IHG One Rewards Premier vs Hilton Honors: Which Is Better In 2025?

Hilton Honors American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we think the Hilton Honors American Express is a strong contender for travelers.

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• The card has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees), making it a cost-effective choice for both domestic and international travel.
• You can earn accelerated Hilton Honors points on everyday spending categories like U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations.
• Since there's no annual fee to offset, you start getting positive value from the card's rewards and benefits with your very first purchase (publisher-formulated estimate).

_{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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• Automatic Hilton Honors Silver status, which unlocks benefits like a fifth night free on reward stays and late checkout.
• Flexible redemption options that go beyond hotel stays, including experiences, car rentals, and transfers to airline partners.
• Access to exclusive Amex perks like personalized Amex Offers and special ticket access for select events.

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Cons

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• Lacks the premium travel perks found on higher-tier cards, such as free night rewards or resort credits.
• Hilton Honors points can have a lower redemption value compared to points from competing hotel loyalty programs.
• Offers minimal travel protections and has a limited number of airline transfer partners.

Hilton Honors American Express vs IHG One Rewards Premier

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, IHG One Rewards Premier or Hilton Honors, depends on your travel habits and brand loyalty. Each card is tailored to a different type of traveler within its respective hotel ecosystem.

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• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is designed for frequent travelers who regularly stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts.
• Hilton Honors American Express Card is an entry-level hotel card best suited for loyal Hilton guests and travelers seeking Hilton rewards.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Points are most valuable when redeemed for stays across IHG's vast portfolio of hotels, with options to book award nights or use a combination of points and cash. Cardholders also receive enhanced value on award stays, making hotel redemptions the most attractive option.

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Hilton Honors American Express Card: Cardholders can use their points for free nights at Hilton properties worldwide, often with no blackout dates. Points can also be redeemed for on-property rewards, unique experiences, or transferred to airline and rail partners.

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Travel Perks

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• The IHG One Rewards Premier Card is a better companion for international travel, as it charges no foreign transaction fees. In contrast, the Hilton Honors American Express Card does have a foreign transaction fee.
• If you're looking for airport lounge access, you'll need to look elsewhere. Neither of these cards offers complimentary access as a benefit.
• Both cards offer a shortcut to elite status. The IHG One Rewards Premier Card grants automatic IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, while the Hilton Honors American Express Card provides complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status. Terms apply.
• For booking travel, Hilton Honors American Express cardholders can use the American Express travel portal in addition to Hilton's own platform. With the IHG One Rewards Premier Card, you'll get the most value by booking directly within the IHG ecosystem.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial companion that helps you compare top-rated cards and maximize your rewards.

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• Test drive credit cards: See your potential earnings with a new card based on your actual spending history—before you apply.
• Approval odds: Get a detailed analysis of your likelihood of approval for various cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards when you shop at your favorite stores, which you can stack on top of your existing credit card rewards.
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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, or Kimpton. These cardholders will get the most value by leveraging the automatic Platinum Elite status and the annual anniversary free night certificate, which can easily offset the annual fee. Furthermore, the card is especially beneficial for those who book longer trips, as it offers a fourth reward night free on award stays of four or more consecutive nights.

Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express?

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The Hilton Honors American Express card is an excellent choice for occasional Hilton guests and budget-conscious travelers who want to earn hotel rewards without paying an annual fee. It's also a practical card for everyday spending, offering accelerated points at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. As our Hilton Amex review explains, this card serves as an accessible entry point into the Hilton Honors ecosystem, even for those still building their credit.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our IHG One Rewards Premier vs Hilton Honors comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the perfect match for your travel style, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent travel rewards cards to consider that might be a better fit.

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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

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score as you will typically need good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet any welcome offer requirements.
• Review issuer rules as you may not be eligible for a welcome offer if you have or have had the card before.

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Application Strategy

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• Assess your loyalty - Consider if your travel habits align with a specific hotel brand like IHG or Hilton.
• Know the issuer's landscape - Be aware of application rules from issuers like Chase and American Express that could affect your approval.
• Time your application - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement for a welcome offer.

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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Do both cards come with elite status?

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Yes, both cards grant automatic elite status within their respective loyalty programs. The IHG One Rewards Premier Card provides Platinum Elite status, while Hilton Honors co-branded cards typically offer Gold or Diamond status depending on the specific card.

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What are the annual fees for these cards?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Card has a specific annual fee. Hilton, on the other hand, partners with American Express to offer several cards with annual fees that range from $0 to a premium level, so you can choose the one that fits your budget.

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Which program has more hotel properties worldwide?

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Hilton Honors has a larger global footprint with more properties than IHG One Rewards. However, both programs offer extensive hotel options in popular travel destinations, so the best fit often depends on where you travel most frequently.

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