Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard vs IHG One Rewards Premier
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard comes from Bank of America 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.
For most people the IHG One Rewards Premier is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($675 more in estimated value) than the Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard's. Get the IHG One Rewards Premier first; revisit the Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard | IHG One Rewards Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $99 |
| Sign-up bonus | 25,000 WorldPoints | 185,000 bonus points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $250 | $925 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $1,000 in 3 mo | $3,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Bank of America | Chase |
| Card category | travel | hotel |
| Best earning category (Norwegian_cruise_line_purchases) | 3x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
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, Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard or IHG One Rewards Premier?
- The IHG One Rewards Premier has the bigger bonus, 185,000 bonus points, worth roughly $925, versus 25,000 WorldPoints (~$250) on the Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard.
- Is the Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the IHG One Rewards Premier?
- The Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard 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 Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard.
- Can I have both the Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard and IHG One Rewards Premier?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Bank of America 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 Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard or the IHG One Rewards Premier first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard: $1,000 spend in 3 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.
