Creation closes the two IHG One Rewards UK credit cards for good

Creation Financial Services and IHG are officially parting ways, which spells the end for Creation’s IHG One Rewards credit cards.

Whilst the two cards have been closed to new applicants since the end of 2021, existing cardholders were able to continue earning IHG One Rewards points on transactions (unless, of course, your account was suspended.)

More importantly, existing cardholders were able to keep receiving free elite status in IHG One Rewards and picking up a voucher for a free night each year for spending £10,000.

Creation has now given notice that it will close the IHG One Rewards credit cards on 28th June. Anyone with an IHG card will be moved to the generic Creation credit card, which appears to have no benefits whatsoever.

Whilst you will still be charged your annual card fee between now and 28th June, Creation says it will automatically process pro-rata refunds by the end of July 2023.

In the meantime, your existing card will continue to work until 27th June. You need to spend £10,000 by this date to trigger your final annual free night voucher, which will be difficult for many.

How can you keep your IHG One Rewards status for 2024?

If you are concerned about losing your IHG One Rewards status, remember that InterContinental Ambassador comes with IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status.

It will cost you $200 per year to join but this includes a ‘buy one get one free’ weekend stay voucher valid at InterContinental hotels plus extra benefits on future InterContinental stays.

What should you do to replace your IHG credit card?

I don’t know of any plans to launch a replacement IHG credit card – we’ve not heard anything from IHG or from our regular chats with key issuers. That said, we had a request from a surprising source for our advertising rates a couple of weeks ago so who knows?

There are two other ways to earn IHG One Rewards points from UK credit cards:

HSBC Premier

The two HSBC Premier credit cards let you transfer points into IHG, but this is a terrible deal. HSBC transfer rates into airlines are good value but the two hotel partners, IHG and Wyndham, are a terrible deal.

Here is our review of the free HSBC Premier Mastercard and here is our review of the paid-for HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard. Both reviews explain how the IHG transfers work.

Remember that you need a HSBC Premier current account to apply for these credit cards, which requires a £75,000 salary or a substantial savings commitment to the bank.

Virgin Atlantic

Not everyone knows that Virgin Points can be transferred into IHG One Rewards. The rate isn’t great (1:1) and indeed is worse than their other deal with Hilton Honors (2:3).

The free Virgin Atlantic Reward Mastercard earns 0.75 Virgin Points (so 0.75 IHG points) per £1 spent – review here. The paid-for Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard earns 1.5 Virgin Points (so 1.5 IHG ponts) per £1 spent – review here.

Remember that you will get better value using Virgin Points for flights. In fact, any redemption via Virgin Red – even for Greggs sausage rolls – would get you 0.5p per Virgin Point which is better value than transferring to IHG One Rewards.

And if you want a total change ….

If you’re looking for another non-Amex card then Barclaycard is currently offering 50,000 Avios on their Avios Plus Mastercard. There is also an offer of 10,000 Avios on the free Barclaycard Avios card. You can apply here.

PS. If you are not a regular Head for Points visitor, why not sign up for our FREE weekly or daily newsletters? They are full of the latest Avios, airline, hotel and credit card points news and will help you travel better. To join our 65,000 free subscribers, click the button below or visit this page of the site to find out more. Thank you.

Want to earn more points from credit cards? – April 2025 update

If you are looking to apply for a new credit card, here are our top recommendations based on the current sign-up bonuses.

In 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.

You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:

Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard

Get 25,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £10,000 Read our full review

Barclaycard Avios Mastercard

Get 5,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £20,000 Read our full review

You can see our full directory of all UK cards which earn airline or hotel points here. Here are the best of the other deals currently available.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

30,000 Avios and the famous annual 2-4-1 voucher Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard

18,000 bonus points and 1.5 points for every £1 you spend Read our full review

Earning miles and points from small business cards

If you are a sole trader or run a small company, you may also want to check out these offers:

American Express Business Platinum

50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

American Express Business Gold

20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review

Capital on Tap Pro Visa

10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review

Capital on Tap Visa

NO annual fee, NO FX fees and points worth 1 Avios per £1 Read our full review

British Airways American Express Accelerating Business

30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review