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IHG One Rewards Premier vs Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is ideal for frequent guests of IHG Hotels & Resorts who want to maximize hotel rewards and enjoy automatic Platinum Elite status.
- The Bank of America® Premium Rewards Elite credit card is a premium travel card for consumers seeking luxury perks like airport lounge access and valuable travel and lifestyle credits.
IHG One Rewards Premier Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here's a closer look at why we're fans of the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.
- It comes packed with valuable travel perks like an Anniversary Free Night Certificate and automatic Platinum Elite Status, though it does carry an annual fee.
- The card offers generous earning rates on popular spending categories, including travel, dining, and gas.
- Using the annual free night certificate at an eligible property can easily offset the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night certificate each year, plus automatic Platinum Elite status which unlocks benefits like complimentary room upgrades.
- Get more out of your points with the fourth reward night free on award stays of four nights or more, a benefit that can be used multiple times a year.
- Travel smarter with a statement credit for your Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® application fee and pay no foreign transaction fees on purchases abroad.
Cons
- The card comes with an annual fee that is not waived for the first year.
- Its rewards program is less flexible than some competitors, with limited transfer partners and redemption value that is heavily skewed toward IHG properties.
- It lacks some of the premium travel protections and insurance benefits that are standard on other top-tier travel cards.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite.
- The card’s substantial annual credits for travel and lifestyle spending can significantly offset its annual fee (See Rates & Fees).
- Cardholders receive complimentary unlimited airport lounge access through a Priority Pass membership and a suite of travel protections.
- By maximizing the up to $300 airline incidental credit and up to $150 lifestyle credit, you can recoup $450 of the card's annual cost before factoring in other benefits (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Offers generous annual statement credits for both travel and lifestyle spending.
- Includes complimentary airport lounge access and a comprehensive suite of travel protections.
- Bank of America Preferred Rewards® members receive a rewards bonus on every purchase.
Cons
- Unlike many of its competitors, the card does not allow you to transfer points to airline or hotel loyalty programs.
- Maximizing reward value requires booking through the Bank of America Travel Center, which can be restrictive for travelers who prefer booking directly.
- The card’s benefits are very similar to the less expensive Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card, potentially making the high annual fee difficult to justify.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite vs IHG One Rewards Premier
Categories
Deciding which is better, the IHG One Rewards Premier or the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite, depends on your travel style and spending habits. Each card is designed for a different type of traveler, excelling in its own specific category.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is built for frequent travelers who show strong loyalty to IHG hotel and resort brands. It offers the most value to those who regularly stay within the IHG network.
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards Elite credit card serves as a premium travel card for consumers seeking luxury perks and benefits. It is particularly advantageous for those already in the Bank of America ecosystem.
Redemption
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for stays across IHG's extensive portfolio of hotels and resorts worldwide.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card: This card offers flexible redemption options, allowing you to use points for travel booked through the Bank of America Travel Center, as a statement credit, or for cash back.
Travel Perks
- The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is deeply integrated with the IHG hotel ecosystem, offering hotel-centric perks like an annual free night certificate. In contrast, the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card provides a more versatile travel platform through the Bank of America Travel Center, supplemented by annual credits for airline incidentals and lifestyle purchases.
- When it comes to airport lounges, the Premium Rewards® Elite card grants access to a global network of lounges, a key perk for frequent flyers. The IHG One Rewards Premier card forgoes this benefit, keeping its focus squarely on hotel-related advantages.
- Both cards are excellent companions for international travel, as neither imposes a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos, which evaluates nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best fit for your spending habits.
- Test drive a credit card: The ‘Test Drive’ feature lets you simulate how much you would earn with a new card based on your actual spending history, without a hard credit pull or commitment.
- Approval odds: Get a detailed analysis of your approval chances for different cards based on your credit report.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of getting approved for a card through Kudos, they will match it.
- Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when you shop at your favorite stores.
- Personalized recommendations: Receive card matches that will earn you the most rewards based on your unique spending patterns.
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 properties, including brands like Holiday Inn, Kimpton, and InterContinental. These cardholders will get the most value from perks like automatic Platinum Elite status and an annual free night certificate that can easily offset the annual fee. Additionally, it's a strong choice for those who book longer trips, as they can maximize savings with the fourth-reward-night-free benefit on point redemptions.
Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite?
The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite card is best suited for frequent travelers who are already heavily invested in the Bank of America ecosystem, particularly Preferred Rewards members. With a $550 annual fee, this premium travel card is designed for users who can maximize its value by taking full advantage of its up to $300 airline incidental credit and up to $150 lifestyle credit. It's an ideal choice for those who value straightforward rewards and luxury perks like lounge access over the complexity of rewards transfer partners, as detailed in this card overview.
Alternatives to Consider
So, you've weighed the IHG One Rewards Premier vs Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite comparison and neither card feels quite right? No problem—let's explore a few other top-tier travel cards that might be the perfect addition to your wallet.
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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.
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score to ensure you meet the typical requirements for a premium rewards card.
- Review the card’s reward ecosystem to see if it aligns with your spending and travel habits.
- See if an existing relationship with the bank unlocks enhanced benefits or rewards.
Application Strategy
- Time your application strategically before a large purchase.
- Understand the card issuer’s specific application rules and ecosystem benefits.
- Evaluate the card’s ongoing perks to ensure they fit your lifestyle long-term.
Our Methodology
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.
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
Which card is better for hotel loyalty?
The IHG One Rewards Premier card is designed for IHG loyalists, offering automatic Platinum Elite status and a free anniversary night, making it superior for those who frequently stay at IHG properties.
Can I earn flexible travel rewards with either card?
The Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite card offers more flexible rewards, as its points can be redeemed for travel through the Bank of America Travel Center or for cash back, unlike the IHG card's brand-specific points.
Do both cards offer travel statement credits?
The Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite card is known for its annual airline incidental and lifestyle statement credits, while the IHG One Rewards Premier card's value comes more from direct hotel benefits like the anniversary night.
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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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