Overview of the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card (view rates and fees) is IHG’s no-annual-fee credit card. With this card, you can earn up to 17 points for every dollar spent at IHG hotels and resorts. Additionally, cardholders can earn extra points when making purchases at gas stations, restaurants, and on certain monthly bills. While it does offer some valuable IHG benefits, it might not be the optimal choice for everyone. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐½
*The card rating is based on Flying Frugal’s editorial review and is not influenced by the card issuer.
IHG provides two personal cobranded Chase cards designed to help customers accumulate points and enhance their stays.
Among these is the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card, which targets travelers looking to earn IHG points without an annual fee. However, frequent IHG guests might find the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (view rates and fees) to be a superior choice.
Applicants are advised to have a credit score of 670 or above for better chances of approval. Let’s take a closer look at the IHG One Traveler Card to determine if it’s a good fit for you.
Related: Gain extra points at favorite restaurants through IHG One Rewards Dining
IHG One Rewards Traveler: Pros and Cons
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Welcome Offer for New IHG One Rewards Traveler Cardholders
New applicants can earn up to 120,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 within the first three months of account opening. This limited-time offer expires on July 23.
According to Flying Frugal’s May 2025 valuations, IHG One Rewards points are worth approximately 0.5 cents each, making this bonus valued at around $600.
This offer matches the highest bonus we’ve seen for this card, which was previously offered two years ago.
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We suggest applying when the welcome bonus exceeds 80,000 points, making this an excellent time to consider the card.
To qualify for the IHG One Traveler Card and its bonus, you must meet these requirements:
- You do not currently possess a personal IHG One Rewards card (the IHG Premier Business card is acceptable)
- You haven’t received a sign-up bonus on a personal IHG card in the past 24 months
- You comply with Chase’s 5/24 rule
Related: The comprehensive guide to credit card application restrictions
Benefits of the IHG One Rewards Traveler Card
As a no-annual-fee card, the IHG One Traveler Card comes with limited luxury perks. Below are its main benefits.
Free Fourth Night Benefit
When you redeem points for a four-night stay or longer, you’ll receive the fourth night free. As a cardholder, this discount is automatically applied when redeeming IHG points for eligible stays.
20% Discount on Point Purchases
Purchasing IHG points with your card offers a 20% discount. However, this discount can’t be combined with other promotions, such as limited-time offers on points.
Though I typically purchase IHG points during promotions offering a 100% bonus to lower the cost per point to around 0.5 cents, I find the 20% discount less appealing.
Automatic Silver Status (with a pathway to Gold)
Cardholders receive automatic Silver Elite status in the IHG One Rewards program, which includes a 20% bonus on hotel stays and points that won’t expire.
Additionally, you can earn Gold Elite status by spending $20,000 on your card each calendar year, which gives you a 40% bonus on stays and rollover elite nights for the subsequent year.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
While many mid-tier credit cards forgo foreign transaction fees, few charge no annual fee. For frequent international travelers, it’s wise to have at least one card that doesn’t impose these fees.
Related: How to make the most of longer hotel stays using free night benefits
Earning Points with the IHG One Rewards Traveler
Using your IHG One Traveler Card, you’ll earn:
- 5 points per dollar spent at IHG hotels and resorts, plus 10 points for IHG One membership and 2 points for Silver elite status (totaling 17 points, or an 8.5% return based on Flying Frugal’s May 2025 valuations)
- 3 points per dollar at gas stations, utilities (internet, cable, phone, and select streaming services), and dining, including eligible takeout (1.5% return)
- 2 points per dollar on all other purchases (1% return)
These earning rates are not particularly impressive compared to other no-annual-fee credit cards.
Several cards with annual fees under $100 offer better benefits and higher earning rates.
For example, the $95 annual fee Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (view rates and fees) provides 2 points per dollar on travel purchases, while the $95 annual fee Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers 2 miles per dollar on general purchases.
The IHG One Traveler Card may not be ideal for everyday use, with only a 1.5% return at gas stations and restaurants and a mere 1% on other purchases. Numerous cash-back cards — such as the no-annual-fee Citi Double Cash® Card (view rates and fees) — provide 2% back on all purchases (1% when making the purchase and another 1% when paying).
Related: Top credit cards for every bonus category
Redeeming Points with the IHG One Rewards Traveler
There are various ways to redeem IHG One Rewards points, with the best value typically coming from IHG hotel stays.
Flying Frugal’s May 2025 valuations estimate IHG points at 0.5 cents each, which is relatively low compared to alternative options like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, which earns points worth over 2 cents each.
However, you can optimize your IHG One Rewards redemptions. Here are ways to maximize value:
The IHG program employs dynamic award pricing, meaning room rates fluctuate with demand and season. There are still some great deals available, but dynamic pricing also necessitates thoughtful consideration of when to use points versus cash for a stay.
At Flying Frugal, we recommend using points when you can achieve better than face value for your redemptions. For the IHG Traveler, maximizing value often comes from booking four-night stays to utilize the free fourth night benefit.
You can also utilize a Points + Cash option for bookings, typically featuring discounts on the nightly award rate in 5,000-point increments.
In the Points + Cash scenario, you purchase the additional points needed to complete the redemption. Therefore, if a cancellation occurs, the refund will be issued solely in points, which is why I usually prefer straightforward point bookings. However, it’s beneficial to check if this option is worth it for specific reservations.
Flying Frugal contributing editor Matt Moffitt frequently uses his IHG One Rewards points for four-night award stays. Thanks to holding the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card (view rates and fees), he benefits from the free fourth night on award redemptions.
He often targets Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Express hotels to maximize his points, occasionally opting for a Kimpton or InterContinental property for a splurge.
Related: Ways to earn IHG points through stays, credit cards, and more
Transferring Points with the IHG One Rewards Traveler
With over 35 airline transfer partners, IHG One allows point transfers; however, it’s advisable to avoid this option as transfers occur at nearly a 5:1 ratio, which is less favorable.
The transfer process can be complex, particularly if you need assistance from the IHG One Rewards Service Center. Transfers can take a long time to process, with reports of delays up to six weeks.
Additionally, you can transfer points to other IHG One members starting at $5 per 1,000 points, free of charge for Diamond members and Business Rewards Program members, up to 500,000 points annually.
Related: 7 ways to earn additional IHG One Rewards points for your next redemption
Competing Cards to the IHG One Rewards Traveler
If you are open to an annual fee, consider these alternatives to the IHG One Traveler card.
For more options, check out our comprehensive lists of the top hotel credit cards and those best suited for IHG stays.
Is the IHG One Rewards Traveler Card a Good Value?
If you occasionally stay at IHG properties but are looking for some perks, this card could make sense. With no annual fee, it’s a practical choice if you’re under 5/24 and want basic IHG One status alongside free nights on award bookings.
Conclusion
The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is a solid option for infrequent guests at IHG properties, offering some useful perks without an annual fee. However, if you’re seeking more substantial benefits during your IHG stays, this card may not fully meet your expectations.
Apply here: IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
