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Chase Freedom Unlimited vs IHG One Rewards Traveler: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: This card is great for everyday spending, offering a solid flat cash back rate on all purchases with bonus rewards on dining and at drugstores.
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: This card is ideal for travelers who occasionally stay at IHG hotels and want to earn rewards without an annual fee.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why the Chase Freedom Unlimited® stands out in a crowded field of cash back cards.
- It comes with no annual fee, making it a cost-effective choice for everyday spending.
- You earn a solid 1.5% cash back on all purchases, plus an elevated 3% on dining and at drugstores.
- Spending just $334 on dining and drugstores each month earns you over $120 in cash back annually (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Its rewards structure is both simple and effective, offering a consistent cash back rate on all purchases, plus bonus rewards in common spending categories like dining and drugstores.
- Points are part of the flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards® ecosystem, and their value can be significantly boosted when transferred to a premium Chase travel card.
- Includes a strong package of consumer and travel protections, such as purchase protection and an auto rental collision damage waiver, which add a layer of security to your spending.
Cons
- A key drawback highlighted in a comprehensive guide is the foreign transaction fee, which makes the card less than ideal for international travel.
- To unlock the full potential of your points, such as transferring them to travel partners, you need to pair it with a premium Chase card.
- Some competing cards offer a higher flat-rate reward on all spending, which may be more attractive for users focused on maximizing simple cash back.
IHG One Rewards Traveler Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we think the IHG One Rewards Traveler card is a solid choice.
- With no annual fee, this card is a low-risk way to earn hotel rewards and benefits.
- Cardmembers automatically receive Silver Elite status and get a fourth night free on award stays of four nights or more.
- Booking just one 4-night award stay per year could save you enough points for an additional free night, making the card worthwhile (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- There are no foreign transaction fees, making it a great choice for international travel.
- Points don’t expire for cardmembers with an active account, giving you peace of mind as you save up for your next trip.
- New cardmembers can earn a substantial welcome bonus after meeting the initial spending requirements.
Cons
- The value of points is lower than what you'd find with premium travel cards, and redemption rates can be high at popular properties.
- The included Silver Elite status offers minimal perks, and the card's travel protections are basic.
- You may still have to pay resort fees on award stays, which can diminish the value of a "free" night.
IHG One Rewards Traveler vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Categories
When deciding which is better, Chase Freedom Unlimited or IHG One Rewards Traveler, it's important to consider your primary spending habits and financial goals. Each card is designed for a different type of consumer, making the best choice dependent on your lifestyle.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: This card is best for cash back seekers and everyday spenders who want to earn consistent rewards on all purchases without tracking rotating categories.
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: This card is ideal for frequent travelers who regularly stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts and want to earn points toward free nights.
Redemption
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Rewards earned with this card are highly flexible, offering options like cash back, gift cards, or booking travel through the Chase portal. You can redeem your points for a statement credit or a direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts.
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Points earned are primarily redeemed for stays at IHG properties worldwide, including brands like Holiday Inn and InterContinental. These points can help you book free nights and enjoy other travel-related perks within the IHG ecosystem.
Travel Perks
- While the Chase Freedom Unlimited® provides access to the comprehensive Chase Ultimate Rewards® travel portal for booking flights, hotels, and more, the IHG One Rewards Traveler card's ecosystem is centered on booking award nights directly through IHG.
- For international travel, a key distinction is that the IHG One Rewards Traveler card comes with no foreign transaction fees. In contrast, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® does apply a fee to purchases made abroad.
- As a co-branded hotel card, the IHG One Rewards Traveler card is packed with property-specific benefits, including automatic Silver Elite status and a valuable fourth-night-free reward on point redemptions for stays of four nights or more. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® does not offer equivalent hotel-centric perks.
- Neither card includes airport lounge access as a standard benefit.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make the decision easier, you can use a tool like Kudos, which helps you compare thousands of credit cards using your own spending data to find the perfect match.
- Test drive credit cards: See personalized earnings projections for any card based on your actual spending history—before you apply and without a hard credit pull.
- Get detailed approval odds: Kudos analyzes your credit report to provide a detailed analysis of your chances of getting approved for a card.
- Receive a welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of getting approved through Kudos, the platform will match it.
- Unlock extra rewards: Earn additional rewards on top of your credit card points when you shop at participating stores with Kudos Boost.
Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for everyday spenders who value a straightforward rewards structure without the complexity of rotating categories. It's also a strategic pick for existing Chase customers, as it can be paired with premium cards like the Sapphire Preferred® or Reserve® to maximize the value of Ultimate Rewards® points. Ultimately, this card suits anyone from rewards beginners to seasoned users seeking strong earning rates and protections without an annual fee, as detailed in this comprehensive guide.
Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Traveler?
The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers who occasionally stay at IHG properties and want to earn rewards without committing to an annual fee. It's particularly valuable for those who book stays of four or more nights, as they can leverage the fourth-night-free benefit on reward redemptions. Overall, this card serves as a strong entry point for anyone new to hotel rewards programs, offering a simple way to accumulate points and enjoy basic travel protections.
Alternatives to Consider
Still weighing the Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. IHG One Rewards Traveler matchup and finding that neither a flexible rewards card nor a co-branded hotel card fits your needs? Fortunately, the credit card market is vast, and other alternatives might be a better match.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score to ensure you meet the recommended requirements for approval.
- Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer.
- Understand the rewards ecosystem so you have a plan for how you’ll redeem your points.
Application Strategy
- Be mindful of issuer rules- Some issuers have application velocity limits that can affect your approval odds.
- Match the card to your travel habits- Check for foreign transaction fees if you frequently travel abroad, as some cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® have them while others like the IHG One Rewards Traveler Card do not.
- Don't be discouraged by a denial- You can often call the issuer’s reconsideration line to provide more context for your application.
Our Methodology
We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.
Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer points from my Chase Freedom Unlimited to my IHG One Rewards account?
Yes, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points earned with your Freedom Unlimited card to your IHG One Rewards account. This allows you to combine your rewards from general spending and use them for hotel stays.
Which card is better for everyday spending?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited is generally considered better for everyday spending because it offers a flat rewards rate on all purchases. The IHG One Rewards Traveler Card is more specialized for earning points on IHG hotel stays and other specific categories.
Do the points I earn with these cards expire?
Chase Ultimate Rewards points from the Freedom Unlimited do not expire as long as your account is open. IHG One Rewards points can expire after 12 months of inactivity, but you can keep them active by earning or redeeming points.
Can I have both the Chase Freedom Unlimited and the IHG One Rewards Traveler card?
Absolutely; holding both cards can be a smart strategy for maximizing rewards. You can use the Freedom Unlimited for daily purchases and the IHG card for its specific hotel benefits and accelerated earnings on stays.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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