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Chase Freedom Flex vs IHG One Rewards Traveler: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Chase Freedom Flex®: This card is ideal for maximizing cash back on rotating quarterly categories, travel booked through Chase, dining, and drugstore purchases.
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Best for occasional IHG hotel guests who want to earn rewards on stays without paying an annual fee.
Chase Freedom Flex® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at what makes the Chase Freedom Flex® a standout choice.
- The card offers a powerful combination of 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories and travel booked through Chase, plus 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases.
- With no annual fee and valuable perks like cell phone protection, it delivers significant value without an upfront cost.
- Maximizing the 5% rotating bonus categories each quarter could net you $300 in cash back annually (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Features a versatile rewards structure that includes both rotating and fixed bonus categories, with flexible redemption options for cash back or travel.
- Includes a strong set of consumer protections, such as cell phone protection, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection.
- Offers access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® ecosystem without an annual fee.
Cons
- Earning top rewards requires manually activating bonus categories each quarter.
- A foreign transaction fee makes it less than ideal for international travel.
- Approval can be challenging due to strict credit requirements and application rules.
IHG One Rewards Traveler Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of why we think the IHG One Rewards Traveler card is a compelling choice.
- It offers a solid entry into the IHG One Rewards program without the commitment of an annual fee.
- Cardholders can get significant value from the fourth-night-free benefit on award stays of four nights or more.
- With no annual fee, you break even on this card as soon as you get any value from its perks, such as the fourth night free benefit (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- You’ll get a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a stay of four nights or longer, which can significantly stretch the value of your rewards.
- The card comes with automatic Silver Elite status in the IHG One Rewards program, unlocking entry-level perks without having to meet stay requirements.
- Your points won’t expire as long as your account is active, so you can save up for a big redemption without worrying about a deadline.
Cons
- The points earned have a lower value compared to premium travel cards, and redemption rates can be high at popular properties.
- It lacks robust travel protections and premium perks like airport lounge access, and the included Silver Elite status offers few meaningful benefits.
IHG One Rewards Traveler vs Chase Freedom Flex®
Categories
When deciding which is better, Chase Freedom Flex or IHG One Rewards Traveler, it's important to consider your primary spending habits. Each card caters to a different type of consumer, one focusing on flexible cash back and the other on hotel rewards.
- Chase Freedom Flex® - This card is ideal for no-fee card seekers who want to maximize cash back through a combination of fixed and rotating bonus categories.
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card - This card is designed for frequent travelers, particularly those who often stay at IHG properties and want to earn hotel rewards without paying an annual fee.
Redemption
Chase Freedom Flex®: Rewards are earned as points that can be redeemed for cash back, travel, gift cards, and more through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. This provides a high degree of flexibility for redeeming your earnings in a way that best suits your needs.
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: The points you accumulate are primarily used for booking stays across IHG’s extensive portfolio of hotels and resorts. This is ideal for travelers who want to directly convert their spending into free nights and other hotel-related perks.
Travel Perks
- Chase Freedom Flex®: While primarily a cash back card, it offers some travel benefits through the Chase ecosystem. Cardholders can book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal. It also provides travel protections like trip cancellation/interruption insurance. However, it does come with a foreign transaction fee, which is a key consideration for international trips.
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: This card is built for travel, specifically within the IHG portfolio. It has no foreign transaction fees, making it a strong choice for use abroad. Key perks include receiving a fourth night free on award stays of four or more nights and automatic IHG One Rewards Silver Elite status, which provides benefits like late check-out.
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Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Flex®?
The Chase Freedom Flex® is a great fit for savvy spenders who enjoy maximizing their rewards through rotating bonus categories. It's particularly valuable for those who frequently dine out or make drugstore purchases, and for anyone looking to build a "Chase trifecta" by pairing it with a premium Chase card. With no annual fee and flexible rewards, it's a powerful tool for earning cash back on everyday spending, as detailed in this comprehensive review.
Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Traveler?
The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is an excellent choice for occasional IHG guests and budget-conscious travelers who want to earn rewards without committing to an annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for those new to hotel loyalty programs or travelers who can maximize value from the fourth-night-free benefit on longer stays. Ultimately, this card serves as a strong, accessible entry point for anyone looking to dip their toes into the IHG One Rewards program.
Alternatives to Consider
The Chase Freedom Flex® vs IHG One Rewards Traveler comparison showcases two very different types of cards, so it's understandable if neither one is the perfect fit for your wallet. If you're still searching for the right card, here are a few other excellent alternatives to consider.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score - Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
- Review recent applications - Some issuers have rules regarding how many cards you've recently opened.
- Plan your spending - Make sure you can comfortably meet the welcome offer's spending requirement without overspending.
Application Strategy
- Know the rules - Be aware of issuer-specific policies, like the Chase 5/24 rule, which can affect your approval chances.
- Time your application - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer.
- Think long-term - Consider how a new card fits your overall strategy, such as future upgrade paths or pairings with other cards.
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 between the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and the IHG One Rewards Traveler card?
No, you cannot directly transfer points between these two cards as they belong to different rewards programs. The Chase Freedom Flex℠ earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, while the IHG card earns IHG One Rewards points.
Which card is better for everyday spending?
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is generally better for a wide range of everyday purchases due to its rotating bonus categories and rewards on dining and drugstores. The IHG One Rewards Traveler Card's earning structure is primarily focused on rewarding stays at IHG properties.
Do the rewards I earn with these cards expire?
Chase Ultimate Rewards® points from the Freedom Flex℠ card do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. IHG One Rewards points can expire after 12 months of account inactivity, but this can be avoided by earning or redeeming points.
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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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