Chase
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
Key Features
| Annual Fee | $0.00 |
| Sign-up Bonus | Up to 125,000 Bonus Points |
| Rewards Rate | Up to 17X Points |
| Regular APR | 19.24Min. of (6.75+12.49) and 29.99%–27.74Min. of (6.75+20.99) and 29.99% variable APR. |
About this card
The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card earns an overall rating of 3.3, placing it in the 'Good' category. This card presents a compelling value proposition for a specific audience: IHG loyalists and casual travelers who prioritize avoiding annual fees and consistently pay their balances in full. Its strengths are truly exceptional for a no-annual-fee card, including a perfect 4.9 for fees (no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees) and an excellent 4.3 for rewards. The generous sign-up bonus, high earning rates on IHG stays (up to 17X total points), 3X points on key everyday spending categories (dining, utilities, streaming, gas), and the highly valuable 'Redeem 3 nights, get 4th night free' perk make it a standout in its niche. The card also benefits from being issued by Chase, a highly reputable financial institution, and includes a suite of useful travel and purchase protection benefits.However, the card's most significant drawback, and a major factor limiting its overall score, is its extremely high regular APR, rated at a poor 1.3. With a variable APR ranging from 19.24% to 29.99% and no introductory APR period, carrying a balance on this card would quickly erode any value gained from its rewards and fee-free structure. This critical flaw makes the card ill-suited for anyone who anticipates carrying debt.While its rewards are strong within the IHG ecosystem, they lack the flexibility of general travel rewards currencies, and the automatic Silver Elite status is a minor perk compared to higher tiers. In summary, it's an excellent choice for a budget-conscious IHG enthusiast who always pays in full, but the prohibitive APR prevents it from achieving a higher overall rating for the broader consumer base.
Pros & Cons
What's great
- No annual fee
- Generous sign-up bonus
- High rewards rate for hotel stays and select everyday spending
- No foreign transaction fees
- Automatic elite status and valuable hotel perks
- Included travel and purchase protection benefits
Things to consider
- No intro APR period
- High regular APR
What this card offers
Sign-up bonuses
- Earn up to 125,000 Bonus Points
- Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Plus, earn 35,000 bonus points after spending a total of $4,000 in the first 6 months from account opening for a total of 125,000 bonus points.
Rewards
- up to 17X total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG® Hotels and Resorts.
- That's 5X points with this card.
- Plus up to 10X points from IHG® on stays for being an IHG One Rewards member.
- Plus up to 2X points from IHG® on stays with Silver Elite Status, a benefit of this card.
- Earn 3X total points on dining, utilities, select streaming services, and at gas stations.
- Earn 2X points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Other features
- Automatic Silver Elite Status as long as you remain an IHG One Rewards Traveler Cardmember.
- Earn 10,000 bonus points after you spend $10,000 each calendar year.
- Redeem 3 nights, get 4th night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay, you can receive a fourth Reward Night free redeemable at that same hotel during that same stay.
- Gold Elite Status Each calendar year you make purchases totaling $20,000 or more, you, as the primary cardmember, will qualify for Gold Elite Status through December 31st of the following year.
- Save 20% on Rewards Points Purchases Save 20% when you purchase points with your IHG One Rewards Traveler credit card.
- Early Access to IHG Reward Night Sales As an IHG One Rewards Cardmember, you are eligible for early access to Reward Night sales each year.
- Baggage Delay Insurance Reimburses you up to $100 a day for up to 3 days for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing when baggage is delayed over 6 hours.
- Lost Luggage Reimbursement Provides reimbursement up to $3,000 per covered traveler for the cost to repair or replace checked or carry-on baggage that is lost, damaged or stolen during a covered trip.
- Purchase Protection Covers your eligible new purchases for 120 days from the date of purchase against damage or theft up to $500 per item.
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance If your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather or other covered situations, you can be reimbursed up to $5,000 per covered traveler and $10,000 per trip for your pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses, including passenger fares, tours, and hotels.
- No foreign transaction fees You will pay no foreign transaction fees when you use your card for purchases made outside the United States.
- Chase Pay Over Time lets eligible Chase customers break up credit card purchases into budget friendly payments.
- Pay off an eligible purchase you've already made of $100 or more in smaller, equal monthly payments. No interest - just a fixed monthly fee with plan durations that range from 3-24 months.
Additional Notes
This product is available to you if you do not have a current IHG One Rewards Credit Card and have not received a new Cardmember bonus within the last 24 months. This does not apply to Business Card Credit Card products.