Compare the Features and Benefits of IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card and
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

The IHG Premier Credit Card can justify its place in any traveler’s wallet. After earning the excellent sign-up bonus, cardholders continue to be rewarded with IHG Platinum Elite status, an annual free night award, a reward night free on a reward stay of four or more consecutive nights, $50 per year in United TravelBank Cash, and a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS application fee credit.

Those perks easily justify the $99 annual fee, even if you use a more rewarding card for everyday spending.

Cardholders earn bonus points in a variety of categories, including 10X IHG points on eligible purchases at IHG hotel brands and 5X points on travel, at gas stations, and on dining. All other purchases earn 3X points.

MilesTalk values IHG Rewards points at 0.4 cents each. That means IHG Premier Card cardholders can expect an approximate return of around 4% on spending at IHG Hotels and 1.2% on other purchases.

For those unfamiliar with IHG Rewards, the IHG Rewards program includes hotel brands like InterContinental Hotels, Six Senses, Kimpton, and Hotel Indigo on the luxury end and Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn, and Staybridge Suites for more practical stays.

Thanks to the Platinum Elite status that comes as a benefit on the IHG Premier Card, cardholders will earn 60% bonus points on stays, get complimentary room upgrades, and receive welcome bonus points when staying at participating IHG hotels.

For travelers that generally stay at least four nights, the IHG Premier Card’s fourth-night free benefit can save you a bunch of points. All you need to do is book at least four consecutive nights at an IHG hotel using your IHG Rewards points. And IHG will automatically discount one night to zero points — giving you a free reward night.

You’ll get this perk whether you’re staying at a practical Holiday Inn or staying at ultra-luxurious InterContinental Hotels.

The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card charges a $0 introductory annual fee (then $150) and presents many ways for Delta Air Lines flyers to save money — whether they’re booking their flight with SkyMiles or are already in the air.

You’ll earn credit card rewards accordingly: 2x Delta miles on restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets and on eligible Delta purchases, plus 1x miles on other eligible purchases. Finally, if you manage to spend $10,000 or more on the card in a calendar year, a $100 Delta flight credit will be awarded to your account every year.

When it comes time to redeem SkyMiles, Delta Gold cardholders can save 15% off the sticker price for award flights. This benefit is automatically applied when you’re logged into your SkyMiles account on the Delta website or Fly Delta app and the flight is wholly operated by Delta.

Delta offers an impressive route network whether you want to fly within the U.S. or abroad, so you should find plenty of ways to redeem SkyMiles. Some of our favorite deals include Delta’s flash sales, where you can find domestic one-way tickets for as low as 3,500 SkyMiles.

Once you’re at the airport, you can enjoy a free checked bag and Main Cabin 1 priority boarding when flying Delta. Then, in the air, you can save 20% on inflight purchases, applied as a statement credit to your account.

If you’re not a frequent Delta flyer and are looking for even more options with your credit card rewards, consider opening a card that earns transferable rewards instead like Amex Membership Rewards points that transfer instantly to Delta SkyMiles. Not to be confused with the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex Card, the Amex Gold Card earns Membership Rewards points but does not include benefits like the free checked bag.

Rates and Fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card