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IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
vs. IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
Updated: March 19, 2024
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There are significant advantages for paying for your hotel stay with one of these IHG cobranded credit cards, like earning a large amount of IHG rewards for your stays. And once you’re approved for the card, you'll also receive a generous introductory bonus, automatic elite status and complimentary hotel stays.
Comparing the fees, rewards structure, interest rates and features of the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card and IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card credit cards is an important step in selecting the best card for your needs. Both reward you with solid rewards rates and benefits, but each have differing levels of benefits and annual fees.
Comparison Overview: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card vs. IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit CardIHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
- Has Annual Fee
- Has Balance Transfer Offer
- Has APR Offer
- Cash Back Rewards
- Travel Rewards
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card At a Glance
The IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card provides up to 25X total points at IHG Hotels and Resorts, as well as two points for every dollar spent at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants. For all other eligible purchases, you'll get one point per dollar. The $89 annual fee can be offset by utilizing the card’s rewards and benefits, which include one free night and a large welcome bonus.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
A fantastic card for earning rewards when you stay at IHG hotels and resorts.
- 3–26 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
- 21.49% – 28.49% VariableAPR
- $99Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
Pros
- Significant number of bonus points for the taking
- Complementary IHG Rewards program’s Platinum Elite status
- Use your points for reward nights or redeem them for other awards
- Reward nights
- Pay no foreign transaction fees
- Fee credit toward Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
Cons
- Annual fee of $99
- Balance transfer and cash advance fees
- Penalty APR may apply if you make a late or returned payment
- The earn rate is not the same across all IHG properties
- Anniversary reward nights are valid only at IHG Hotels with a current point redemption level of 40,000 points or less
- Earn 5 Free nights after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- Enjoy an anniversary free night at IHG Hotels & Resorts.
- Get a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night stay at IHG hotels.
- Earn up to 26 points per dollar spent at IHG Hotels & Resorts.
- Earn 5 points per dollar on travel, gas stations, and restaurants.
- Earn 3 points per dollar on all other purchases.
- Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier cardmember.
- Receive a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS statement credit of up to $100 every four years.
- Redeem IHG One Rewards Bonus points at various IHG Hotels & Resorts, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Kimpton, EVEN Hotels, Indigo Hotels, and Holiday Inn.
- Member FDIC
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card At a Glance
In addition to offering up to 15X total points at IHG Hotels and Resorts, the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card also offers two points for every dollar spent at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants, all without an annual fee. You will receive one point for every dollar spent on anything else. It also offers no foreign transaction fees, so you can continue to earn points outside of the U.S.
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
Great card for earning points fast for IHG loyalists
- 2-17 Points per $1Rewards Rate
- 21.49% – 28.49% VariableAPR
- $0Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
Pros
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Points expiration period extension
- High reward rate
- Numerous hotel redemption options
Cons
- Gold Elite status requires high spending
- High APR depending on your credit
- No luxury benefits or perks
- Must pay to transfer points
- Limited time offer**: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
- No annual fee
- Earn up to 17 points per dollar spent at IHG Hotels & Resorts.
- Earn 3 points per dollar on monthly bills, gas stations, and restaurants.
- Earn 2 points per dollar on all other purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Redeem 3 nights, get the 4th night free
- Points are redeemable at IHG Hotels & Resorts brands like InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®
- Member FDIC.
Comparison Summary
Comparing two credit cards with similar features may not be an easy task. MoneyGeek’s IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card vs IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card comparison helps you decide which one is ideal for you.
Card Detail | Comparison Summary |
|---|---|
Travel Coverage and Purchase Protection | Both cards provide the same travel benefits, such as baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, purchase protection and trip cancellation insurance. Winner: Tie |
Welcome Bonus | You will receive 125,000 bonus points and a free night at an IHG property for spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership with the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card. The IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card rewards you with 80,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases during the first three months of card membership. Winner: IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card |
Rewards | The IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card earns up to 25X points at IHG hotels and resorts, two points per dollar spent at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants and one point per dollar for everything else. The IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card also offers two points per dollar spent at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants and 15 points per dollar at IHG properties, all without an annual fee. All other eligible purchases earn one point per dollar. Winner: IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card |
Annual Fee | The annual fee for the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card is $89, while the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card is free. Winner: IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card |
Which Card Should You Get?
The IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card or the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card both offer similar benefits for IHG hotel stays. However, it’s best to weigh each feature of both cards before making a decision on which card works best for you.
Who Should Consider the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card?
In MoneyGeek's rankings of the best travel credit cards, the IHG Rewards Club Premier did not make the cut. However, even there is a $89 annual fee, the card is an excellent choice for someone that falls in the follow categories:
Travelers who prefer to stay at IHG Hotels while on vacation or business travel.
Travelers looking for an easy route to Platinum Elite status with IHG.
Consumers looking for a travel rewards card that rewards them while dining out, shopping for groceries and filling up their gas tanks.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
Who Should Consider the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card?
The IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card isn't on the list of best travel or reward cards from MoneyGeek.com either. However, based on our findings, the card is more beneficial for travelers who fall in these categories:
Consumers looking for a no annual fee travel credit card.
Travelers who stay in IHG hotels infrequently.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
EXPERT OPINION
If you stay in IHG hotels more than two times per year, the IHG Rewards Club Premier card is the better deal simply for the complimentary award night. In addition, the card comes with Platinum Elite status, giving travelers solid benefits that can be used at the various IHG properties. And comparing the IHG Rewards Club Premier travel credit card $89 annual fee to other travel cards with significantly higher annual fees.
Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs
The IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card and the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Cards are quite similar, so MoneyGeek has answered several questions that may help you decide which one is best for you.
Is the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card better than the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card?
Both the IHG Rewards Club Premier card and IHG Rewards Club Traveler are good for those who prefer staying at IHG Hotels during their travels. The IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card, on the other hand, is great if you want a card with no annual fee. If you want to earn more rewards, the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card will be a better fit.
Can you get the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card if you have the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card?
Yes, you can. However, we don't find a reason for anyone to hold two cards of the same category. If you want to expand your points earning potential, you may want to consider another hotel credit card from another hotel brand like Hilton or Marriott.
Can you transfer points from the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card to the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card?
The rewards points from both cards will be transferred to the IHG Rewards Club program.
Can you switch from the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card to the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card?
Chase’s IHG Rewards Club Premier and IHG Rewards Club Traveler cards are two hotel rewards credit cards designed for IHG guests. The former is good for individuals who like high rewards and don't mind paying an annual fee, whereas the latter is ideal for those who do not mind a slightly lower rewards card with no annual cost. If your preference changes from one to another, you can either apply for the opposing card, or call Chase and ask for a product change.
What’s harder to get, the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card or the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card?
Both cards are only available to people with good to excellent credit. You can apply for any of these cards if you have a high credit score and have not opened five or more personal credit cards in the last two years. The approval and application processing periods vary from person to person.
How much do you have to spend for the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card vs IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card to get the welcome bonuses?
The IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card offers 125,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 in the first three months of your new account. With the IHG Rewards Club Traveler card, you will receive 80,000 bonus points if you spend $2,000 in the first three months of card membership.
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About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
sources
- Chase. "IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card." Accessed January 6, 2022.
- Chase. "IHG Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card." Accessed January 6, 2022.
- Chase. "IHG Rewards Club Premier Card Rewards Program Agreement." Accessed January 6, 2022.
- Chase. "IHG Rewards Club Traveler Card Rewards Program Agreement." Accessed January 6, 2022.
*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.