IHG One Rewards Traveler vs JetBlue Plus: Which Is Better In 2025?

JetBlue Plus Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down why we like the JetBlue Plus Card.

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• The card offers a strong rewards structure, with accelerated earnings on JetBlue purchases, dining, and at eligible grocery stores.
• While it has an annual fee, the card comes with no foreign transaction fees and includes a free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to three companions on JetBlue-operated flights.
• The free checked bag benefit alone can justify the annual fee, as using it on just two round-trips can save about $140 (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• A free checked bag for the cardholder and companions on JetBlue-operated flights, plus savings on in-flight purchases.
• Accelerated points earning on JetBlue purchases, at restaurants, and at grocery stores, in addition to an annual points bonus.
• A percentage of points are returned to your account after redeeming for flights, and spending on the card helps you qualify for elite status.

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Cons

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• The card lacks premium travel perks common to other travel cards, such as airport lounge access or credits for expedited security programs.
• Its most valuable benefits are highly specific to the airline, making the card less useful for travelers who are not loyal to JetBlue.
• Redemption options are somewhat restrictive, with points offering the best value primarily for JetBlue-operated flights.

JetBlue Plus vs IHG One Rewards Traveler

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, the IHG One Rewards Traveler or JetBlue Plus, it's crucial to evaluate your primary travel style and brand loyalty.

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• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: This card is a strong choice for budget-conscious travelers and occasional IHG hotel guests looking to earn rewards without the commitment of an annual fee. It's also a good entry point for those new to hotel rewards programs.
• JetBlue Plus Card: Tailored for frequent JetBlue flyers, this card provides excellent value for travelers who want to access core airline perks and maximize rewards on their flights.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for stays across IHG's extensive portfolio of hotels and resorts. Cardholders can also use points for other travel-related purchases or merchandise.

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JetBlue Plus Card: Rewards are geared towards air travel, allowing cardholders to redeem points for any seat on any JetBlue-operated flight with no blackout dates. Points can also be used for vacation packages that bundle flights and hotels.

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Travel Perks

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• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: This card’s travel perks are rooted in the IHG hotel ecosystem. Key benefits include automatic Silver Elite status and a fourth-night-free reward on award stays of four nights or more. It does not offer airline-specific perks like lounge access and charges a foreign transaction fee, making it less suitable for international travel.
• JetBlue Plus Card: Focused on the flying experience, this card offers a free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to three companions on the same booking. It also provides 50% savings on eligible inflight food and drink purchases and has no foreign transaction fees. While it lacks hotel-specific benefits, it helps cardholders earn points toward JetBlue's Mosaic elite status.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For those looking to simplify the decision-making process, tools like Kudos can help you compare thousands of credit cards to find the best fit for your spending habits.

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• Test Drive Cards: The platform’s ‘Test Drive’ feature lets you simulate potential earnings with a new card using your actual spending data, offering a personalized preview before you apply.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report, taking some of the guesswork out of the application process.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of being approved for a card through the platform, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost Rewards: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card points when you shop at your favorite stores.
• Smart Wallet Extension: A Chrome extension helps you maximize rewards by autofilling the best card to use at checkout for any given purchase.

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 travelers who frequent IHG properties but want to avoid an annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for those new to hotel loyalty programs or budget-conscious travelers who can maximize value from perks like the fourth-night-free benefit on reward stays. Ultimately, this card serves as a low-commitment entry point for earning IHG points on everyday spending and hotel stays without the pressure of a yearly cost.

Who Should Choose the JetBlue Plus?

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The JetBlue Plus Card is tailored for casual or moderately frequent JetBlue flyers who can easily offset the modest $99 annual fee. These travelers value practical perks like a free first checked bag for themselves and up to three companions, 5,000 anniversary bonus points, and 50% savings on in-flight purchases. Essentially, if you fly JetBlue just a couple of times a year, the benefits can quickly outweigh the cost, making it a straightforward choice as detailed in this card comparison.

Alternatives to Consider

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So, the IHG One Rewards Traveler vs. JetBlue Plus comparison didn't seal the deal for you? No problem—let's explore a few other top-tier travel cards that might be a better fit for your wallet and wanderlust.

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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 require good to excellent credit for approval, as is recommended for some cards.
• Review issuer application rules.Some issuers have restrictions on earning welcome offers for cards within the same product family, like the rules for the JetBlue cards.
• Plan your spending.Ensure you can comfortably meet any minimum spending requirement for a welcome offer with your regular expenses.

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Application Strategy

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• Be patient.The highest welcome offers are not always publicly available and may require multiple attempts to find.
• Understand the credit inquiry.Many applications only result in a hard credit pull if you are approved and accept the offer.
• Call for reconsideration.If your application is not instantly approved, you can call the issuer to have them review it again.

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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Which card is better for earning hotel stays?

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The IHG One Rewards Traveler Card is designed for earning points specifically for stays at IHG properties, making it the superior choice if your goal is free hotel nights.

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Which card is better for earning award flights?

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If your primary goal is to earn award flights, the JetBlue Plus Card is the better option as it earns TrueBlue points directly redeemable for JetBlue flights.

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Can I transfer points between IHG and JetBlue?

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No, you cannot directly transfer points between the IHG One Rewards and JetBlue TrueBlue loyalty programs. Points earned with each card must be redeemed within their respective programs.

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