to $300 in annual food and beverage rewards.
• All cards now include grocery store purchases as a bonus category, while utilities, internet, and cable services lose elevated earning rates after December 31, 2026.
• Anniversary free night caps have increased across the lineup, with the Premier Select offering up to 60,000 points and the Premier and Business cards reaching 50,000 points.

Background

This overhaul follows the recent launch of the IHG One Rewards Premier Select card, which was introduced as the top-tier option in the refreshed portfolio. The changes align with broader trends in travel credit cards where issuers are increasing fees to fund expanded benefits and statement credits. The timing coincides with Chase’s ongoing expansion of its travel rewards partnerships, including the planned issuer switch for the Apple Card, though the IHG changes are specific to the hotel loyalty program.

How outlets are covering it

The Points Guy emphasizes the trade-offs for existing cardholders, noting that while the Premier card gains new credits and a higher free-night cap, it loses automatic Platinum Elite status in favor of Gold Elite status, though existing holders retain Platinum through 2027. NerdWallet highlights the value proposition of the refreshed Premier card, giving it a 5-star rating and citing the fourth-night-free benefit and tax waivers on points redemptions as key drivers for its recommendation, despite the fee increase. Frequent Miler focuses on the structural changes across the entire portfolio, noting that while new applicants receive updated terms immediately, existing cardholders will not see fee increases until 2027, creating a temporary window of value for current holders.

Why it matters

The refresh significantly alters the cost-benefit analysis for IHG cardholders, particularly for those relying on automatic elite status or specific bonus categories. The introduction of the $350 Premier Select card targets high-frequency travelers, while the fee hikes on mid-tier cards may push some users to reconsider their loyalty. The removal of certain bonus categories and the new spending requirements for perks like the fourth-night-free benefit require cardholders to adjust their spending habits to maintain value.

What to watch

Existing cardholders should expect fee increases and benefit changes to take effect in 2027, while new applicants can access updated terms immediately. The limited-time welcome bonuses for all cards end on November 18, 2026. Chase will provide existing cardholders with specific details on which changes apply to their accounts and when they take effect. The legacy IHG One Rewards Select Card’s future remains unclear, as its details have not been officially updated by the issuer.