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IHG One Rewards Premier vs Bank of America Travel Rewards: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is ideal for frequent travelers loyal to IHG brands, offering accelerated points on hotel stays, travel, gas, and dining, along with automatic elite status.
- With no annual fee, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is a straightforward option for earning a flat rate of 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases, which can be redeemed for travel and dining statement credits.
IHG One Rewards Premier Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down the key reasons we like the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.
- Cardholders receive automatic Platinum Elite status, unlocking valuable perks like room upgrades and late check-out at IHG properties.
- The card offers an impressive earning rate of up to 26 points per dollar at IHG Hotels & Resorts, though it does come with an annual fee.
- The Anniversary Free Night, valid at properties worth up to 40,000 points, can easily offset the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Get your fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a stay of four or more consecutive nights.
- There are no foreign transaction fees, making it a great choice for international travel.
- The card includes a suite of travel protections, such as trip cancellation insurance and lost luggage reimbursement.
Cons
- The card has an annual fee that is not waived in the first year.
- Points have limited transfer partners, restricting their flexibility compared to other travel rewards programs.
- The card’s value is best realized when staying at IHG properties, offering less value for those who frequent other hotel brands.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a quick look at why we think the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is a solid choice for many travelers.
- This card is a cost-effective option as it has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees).
- You'll earn unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on every purchase, making your rewards strategy simple and straightforward.
- The break-even point for the card's welcome offer is met after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- The rewards program is simple and straightforward, earning a flat rate on all purchases without any bonus categories to track.
- Points can be redeemed with great flexibility for statement credits against a wide variety of travel and dining purchases, without being restricted to a specific booking portal.
Cons
- The card's rewards earning rate is modest and doesn't include bonus categories for higher earnings on specific purchases.
- It lacks premium travel benefits, such as airport lounge access, and points can't be transferred to airline or hotel partners.
- The card's best features and highest earning potential are reserved for those who qualify for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards vs IHG One Rewards Premier
Categories
When considering which is better, the IHG One Rewards Premier or Bank of America Travel Rewards card, the answer depends on your travel frequency and brand loyalty.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is built for frequent travelers, particularly those loyal to IHG properties who can take full advantage of elite status and hotel-specific benefits.
- Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is geared toward occasional travelers and those new to rewards cards, offering a simple and flexible way to earn points on all purchases.
Redemption
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Points are redeemed for stays across IHG's portfolio of hotels, providing the most value when used for award nights within their system. While points can be transferred to airline partners, this is generally a less valuable option.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card: Rewards are redeemed as a flexible statement credit against any travel or dining purchase, with no blackout dates or brand restrictions. This allows you to book travel through any vendor and then apply your points to erase the purchase from your statement.
Travel Perks
- Foreign Transaction Fees: Both the IHG One Rewards Premier and Bank of America® Travel Rewards cards are suitable for international travel, as neither charges a foreign transaction fee.
- Ecosystem Flexibility: The IHG card provides value within its own ecosystem, offering perks like an annual free night and automatic Platinum Elite status. In contrast, the Bank of America card offers greater flexibility, allowing you to book travel through any vendor and redeem points as a statement credit without being tied to a specific portal or brand.
- Expedited Security Screening: The IHG Premier card offers a statement credit to cover the application fee for programs like Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS. The Bank of America Travel Rewards card does not include this benefit.
- Airport Lounge Access: Neither of these cards includes complimentary airport lounge access, a perk typically reserved for higher-tier premium travel credit cards.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
For a more personalized approach, a tool like Kudos—used by over 400,000 members—can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best fit for your spending habits.
- Test Drive Feature: Simulate potential earnings from any card using your real transaction data to see its value before you apply, without impacting your credit score.
- Personalized Recommendations: Get data-driven card suggestions and an analysis of your approval odds based on your spending history and credit report.
- Rewards and Guarantees: Unlock incentives like the $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward and a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos matches any better public offer found within three months of approval.
- Unified Wallet: Manage all your cards in one place to track spending, monitor your credit score, and receive actionable insights to maximize your rewards.
Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Premier?
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is tailor-made for travelers who frequently stay at IHG properties like Holiday Inn, Kimpton, or InterContinental. These cardholders value the automatic Platinum Elite status and the annual free night certificate, which can easily offset the annual fee. Ultimately, those who book longer stays will maximize their value by taking advantage of the fourth-night-free benefit, as detailed in this card's review.
Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Travel Rewards?
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards card is an excellent choice for beginners and occasional travelers who value simplicity, thanks to its straightforward flat-rate rewards on all purchases and no annual fee. Its value increases significantly for existing Bank of America customers who can qualify for the Preferred Rewards program, and a dedicated student version makes it accessible for those building their credit history. As detailed in a comprehensive review, it's also ideal for budget-conscious individuals or anyone seeking a single, versatile card for all their spending, especially with no foreign transaction fees.
Alternatives to Consider
If neither card in our IHG One Rewards Premier vs Bank of America® Travel Rewards comparison feels like the perfect match, several other excellent travel cards are worth considering. These alternatives might better align with your unique travel style and financial preferences.
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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score to ensure you meet the general requirements for approval.
- Plan your spending to naturally meet any welcome offer requirements without overspending.
- Review the rewards structure to confirm it aligns with your travel and spending habits.
Application Strategy
- Leverage existing relationships - Some cards offer enhanced rewards if you are an existing customer with the bank.
- Consider co-branded cards - Cards tied to a specific hotel or airline are most valuable if you are loyal to that brand.
- Be patient with offers - Welcome offers can fluctuate, so it may be worth waiting for an elevated bonus.
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
How flexible are the rewards for each card?
The Bank of America Travel Rewards card offers more flexibility, as its points can be redeemed for statement credits against a wide range of travel purchases. The IHG One Rewards Premier card's points are primarily for use within the IHG hotel ecosystem.
Can I transfer points between IHG One Rewards and Bank of America?
No, you cannot transfer points between these two separate loyalty programs. Each card earns points for its respective program, which are not interchangeable.
Do the rewards from these cards expire?
Bank of America Travel Rewards points do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. IHG One Rewards points can expire after 12 months of inactivity, but holding the IHG Premier card and keeping the account active prevents this.
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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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