IHG One Rewards Traveler vs British Airways Visa Signature: Which Is Better In 2025?

British Airways Visa Signature® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section highlights the key reasons why the British Airways Visa Signature® Card stands out.

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• Cardholders can earn bonus Avios on British Airways and hotel purchases, plus a base rate on all other spending.
• While the card has an annual fee, it charges no foreign transaction fees and provides a 10% discount on select British Airways flights.
• Spending $30,000 in a year to earn the Travel Together Ticket can easily offset the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• A standout feature is the Travel Together Ticket, which allows a companion to fly on a British Airways flight for only the cost of taxes and fees.
• Avios earned with the card can be redeemed across the oneworld alliance and other partner airlines, providing broad flexibility for booking award travel.
• The card includes useful travel protections and waives foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for international trips.

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Cons

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• The card has an annual fee, and earning the valuable Travel Together Ticket requires a significant amount of spending each year.
• Redemption options for Avios are most valuable with British Airways and its partners, which can be limiting for some travelers.
• Award flights are subject to substantial taxes, fees, and carrier surcharges that must be paid out of pocket, reducing the overall value of redemptions.

British Airways Visa Signature® vs IHG One Rewards Traveler

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card or the British Airways Visa Signature® Card, ultimately depends on your specific travel habits and brand loyalties.

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• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: This card is best for frequent travelers, especially those who are budget-conscious or occasional guests at IHG properties looking to earn rewards.
• British Airways Visa Signature® Card: This card is ideal for frequent travelers seeking great travel rewards, particularly those who regularly fly with British Airways or its airline partners.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Rewards earned with this card are primarily redeemed for stays across the wide portfolio of IHG hotels and resorts. While points can be used for other travel, you'll generally find the most value when booking free nights.

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British Airways Visa Signature® Card: Cardholders redeem Avios, the program's reward currency, for flights on British Airways and its Oneworld alliance partners. Avios can also be used for seat upgrades, hotel stays, and car rentals, offering flexible travel options.

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Travel Perks

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• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: This card's ecosystem is centered entirely around IHG properties. While it does not come with an annual fee, it does charge foreign transaction fees. Its main travel perks include automatic IHG One Rewards Silver Elite status and a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a stay of four or more nights. This card does not offer airport lounge access.
• British Airways Visa Signature® Card: The ecosystem for this card is built around the British Airways Executive Club and its Oneworld airline partners. It is a strong choice for international travel as it has no foreign transaction fees, though it does have an annual fee. While it lacks airport lounge access, its signature benefit is the Travel Together Ticket, earned after meeting a specific spending requirement annually. This allows a companion to travel on the same award flight, paying only for taxes and fees.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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If you're still undecided, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of cards and find the best fit for your spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: Simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your actual spending data before you apply.
• Get detailed approval odds: The platform analyzes your credit report to give you a better sense of your chances for approval.
• Receive a welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Unlock rewards: Earn a $100 Kickstart+ reward for adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet and get extra Kudos Boost rewards when shopping.
• Optimize your spending: The platform automatically selects the best card to use at checkout to maximize your rewards.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Traveler?

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The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is tailor-made for occasional IHG hotel guests who want to earn rewards without committing to an annual fee. It serves as an ideal entry point for travelers new to hotel loyalty programs or anyone seeking basic travel perks without the premium price tag. As our complete card review shows, it’s especially beneficial for those booking stays of four nights or more, thanks to its fourth-night-free reward benefit.

Who Should Choose the British Airways Visa Signature®?

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The British Airways Visa Signature® Card is tailored for frequent flyers of British Airways and its Oneworld alliance partners. It's particularly valuable for those who travel internationally often, especially on transatlantic routes, and can take full advantage of perks like the annual Travel Together Ticket. Cardholders who can maximize Avios earnings on British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL purchases will find this card especially rewarding.

Alternatives to Consider

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The IHG One Rewards Traveler vs British Airways Visa Signature® comparison pits two excellent co-branded cards against each other, but what if neither is quite right for you? Fortunately, the world of travel rewards cards is vast, and there are plenty of other options that might be a better match 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

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score – Most travel rewards cards, including those from Chase, recommend good to excellent credit for approval.
• Have a spending plan – Ensure you can naturally meet any spending requirements for welcome offers or high-value perks like a companion ticket.
• Know the issuer's rules – Be aware of any application restrictions the card issuer may have in place before you apply.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application – Align your application with large planned purchases to help meet any spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Have a redemption plan – Research the card's rewards program and partners so you know how you'll use your points or miles.
• Consider alternatives – If a card's spending requirements are too high, look for another card that better fits your budget.

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 IHG One Rewards and British Airways Executive Club?

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No, you cannot directly transfer points between your IHG One Rewards and British Airways Executive Club accounts. They are separate loyalty programs with distinct point currencies.

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Which card has a higher annual fee?

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The British Airways Visa Signature® Card has a $95 annual fee, while the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card has no annual fee.

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Are there foreign transaction fees on either of these cards?

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Neither the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card nor the British Airways Visa Signature® Card charges foreign transaction fees. This makes both of them suitable options for purchases made abroad.

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Do the points earned from these cards expire?

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Your IHG One Rewards points can expire after 12 months of account inactivity, while British Airways Avios expire after 36 months of inactivity. Using your card for earning or redeeming activity will prevent your points from expiring.

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