IHG One Rewards Traveler vs Bank of America Premium Rewards: Which Is Better In 2025?

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® card.

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• It earns a high flat rate on every purchase, with an even higher rate on the broad travel and dining categories.
• The card comes with an annual fee, but it has no foreign transaction fees, making it a good companion for international travel.
• The up to $100 annual airline incidental credit alone can offset the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Includes a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre® application fees.
• Offers a suite of travel protections, including trip delay and cancellation coverage.
• Existing Bank of America customers can earn more rewards through the Preferred Rewards® program.

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Cons

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• Points cannot be transferred to airline or hotel partners.
• The card's rewards are most valuable for existing Bank of America customers.
• Lacks some premium travel perks like airport lounge access.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® vs IHG One Rewards Traveler

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the IHG One Rewards Traveler or the Bank of America Premium Rewards card, ultimately depends on your personal travel habits and spending style.

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• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: This card is best for occasional IHG hotel guests and budget-conscious travelers looking to earn rewards without committing to an annual fee, making it a solid entry point into hotel rewards programs.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card: A strong choice for moderate travelers and everyday spenders, this card is especially valuable for those who already bank with Bank of America and can leverage its Preferred Rewards program.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Points are redeemed within the IHG ecosystem, primarily for reward nights at their extensive portfolio of hotels. This straightforward redemption path is best for those who frequently stay at IHG properties.

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Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card: This card provides flexible redemption options, allowing you to use your points for cash back, statement credits, travel bookings, or gift cards. Your points can hold different values depending on how you choose to redeem them.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are well-suited for international travel, as neither charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad.
• Travel Credits: The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® card offers an annual airline incidental statement credit and a credit to cover the application fee for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry. The IHG One Rewards Traveler card’s key perk is a fourth reward night when you redeem points for a stay of four or more nights.
• Travel Protections: The Premium Rewards® card provides a more comprehensive safety net with benefits like trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation coverage, and baggage delay insurance. The IHG Traveler card offers more basic protections, which is typical for a card with no annual fee.
• Airport Lounge Access: Travelers looking for a quiet airport retreat will need to look elsewhere, as neither of these cards includes lounge access as a benefit.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards based on your unique spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards.
• Unlock a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Receive a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
• Track your spending, monitor your credit score, and stay on top of your card perks.
• Earn extra rewards with Kudos Boost when shopping at your favorite stores.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Traveler?

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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 the fourth-night-free benefit on longer award stays. Ultimately, it serves as a solid entry point for earning IHG points on everyday spending and travel, offering basic protections and perks without the cost of a premium card.

Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Premium Rewards®?

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The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® card is an excellent choice for moderate travelers and everyday spenders who value straightforward rewards over complex loyalty programs. It's particularly powerful for existing Bank of America clients, who can significantly boost their earnings through the Preferred Rewards program. As detailed in a comprehensive review, this card is ideal for those seeking flexible cash-back style redemptions and solid travel benefits without a high annual fee.

Alternatives to Consider

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Still on the fence after our IHG One Rewards Traveler vs. Bank of America® Premium Rewards® comparison? Let's explore a few other top-tier travel cards that could be the perfect addition to 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

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can comfortably meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer without overspending.
• Review the card’s ecosystem - Some cards offer enhanced value if you have an existing relationship with the bank.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application strategically - Align it with a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement.
• Know the issuer’s rules - Some banks have restrictions on how many cards you can open in a certain period.
• Don’t settle for a lesser offer - If you receive a lower welcome bonus than expected, you can often decline it without impacting your credit.

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 points between my IHG and Bank of America accounts?

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No, you cannot transfer points between these two separate loyalty programs. IHG One Rewards points are for use within the IHG system, while Bank of America Premium Rewards points belong to Bank of America's own rewards ecosystem.

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Which card has no foreign transaction fees?

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Both the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card and the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card are excellent for international travel as neither charges foreign transaction fees.

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Do the points I earn with these cards expire?

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Bank of America Premium Rewards points do not expire as long as your account is open. IHG One Rewards points can expire after 12 months of account inactivity, but having the IHG One Rewards Traveler card can keep them active.

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