IHG One Rewards Traveler is offering 100,000 points after spending $2000 in 3 months with no annual fee.. That's up 20,000 points over their standard offer of 80,000 after spending $2000 in 3 months.
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
The IHG One Rewards Traveler Card is a smart, no-annual-fee introduction to hotel points for beginners or casual travelers. It offers solid earning potential and valuable perks like the 4th night free on award stays and automatic Silver Elite status. While it’s a great way to test the waters, the IHG Premier Card delivers significantly more long-term value thanks to its higher sign-up bonus, annual free night, and enhanced rewards structure. If you plan to stay at IHG properties -- even occasionally -- the Premier card is likely the better choice, well worth the $99 annual fee.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
If you’re new to the points hobby, or don’t have a hotel-specific card yet, the IHG One Rewards Traveler card is a low-risk way to start. Why? You get an 80,000-point sign-up bonus after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months.
You also get "4th night free" on award stays, meaning if you redeem points for at least 3 nights, you get the 4th night free. Added bonus is you get automatic Silver Elite status with IHG.
- 3x points on:
- Utilities (internet, cable, phone, select streaming services)
- Gas stations
- Restaurants
- 2x points on all other purchases
- Up to 17x points at IHG properties:
- 5x from this card
- 10x for being an IHG Rewards member
- 2x from Silver Elite status
By contrast, the Premier card offers a higher sign-up bonus (140,000 vs. 80,000) and includes a free anniversary night (worth up to 40,000 points) that more than offsets its $99 annual fee. If you don’t plan to stay at IHG properties beyond using the sign-up bonus, then the Traveler card is a fine choice. If you change your mind later, you’ll be eligible for the Premier card’s sign-up bonus after 24 months.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
Consider skipping this card if you stay at IHG properties at least once a year—the Premier card offers better value with its free anniversary night. Or if you don’t like or stay at IHG properties — in which case, a different hotel card (Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton) may be a better fit.
What to Know About IHG Rewards
IHG is our “utility” hotel points system. If you just need a night or two, and aren’t looking for glitz and glamor, IHG points go a long way.
- The IHG brand consists mostly of Holiday Inns. So they are in nearly every small town or international city you might want to stay. We use it as the Hyatt’s “not there” filler.
- The generous sign-up bonuses (especially if you wait for a special offer) will cover 6-8 nights per card.
- IHG is part of the Chase partner rewards system, but the transfer value is poor, so we don’t recommend transferring anything more than a few thousand points to top off your balance for a stay.
How The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card Fits In The IHG Rewards Ecosystem
The IHG One Rewards Traveler card is a good starter option for those new to the points hobby or hotel-specific cards. The no annual fee makes it a low-risk entry point into the IHG ecosystem. Plus the 80,000-point sign-up bonus provides 3-4 free nights if redeemed wisely.
However, we still recommend the Premier card instead because of it's higher sign-up bonus (140,000 vs. 80,000). The $99 annual fee is offset by a free night each year (up to 40k points). And you'll enjoy better long-term value if you stay at IHG properties, even occasionally. Also since the Premier card is a business card, it won't count against your Chase 5/24 limit, while giving you nearly identical benefits.
My Experience, No Filter
Personally, we’d always recommend starting with the Premier card for the free night and better sign-up bonus, but if you’re just dipping your toe into collecting hotel points, the Traveler card is an easy win with no annual fee. At some point, you'll want both these cards in your portfolio. Beyond that -- IHG properties have been a boon when other hotel chains weren’t available. We've used them for quick overnight small-town stays (Hello, Madison, Ohio!) to budget-friendly international options (Rome, Italy), having IHG points on hand has saved us hundreds of dollars on last-minute bookings.
Card Information
| Bonus Points | Minimum Spend | Point Value | Annual Value | Annual Fee |
1st Year Value
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80,000 | $2,000 | 0.6 ¢ | $0 | $0 |
$492
|
| Best Value | Differentiating Perks | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| IHG hotels | Gold Elite status, 4th Reward Night Free | 5/24 , Chase 2/30 , Chase 4/6 |
Spend Categories
All Other - »
2X points
1.2¢ Per Dollar Spent
Entertainment and Streaming = »
3X points
1.8¢ Per Dollar Spent
Gas Stations = »
3X points
1.8¢ Per Dollar Spent
Grocery Stores = »
3X points
1.8¢ Per Dollar Spent
Hotels - »
15X points
9¢ Per Dollar Spent
Restaurants = »
2X points
1.2¢ Per Dollar Spent
Internet and Cable = »
3X points
1.8¢ Per Dollar Spent
Card Benefits
No Foreign Transaction Fees »
You will pay no foreign transaction fees when you use your card for purchases made outside the United States.
You will pay no foreign transaction fees when you use your card for purchases made outside the United States.
Hotel Perks »
Automatic Silver status includes: priority check-in, late checkout & free internet. Fourth night free on award stays.
Automatic Silver status includes: priority check-in, late checkout & free internet. Fourth night free on award stays.
Price Protection »
$500 per item and $2,500 per year when a lower price is found within 90 days of the purchase.
$500 per item and $2,500 per year when a lower price is found within 90 days of the purchase.
Point Transfer Options
Transfer To Spouse/Partner Yes - $$
Transfer To Friends Yes
Travel Partner Transfers
Outside Point System IHG Rewards
Transfers Out To
Air Canada Aeroplan
5:1 47% value retained
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
5:1 40% value retained
American Airlines Miles
5:1 47% value retained
Avianca LifeMiles
5:1 47% value retained
British Airway Executive Avios
5:1 33% value retained
Delta SkyMiles
5:1 40% value retained
Etihad Guest
5:1 40% value retained
Flying Blue and Air France
5:1 40% value retained
jetBlue trueBlue
5:1 40% value retained
Lufthansa Miles and More
5:1 37% value retained
Singapore KrisFlyer
5:1 43% value retained
Turkish Airways
5:1 40% value retained
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
5:1 47% value retained
Transfers In From
Chase Ultimate Rewards
1:1 38% value retained
IHG One Rewards Traveler Application Rules
Your application will be declined if 5 new cards are reported on your personal credit report in the past 24 months
You'll be declined if you apply for a third Chase card of any kind within 30 days
Chase will decline your application you apply for a 5th Chase card (personal or BUSINESS) in 6 months
Ranking of Cards Offering IHG Rewards
Breaking Points
January 28, 2025
IHG One Rewards Traveler
October 30, 2024
IHG One Rewards Traveler
IHG One Rewards Traveler is offering 100,000 points after spending $2000 in 3 months with no annual fee.. That's up 20,000 points over their standard offer of 80,000 after spending $2000 in 3 months.
June 14, 2024
Mini Points - July 2024
LIMITED TIME DEALS:
- IHG Traveler Chase card - 100,000 points after spending $2000 in 3 months - $0/annual fee.
- Southwest Plus Chase card - 50,000 points after spending $1000 in 3 months - $69/annual fee.
- Southwest Premier Chase card - 50,000 points after spending $1000 in 3 months - $99/annual fee.
- Southwest Priority Chase card - 50,000 points after spending $1000 in 3 months - $149/annual fee.
- Delta Platinum Business Amex card - 65,000 miles after spending $6000 in 6 months - $350/annual fee.
- Delta Reserve Business Amex card - 75,000 miles after spending $10,000 in 6 months - $650/annual fee.
- Delta Gold Business Amex card - 55,000 miles after spending $4000 in 6 months - Annual fee waived first year, then $150/annual fee.
- Delta Platinum Amex card - 50,000 miles after spending $3000 in 6 months - $350/annual fee.
- Delta Gold Amex card - 40,000 miles after spending $2000 in 6 months - Annual fee waived first year, then $150/annual fee.
- AA Executive Citi card - 70,000 miles after spending $7000 in 3 months - $595/annual fee.
December 6, 2022
IHG Sign Up Offers Coming in Hot
3 IHG Credit cards are offering some amazing sign up bonuses, these points can get you hotels on every continent:
1. IHG Reward Traveler - Get 120,000 Points after spending $2000 in 3 months - no annual fee.
2. IHG Rewards Premier - Get 140,000 Points after spending $3000 in 3 months, free anniversary night - $99 annual fee.
3. IHG Rewards Premier Business Business - Get 140,000 Points after spending $3000 in 3 months, free anniversary night + more, $99 annual fee.