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Side-by-side

Bilt Blue vs IHG One Rewards Premier

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Bilt Blue comes from Bilt / Cardless at $0/yr; the IHG One Rewards Premier from Chase at $99/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the IHG One Rewards Premier is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($600 more in estimated value) than the Bilt Blue's. Get the IHG One Rewards Premier first; revisit the Bilt Blue after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureBilt BlueIHG One Rewards Premier
Annual fee$0$99
Sign-up bonus$100 Bilt Cash140,000 bonus points
Bonus value (est.)$100$700
Min spend to unlock bonus$0 in 0 mo$3,000 in 3 mo
IssuerColumn N.A.Chase
Card categorytravelhotel
Best earning category (Lyft)3x1x
Transfer partnersbiltNone
Headline benefits
  • $0 annual fee
  • 1x everywhere, no caps
  • Up to 1.25x on rent
  • Rent Day 2x on the 1st
  • Free night award annually
  • Platinum Elite status
  • 4th night free on awards
  • 10x at IHG properties
Read the full review
Bilt Blue
$0/yr · $100 Bilt Cash
Read the full review
IHG One Rewards Premier
$99/yr · 140,000 bonus points

Editorial take: Bilt Blue

The no-fee entry tier of Bilt 2.0, launched February 7, 2026. 1X base earn on everything else, with 3X on Lyft, up to 4X at Bilt dining partners, and 3X hotels / 2X flights through the Bilt Travel portal. Best for renters who want the no-fee anchor plus full transfer partner access without paying $95+. The 5-transactions-per-cycle minimum from legacy Bilt is gone, and Rent Day doubles everyday earn on the 1st up to 1,000 bonus points.

Editorial take: IHG One Rewards Premier

A solid hotel card if you stay at IHG properties regularly. The free night award and 4th night free on award stays can easily offset the $99 annual fee.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Bilt Blue or IHG One Rewards Premier?
The IHG One Rewards Premier has the bigger bonus, 140,000 bonus points, worth roughly $700, versus $100 Bilt Cash (~$100) on the Bilt Blue.
Is the Bilt Blue's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the IHG One Rewards Premier?
The Bilt Blue has no annual fee, so the question is whether the IHG One Rewards Premier's $99 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the IHG One Rewards Premier's benefits to clear $99 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Bilt Blue.
Can I have both the Bilt Blue and IHG One Rewards Premier?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Column N.A. and Chase) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the Bilt Blue or the IHG One Rewards Premier first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Bilt Blue: $0 spend in 0 months. IHG One Rewards Premier: $3,000 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.