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The
IHG One Rewards Travel Card Review: Is It the Best Card for You?
New cardholders can earn
You'll also earn 5 points per dollar spent at IHG hotels (in addition to points you'd normally earn from a stay), 3 points per dollar on dining, gas stations, utilities, internet, cable, phone, and select streaming services, and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. There's no annual fee, and you won't pay foreign transaction fees for making purchases abroad.
In addition to receiving automatic IHG Silver elite status, you'll also get a path to earn IHG Gold elite status when you spend $20,000 on purchases and make one additional purchase in a calendar year, and a 20% discount on IHG points purchased through Points.com.
The
But if you like staying at IHG hotels, you'll get more meaningful benefits with the
Though there's an annual fee of
We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
IHG Traveler Card Rewards
Welcome bonus offer
The
How to earn points
The
You'll also earn 3 points per dollar at gas stations, restaurants, utilities, internet, cable, phone, and select streaming services, and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases.
Keep in mind not all streaming services are eligible for bonus points. Qualifying subscriptions are:
- Apple Music
- Apple TV
- Disney+
- ESPN+
- Fubo TV
- HBO Max
- Hulu
- Netflix
- Pandora
- Paramount+
- Peacock
- Showtime
- SiriusXM
- Sling
- Spotify
- YouTube Premium
- YouTube TV
- Vudu
How to use IHG Points
It's easy to redeem IHG points for free hotel stays directly on IHG.com. You can search for a hotel by location, but keep in mind IHG doesn't have an official award chart and award nights are dynamically priced. Prices vary by hotel, and can even fluctuate day-to-day, based on demand.
However, you'll generally pay 10,000 to 25,000 points per night at budget-friendly hotels like Holiday Inn and Candlewood Suites, all the way up to 70,000 points per night for high-end brands like InterContinental and Kimpton. A few luxury resorts in places like Macau and the Maldives can cost 75,000 to 120,000 points per night.
You can stretch your points further with Points + Cash rates. Here too, redemption options vary, but you'll need to use a minimum of 5,000 points with this option. It typically isn't a great value but can be worth checking if you're low on points or have an expensive stay planned.
You can redeem IHG points for merchandise, gift cards, magazine subscriptions, or digital rewards like games and e-books, but the value you'll receive is usually much less than you'd get for a free hotel night. IHG also allows you to transfer your points to airline miles, but again, the ratio is poor and only worthwhile if you have a very specific reward in mind.
IHG allows you to transfer your points to another member at a rate of $5 per 1,000 points transferred, or donate them to one of its charity partners.
IHG Traveler Card Benefits and Features
Fourth reward night free
When you have the
Automatic IHG Silver elite status
Opportunity to earn Gold elite status
You can earn IHG Gold elite status when you spend $20,000 on purchases and make one additional purchase with your
Gold is the next tier up from IHG Silver and includes perks like 40% bonus points on paid stays and late checkout when available.
For comparison, the
10,000 bonus points each year if you meet a spending threshold
Each calendar year when you spend at least $10,000 and make one additional purchase with your
20% discount on points purchases
If you're close to an award stay and need to purchase additional IHG points, you'll get a 20% discount when you pay with your
Damage and theft purchase protection
New purchases made with your
Extended warranty protection
You can extend a US manufacturer's warranty by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less when you pay for the purchase with your
Auto rental collision damage waiver insurance
When you pay for a rental car with your
Baggage delay insurance
When you pay for your fare with the
Lost luggage reimbursement
If you or an immediate family member check or carry on luggage that gets damaged or lost, you're covered up to $3,000 per passenger per trip when you pay with your
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
If your trip is canceled or cut short because of sickness, severe weather, or another covered situation, you can get reimbursed up to $5,000 per person and $10,000 per trip for pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses like fares, tours, and hotels.
Travel accident insurance
When you pay for air, bus, train, or cruise transportation with your
Gopuff credits
You'll receive the credit shortly after you make a qualifying purchase with Gopuff. There's a minimum order amount of $10 and a $3.95 delivery fee per order. This offer is good until December 31, 2023.
Complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership
When you have the
Fraud protection and alerts
Chase uses real-time fraud monitoring to protect your account. You can sign-up to receive a text, email, or call if there's any unusual activity.
IHG Traveler Card Annual Fee and Other Costs
The
Like most other cards, the
How the IHG Traveler Card Compares
IHG One Rewards Travel vs other Chase IHG cards
Annual fee | |||
Rewards rate | 5x points* at IHG Hotels and Resorts (up to 17x points) 3x points on utilities, internet, cable, phone, and select streaming services 3x points on dining and at gas stations 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases | 10x points at IHG Hotels and Resorts (up to 26 points)* 5x points for travel, dining, and at gas stations 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases | 10x points at IHG Hotels and Resorts (up to 26x points)* 5x points on travel and at gas stations, dining, social media and search engine advertising, and at office supply stores 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases |
Welcome bonus | |||
Card benefits | Automatic IHG Silver elite status Gold elite status after spending $20,000 on purchases and making one additional purchase each calendar year with the card Fourth reward night free on award stays of three or more nights 10,000 bonus points each year you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases and make one additional purchase Car rental insurance (secondary in the US, primary otherwise) Trip cancellation/interruption insurance Travel accident insurance Lost luggage reimbursement Baggage delay insurance Travel and emergency assistance services Purchase protection Extended warranty 20% discount on IHG point purchases with your card $10 per month in Gopuff credit through December 2023 One-year free DoorDash DashPass membership (activation required by December 31, 2024) No foreign transaction fees | Automatic IHG Platinum Elite status Diamond elite status after spending $40,000 on purchases and making one additional purchase each calendar year with the card Annual free night award*** Fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a stay of three or more nights Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit 20% discount when you purchase points with your card 10,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 on purchases and make one additional purchase each account anniversary Car rental insurance (secondary in the US, primary otherwise) Trip cancellation/interruption insurance Travel accident insurance Lost luggage reimbursement Baggage delay insurance Travel and emergency assistance services Purchase protection Extended warranty $10 per month in Gopuff credit through December 2023 One-year free DoorDash DashPass membership (activation required by December 31, 2024) No foreign transaction fees | Automatic IHG Platinum Elite status Diamond elite status after spending $40,000 on purchases and making one additional purchase each calendar year with the card Annual free night award*** An additional free night each year you spend $60,000 on purchases and make one additional purchase each calendar year Fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a stay of three or more nights Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit Up to $50 in United TravelBank Cash each calendar year 10,000 bonus points and a $100 statement credit after spending $20,000 on purchases and making one additional purchase each calendar year 20% discount when you purchase points with your card Car rental insurance (primary when renting for business purposes in the US) Trip cancellation/interruption insurance Travel and emergency assistance services Purchase protection Extended warranty One-year free DoorDash DashPass membership (activation required by December 31, 2024) No foreign transaction fees
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* Bonus points at IHG hotels are in addition to the points members would normally earn from a stay
*** The
IHG One Rewards Travel card vs other no-annual-fee hotel credit cards
Annual fee | |||
Rewards rate | 5x points* at IHG Hotels and Resorts (up to 17x points) 3x points on utilities, internet, cable, phone, and select streaming services 3x points on dining and at gas stations 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases | 7 points* per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels 5 points per dollar spent at eligible U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases | 3x points* at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels 2x points on other eligible travel purchases 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases |
Welcome bonus | |||
Card benefits | Automatic IHG Silver elite status Gold elite status after spending $20,000 on purchases and making one additional purchase each calendar year with the card Fourth reward night free on award stays of three or more nights 10,000 bonus points each year you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases Car rental insurance (secondary in the US, primary otherwise) Trip cancellation/interruption insurance Travel accident insurance Lost luggage reimbursement Baggage delay insurance Travel and emergency assistance services Purchase protection Extended warranty 20% discount on IHG point purchases with your card $10 per month in Gopuff credit through December 2023 One-year free DoorDash DashPass membership (activation required by December 31, 2024) No foreign transaction fees | Hilton Silver elite status Upgrade to Gold status after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year Secondary car rental insurance Global Assist Hotline Purchase protection Extended warranty Access to discounts and bonus points through Amex Offers** No foreign transaction fees | 15 elite night credits each calendar year (qualifying you for Silver elite status) Lost luggage reimbursement Baggage delay reimbursement Trip delay reimbursement Purchase protection Visa Signature concierge $10 per month in Gopuff credit through December 2023 One-year free DoorDash DashPass membership (activation required by December 31, 2024) No foreign transaction fees
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*Bonus points at IHG, Hilton, and Marriott hotels are in addition to the points members would normally earn from a stay
IHG Traveler Card Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score do you need for the IHG One Rewards Travel credit card?
Most folks who are approved for the
Does the IHG One Rewards Travel card have an anniversary free night?
No, the
Is the IHG One Rewards Travel card worth it?
For most travelers who stay with IHG, the
But if you're completely opposed to paying an annual fee and don't stay with IHG often, the
Who is eligible for the IHG One Rewards Travel card?
The
However, you can have the small-business
Is the IHG One Rewards Travel a Visa or Mastercard?
The
Methodology: How We Reviewed the IHG One Rewards Travel Card
The credit card team at Insider evaluated the
We considered several factors in our review:
- Ease of use — Is the card's rewards program straightforward, or are there complex rules and award charts to navigate?
- Earning potential — Does the welcome bonus offer a good value and is it competitive with similar cards? Are there useful bonus categories that make the card valuable for both travel and everyday spending?
- Fees — Even no-annual-fee cards may sting you with other fees or charges that can diminish the value of your rewards, such as foreign transaction fees or a high APR. With annual-fee cards, we consider whether or not the perks justify the cost.
- Benefits — Does the card have perks that save you money and time, or make your travels more comfortable?
Read about how we rate credit cards at Insider to learn more about our methodology.