What is the average credit score needed to get approved for the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card?

The average IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card credit score is between 670 -739.

Does the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card report to all three credit bureaus?

Yes. The IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card reports your account activity to all three credit bureaus.

Is the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card application process lengthy? Can you prequalify?

There’s no IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card pre-approval process. You have to apply for the card. The IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card application process is not lengthy and involves visiting the card's website, completing an application and submitting it. You can complete the process within 10-20 minutes. If your application doesn't need extra information, you can receive further details via mail within 10 business days.

What information is needed to apply for the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card?

You need to give your personal information such as name, date of birth, Social Security Number, contact information including home address and email address and your financial information, including annual income and monthly expenses.

Does the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card have good customer service or satisfaction?

While it's challenging to determine the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card customer service performance based on the card specifically, it's often recommended for travelers looking to use IHG properties.

Does the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card have a mobile app or the option to pay or manage your account online?

Yes. You may use the IHG website or mobile app to manage your traveling journal and make payments.

Does the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card raise credit limits automatically or charge for limit increases?

Yes. Your IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card credit limit may automatically increase after every six to twelve months if you have a good standing.

Does the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card offer the option to freeze your credit/account or have other security features?

Yes. You can cancel your account using the mobile app or website. For further assistance on how to go about freezing your account, call the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card phone number or contact them through the other options available.

Does Chase offer other credit cards besides the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card?

Yes. Some other Chase credit cards include Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card, Chase Freedom Flex℠ credit card and Chase Sapphire Preferred Card credit card.

IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card Review

The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.

The IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card is a viable option for applicants who want a more dynamic co-branded hotel credit that provides perks for staying at IHG hotels. While it only offers you one point for each dollar you spend on your daily purchases, you can use it at other IHG properties, gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants. Using this card can help you earn Gold Elite status, with which you can earn a 10% bonus on hotel stays. The card has a regular variable APR of 20.49% – 27.49% with no foreign transaction fees.

Card Details to Know Up Front

Bonus, Fee or Feature
Has or Not
Has Annual Fee
Has Balance Transfer Offer
Has APR Offer
Cash Back Rewards
Travel Rewards
Hotel Benefits
Airline Benefits
Has Rewarding Welcome Offer
Has Foreign Transaction Fee
Recommended Credit
Good–Excellent

Click to see this card’s rates, fees and how they compare to other cards in our dataset.

OUR REVIEW AT A GLANCE

Credit Card Details at a Glance
Pros & Cons Explained
Bonuses & Rewards Explained
Our Verdict: Is This Card for You?

IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card at a Glance

Whether or not this credit card is right for you depends on your spending patterns. It can significantly help reduce the travel cost if you’re a frequent user of IHG properties and combine it with another cash-back option.

IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card
Great card for earning points fast for IHG loyalists
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
- $0Annual Fee
- 1–2 Points per $1Rewards Rate
- 15xRewards Rate at Hotels
- 2xRewards Rate on Gas
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
Certain purchases may not earn points
Points may expire if you do not have 12 months of consecutive activity on your card
Benefits and rewards may vary by location
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Terms, rates and fees apply
Compare this credit card with other top-rated cards from our partners.

Pros & Cons Explained

While the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card has many perks for IHG loyalists, it is also important to evaluate the downsides to determine if the card is right for you.

Pros

Benefits
Description
No annual fee
With no annual fee, this can be a great rewards card that doesn’t require a minimum spend to recover a fee.
No foreign transaction fees
The card is worth considering if you’re planning to travel abroad.
Points don’t expire
Points don't expire as long as there is activity on the credit card at least once every 12 months.
High reward rate
Cardholders can earn high IHG rewards points when spending money. You'll get five IHG points for every dollar upon paying for your stay with an additional 10 points for each dollar as an IHG Rewards Club Member, which is free to join.
Fourth Reward Night Free
You'll earn a reward night if you redeem points with IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card for a stay of four or more nights in any eligible IHG Hotels and Resorts worldwide with no blackout dates.

Cons

Drawbacks
Description
Gold Elite status requires high annual spending
You’ll only get the Gold Elite Status once you spend $10,000 on purchases using the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card in each calendar year.
High APR
The APR varies and it can be high depending on your IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card.
No luxury benefits or perks
The card’s points aren’t as valuable as points from other hotel cards, making the rewards limited.
Transferring IHG rewards points will cost you
With a IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card, you’ll pay $5 per 1,000 points transferred.

LOOKING FOR THE BEST CREDIT CARDS OF 2022?

The MoneyGeek Team creates comprehensive reviews and comparisons of credit cards by focusing on the vital elements of every card in our database to find the best picks for various categories. If you are looking for travel rewards credit cards, don’t miss our rankings.

Bonuses & Rewards Explained

Besides IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card benefits, you can earn 0.5% on all purchases and 1% on gas stations, restaurants and grocery stores. Also, you can earn up to 17X total points at IHG hotels if you combine this card with existing IHG Rewards member benefits.

You can keep your points active by extending the expiration date once you use your IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card, transfer IHG points or make a reservation at any IHG properties around the globe exceeding 5,800 points.

The best way to earn points with Chase IHG Rewards Club Traveler is to pay for hotel stays with the card. You’ll get even more value by booking four nights or more since the fourth night is free.

>>MORE: CHASE ULTIMATE REWARDS: PROGRAM GUIDE

Points

Earn one to 17 points per dollar based on your spending and rewards membership.

No expiration

Your points won’t expire as long as your account is active.

Redemption options

You can convert your card’s points into different gift cards, airline rewards or shopping benefits. It’s also possible to redeem your points into eBooks, games and other digital products.

Fourth reward night free

Get one night free when you redeem points for a stay of four nights or more.

Authorized users

You can add authorized users to your account. Having additional users means increased spending that enables you to accumulate points faster.

Other Features Explained

The IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card doesn't offer a ton of luxury perks. However, it has other features and benefits that are beneficial.

Card Feature
Description
20% discount on IHG rewards club point purchases
This perk comes in handy when you need more points to redeem your rewards.
Purchase protection
The IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card protects all your new purchases for up to 120 days against damage or theft with up to $500 for every claim and $50,000 per account.
Cell phone insurance
If you're using your card to pay for your monthly phone cell bill, the card protects your phone against theft or damage with up to $600 per claim and $1,000 per year.
Baggage delay insurance
The card will cover your purchases such as toiletries and clothing for baggage delays by airline carriers that are over six hours in length. The insurance amount is up to $100 per day for three days.
Auto rental collision damage waiver
If a collision occurs while you are renting a car, you can charge the entire cost on the card instead of using the rental company's collision insurance. Using the card will give you secondary coverage to your insurance.
Lost luggage reimbursement
If you or your immediate family member's luggage is lost, the card covers up to $3,000 per passenger.
Trip cancellation or interruption insurance
Your trip may be canceled or cut short due to certain covered situations such as illnesses and severe weather conditions. In this case, you're eligible for reimbursement of up to $5,000 per person and $10,000 per trip for pre-paid and non-refundable expenses.
Travel accident insurance
Paying for your air, bus, train or cruise transportation using the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card guarantees coverage of up to $500,000 of any accidental death or dismemberment.
Travel and emergency assistance services
If you encounter an issue during your travel, contact the Benefit Administrator for a legal or medical referral.
Add authorized users
You can get complimentary cards for your family members and friends. You'll earn extra reward points faster since you’ll have multiple people using your account.

MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

Keep an eye out for extra perks such as discounted room rates that you can get by making reservations directly through the hotel. In addition, you may have access to a $30 in-room spa credit at participating hotels.

Understanding the Fine Print

Card Feature
Amount or Rate
APR
20.99% – 27.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Cash Back Rewards
Rewards Rate
1–2 Points per $1
Airline Benefits
Rewards Rate on Groceries
2x
Rewards Rate on Gas
2x
Rewards Rate on Dining
2x
Rewards Rate on Entertainment
1x
Rewards Rate on Online Shopping
1x
Rewards Rate on TV, Phone, Internet Services
1x
Rewards Rate on Air Travel
1x
Rewards Rate at Hotels
15x
Balance Transfer Fee
$5 or 5%, whichever is greater
Balance Transfer APR
20.99% – 27.99% Variable
Late Fees
Up to $40
Cash Advance Fee
$10 or 5%, whichever is greater
Cash Advance APR
29.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fee
None

Regular/ Variable APR
The IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card has a high variable APR rate of between 20.49% – 27.49% on purchases and bank transfers. Your card starts accruing interest when you start making purchases, and the percentage may differ depending on the current prime rate.
Balance Transfer Fee
The IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card charges a relatively high fee of up to 5% on the total amount you transfer. The percentage is equivalent to a fee of up to $10. For instance, if you make a $2,000 transfer, you’ll pay $100 as your balance transfer fee.
Annual Fee
This card charges no annual fee.

FINDING YOUR CARD'S RATES AND FEES

When comparing the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card with other travel cards, consider the card’s APR, balance transfer fees and any other associated fees. You may also compare this card with a card you already have. Check through your last billing statement to find the APR fees and other fees for comparison. You can also find the information through the credit card agreement database maintained by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Who Should & Shouldn’t Consider IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card?

Other Considerations for IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card

Before deciding whether or not you should fill out the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card application, you should determine how you need to use the card. Pairing the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card with other cards may help you maximize the value of this card.

Things to Consider if This Will Be Your First or Only Credit Card

If you’re looking to make this your first or only credit card, it would be best if you consider the high APR when making purchases or transferring balances. Because of the card’s high APR, you’ll have to pay high interest rates during the monthly balance rollovers. Also, it does not offer cashback. Therefore, it is not a good option if you’re planning on earning a given percentage on all your spendings.

Things to Consider if This Will Be an Additional Card in Your Wallet

If you plan to use it as an additional card, there are plenty of IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card benefits. You won't need to pay international transaction fees, making it ideal for traveling outside the United States. Additionally, it has no annual fee, so it’s a great option if you're looking for a low-maintenance card.

However, the card doesn't have a cash back option and has low-value points. It also has a high APR, which can be a problem if you don’t pay off your balance each month.

You can use this card by pairing it with other cards, such as those offering cash back rewards on your daily purchases. By doing so, you'll be eligible to earn up to 2% back on all your other purchases.

WHY TRUST OUR REVIEWS

MoneyGeek uses a thorough and up-to-standard methodology and review process to determine the best credit cards for our readers based on factors such as credit fees, rewards, benefits and more. The process involves gathering data from the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau’s database, getting up-to-date data points for easy ranking calculations, projecting the annual average spend profile, determining annual and introductory bonuses, determining the long-term value of holding the card and conducting a regular review and re-ranking processes.

How IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card Compares to Other Cards

The IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card rivals other cards as it does not have annual fee and foreign transaction fees. However, comparing it with other travel cards will depend on what you want from the card.

In-Depth Credit Card Comparisons:

IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card vs IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card

Quick Comparison of IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card

IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card

Annual fee: $0
Purchase APR: 20.49% – 27.49%
Cash back: N/A
Best For: Cardholders who plan to use reward points for travel stay without paying an annual or foreign transaction fee

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Annual fee: $0
Purchase APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months, then a variable APR of 19.49%–28.24%
Cash back: 1.5% on general purchases
Best For: Cardholders looking to get valuable cash backs on travel purchases

Other Helpful Decision-Making Q&As

Is the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card a good card for you? These frequently asked questions might help you as you figure out which credit card is right for you.

Still not sure about this card? Consider these options.

If you’re unsure whether this card is the right option for you, you might want to consider other travel cards and compare what they have to offer. If you’re not looking for travel credit cards, cash back credit cards may be a better option.

View All Credit Cards

Learn more about credit cards in general

sources

Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. "Credit Card Agreement Database." Accessed September 2, 2021.

*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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MoneyGeek’s Take