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

American Express Platinum Card® Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "106", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Luxury Travel", "headerHint" : "Explore the World" } ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

Here’s a closer look at what makes The American Express® Platinum Card® (See Rates & Fees) a top choice for luxury travelers.

‍

• It offers an extensive collection of travel benefits, including broad airport lounge access and elite status with hotel partners.
• Cardholders can receive significant value from various statement credits that cover travel, entertainment, and shopping.
• Cardmembers gain access to a world of exclusive experiences, from special dining opportunities to VIP treatment at luxury hotels.

‍

_{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.}

‍

Pros

‍

• Unparalleled airport lounge access through the American Express Global Lounge Collection.
• A suite of valuable statement credits that can offset costs for travel, dining, and entertainment.
• Complimentary elite status with major hotel partners and access to exclusive benefits at luxury properties.

‍

Cons

‍

• A significant annual fee that requires maximizing the card’s benefits to justify the cost.
• Many of the card’s valuable credits and offers require manual enrollment and careful tracking to use effectively.
• Reward earnings are primarily focused on travel, with limited bonus categories for everyday spending.

American Express Platinum Card® vs IHG One Rewards Traveler

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, IHG One Rewards Traveler or Amex Platinum, depends entirely on your travel style and spending habits. One card offers a straightforward entry into a hotel rewards program, while the other provides a suite of luxury travel perks for frequent flyers.

‍

• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card - This card is ideal for budget-conscious travelers and those new to hotel rewards who want to earn points within the IHG ecosystem. It's also a solid choice for occasional IHG guests who can benefit from its reward stay perks.
• The Platinum Card® from American Express - This card is designed for frequent travelers who can maximize luxury benefits like comprehensive airport lounge access and hotel elite status. It suits those who value premium travel experiences and rewards.

‍

Redemption

‍

IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Points are redeemed primarily for stays across IHG's global portfolio of hotels and resorts. This creates a straightforward redemption path for travelers loyal to the IHG family of brands.

‍

The Platinum Card® from American Express: Membership Rewards points provide exceptional flexibility, with the ability to transfer them to numerous airline and hotel loyalty programs. Cardmembers can also redeem points for travel booked through American Express, statement credits, and more.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• Lounge Access: The Platinum Card® from American Express provides comprehensive airport lounge access through the American Express Global Lounge Collection. The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card does not include this benefit.
• Hotel Elite Status: Amex Platinum cardmembers receive complimentary Gold status with both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy (Terms Apply). The IHG Traveler card grants automatic IHG One Rewards Silver Elite status, offering perks within the IHG family of brands.
• Travel Portal: Cardholders can book travel through the robust American Express Travel portal, often with exclusive benefits. The IHG Traveler card's ecosystem is centered on booking directly with IHG properties to earn and redeem points.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are excellent choices for international travel, as neither charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

Kudos is a powerful tool that lets you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the perfect match for your wallet.

‍

• Test drive credit cards: Use your real spending data to simulate potential earnings with a new card before you apply, all without impacting your credit score.
• Personalized recommendations: Receive card suggestions based on your unique spending history to maximize your rewards.
• Approval odds analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for new cards based on your credit report.
• $100 Kudos Kickstart+: Unlock $100 in rewards by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• All-in-one tracking: Monitor your spending, credit score, and card perks in a single dashboard to get actionable insights.

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 serves as a perfect entry point for those new to hotel loyalty programs, offering a chance to experience basic elite perks and earn a welcome bonus with a relatively low spending requirement. Furthermore, travelers who can take advantage of the fourth-night-free benefit on reward stays of four or more nights will find significant value in this card.

Who Should Choose the American Express Platinum Card®?

‍

The American Express Platinum Card® is tailored for the frequent traveler who values luxury experiences and can fully leverage its extensive benefits. This individual typically takes advantage of the comprehensive airport lounge access, premium hotel status, and various annual statement credits for travel, entertainment, and retail; terms apply to these benefits. Ultimately, the card is most suitable for high-spending globetrotters who seek exclusive access and concierge services, and whose lifestyle allows them to easily offset the substantial annual fee through the card's perks.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

If our IHG One Rewards Traveler vs Amex Platinum comparison has you convinced that neither card is the right fit, you're in luck. We've rounded up a few other excellent travel cards that might better suit your spending habits and travel goals.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["2888", "2894"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Luxurious Travel Benefits", "2% Cash Back"]} ]]

Tips for Application Success

‍

Before You Apply

‍

• Check your credit score since most top-tier cards require a good to excellent credit history.
• Plan your spending to meet the welcome offer requirements without overspending.
• Review the card’s benefits to make sure they align with your spending and travel habits.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Use a rewards tool to find the best available welcome offer and analyze your approval odds before applying.
• Be patient and persistent, as you can often decline an initial offer with no credit impact and try again later for a better one.
• Know the issuer's rules, since companies like Chase and American Express have unique application guidelines that can affect your approval.

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 hold both the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express?

‍

Yes, you can absolutely hold both cards, and they often complement each other well. Many travelers use the IHG card for its brand-specific benefits and the Amex Platinum for its broader luxury travel perks. Terms apply.

‍

Which card offers better hotel elite status?

‍

The Platinum Card® from American Express provides complimentary Gold status with both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy. The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card offers automatic IHG One Rewards Silver Elite status, with a pathway to earn Gold Elite status through spending. Terms apply.

‍

How do the annual fees for these cards compare?

‍

The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card has no annual fee, making it an accessible choice for IHG loyalists. In contrast, The Platinum Card® from American Express has a $695 annual fee, reflecting its comprehensive suite of premium travel benefits (see Rates & Fees).

‍