October 2, 2026 — IHG Hotels & Resorts and Chase have launched a new $350-a-year IHG One Rewards Premier Select credit card and changed the benefits on all three existing IHG cards, the companies announced October 1.
The new Premier Select card comes with automatic Platinum Elite status, 20 elite night credits a year, an anniversary free night worth up to 60,000 points, up to $300 a year in food and beverage rewards at IHG hotels and a $200 annual airline statement credit. It also carries up to $50 in United TravelBank cash. The launch bonus is 200,000 points after $5,000 in spending in three months, available through November 18.
The existing cards gain elite night credits for the first time, and the two paid cards get a higher cap on the anniversary free night (50,000 points) plus new airline and dining credits. IHG says annual fees will be adjusted in 2027 and that current cardholders will be told in October when each change applies to them.
The four cards
| Card | Annual fee | Key changes | Launch bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Select (new) | $350 | Platinum Elite; 20 elite nights; free night up to 60,000 points; $300 food and beverage; $200 airline credit | 200,000 points after $5,000 in 3 months |
| Premier | $150 | 15 elite nights; free night cap raised to 50,000 points; $100 food and beverage; $100 airline credit; 5X now includes groceries | 180,000 points after $3,000 in 3 months |
| Business | $200 | 15 elite nights; free night cap raised to 50,000 points; $100 food and beverage; $100 airline credit; $100 Expensify credit | 190,000 points after $5,000 in 3 months |
| No-annual-fee card | $0 | 5 elite nights; 3X now includes groceries; fourth reward night free after $5,000 in card spending | 125,000 points after $2,000 in 3 months |
What it means for airline travelers
- Airline credits on a hotel card: the $100 to $200 airline statement credits are new. IHG’s release does not spell out which charges qualify, so check whether pass-travel fees or taxes count before relying on them.
- Bigger free nights: the higher caps on the paid cards (50,000 points, or 60,000 on Premier Select) widen the list of IHG hotels where the anniversary night works.
- Status shortcut: elite night credits now come with every card, which helps anyone short of the next IHG One Rewards tier.
- Fees are moving: watch for Chase’s October notice with your card’s dates. This is a summary of the announcement, not financial advice; compare the fee against the benefits you would really use.
Sources
- IHG Hotels & Resorts — Chase Introduces New IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card, Plus Updates Across Entire IHG One Rewards Card Portfolio
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