IHG® Rewards Select
The IHG® Rewards Select from Chase earns up to 1% effective value on dining in Madeen's catalog snapshot. Its annual fee is $49. Madeen compares this card against the cards you already carry — no bank login required.
- Top category
- Dining
- Effective value
- 1%
- Annual fee
- $49
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Madeen compares public issuer terms with its card-rule catalog. Issuer pages control rewards, fees, benefits, exclusions, and eligibility; Madeen does not issue cards, make approval decisions, or provide financial advice.
What does the IHG Rewards Select earn in each category?
Dining is the strongest category at 1% effective value (2x points at about 0.5 cents each). That dining rate ranks higher than about 2% of the 1,547 cards we track in that category. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
Dining is the strongest category at 1% effective value (2x points at about 0.5 cents each). That dining rate ranks higher than about 2% of the 1,547 cards we track in that category.
| Category | Earn rate | Effective value |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Restaurants, cafes, takeout | 2x points | 1% Top category |
| Grocery Supermarkets and grocery stores | 2x points | 1% |
| Gas Gas stations and fuel | 2x points | 1% |
| Travel Flights, hotels, transit | 1x points | 0.5% |
| Other General everyday spend | 1x points | 0.5% |
Madeen values IHG One Rewards at about 0.5 cents each. Madeen compares every card using this cash-equivalent estimate while still showing the raw earn rate for context.
What are the IHG Rewards Select reward caps and conditions?
The IHG Rewards Select has 3 notable cap or condition rule(s) in Madeen's catalog, including activation windows, spend limits, and category exclusions. Review each bullet below before assuming unlimited earn rates. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
- 2X at restaurants
- 2X at gas stations
- 2X at grocery stores
Who should get the IHG Rewards Select?
The IHG Rewards Select fits spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2x points. Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2x points. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
IHG Rewards Select fits spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2x points. Madeen ranks its dining effective rate higher than about 2% of the catalog in that category. Compare it against cards you already carry with Madeen — no bank login required.
Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2x points.
Less compelling if the $49 annual fee is hard to offset.
Best for dining-heavy spend when the $49 fee fits your usage; confirm issuer terms before applying. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
Pros
- Strongest Madeen category is dining at about 1% effective (2x points).
- No foreign transaction fee listed.
Cons
- $49 annual fee requires enough spend in bonus categories to offset.
- Multiple caps, activations, or exclusions may limit headline earn rates.
- IHG One Rewards value depends on how you redeem, not straight cash back.
Does the IHG Rewards Select have an annual fee, and what's the welcome bonus?
The IHG Rewards Select has an annual fee of $49 and a foreign transaction fee of None. Issuer pages control fees and offers; Madeen labels this as catalog analysis, not issuer-confirmed terms. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
- Annual fee
- $49
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
Common questions about the IHG Rewards Select
Does the IHG Rewards Select have an annual fee?
The IHG Rewards Select carries an annual fee of $49 in Madeen's catalog snapshot. Issuer terms can change, so confirm the current fee on the issuer's site before you apply. Madeen does not predict approval or prequalification. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
What category earns the most with the IHG Rewards Select?
Dining is the strongest Madeen category for the IHG Rewards Select at about 1% effective value, based on our catalog snapshot and standard point valuations. Other categories are listed in the effective-rate table on this page. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
Does the IHG Rewards Select charge foreign transaction fees?
The IHG Rewards Select does not charge a foreign transaction fee in Madeen's catalog snapshot, which can make it stronger for purchases outside the U.S. Issuer terms still control international acceptance and other fees. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
Is the IHG Rewards Select annual fee worth it?
Whether the $49 annual fee pays off depends on how much you spend in dining and whether you use the card's benefits. Madeen compares effective rates across the cards you already carry without bank login. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
What credit score do you need for the IHG Rewards Select?
Madeen's catalog lists a typical credit range of Excellent for the IHG Rewards Select. Issuers decide approval using their own criteria; Madeen does not predict approval odds or prequalification. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
How do you redeem rewards on the IHG Rewards Select?
Rewards on the IHG Rewards Select post as IHG One Rewards. Redemption value depends on how you use IHG One Rewards (statement credit, travel, transfers, or issuer portals). Madeen shows effective cash-equivalent rates using standard valuations. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
How does the IHG Rewards Select compare to similar cards?
Compare the IHG Rewards Select against Aeroplan Card (4.5% on Dining, $95 fee); AARP (3% on Dining, $0 fee); Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card (3% on Dining, $0 fee). Madeen ranks effective value by category and annual fee using the same catalog snapshot dated 2026-05-01.
| Card | Top category | Effective value | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
IHG Rewards Select This card | Dining | 1% | $49 |
Chase | Dining | 4.5% | $95 |
Chase | Dining | 3% | $0 |
| Dining | 3% | $0 | |
| Dining | 3% | $0 |
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