IHG Rewards Traveler Credit Card review: Full details

The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is for travelers who want to earn IHG points on their purchases without incurring an annual fee. Specifically, this card is best if you stay with IHG infrequently but can use the fourth reward night benefit.

However, if you stay at IHG properties regularly, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is likely 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 whether it is right for you.

Related: Earn extra points at your favorite restaurants with IHG One Rewards Dining

IHG One Rewards Traveler pros and cons

IHG One Rewards Traveler Card welcome offer

Currently, new applicants to 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 valuations, 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 an offer worth taking.

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You may be eligible for the IHG One Traveler Card (and its sign-up bonus) if you satisfy all of the following requirements:

• Don’t currently have a personal (not business) IHG One Rewards card
• Haven’t earned a sign-up bonus on a personal IHG card in the last 24 months
• Are under Chase’s 5/24 rule

Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions

IHG One Rewards Traveler benefits

As with even the best no-annual-fee cards, the IHG One Traveler Card doesn’t offer many luxury perks. Here’s a quick overview of the card’s main benefits and perks.

Fourth reward night benefit

Each time you redeem points for a stay of four or more nights, every fourth night will cost zero points. Once you’re a cardholder, this discount will be automatically applied when you redeem IHG points for eligible stays.

Save 20% on point purchases

You’ll get a 20% bonus whenever you buy IHG points with your card. But you can’t combine this discount with other promotions, such as when IHG points are on sale. And IHG sometimes offers a much better 100% bonus when you purchase points. So, although I often buy IHG points when the 100% bonus drops the purchase price to 0.5 cents per point, I don’t find the 20% discount appealing.

Automatic Silver status (with a path 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 points that don’t expire.

In addition, 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.

No foreign transaction fees

Many credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees; however, there are few cards on that list without an annual fee. 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 a free night benefit

Earning points on the 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 and resorts (2.5% return, based on TPG’s July 2024 valuations)
• 3 points per dollar at gas stations, monthly bills and restaurants (1.5% return)
• 2 points per dollar on everything else (1% return)

These returns aren’t great, even compared to other no-annual-fee cards.

The 2.5% return at IHG hotels and resorts isn’t bad. But you can do much better with numerous purchases using several sub-$100 annual fee cards. For example, the $95 annual fee Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns 2 points per dollar (for over a 4% return) on travel purchases. 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 almost all purchases.

The IHG One Traveler Card also isn’t a good choice for most other purchases. After all, it only provides a 1.5% return at gas stations and restaurants, plus a 1% return on other purchases. Several simple, cash-back credit cards offer a 2% return 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: The best credit cards for each bonus category

Redeeming points on the IHG One Rewards Traveler

There are many options for redeeming IHG One Rewards points. Not surprisingly, you’ll get the best value from your points when you redeem for IHG hotel stays.

TPG’s July 2024 valuations peg IHG points at just 0.5 cents each. However, it’s possible to maximize redemptions with the IHG One Rewards program and get much more value from your points. Here are a few 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 should more carefully consider when to use your points versus cash for a stay. 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 longer to utilize the fourth reward night benefit. Conversely, I use cash when IHG offers a lucrative hotel promotion.

IHG One Rewards points can go a long way in some regions. Here are some of my favorite IHG properties in the U.S. bookable for 10,000 points. And, if you’re ready to travel internationally, here are some of the best international IHG properties bookable for 10,000 points.

You can also book stays 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 increments of 5,000 points.

On a Points + Cash booking, you’re essentially buying the extra points needed to complete the redemption. So, if you cancel your room, your refund will be given solely in points. I rarely book Points + Cash rates since it’s usually a better value to use just points. However, it’s worth checking whether the math works out on each booking.

TPG managing editor Matt Moffitt likes to use his IHG One Rewards points for four-night award stays. Given he has the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, he gets the fourth night free on award redemptions. He usually targets Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express properties to stretch his points but occasionally splashes out on a Kimpton or InterContinental property.

Related: How to earn and redeem points with IHG One Rewards partners

Transferring points on the 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 a nearly 5:1 ratio, which is on the lower side. The transfer process is also cumbersome, as you cannot do it online and have to call the IHG One Rewards service center. IHG generally is slow to process points transfer; some have said it took up to six weeks for the points to transfer.

You can also transfer your points to other IHG One members starting at $5 per 1,000 points and free for Diamond and IHG Business Rewards Program members up to 500,000 points per calendar year.

Which cards compete with the IHG One Rewards Traveler?

If you don’t mind paying an annual fee, consider these alternatives to the IHG One Traveler card.

For additional options, check out our full list of the best hotel credit cards.

Related: The best credit cards for IHG stays

Is the IHG One Rewards Traveler worth it?

If you stay at IHG properties a few times per year but want elevated perks when traveling, this card may be a nice addition to your wallet. Since it doesn’t have an annual fee, this card is a no-brainer if you are below 5/24 and want entry-level IHG One status and the fourth night free when booking with 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 a 2.5% return at IHG hotels and resorts and a few IHG-related perks for no annual fee. This is a solid addition to your wallet for travelers who infrequently visit IHG properties but want access to the fourth-night-free benefit. However, if you’re looking for extra perks during your IHG stays, you’ll be disappointed with this card’s limited benefits.

Apply here: IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card