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Chase Sapphire Reserve vs IHG One Rewards Premier: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card: This premium card is ideal for frequent travelers and diners looking to maximize rewards on their spending. Points are not earned until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases. The first $300 goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: This co-branded hotel card is best for frequent guests of IHG properties who want to earn points and enjoy elite status perks.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a quick look at what makes the Chase Sapphire Reserve® a standout choice for frequent travelers.
The card offers a generous $300 annual travel credit that is easy to use and automatically applied to your account.
You'll earn valuable rewards on everyday spending with 3x points on both dining and travel worldwide.
The $300 annual travel credit effectively lowers the $795 annual fee to a net cost of $495, making it easier to justify for regular travelers (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
Enjoy complimentary airport lounge access through a Priority Pass™ Select membership, which includes access for you and your guests.
Your points offer excellent redemption flexibility, with the ability to transfer them to a wide range of airline and hotel loyalty programs.
The card includes a suite of premium travel protections, such as trip cancellation insurance and an auto rental collision damage waiver.
Cons
The card carries a high annual fee, which may not be justifiable for infrequent travelers.
Approval generally requires an excellent credit score, limiting its accessibility for some applicants.
Some benefits require manual enrollment, and the rewards structure can be complex to navigate for those new to travel rewards.
IHG One Rewards Premier Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why the IHG One Rewards Premier card stands out.
- Cardholders automatically receive Platinum Elite status, unlocking valuable perks like potential room upgrades, late check-out, and bonus points on stays.
- The fourth reward night is free on award stays of four or more nights, providing significant savings for longer trips.
- The annual Anniversary Free Night, redeemable at properties worth up to 40,000 points, can easily offset the card's annual fee. (publisher-formulated estimate)
Pros
- Valuable hotel perks, including an annual free night certificate and a fourth reward night free on award stays.
- Automatic Platinum Elite status provides access to room upgrades, bonus points, and other exclusive benefits.
- Travel-friendly features like no foreign transaction fees and a suite of travel insurance protections.
Cons
- Carries an annual fee that is not waived for the first year.
- The rewards program is less flexible than some competitors, with points being most valuable when redeemed at IHG properties.
- Lacks some of the premium travel protections offered by other top-tier travel cards.
IHG One Rewards Premier vs Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Categories
Deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Reserve or IHG One Rewards Premier, depends entirely on your travel style and spending habits. Both are premium travel cards, but they cater to very different types of travelers.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium travel rewards card best suited for frequent travelers. It's designed for those who travel often and want to maximize a wide range of travel-related benefits.
- IHG One Rewards Premier is also an excellent choice for frequent travelers, but it specifically targets those who regularly stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts. This card is ideal for maximizing hotel-specific rewards and achieving elite status within the IHG program.
Redemption
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: The value of the Chase Sapphire Reserve® lies in its highly flexible Ultimate Rewards® points. Cardholders can redeem points for travel through the Chase portal, transfer them to numerous airline and hotel partners, or opt for cash back and statement credits.
IHG One Rewards Premier: Points earned with the IHG One Rewards Premier card are primarily redeemed for stays at IHG Hotels & Resorts worldwide. This provides exceptional value for travelers who frequently stay within the IHG family of brands.
Travel Perks
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: This card provides access to a broad travel ecosystem. Cardholders can book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal and receive complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, which grants entry to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. It also has no foreign transaction fees.
- IHG One Rewards Premier: The travel ecosystem for this card is focused squarely on the IHG brand. While it doesn't offer a proprietary travel portal or airport lounge access, its main perk is deep integration with IHG Hotels & Resorts. It also features no foreign transaction fees, making it a good companion for international travel, provided you stay at IHG properties.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards based on your own spending habits.
- Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply, without affecting your credit score.
- Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
- Receive a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
- Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card points with Kudos Boost when shopping at participating stores.
- Automatically fill in the best card to use at checkout to maximize your rewards.
- Monitor all your transactions, spending habits, and credit score in one place.
Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Reserve®?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is best suited for frequent travelers who can take full advantage of its premium travel perks. This includes individuals who will consistently use the $300 annual travel credit, appreciate airport lounge access through Priority Pass™ Select, and want robust travel protections. As one comprehensive review notes, it's also a great fit for foodies who dine out often and points enthusiasts looking to transfer their rewards to various airline and hotel partners for maximum value. Points are not earned on travel until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases, as this spending goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit.
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 Hotels & Resorts, such as Holiday Inn or InterContinental. Ideal cardholders are those who can maximize its core benefits, like the annual free night certificate and the fourth-reward-night-free perk on longer stays. If you value automatic Platinum Elite status and want a card that rewards brand loyalty, this IHG card review shows it can easily offset its annual fee.
Alternatives to Consider
For those who found that our Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs. IHG One Rewards Premier comparison didn't highlight the right card for them, there are several other excellent travel rewards cards to explore.
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Tips for Application Success
Ready to apply? Following a few key steps can significantly boost your chances of success and ensure you’re picking the right card for your wallet.
Before You Apply:
- Check your credit score. Most premium travel cards, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card, generally require a good to excellent credit score for approval.
- Plan your spending. Welcome offers typically require meeting a minimum spend in the first few months. Plan how you'll meet this threshold organically on purchases you already intended to make.
- Align the card with your habits. Whether it's the premium travel perks of the Sapphire Reserve® or the hotel-specific benefits of the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, make sure the card’s features fit your lifestyle to maximize its value.
Application Strategy:
- Review your full credit profile. Beyond just the score, issuers consider your overall creditworthiness and account behavior when making approval decisions.
- Be patient. If you don't see the highest offer right away, it can sometimes pay to wait and check again later rather than accepting a lower offer.
- Use the right tools. Platforms like Kudos can help you find the best available offers and streamline the application process, ensuring you don’t miss out.
Pro tip: Time your application just before a planned large purchase. This can make it much easier to naturally meet the minimum spending requirement for a welcome offer without forcing your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main differences in rewards between the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the IHG Premier card?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® earns flexible Ultimate Rewards® points on all purchases, with bonus points on travel and dining. In contrast, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is designed to maximize IHG One Rewards points, especially on stays at IHG properties.
Which card has a higher annual fee?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a higher annual fee, but it's partially offset by a $300 annual travel credit. Note that points on travel are earned only after the first $300 is spent, as that amount applies toward the credit.
Can I use Chase Sapphire Reserve® points for IHG hotel stays?
Yes, Chase Ultimate Rewards® points earned with the Sapphire Reserve® can be transferred to IHG One Rewards, often at a 1:1 ratio. This gives you the flexibility to book award nights at IHG hotels without holding the co-branded card.
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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.
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