IHG One Rewards Traveler vs Amex Gold: Which Is Better In 2025?

American Express® Gold Card Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why the American Express® Gold Card (See Rates & Fees) is a top contender for foodies and frequent flyers alike.

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• It offers exceptional rewards on dining at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets (terms apply).
• Cardholders receive valuable monthly statement credits for both dining and Uber (terms apply).
• The card includes travel-friendly features and flexible ways to redeem points, including transfers to airline and hotel partners (terms apply).

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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.}

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Pros

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• Generous rewards on spending at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (terms apply).
• Annual credits for select dining partners and Uber (terms apply).
• Flexible redemption options, including point transfers to airline and hotel partners (terms apply).

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Cons

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• Carries a significant annual fee.
• Statement credits are broken down into monthly increments, and some benefits require enrollment.
• Not as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard.

American Express® Gold Card vs IHG One Rewards Traveler

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the IHG One Rewards Traveler or Amex Gold, depends entirely on your spending habits and travel style. These cards cater to different types of consumers by offering distinct benefits.

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• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is an entry-level hotel rewards card best for frequent travelers who prefer IHG Hotels & Resorts properties.
• American Express® Gold Card is a premium rewards card also geared toward frequent travelers, particularly those who are dining and travel enthusiasts.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Points earned with this card are redeemed within the IHG ecosystem, primarily for booking award nights at their extensive portfolio of hotels and resorts.

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American Express® Gold Card: This card offers highly flexible redemption through the Membership Rewards program, allowing you to transfer points to numerous airline and hotel partners or book travel directly through Amex.

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Travel Perks

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• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: The travel ecosystem for this card is focused entirely on the IHG brand. Redemptions and bookings are made directly within the IHG system for its portfolio of hotels. This card does include foreign transaction fees.
• American Express® Gold Card: This card provides access to the expansive American Express Membership Rewards program, offering significant flexibility. Cardholders can transfer points to numerous airline and hotel loyalty programs or book travel directly through the AmexTravel.com portal. It does not have foreign transaction fees. Terms apply.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the decision easier, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare thousands of cards and find the best one for your spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see personalized earnings projections before you apply.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Receive personalized card recommendations based on your transaction history.
• Unlock a welcome offer guarantee, ensuring you get the best deal.
• Earn extra rewards on top of your card benefits with Kudos Boost.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Traveler?

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The IHG One Rewards Traveler® Credit Card is an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers and those new to hotel loyalty programs who want to earn rewards without paying an annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for occasional IHG guests who can take advantage of benefits like the fourth reward night free on longer stays. Ultimately, this card is designed for individuals who want a straightforward way to get more value from their IHG stays, including automatic Silver Elite status and no foreign transaction fees, without the commitment of a premium travel card.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Gold Card?

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The American Express® Gold Card is tailor-made for food-centric spenders who dine out frequently and stock up at U.S. supermarkets. This cardholder maximizes value by earning 4X points at restaurants worldwide and on up to $25,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each calendar year (then 1X). For those who can also take full advantage of up to $120 in annual dining credits and up to $120 in Uber Cash, the card's benefits can easily outweigh its $325 annual fee.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the IHG One Rewards Traveler vs. American Express® Gold Card comparison has left you undecided, or you feel neither card is the right fit for your wallet, there are other compelling options available.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: Most premium cards require good to excellent credit for the best approval odds.
• Plan your spending: Make sure you can naturally meet the welcome offer's spending requirement without overspending.
• Understand the rewards: Know how you plan to use the points or miles to maximize their value.

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Application Strategy

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• Try multiple methods: Use different browsers or a private window to find the best available Welcome Offer.
• Mind your history: Review your recent account history, as some issuers limit approvals based on the number of new cards.
• Look for soft pulls: Check for pre-qualification tools to see your offer without impacting your credit score.

Our Methodology

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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.

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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

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Can I transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to IHG One Rewards?

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No, IHG One Rewards is not a direct transfer partner of the American Express Membership Rewards program. To earn IHG points directly, you would need an IHG co-branded credit card.

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Which card is better for everyday spending?

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The American Express® Gold Card is generally better for everyday spending, offering high reward rates on dining and at U.S. supermarkets. The IHG Traveler card's earning structure is more focused on IHG hotel stays and specific bonus categories.

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Does the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card come with automatic elite status?

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Yes, the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card typically comes with automatic IHG One Rewards Silver Elite status. You can also earn Gold Elite status by meeting a specific spending threshold on the card each year.

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