At a Glance
| Amex EveryDay | IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $99 |
| Base Rate | 0% pts | 0% pts |
| Supermarkets | 2% pts (up to $6000/yr) | 0% base |
| Travel | 0% base | 5% pts |
| Restaurants | 0% base | 5% pts |
| Gas Stations | 0% base | 5% pts |
| Foreign Tx Fee | 2.7% | None |
| Transfer Partners | 20 | 0 |
| Min FICO Score | 670 (Good) | 670 (Good) |
| Network | American Express | Mastercard |
Estimated Annual Value
Spending profile: $1500/month total — $500 groceries · $300 dining · $150 gas · $50 streaming · $200 travel · $300 other. Amex EveryDay points valued at 1.0¢ each. IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card points valued at 1.0¢ each.
| Amex EveryDay | IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Est. Monthly Rewards | $0.10 | $0.32 |
| Est. Annual Rewards | $1 | $4 |
| Annual Fee (effective) | −$0 | −$99 |
| Net Annual Value | $1 | $-95 |
Estimates computed from card data files.
Last verified: Amex EveryDay —,
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card 2026-06-02.
Adjust spending profile via page spending: front matter.
Two Completely Different Loyalty Strategies
These cards are rarely compared directly, but they appeal to the same type of person: someone who wants a low-to-mid-fee card that earns points toward something specific — either flexible Amex points or IHG hotel stays.
Check the current fees and reward rates in the data table above.
Amex Everyday: Flexible Points, Bonus for Frequent Swipes
The Amex Everyday earns Amex Membership Rewards points — among the most versatile point currencies in the US. MR points transfer to over 20 airline and hotel partners at ratios of 1:1 or better, including Delta, Air France/KLM, and Marriott Bonvoy.
The unique mechanic: use your card 30+ times in a billing period and earn a 20% bonus on all points for that month. This rewards cardholders who consolidate spend on a single card.
At 1.5–2¢ per MR point (realistic transfer value to Delta or Air France), the Everyday’s effective earnings can meaningfully exceed what the base rates suggest. The point_value above uses 1¢ for conservative comparison — adjust via front matter.
Chase IHG Premier: Dedicated Hotel Card with Clear Benefits
The IHG Premier earns IHG One Rewards points specifically for Hilton— see the category rates in the table above. IHG points are most valuable for:
- IHG properties in markets with high cash prices (InterContinental, Kimpton, Regent)
- The annual Free Night benefit (see strategy section in full comparison widget)
IHG points are less flexible than MR points — they don’t transfer to airlines and are only redeemable within the IHG ecosystem. But if you’re an IHG loyalist, the Premier can provide significant loyalty benefits beyond just the earn rate.
The Core Decision
| If you… | Choose… |
|---|---|
| Want flexibility to use points across airlines + hotels | Amex Everyday (MR points) |
| Already stay at IHG properties regularly | Chase IHG Premier |
| Want to consolidate all spend on one card | Amex Everyday (30-swipe bonus) |
| Care most about a specific hotel free night | Chase IHG Premier |
The Axe-Sharpened Verdict
Amex Everyday wins for cardholders who value optionality — MR points can be routed to whichever transfer partner offers the best redemption at booking time. The 30-swipe bonus is a meaningful uplift for everyday spenders.
Chase IHG Premier wins for dedicated IHG loyalists — the annual free night alone often justifies the annual fee for anyone with 1–2 IHG stays per year. For non-IHG travelers, the points have limited value.
Neither card is a great “base rate” earner — see the estimated annual value above with the default spending profile. Both cards are better used as category or loyalty specialists rather than catch-all everyday cards.