IHG One Rewards Premier vs JetBlue Plus: Which Is Better In 2025?

JetBlue Plus Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we think the JetBlue Plus Card is a strong choice for many travelers.

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• The card offers a solid rewards structure, letting you earn extra TrueBlue points on JetBlue purchases, as well as at restaurants and eligible grocery stores.
• While it comes with an annual fee (See Rates & Fees), the card includes valuable perks like a free first checked bag and an annual statement credit for JetBlue Vacations packages.
• Checking a bag for free on just two round-trip flights can save you enough to more than cover the card's annual cost (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• A free first checked bag for the cardholder and companions traveling on the same reservation.
• Annual perks that can help offset the annual fee, including anniversary bonus points and a statement credit on JetBlue Vacations packages.
• Get a portion of your points back after redeeming for flights and enjoy savings on in-flight purchases.

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Cons

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• It carries an annual fee, which may not be worth it for travelers who don't fly JetBlue often or check bags.
• The card's annual statement credit is limited to JetBlue Vacations packages, restricting its usefulness for those who book flights separately.
• It lacks premium travel perks like airport lounge access, priority boarding, or credits for expedited security screening programs.

JetBlue Plus vs IHG One Rewards Premier

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Categories

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Deciding between a hotel-specific card and an airline-specific one can be a tough call. To figure out which is better, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card or the JetBlue Plus Card, it helps to understand who each card is built for.

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• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: This card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers, particularly those who regularly stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts and want to maximize their hotel benefits.
• JetBlue Plus Card: Also geared toward frequent travelers, this card is best suited for those who fly JetBlue often and want to take advantage of airline-specific perks.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Points earned with this card are redeemed for award nights at IHG Hotels & Resorts properties worldwide. Cardholders can use their points to book stays, turning everyday spending into hotel accommodations.

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JetBlue Plus Card: The points earned can be redeemed for any seat, at any time on JetBlue-operated flights. This provides a straightforward way to use rewards for air travel without worrying about blackout dates.

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Travel Perks

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• Both cards are built for travel abroad, as neither charges foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
• The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card provides automatic IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, which comes with perks like complimentary room upgrades. In contrast, the JetBlue Plus Card helps you earn Mosaic status, unlocking benefits such as two free checked bags and priority security access where available.
• With the IHG card, you receive an Anniversary Free Night each year after your account anniversary and a fourth night free when you redeem points for a stay of four or more nights. The JetBlue card offers a free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to three companions on the same reservation, along with 50% savings on in-flight food and drink purchases.
• Both cards typically offer a statement credit for the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, making the airport security process a bit smoother.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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If you're looking for a way to eliminate the guesswork, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of credit cards using your own spending data to find the perfect match.

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• Test drive any credit card using your real spending data to see personalized calculations of your potential earnings before you apply.
• Receive personalized card recommendations based on your unique spending patterns.
• Stack rewards by earning extra Kudos Boost rewards on top of your regular credit card rewards when shopping at participating stores.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Take advantage of a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months of applying.

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 can maximize value through key benefits such as the fourth reward night free on longer stays and an annual free night certificate that can easily offset the annual fee. Additionally, the card is a great fit for those who value the immediate perks of automatic Platinum Elite status, including complimentary room upgrades and late check-out when available.

Who Should Choose the JetBlue Plus?

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The JetBlue Plus Card is an excellent choice for casual or moderately frequent JetBlue flyers who want valuable airline perks for a reasonable $99 annual fee. Its benefits, like a free first checked bag and 5,000 anniversary bonus points, provide immediate value that can easily offset the cost for those who fly with the airline just a few times per year. The card also suits travelers who book JetBlue Vacations packages or want to earn extra points on everyday spending at restaurants and grocery stores.

Alternatives to Consider

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If this deep dive into the IHG One Rewards Premier vs JetBlue Plus comparison leaves you unconvinced, don't fret. The credit card landscape is full of other contenders that might be a better match for your travel style.

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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 - Most premium rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Know the issuer's rules - Issuers may have restrictions on welcome offers if you have or recently had a similar card.
• Have a plan for the perks - Review how to use the card’s key benefits to ensure you can maximize their value.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application strategically - Align your application with a large planned purchase to help meet any spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Watch for product family restrictions - Some issuers may prevent you from earning a new bonus if you already have a similar card from the same product family.
• Avoid forcing the spend - Only apply if you can meet the minimum spending requirement naturally through your regular expenses.

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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Should I get a hotel credit card or an airline credit card?

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This depends on your travel style. If you're loyal to a specific hotel chain and value benefits like room upgrades and free nights, a hotel card is a great choice, whereas an airline card is better if you fly frequently with one carrier.

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How do I decide between a card with a free night award and one with flight benefits?

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Consider which perk you'll use more consistently. A free night award offers a guaranteed high-value redemption each year, while flight benefits like free checked bags can save you money on every trip you take with that airline.

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Are co-branded travel cards good for everyday spending?

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While these cards offer excellent rewards within their brands, they often have lower earning rates on everyday categories like groceries or dining compared to general travel rewards cards. It's best to use them primarily for brand-specific spending and to unlock travel perks.

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Can I transfer points from an IHG card to JetBlue or vice-versa?

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Generally, you cannot directly transfer points between separate co-branded loyalty programs like IHG One Rewards and JetBlue TrueBlue. Each program's points are designed to be used within its own ecosystem of hotels or flights.

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