IHG One Rewards Premier vs Amex Green: Which Is Better In 2025?

American Express® Green Card Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here's a closer look at what makes the American Express® Green Card (See Rates & Fees) a compelling option for travelers.

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• It earns bonus points on a wide range of travel and dining purchases worldwide.
• Cardholders can transfer points to numerous airline and hotel partners, offering flexible and potentially high-value redemption options.
• The card includes valuable statement credits that can offset the cost of popular travel services.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Pros

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• Generous rewards rate on a broad range of travel purchases and on dining worldwide.
• Flexible Membership Rewards points that can be transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners.
• Includes annual statement credits for popular travel services.

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Cons

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• The annual fee may be high for users who don't maximize the card's benefits.
• Getting the most value from your points requires some effort, as certain redemption options are less valuable than others.
• The included travel credits are for specific services and may not be useful for every cardholder.

American Express® Green Card vs IHG One Rewards Premier

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, IHG One Rewards Premier or Amex Green, it's essential to look at where you spend the most and what benefits you value.

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• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers, particularly those who regularly stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts.
• American Express® Green Card is designed for individuals who spend frequently on both travel and dining worldwide.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Your points are redeemed primarily for stays across IHG's extensive portfolio of hotels and resorts, making it ideal for brand loyalists.

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American Express® Green Card: This card offers flexible redemptions through the Membership Rewards program, allowing you to transfer points to various airline and hotel partners or book travel directly.

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Travel Perks

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• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: This card's travel ecosystem is built around the IHG brand. Cardholders receive an Anniversary Free Night each year, a fourth reward night free on award stays of four nights or more, and automatic Platinum Elite status. It also includes a statement credit for the Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee and has no foreign transaction fees.
• American Express® Green Card: The Amex Green card offers a more flexible travel ecosystem. Its key benefits include an annual statement credit for CLEAR Plus membership and an annual credit for LoungeBuddy to purchase airport lounge access (Terms Apply). The card also has no foreign transaction fees, and its points can be transferred to a wide range of airline and hotel partners, offering significant versatility beyond a single brand.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a comprehensive financial tool that helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best one for your spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: Use your real spending data to see potential earnings with a new card before you apply, without impacting your credit score.
• Personalized recommendations and approval odds: Get matched with cards based on your spending history and see a detailed analysis of your approval chances.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of being approved, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your regular card rewards when shopping at participating stores.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Premier?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is tailor-made for travelers who frequently stay at IHG properties like Holiday Inn, InterContinental, and Kimpton. These cardholders will get the most value by leveraging the automatic Platinum Elite status and the annual free night certificate, which can easily offset the annual fee. Furthermore, it's an excellent choice for those who book longer trips, as the card offers a fourth reward night free on award stays of four nights or more.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Green Card?

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The American Express® Green Card is a great fit for travelers who are willing to put in the time to maximize its rich rewards and generous credits. This card is best suited for individuals who spend significantly on travel and dining and want to redeem points for high-value travel by transferring them to airline and hotel loyalty programs. It's ideal for the savvy cardholder who can make full use of the card's perks to easily offset the annual fee.

Alternatives to Consider

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So, the IHG One Rewards Premier vs Amex Green comparison has left you undecided? Not to worry, as there are several other excellent travel cards that might be a better match for your spending and travel style.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score.Most premium travel cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending.Ensure you can meet the minimum spending requirement for the welcome offer through your regular purchases.
• Research the rewards program.Understand the card’s benefits and partners to ensure they align with your travel goals.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement for a welcome offer.
• Select cards that align with your existing brand loyalties, such as a hotel card for a chain you frequently visit.
• Look for application systems that allow you to see your offer before a hard credit inquiry impacts your score.

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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Which card is better for frequent IHG hotel guests?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is the clear winner for travelers who regularly stay at IHG properties. Its benefits, such as automatic Platinum Elite status and an annual anniversary free night, are tailored specifically to the IHG loyalty program.

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Can I transfer points between IHG One Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards?

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No, you cannot transfer points between these two programs directly. IHG One Rewards points and American Express Membership Rewards are separate loyalty currencies with their own unique transfer partners and redemption options.

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What are the annual fees for these cards?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has a $99 annual fee. The American Express® Green Card has a $150 annual fee (see Rates & Fees).

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