IHG One Rewards Premier vs Capital One Savor: Which Is Better In 2025?

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a breakdown of what makes the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards (See Rates & Fees) a standout choice.

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• It offers cash back on popular spending categories, including dining, entertainment, streaming services, and at grocery stores.
• The rewards structure is simple and easy to use, with no rotating categories to keep track of or activate.
• Cardholders gain access to exclusive entertainment experiences, such as special events and ticket pre-sales.

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Pros

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• Unlimited cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores.
• No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
• Access to exclusive entertainment events and travel protections.

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Cons

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• Requires good to excellent credit for approval.
• Bonus cash back at grocery stores excludes purchases made at superstores and wholesale clubs.
• May not be the best fit if your spending doesn't align with its bonus categories.

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards vs IHG One Rewards Premier

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, IHG One Rewards Premier or Capital One Savor, it's essential to understand that each card caters to very different spending habits and lifestyles. The best choice ultimately depends on what you value most in a rewards card.

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• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is designed for frequent travelers who are loyal to IHG Hotels & Resorts brands and want to maximize hotel-specific benefits like elite status.
• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is ideal for those who spend heavily on dining, entertainment, and groceries, offering straightforward cash back rewards on everyday purchases.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Rewards are earned as points that can be redeemed for stays at any of the thousands of IHG properties around the globe. Cardholders can use these points for free nights or to supplement cash payments for hotel bookings.

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Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card provides cash back rewards that can be redeemed for a statement credit or a check, offering simple and flexible value. There are no complicated loyalty programs or transfer partners to worry about when you want to use your earnings.

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Travel Perks

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• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: This card’s travel ecosystem is built entirely around the IHG family of hotels. It does not charge a foreign transaction fee, making it a good companion for international travel. While it doesn't offer airport lounge access, its main travel perks are hotel-centric, including an annual free night certificate and automatic elite status within the IHG One Rewards program.
• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: As a cash back card, its travel ecosystem is more flexible but less defined. Cardholders can use their rewards to offset any travel expense, booked through any platform. This card also comes with no foreign transaction fee. It does not include airport lounge access, but provides access to exclusive event tickets and experiences through the Capital One Entertainment portal, which can be a valuable perk for travelers.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the decision easier, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards based on your own spending.

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• The ability to test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see personalized reward projections before you apply.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• A welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
• Earn extra rewards, called Kudos Boost, when you shop at participating stores.
• Tools to track your spending, monitor your credit score, and stay on top of your card perks.
• Discover new credit cards with personalized matching based on your spending history.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Premier?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is tailor-made for frequent guests of IHG Hotels & Resorts, such as Holiday Inn and InterContinental, who can consistently take advantage of brand-specific benefits. This user maximizes value by earning up to 26 points per dollar on IHG stays, leveraging the fourth-night-free benefit on award bookings, and offsetting the annual fee with the yearly anniversary night. Ultimately, the card is a powerful tool for travelers dedicated to the IHG ecosystem who want to enjoy automatic Platinum Elite status and its associated perks like room upgrades and late check-out.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards?

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The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for consumers who spend a significant portion of their budget on dining out and entertainment. This card is particularly well-suited for urban professionals and active families who can maximize the unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores. Additionally, frequent travelers will appreciate the lack of foreign transaction fees, making it a versatile option for use both at home and abroad.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our IHG One Rewards Premier vs. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards comparison has you thinking neither card is the perfect match for your wallet, don't worry. We've rounded up a few other excellent options that might be a better fit for your spending habits and travel goals.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score. Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit to qualify.
• Plan your spending. Make sure you can meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer without overspending.
• Know the rules. Be aware of any issuer-specific application rules that might affect your eligibility.

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Application Strategy

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• Research redemption options. - Know how you'll use the rewards to maximize their value.
• Time your application. - Apply before a large purchase to help meet any spending requirements.
• Know the issuer's rules. - Be aware of bank-specific restrictions that could affect your approval.

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 earning travel rewards?

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This depends on your loyalty and spending habits. The IHG Premier card is tailored for earning hotel-specific rewards, while the Capital One Savor card provides cash back on lifestyle spending that can be used flexibly for any purpose, including travel.

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Can I hold both the IHG Premier and Capital One Savor cards?

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Yes, many people hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. This strategy allows you to earn dedicated hotel benefits with one card and versatile cash back on dining and entertainment with the other.

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How do I decide which card fits my lifestyle?

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Consider where you spend the most money and what kind of rewards you value. If you are a frequent guest at IHG hotels, the Premier card is a strong contender, whereas if you prioritize cash back from dining and entertainment, the Savor card is likely a better fit.

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