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

Capital One SavorOne Rewards Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the Capital One SavorOne Rewards (See Rates & Fees) card.

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• Earn generous cash back on everyday purchases like dining, entertainment, and at grocery stores, plus on popular streaming services.
• The rewards program is straightforward with no rotating categories to keep track of, and your cash back won't expire for the life of the account.
• It's a great card for traveling abroad as it charges no foreign transaction fees.

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Pros

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• Redeem your cash back in any amount and at any time. Options include statement credits, checks, gift cards, or using rewards to pay at Amazon.com and with PayPal.
• You’ll be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as six months, a helpful feature for those looking to improve their credit profile.
• Get access to exclusive culinary experiences, including hard-to-get reservations and special events, through Capital One Dining.

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Cons

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• This card comes with an annual fee.
• It doesn't offer a welcome bonus or an introductory APR on purchases for new cardholders.
• Bonus cash back isn't available at all merchants; for instance, superstores are excluded from the grocery store category.

Capital One SavorOne Rewards vs IHG One Rewards Premier

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, IHG One Rewards Premier or Capital One SavorOne, depends on your spending habits and travel style.

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• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: This card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers, particularly those who are loyal to IHG hotel brands like Holiday Inn and InterContinental.
• Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card is best for earning rewards on everyday spending categories such as dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: With this card, you earn points that are best redeemed for stays across IHG's extensive portfolio of hotels and resorts. Your rewards are geared towards enhancing your travel experiences within their network.

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Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card offers straightforward cash back on your purchases, which you can redeem as a statement credit or a check. The flexibility of cash rewards means you can use them for anything you choose, without being tied to a specific travel program.

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Travel Perks

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• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: This card’s travel ecosystem is tightly integrated with IHG properties. It does not charge foreign transaction fees, which is a plus for international trips. The card's benefits are focused on enhancing your stays within the IHG network, and miles are redeemed for hotel nights.
• Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card also features no foreign transaction fees. Its travel benefits are channeled through the Capital One Travel portal, allowing you to book flights, hotels, and rental cars. You can use your rewards as miles through the portal or transfer them to Capital One's travel partners.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For those looking to make a data-driven decision, Kudos is a financial companion platform that helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best fit for your spending habits.

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• Test drive a credit card: Before you apply, you can simulate your potential earnings with any card using your actual spending data to see a personalized projection of your annual rewards.
• Approval odds analysis: Get a detailed, personalized analysis of your approval chances for each card based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card within three months of applying through Kudos, the platform will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when you shop at participating stores through the platform.

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, including brands like Holiday Inn, InterContinental, and Kimpton. This card is best suited for travelers who value the automatic Platinum Elite status and its associated perks, such as room upgrades and late check-out, and who will use the annual free night certificate. It's also a strong choice for those who often book longer hotel stays, as they can take full advantage of the fourth-reward-night-free benefit on stays of four nights or more.

Who Should Choose the Capital One SavorOne Rewards?

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The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is primarily aimed at applicants with fair credit who want to earn cash back on everyday spending while building a stronger credit profile. It's a great fit for people whose regular expenses include dining out, entertainment, popular streaming services, and shopping at grocery stores. This card acts as a solid stepping stone, helping users improve their creditworthiness to eventually qualify for cards with more robust benefits and lower fees.

Alternatives to Consider

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For those who find that neither card in the IHG One Rewards Premier vs. Capital One SavorOne Rewards comparison meets their needs, other compelling options exist. Here are a few alternatives to consider that cater to different financial strategies and reward preferences.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: Ensure your credit profile aligns with the card’s approval criteria, which can range from fair to excellent.
• Plan your spending: Make sure you can comfortably meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer without overspending.
• Know the benefits: Look beyond the welcome offer to understand the card’s long-term value from perks like elite status or bonus cash back categories.

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Application Strategy

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• Check for pre-approval: See if you're eligible for offers without impacting your credit score.
• Know the issuer's rules: Be aware of any application restrictions the card issuer may have.
• Apply for the right fit: Choose a card that aligns with your travel habits or spending patterns.

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 travel rewards?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is designed for earning hotel-specific rewards, while the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers flexible cash back that can be applied to any travel purchase. Your best option depends on whether you prefer loyalty to a specific hotel brand or more general spending flexibility.

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Can I earn rewards on everyday spending with both cards?

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Yes, both cards allow you to earn rewards on daily purchases, but they emphasize different spending areas. The SavorOne card excels in categories like dining, entertainment, and at popular streaming services and grocery stores, whereas the IHG Premier card focuses rewards on hotel stays and other travel-related spending.

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What type of traveler is each card best for?

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The IHG Premier card is best suited for travelers who frequently stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts and want to earn elite status and reward nights. In contrast, the SavorOne card is a great fit for those who prefer straightforward cash back rewards and value flexibility over brand-specific hotel perks.

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Do these cards offer benefits beyond just earning rewards?

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Yes, both cards provide valuable perks beyond their rewards structures. The IHG Premier card offers benefits directly tied to hotel stays, such as automatic elite status, while the SavorOne card provides access to exclusive entertainment and culinary events.

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