Editor’s Note: This is a recurring post, updated regularly with new information.
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card Overview
The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is a card option from IHG with no annual fee. With this card, you can earn 5 points per dollar spent at IHG hotels and resorts, as well as 3 points per dollar spent at gas stations, monthly bills and restaurants. While the IHG Traveler Card offers some useful IHG-related benefits, it may not be the best choice for you. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐1/2
*Card ratings are based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and are not influenced by the card issuer.
IHG offers two personalized cobranded Chase cards to help customers earn points and maximize their stay. One of these cards is the no-annual-fee IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card. The IHG One Traveler Card certainly offers more to IHG loyalists than most no-annual-fee hotel cards, but it may not be your best choice.
The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is for travelers who want to earn IHG points on their purchases without incurring an annual fee. In particular, this card is great if you’re a frequent stayer with IHG but can use the fourth reward night benefit.
However, if you stay at IHG properties regularly, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is a better option.
The recommended credit score for this card is above 670. Now, let’s take a closer look at the IHG One Traveler Card so you can decide if it’s right for you.
Related: Earn extra points at your favorite restaurants with IHG One Rewards Dining
Advantages and Disadvantages of IHG One Rewards Traveler
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IHG One Rewards Traveler Card Welcome Offer
Currently, new applicants for the IHG Traveler Card can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within three months of account opening. According to TPG’s July 2024 valuation, IHG One Rewards points are worth 0.5 cents each, making this bonus worth $500.
This is just short of the best offer we’ve seen on this card (the standard offer is 80,000), but it meets our criteria for taking the offer.
You may be eligible for the IHG One Traveler Card (and its sign-up bonus) if you meet all of the following requirements:
- You do not currently have a personal (not business) IHG One Rewards card
- Have not earned a sign-up bonus on an individual IHG card in the last 24 months
- Under Chase’s 5/24 rule
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Credit Card Application Restrictions
IHG One Rewards Traveler Benefits
Like the best no-annual-fee cards, the IHG One Traveler Card doesn’t offer many luxury benefits. Here’s a quick overview of the card’s key benefits and perks.
Fourth Awards Night Benefit
Each time you redeem points for a stay of four or more nights, every fourth night will cost zero points. Once you become a cardholder, this discount will automatically apply when you redeem IHG points for qualifying stays.
Save 20% on point purchases
You’ll get a 20% bonus every time you buy IHG points with your card. But you cannot combine this discount with other promotions, such as when IHG points are on sale. And IHG sometimes offers an even better 100% bonus when you buy points. So, although I often buy IHG points when the 100% bonus reduces the purchase price to 0.5 cents per point, I don’t find the 20% discount attractive.
Automatic silver status (along the way to gold)
IHG One Traveler cardholders will enjoy automatic Silver Elite status in the IHG One Rewards program. This tier includes a 20% bonus on hotel stays, priority check-in and non-expiring points.
Plus, you can buy your way to Gold Elite status when you spend $20,000 on your card each calendar year. This tier includes a 40% bonus on hotel stays and rollover elite nights for status the following year.
There are no foreign transaction fees
Many credit cards do not charge foreign transaction fees; However, there are few cards on that list without annual fees. If you travel abroad frequently, it’s worth having at least one credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.
Related: How to maximize longer hotel stays by using the free night benefit
Earn points on IHG One Rewards Traveler
When you use your IHG One Traveler Card to make purchases, you’ll earn:
- 5 points per dollar at IHG Hotels & Resorts (2.5% return, based on TPG’s July 2024 valuation)
- 3 points per dollar (1.5% return) on gas stations, monthly bills and restaurants
- 2 points per dollar on everything else (1% return)
Even compared to other no-annual-fee cards, the returns aren’t great.
2.5% return at IHG Hotels & Resorts isn’t bad. But you can do better with numerous purchases by using several sub-$100 annual fee cards. For example, the $95 annual fee Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns 2 points per dollar spent on travel purchases (for over 4% return). And the $95 annual fee Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees) earns 2 miles per dollar for a 3.7% return on nearly all purchases.
The IHG One Traveler Card is also not a good choice for most other purchases. After all, it only offers 1.5% back at gas stations and restaurants, plus 1% back on other purchases. Some simple, cash-back credit cards offer 2% back on all purchases. For example, you can earn 2% per dollar on all purchases — 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay — with the no-annual-fee Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees).
Related: Best Credit Cards for Every Bonus Category
Redeeming points on IHG One Rewards Traveler
There are several options for redeeming IHG One Rewards points. Not surprisingly, you’ll get the best value from your points when you redeem them for stays at IHG hotels.
TPG’s July 2024 valuation puts IHG points at just 0.5 cents each. However, it’s possible to maximize redemptions and get more value from your points with the IHG One Rewards program. Here are some ways you can do so.
IHG has dynamic award pricing, but there are some good deals to be found. However, one downside to dynamic pricing is that you must more carefully consider when to use your points versus cash for investments. I tend to use points when I can get better than 0.5 cents per point of value. And I almost always use points when I book a stay of four nights or more to use the fourth award night benefit. Conversely, I use cash when IHG offers attractive hotel promotions.
IHG One Rewards points can go a long way in some regions. Here are some of my favorite IHG properties in the US that can be booked for 10,000 points. And, if you’re ready to travel internationally, here are some of the best international IHG properties that can be booked for 10,000 points.
You can also book a stay using a combination of points and cash. For a given room, you’ll typically see a chart with discounts from the full nightly award rate in 5,000 point increments.
On a Points + Cash booking, you are essentially buying the additional points required to complete the redemption. Therefore, if you cancel your room, your refund will be given in points only. I rarely book points + cash rates because it’s usually a better value to just use points. However, it’s worth checking that the math works on each booking.
TPG Managing Editor Matt Moffitt likes to use his IHG One Rewards points for a four-night award stay. If he has the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, he gets a fourth night free on award redemption. He usually targets Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express properties to stretch his points but occasionally splashes out on Kimpton or InterContinental properties.
Related: How to earn and redeem points with IHG One Rewards partners
Transferring points to IHG One Rewards Traveler
IHG One has more than 40 airline transfer partners, but we recommend avoiding this redemption option when possible. Points transfer at about a 5:1 ratio, which is on the downside. The transfer process is also cumbersome, as you cannot do it online and have to call the IHG One Rewards service center. IHG is generally slow in processing points transfers; Some have said it took up to six weeks to transfer points.
You can also transfer your points to other IHG One members starting at $5 per 1,000 points and free up to 500,000 points per calendar year for Diamond and IHG Business Rewards program members.
Which cards compete with IHG One Rewards Traveler?
If you don’t mind paying an annual fee, consider these alternatives to the IHG One Traveler Card.
- If you want more IHG benefits: The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has an annual fee of $99 and offers automatic Platinum Elite status, a free night award on every account anniversary (worth up to 40,000 points), $50 in United TravelBank credit and reimbursement for your application fee for Global Entry. , TSA PreCheck or Nexus (available every four years). It also has a higher earning rate than IHG One Rewards Traveler. For more information, read our full review of the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.
- If you want more flexible earnings: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has an annual fee of $95 and earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which you can transfer 1:1 to IHG for redemption — plus use with other airline and hotel programs. Other key benefits include a 10% anniversary points bonus and up to $50 in annual hotel credits. For more information, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
- eyeIf you’re a business owner and want IHG benefits: The IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card has perks like the fourth night free and free anniversary night perks, but won’t count toward your 5/24 with Chase. For more information, read our full review of the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Card.
For additional options, check out our full list of the best hotel credit cards.
RELATED: Best credit card for IHG remains
Is the IHG One Rewards Traveler Worth It?
If you stay at an IHG property a few times a year but want elevated benefits when traveling, this card can be a great addition to your wallet. Since it has no annual fee, this card is a no-brainer if you’re under 5/24 and want a free fourth night when booking with entry-level IHG One status and points.
Related: 7 ways to earn more IHG One Rewards points for your next redemption
Bottom line
The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card isn’t a bad option. You’ll get 2.5% return on IHG Hotels & Resorts and several IHG-related benefits with no annual fee. This is a solid addition to your wallet for travelers who frequent IHG properties but want the fourth-night-free benefit. However, if you’re looking for extra perks during your IHG stay, you’ll be disappointed with the limited benefits of this card.
Apply here: IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card