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IHG One Rewards Traveler vs Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is an entry-level hotel rewards card ideal for occasional IHG guests who want to earn points on stays without an annual fee.
- The Bank of America® Premium Rewards Elite credit card is best for frequent travelers who want to maximize rewards on travel and dining while enjoying luxury perks like airport lounge access and annual statement credits.
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 Credit Card is a solid choice.
- With no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, this card is a cost-effective option for both domestic and international travelers.
- You'll automatically receive Silver Elite status in the IHG One Rewards program, which provides access to member perks.
- The fourth-night-free benefit on award stays can save you significant points on a single trip, easily justifying its place in your wallet (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Earn a substantial welcome bonus after meeting initial spending requirements.
- Gain access to exclusive reward night sales and receive a discount when purchasing points.
- Your points won't expire as long as your account remains active, giving you the flexibility to save up for a major redemption.
Cons
- The automatic Silver Elite status is IHG’s lowest elite tier and provides minimal perks.
- Points generally have a lower value than those from premium travel cards, and redemption rates can be high at popular properties.
- The card offers limited travel protection benefits compared to other travel-focused credit cards.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we like the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite card.
- This card is packed with premium travel benefits, including unlimited airport lounge access via a complimentary Priority Pass Membership and a host of travel protections.
- While it comes with an annual fee, there are no foreign transaction fees, which is a key perk for travelers heading abroad.
- Cardholders can recoup the entire annual fee in the first year by using the card’s statement credits, and can offset most of it in subsequent years with up to $450 in annual credits (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Cardholders gain access to premium travel benefits, including unlimited airport lounge access with a complimentary Priority Pass Membership, perks at luxury hotels, and discounts with major car rental companies.
- The rewards program is flexible, with broad earning categories for travel and dining and several redemption options like travel, cash back, statement credits, or gift cards.
- Annual statement credits for airline incidentals and lifestyle spending help offset the card’s cost, and it comes with a range of travel protections for peace of mind.
Cons
- The card’s high annual fee can be difficult to justify, as its rewards structure is identical to the much cheaper Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card.
- Unlike many competing premium travel cards, this card lacks travel transfer partners, which is a major limitation for maximizing point value.
- To get the best redemption value, cardholders are restricted to booking flights through the Bank of America travel portal.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite vs IHG One Rewards Traveler
Categories
The question of which is better, IHG One Rewards Traveler or Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite, comes down to what you value in a travel card. These two cards cater to very different types of travelers, from the budget-conscious to the luxury-seeker.
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: This card is ideal for budget-conscious travelers and those new to hotel rewards who stay at IHG properties occasionally and want to earn points without an annual fee.
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card: This premium card is built for frequent travelers seeking luxury perks like lounge access and statement credits, and it offers the most value to those already in the Bank of America ecosystem.
Redemption
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Your points are primarily redeemed for stays across IHG's extensive portfolio of hotels, making it a straightforward way to turn your spending into free nights.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card: This card offers more flexible redemption options, allowing you to use your points for cash back, gift cards, or booking travel through the Bank of America Travel Center.
Travel Perks
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: The travel ecosystem for this card is focused entirely on the IHG portfolio of hotels, with points redeemed directly through IHG for stays. It does not offer airport lounge access and includes a foreign transaction fee.
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card: This card provides a more flexible travel environment. Cardholders can book travel through the Bank of America Travel Center, are not charged foreign transaction fees, and receive airport lounge access as a perk.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
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- Test Drive Feature: The platform's Test Drive feature lets you simulate how much a new card could earn based on your actual spending history, giving you a personalized preview before you apply.
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Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Traveler?
The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is an excellent choice for occasional IHG guests who want to earn rewards without the commitment of an annual fee. It's also well-suited for budget-conscious travelers or those new to hotel loyalty programs who can still benefit from perks like the fourth reward night free on longer stays. As detailed in our full card review, this card provides a solid, no-fee entry point into the IHG rewards ecosystem for those who don't need premium travel benefits.
Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite?
The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card is best suited for high-spenders deeply integrated into the Bank of America® ecosystem, especially Preferred Rewards members who can earn a 25%-75% rewards bonus on all purchases. It also caters to frequent travelers who will take full advantage of luxury perks like unlimited Priority Pass lounge access and up to $450 in annual travel and lifestyle credits to offset the $550 annual fee. As a detailed review points out, this card is ideal for those who value a straightforward rewards program and are comfortable booking travel through Bank of America’s portal rather than dealing with transfer partners.
Alternatives to Consider
So, you've reviewed the IHG One Rewards Traveler vs Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite comparison and decided neither card is for you. That's perfectly fine—let's explore a few other travel rewards cards that might be a better fit for your wallet.
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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 - Most premium cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
- Review your banking relationships - Some issuers offer enhanced rewards if you have existing accounts with them.
- Know your redemption goals - Understand if a card's points transfer to partners or are limited to the issuer's travel portal.
Application Strategy
- Know the issuer's application rules - Some banks have strict limits on the number of cards you can open in a certain period, which could lead to a denial.
- Leverage existing relationships - Cards like the Bank of America® Premium Rewards Elite credit card offer the best value to existing customers who can earn more rewards.
- Prioritize flexible redemptions - Be aware that some cards, like the Bank of America® Premium Rewards Elite, lack airline or hotel transfer partners, limiting your options.
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
What are the annual fees for these cards?
The IHG One Rewards Traveler card typically has no annual fee, making it a cost-effective choice. The Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite card has a significant annual fee, which is offset by its premium travel credits and benefits.
Can I transfer points between the IHG and Bank of America programs?
No, you cannot transfer points between the two loyalty programs. Points earned with the IHG One Rewards Traveler card are for the IHG ecosystem, while points from the Bank of America card are part of its own rewards program.
Which card offers more reward flexibility?
The Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite card provides more flexible rewards, as points can be redeemed for cash back or travel booked through the Bank of America portal. IHG points are most valuable when redeemed for stays at IHG properties.
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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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