A season of new plastic—with real substance
Two envelopes just hit mailboxes: Navy Federal’s first metal card and Chase’s new top‑tier IHG hotel product. And on deck, American Express and Fanatics are promising a sports‑centric card that folds memorabilia and experiences into your points play. Together, they signal a clear shift: richer, more targeted rewards for travelers—and fans—who pick the right lane.
What’s new, and why it matters now
Chase and IHG introduced the IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card on October 1, 2026, a premium step‑up with outsized hotel perks and a limited‑time 200,000‑point welcome offer through November 18. The $350 annual‑fee card layers in up to $300 in on‑property Food & Beverage Rewards, a $200 annual airline statement credit, a 60,000‑point Anniversary Free Night (top‑up allowed), 20 Elite Night Credits, and up to 28x total on IHG stays—plus 6x on dining and all other travel, 3x everywhere else. For frequent IHG guests, this is a tangible bundle you can price and plan around. ([ihgplc.com](https://www.ihgplc.com/en/news-and-media/news-releases/2026/chase-introduces-new-ihg-one-rewards-premier-select-credit-card-and-portfolio))
On September 10, 2026, Navy Federal launched Flagship Premier Visa Signature: a cleaner travel earner at a $95 annual fee with 4x on travel, 3x on dining, $100 in annual airline credits, and up to $120 in Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credits. There’s a 50,000‑point welcome offer (worth $500 in NFCU’s travel/cash valuations) for $4,000 spend in 90 days if you apply by January 3, 2027. If you’ve ever wanted premium‑ish travel earnings without juggling portals or quarterly categories, this is exactly that. ([navyfederal.org](https://www.navyfederal.org/about/press-releases/2026-press-releases/Flagship-Premier-Launch.html))
Meanwhile, American Express and Fanatics have confirmed a co‑branded Fanatics American Express Card “later this year,” alongside plans to make Fanatics a Membership Rewards transfer partner within the next year. Translation: select Amex cardholders will be able to convert Membership Rewards into FanCash for gear, trading cards, and fan experiences—an entirely different redemption lane than flights and hotels. If sports culture matters as much to you as seat 2A, keep this on your radar. ([thepointsguy.com](https://thepointsguy.com/news/american-express-fanatics-partnership-credit-card/))
How these cards stack up in the real world
Think of the IHG Premier Select as a hotel loyalty accelerator with airline side‑credits. If you spend two weekends at a Kimpton and one four‑night stay at a Holiday Inn Resort this winter, that 4th Reward Night Free can save 60,000+ points on a typical 4‑night redemption. Add the $300 Food & Beverage Rewards—you’ll offset most of a resort dining bill without stressing about certificate expirations—and the $200 airline credit can cover a domestic positioning flight each year. For IHG loyalists, the math is straightforward: two to three paid stays plus one points stay can clear the $350 fee and then some. ([ihgplc.com](https://www.ihgplc.com/en/news-and-media/news-releases/2026/chase-introduces-new-ihg-one-rewards-premier-select-credit-card-and-portfolio))
Flagship Premier is built for broad travel spenders who don’t live inside a single hotel ecosystem. If your 2027 calendar is lots of airfare, car rentals, cruises, rideshare, and a steady restaurant cadence, 4x on “travel” and 3x on dining—no issuer portal required—keeps life simple. Add the $100 airline credit and an up‑to‑$120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, and frequent flyers will recognize the value even at a modest $95 annual fee. It’s also accessible to qualifying military families, a meaningful wrinkle when premium travel rewards often sit behind $395–$695 price tags. ([navyfederal.org](https://www.navyfederal.org/about/press-releases/2026-press-releases/Flagship-Premier-Launch.html))
The upcoming Fanatics AmEx fits a different use case: fans who value jerseys, Topps drops, and exclusive event access as much as they value airfare. If you routinely buy gear or collectibles—or want VIP‑style access at Fanatics events—having FanCash earning on a co‑brand plus the ability to funnel Membership Rewards into FanCash could centralize a hobby that’s otherwise scattered across random promos. This won’t replace a travel card for most readers, but it could complement one if your discretionary spend lines up with releases and game‑day purchases. ([thepointsguy.com](https://thepointsguy.com/news/american-express-fanatics-partnership-credit-card/))
A simple decision framework you can run today
- If you sleep at IHG: Grab IHG Premier Select before the November 18 window closes for 200,000 points after $5,000 in three months. Plan one 4‑night points stay in 2027 to exploit the 4th Night Free, budget the $300 F&B credits to offset on‑property spend, and earmark the $200 airline credit for a separate trip. Heavy IHG users should also track the 20 Elite Night Credits—those move you into Milestone Rewards territory faster. ([ihgplc.com](https://www.ihgplc.com/en/news-and-media/news-releases/2026/chase-introduces-new-ihg-one-rewards-premier-select-credit-card-and-portfolio))
- If your travel is brand‑agnostic: Flagship Premier’s 4x/3x earn and $95 fee are the “easy button.” Use the $100 airline credit on any carrier, charge restaurants liberally at 3x, and don’t worry about whether a third‑party site breaks your multiplier—NFCU codes broadly for travel. Apply before January 3, 2027, to lock the 50,000‑point welcome offer with $4,000 in 90 days. ([navyfederal.org](https://www.navyfederal.org/loans-cards/credit-cards/flagship-premier-visa-signature.html))
- If your heart beats for sports: Wait for final details on the Fanatics AmEx, but start thinking about how FanCash fits your budget. If you already earn a pile of Membership Rewards from, say, Amex Gold (4x dining, 4x U.S. supermarkets) or Platinum (airfare credits, lounge), a Fanatics transfer option gives you a new way to turn points into something you’ll actually use on game day. ([thepointsguy.com](https://thepointsguy.com/news/american-express-fanatics-partnership-credit-card/))
Should you apply now—and for which one?
Timing matters. The IHG Premier Select launch offer ends November 18, 2026—that’s a clear now‑or‑wait decision point if 200,000 points would jump‑start 2027 travel. The benefit stack (F&B credits, airline credit, 60k Anniversary Free Night) pairs well with a spring break or summer trip plan you can map today. ([ihgplc.com](https://www.ihgplc.com/en/news-and-media/news-releases/2026/chase-introduces-new-ihg-one-rewards-premier-select-credit-card-and-portfolio))
If you’re eligible for Navy Federal membership, Flagship Premier’s welcome offer runs through January 3, 2027. That gives you the holiday season to meet the $4,000 spend organically while earning 4x on travel and 3x on dining. If you value simplicity over micro‑optimizing categories, this is the one to beat at $95. ([navyfederal.org](https://www.navyfederal.org/loans-cards/credit-cards/flagship-premier-visa-signature.html))
For the Fanatics AmEx, the move is to wait for the full rate card and welcome bonus, then decide whether adding a sports‑centric line to your wallet is worth the extra slot. The potential to turn Membership Rewards into FanCash is the headline—especially if you’ve been hunting for non‑travel redemptions that still feel premium. ([thepointsguy.com](https://thepointsguy.com/news/american-express-fanatics-partnership-credit-card/))
Make the strategy effortless with SuperPay
You don’t have to memorize which purchase codes as “travel” or whether your hotel dinner triggers an F&B credit. SuperPay’s Smart Card Picker tells you the exact card to use at each checkout—IHG Premier Select at the hotel bar to burn down those $300 in F&B Rewards; Flagship Premier for rideshare to lock 4x; your existing Amex when you want to stack a Fanatics Offer. Real‑time notifications nudge you the moment you arrive, so you never guess at the register.
If you’re testing a new card this quarter, SuperPay’s Spending reports show precisely how many points you’re earning across IHG, Navy Federal, and Amex—and what you could have earned with a different swipe. That feedback loop turns “I think this card is worth it” into hard numbers you can act on.
Your next move
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