Finding a no-annual-fee credit card with solid perks isn’t easy. Most of the time, the best benefits are reserved for cards with an annual fee. Sure, there are a few exceptions—like the Hilton AMEX and the Chase Disney Rewards Visa —but they’re rare.
That’s why the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card stands out. It offers valuable perks without costing you a dime in annual fees.
I haven’t paid much attention to this card in the past, mainly because we already have the now-discontinued IHG Rewards Club Select card. This card has a modest $49 fee but includes a free night at IHG hotels costing 40,000 points or less.
However, if you’re looking for an IHG co-brand card and don’t want to shell out $99 a year for the IHG One Rewards Premier Card, the Traveler Card could be a great alternative. You won’t get a free annual night, but you’ll still enjoy some useful perks—including a limited-time 100,000-point sign-up bonus if you apply by March 19, 2025.
Here’s what you need to know:
Chase IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card Overview
- Annual Fee: $0
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 in the first three months (offer ends 3/19/25) (link to offer)
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
- Elite Status: Automatic IHG Silver Elite status
- Additional Perks: Free fourth reward night, 10,000 bonus points after $10K spend
While we have a referral link for this card, the offer isn’t as good as the public offer.
How to Earn IHG Points
The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card helps you rack up points in multiple spending categories:
- 5X points on IHG hotel stays
- 3X points on:
- Gas stations
- Restaurants
- Utilities
- Cable, internet, and phone bills
- Select streaming services
- 2X points on all other purchases
If you frequently stay at IHG hotels or spend a lot in these categories, the points can add up quickly.
Free Reward Night on 4-Night Stays
One of the best perks of this card is its free fourth reward night when booking a stay of four or more nights using points. This effectively gives you a 25% discount on four-night stays—or even bigger savings on longer trips.
Many other hotel co-brand cards offer a fifth night free, so IHG’s fourth-night free benefit is actually more flexible and valuable for shorter trips.
Save 20% on Purchased IHG Points
With the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card, you’ll get an additional 20% off when purchasing points.
While this discount doesn’t stack with IHG’s promotional offers, it can still be a helpful way to top off your account for an award stay.
Elite Status & Annual Bonus Points
- IHG Silver Elite Status – Comes automatically just for having the card. While Silver doesn’t offer huge benefits, it’s still a step above base-level members.
- Spend $20,000/year – Get upgraded to IHG Gold Elite status.
- Spend $10,000/year – Receive 10,000 bonus points annually.
Why Not Spend $20K on the Traveler Card?
Frankly, if you plan to spend $10K–$20K a year on an IHG card, you might be better off with the IHG One Rewards Premier Card instead. That card costs $99 annually but comes with automatic Platinum Elite status and a free anniversary night—benefits that far outweigh the Traveler card’s perks for heavy spenders.
Premier Card Bonus for Heavy Spenders
- Spend $20,000 on the Premier Card before the end of the calendar year, and you’ll earn a $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points.
- Spend $40,000, and you’ll receive IHG Rewards Diamond Elite status—the highest tier in IHG’s loyalty program, which includes even more perks like room upgrades and late check-out.
Final Thoughts—Who Should Get This Card?
If you’re looking for an IHG co-brand card with no annual fee, the Traveler Card is a solid choice, especially with the limited-time 100K sign-up bonus. The free fourth-night award benefit and solid earning categories make it a valuable option for moderate IHG guests.
However, if you’re planning to spend $10,000–$20,000 annually, and especially if you’re spending even more, you may find that other cards from different loyalty programs offer much more value. The IHG Premier Card is still a great option for the free anniversary night and Platinum Elite status, but be mindful that there are better rewards for high spenders in other programs.
- Bottom Line:
✅ Great for: Occasional IHG guests who don’t want to pay an annual fee but still want some perks.
❌ Not ideal for: Heavy spenders—consider other cards for better value, or the Premier Card if you’re loyal to IHG and want the free night and Platinum status.
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