IHG^® Rewards Club Traveler Card Review

Who is the IHG Rewards Club Traveler card for?

The IHG Rewards Club Traveler card is perfect for IHG loyalists hoping to travel while saving money at the same time. However, with high rewards rates, this card is good for any frequent hotel stayer, not just exclusive IHG members. This card allows cardholders to grow points very quickly, but more dedicated IHG members might want to consider the IHG Premier card for even higher rewards.

Since this card has no annual fee or foreign transaction fee, it is especially helpful for those on a budget. Cardholders can experience the perks of the card without paying anything extra aside from typical expenses. 

Because the IHG Traveler card is issued by Chase, it takes up a slot in the 5/24 rule, a rule that states an applicant cannot have opened five or more credit cards in the last two years. If you are close to this limit, you should consider how frequently you use IHG hotels, and how beneficial this card could really be.

Rewards Rate

The rewards rate for the IHG Rewards Club Traveler card is notably high. Although lower than that of the IHG Premier card, it is still a very attractive number. The Traveler card also has three tiers of reward rates, ensuring that cardholders can earn as many points as possible. 

The highest tier is the 15x rate per dollar spent at IHG hotels. Ten of these points come from the IHG loyalty program, and the remaining five come from the card. This total of fifteen points per dollar contributes to very fast point growth. Especially for frequent IHG stayers that are trying to save money, this card allows travelers to rack up points super quickly. However, for loyal IHG members, the Premier card’s 25x rate might be more beneficial, of course, for an $89 annual fee.

IHG Traveler cardholders can also earn points by using their card at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. The rate for this level is 2x points per dollar spent. This means that cardholders can move closer to their next free night by grocery shopping or enjoying a night out at a restaurant. These perks allow users to grow their points in everyday purchases.

Furthermore, every other purchase you make using the IHG Rewards Club Traveler card will earn you points at 1x per dollar. Every purchase made not included in the above two categories will still help you get that next free night. 

Benefits & Credits

This card has multiple attractive benefits for frequent travelers and hotel-stayers. Although limited to IHG hotels, these rewards are good reasons for any IHG loyalist to obtain this free card. This card’s high reward rate allows cardholders to grow their points exponentially.

One of the more desirable perks of the IHG Rewards Club Traveler card is its potential to claim Gold Elite status. When you spend $10,000 or more on your card on a calendar year, you can earn this exclusive IHG rewards status. Gold Elite status members receive 10% more bonus points on purchases than normal members. They also enjoy $30 of spa credit to use at participating IHG locations, a perk that can drastically elevate a travel experience. Additionally, Gold Elite status members receive extended checkout and priority check-in at hotels. 

Another benefit of the IHG Rewards Club Traveler Card is its potential for free nights. On top of free nights gained through point redemption, cardholders can receive a fourth night free when buying four or more nights using points. This benefit saves cardholders hundreds of dollars by providing hotel nights free of charge.

Drawbacks

Although this card has multiple attractive sides, it also has potential pitfalls. The rewards for this card are strictly limited to the hotel domain, so those who do not travel much or do not stay in IHG hotels may want to consider a different card. For loyal IHG members, this card only offers a mediocre rewards rate compared to the 25x rate of the IHG Rewards Club Premier card. 

In addition, this card is a Chase card, so the 5/24 rule applies, meaning that an applicant will be denied if he or she has gotten five or more new cards within the last 24 months. This card takes up one of those five slots, so before applying, a cardholder must decide if this card is truly worth it.

Welcome Bonus

The welcome bonus for the IHG Rewards Club traveler card is sufficiently generous, as you earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 within three months of opening an account. These points can be used on IHG hotels in exchange for free nights. A free night at an IHG hotel costs as low as 15,000 points, so this card’s welcome bonus can earn you up to five free nights. Coupled with the fourth-awards-night-free perk, this welcome bonus can book a weeklong free stay.

Annual Fee

The IHG Rewards Club Traveler card has no annual fee. For the especially high rewards rate of 15x on hotels and potential rewards of free nights, this card is a great deal for frequent travelers. Cardholders experience all the rewards of this card essentially for free. This is extremely helpful for those on a budget but still hoping to travel, or those trying to save money on trips.

Furthermore, the IHG Rewards Club card has no foreign transaction fee either. This means that cardholders can use their card without hesitation in locations all around the world. Cardholders can travel the globe without worrying about paying extra.

Conclusion

The IHG Rewards Club Traveler card is an ideal offering for travel enthusiasts and IHG loyalists who are on a budget. With no fees, cardholders can reap all the benefits without any real costs. High reward rates and exciting perks at hotels contributes to a modest but useful credit card that is worth considering for any IHG fan.