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This year, Chase decided to discontinue their IHG credit card that has an annual fee of $49. They came up with a *supposedly* new and improved IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card that offers a sign-up bonus up to 85,000 bonus IHG rewards points with annual fee of $89. (Full review here). Meanwhile, they also introduced a non-premium IHG credit card called the IHG Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card that offers a sign-up bonus up to 65,000 bonus IHG rewards points. There’s also annual fee for the Traveler card which is $29.
The IHG Rewards Club Credit Card is not subject to the Chase’s 5/24 rule. Moreover, if you are currently the old IHG credit card member, you can apply for the Traveler card and still qualify for the new sign-up bonus. But that’s not all, Chase treats both cards as different products and therefore if you have both credit cards, you can enjoy the benefits that both cards provide.
Application Link
- Application Link – Unlike the Chase IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card, the application link for the IHG Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card on Chase website currently offers the best sign-up bonus.
Up to 65,000 Bonus IHG Rewards Points
- Earn 60,000 bonus IHG rewards points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn 5,000 bonus points after you add your first authorized user and make your first purchase in the first three months from account opening.
Adding authorized user is really easy. All you need is the authorized user’s name and date of birth. But keep in mind that, the credit will show up on the authorized user’s credit report. Our recommendation is after you receive the bonus points, you can simply remove the authorized user and the credit card on his/her credit report. Chase makes the process for this pretty simple. Read here on How To Remove Authorized User Chase Credit Cards From Your Credit Report?
Earn Gold Elite Status
- Earn IHG Rewards Club Gold Elite status when you spend $10,000 on purchases with the Traveler card each calendar year. IHG Gold Elite status comes with a few great benefits such as:
- Enjoy 10% Bonus Earnings on Top of Base Points.
- Reward nights count toward Elite status.
- Points don’t expire.
- Priority check-in and welcome amenity.
- Extended check-out time.
- At participating hotels & restaurants, members will receive a Raid the Mini Bar card at the hotels with non-participating restaurants.
- $30 In-Room Spa Credit (Available only at participating hotels. Exact dollar credit may vary by hotel).
- Save 5 Cents per Gallon with the Fuel Rewards Program (U.S. only).
- 1 Free Amazon Kindle eBooks per Quarter.
- More information on IHG Gold Elite Status Benefit
Bonus Points Earning
- 5x points per $1 spent on purchases at IHG hotels and resorts.
- 2x points per $1 spent on purchases at gas stations.
- 2x points per $1 spent at grocery stores.
- 2x points per $1 spent at gas stations.
- 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
- Annual fee is $29, not waived the first year.
- No Annual Free Night Anniversary.
Fourth Reward Night Free
- Free reward night when you redeem points for any stay of 4 or more nights. Points + cash are excluded.
20% Discount on IHG Points Purchase
- Save 20% when you purchase points with your IHG Rewards Club Premier credit card. Keep in mind that this benefit cannot be used when IHG has sales on points purchase.
Other Benefit
- No foreign transaction fees.
Is IHG Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule?
- No.
- The old IHG credit card member can apply for this new IHG Traveler credit card and if approved is also eligible for the new sign-up bonus.
- Benefits can be stacked with the old IHG credit card’s benefits as well such as 10% return on reward nights redemption.
- Also read the Master List of Credit Card Issuers Rules and Application Time
Our 2 Cents
This is the most basic IHG credit card that one can have. The 60,000 sign-up bonus IHG rewards points for this low annual fee $29 card is pretty good, but we do not think it’s a card that’s worth holding on to for a long run. You have to spend several thousand dollars to receive the IHG Elite Gold status. However, there’s one benefit that’s worth considering. Depending on your travel’s routine, if you like to stay in one place at least 4 nights, you can redeem 4 rewards nights and the 4th night will be free. This will save you a good amount of IHG points in a year. If you are the old IHG credit card member and you also get this new IHG Traveler credit card, you not only receive the 4th night free on reward nights, but also the 10% points return on rewards night redemption. That’s the benefit that comes with your old IHG credit card.
Overall, the IHG Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card is a pretty weak credit card by itself. Forget about the 20% saving on IHG points purchase. The saving cannot be used when IHG has sales on points purchase. You will do much better by just purchase IHG points when IHG has sales such as 100% bonus.
