At IHG brand hotels and resorts booked directly; otherwise earn 2X.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
The IHG Rewards Traveler Credit Card is IHG’s no-annual-fee credit card. As such, it doesn’t offer the excellent perks that come with the IHG Premier Credit Card — like a free night each account anniversary, automatic Platinum Elite status, and other travel perks.
However, the IHG Traveler Card still offers surprisingly good benefits for a no-annual-fee card. You’ll get IHG Rewards’ intro level Silver Elite status, fourth night free on rewards stays, and a 20% discount on purchases of IHG Rewards points.
Silver Elite status doesn’t offer too many perks — 20% bonus points at IHG hotels and resorts, a shot at late checkout, and not having to worry about point expiration. Cardholders can spend $20,000 in a calendar year to upgrade to Gold Elite status. Gold Elite status includes 40% bonus points at IHG hotels and resorts.
In addition to the sign-up bonus, IHG Rewards Traveler Credit Card cardholders will earn bonus points on IHG hotel stays, dining, gas stations, select streaming services, and utility monthly bills. Cardholders earn 2 points per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. Considering the IHG Rewards point value is only around 0.4 cents per point, that’s not the best possible return on your other purchases.
So, you might just want to limit using your IHG Traveler Card to IHG hotels and resorts. By charging IHG hotel stays to their IHG Traveler Card, cardholders will earn a total of at least 17 points per dollar spent:
For those unfamiliar, the IHG Rewards loyalty program includes a wide range of hotel brands. On the luxury side, you can earn and redeem IHG points at InterContinental Hotels, Kimpton, Hotel Indigo, Six Senses, and Regent Hotels. On the flip side, you can earn and redeem IHG points for stays at Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Candlewood Suites, and Staybridge Suites. That range of earning and redemption options is truly impressive.
Only on purchases made through Chase Travel (SM); 1X otherwise
Only on purchases made through Chase Travel (SM); 1X otherwise
Only on purchases made through Chase Travel (SM); 1X otherwise
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
This card is designed for heavy Instacart uses. Much like the Amazon credit card only makes sense if you spend a ton at Amazon, the Instacart credit card only makes sense if you already spend a ton at Instacart as the 5% back will add up – and it’s a no annual fee credit card.
If you are looking for a powerful card for all supermarket purchases, you’d be much better off with one of our top credit cards for supermarkets like the American Express Gold Card, which earns 4X Membership Rewards at supermarkets, up to $25,000 a year (earn 1X thereafter).
But if you are loyal to Instacart, this card is worth considering.
It is a World Elite Mastercard, so it does come with some additional benefits as well.
Additional Benefits include:
Overall, if you are a huge Instacart user, this card is worth it for the 5% back on all your purchases. But if you aren’t, you might find a better card for your spend in our Famous Card Explorer.