The best hotel credit cards reward brand loyalty through room upgrades, free nights, early check-ins, late check-outs, bonus points, complimentary breakfasts and more.
Like conventional rewards cards, hotel credit cards are designed to reward users. Some such cards come with annual fees, in which case you need to determine if you can offset the cost through rewards and benefits. A typical hotel credit card offers a higher-than-usual reward rate when you spend at any of its affiliated properties. It might offer other brand-specific benefits as well.
If you already favor a particular hotel brand over others, you may want to look for a card that carries its name. For instance, people who stay at Hilton hotels regularly may benefit by looking at what the different Hilton Honors American Express credit cards have to offer.
If, on the other hand, you travel extensively but don’t regularly book rooms at any one particular hotel chain, you might benefit from a travel rewards credit card. In this case, while you stand to earn rewards when you use your card to pay for your hotel stays, you’ll also earn rewards when you spend on other categories such as flight tickets and gas.
MoneyGeek Quick Tip: Get a hotel rewards credit card only if you're sure you'll be able to justify paying its annual fee by earning adequate rewards and making use of the benefits it has to offer. Once you decide to get one, compare your options across factors such as annual fees, rewards and perks.
MoneyGeek’s Take: Top Hotel Rewards Credit Cards in 2022
MoneyGeek analyzes multiple factors to determine which hotel credit cards are the best. These include sign-up bonuses, introductory offers, rewards rates, fees, interest rates and additional features.
Quick Summary
Best Hotel Rewards Credit Cards for May 2022
Credit card experts at MoneyGeek have scrutinized all the leading hotel rewards credit cards in the U.S. and compared them across categories such as annual fees, cash back and reward points, the value of your rewards and additional perks. While we’re quick to highlight the benefits, we shed light on each card’s possible drawbacks as well.
Best Credit Cards With Hotel Rewards
The best credit cards with hotel rewards are not necessarily the ones that are co-branded with popular chains of hotels. For instance, if you do not limit your hotel stays to a single group of hotels, you might benefit by getting a travel credit card that offers a high reward rate for spending across hotels of different brands. In this case, you might benefit by earning rewards on your airline bookings as well.
FEATURED
Chase Freedom Unlimited
An excellent no annual fee card that lets you earn unlimited cash back
ExcellentCredit Needed
$0Annual Fee
1.5-5% Cash BackRewards Rate
5xRewards Rate on Hotel
1.5xRewards Rate on Groceries
We're in love with the Chase Freedom Unlimited card because it comes with no annual fee and gives you the ability to earn unlimited rewards. Depending on your spending habits, you stand to earn 1.5% to 5% cash back on your purchases. Another plus is that the cash back rewards you earn don't expire for the life of the card.
An intro 0% APR on purchases for the first 15 months enables you to make big-ticket purchases without having to pay interest — provided you repay the entire amount during the intro period. After the promo period, you might benefit by getting a low ongoing rate depending on your credit score.
Complimentary purchase and travel protection might come in handy in various scenarios, such as if you miss your flight or detect fraudulent use of your card.
If you use Lyft to get around, you stand to benefit even more — by earning 5% cash back until March 2022.
Pros
No annual fees
0% APR on purchases for 15 months from account opening
Intro bonus cash back offer
Earn 5% cash back on travel purchases
Earn 3% cash back on dining-related purchases
Earn 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
Earn 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
You may earn unlimited cash back that never expires
Redeem rewards for cash back, for gift cards, for travel or through Amazon.com
Get complimentary purchase and travel coverage
Cons
Foreign transaction fees
Cash advance and balance transfer fees
Penalty APR may apply in case of late and returned payments
Pay $0 annual fee for the life of your card.
Pay no interest on purchases for the first 15 months, after which a creditworthiness-dependant APR of 14.99% to 23.74% applies.
Travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards earn 5% cash back.
Spending at restaurants, on takeout and through other eligible delivery services, as well as drugstore purchases, earn 3% cash back.
All other purchases earn 1.5% cash back.
You get to earn unlimited cash back rewards, and they don't expire as long as your account remains active.
Different ways to redeem your cash back include receiving a statement credit, withdrawing it through a direct deposit, using it to get gift cards or using it to pay for travel.
Zero liability protection, 24/7 fraud protection, purchase protection and extended warranty protection are in place to provide extra peace of mind.
Feel better when traveling by knowing that you have access to travel and emergency assistance services, trip cancellation/interruption insurance and auto rental collision damage coverage.
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
A great rewards card for air travel with premium benefits
Good-ExcellentCredit Needed
$695Annual Fee
1-5 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
5xRewards Rate on Hotel
1xRewards Rate on Groceries
While the American Express Platinum Card comes with a $695 annual fee, we feel it's a great alternative for people who travel frequently and are looking for premium benefits. For instance, all cardholders get complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status and Hilton Honors Gold Status.
The card comes with two welcome offers. If you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months, you earn 100,000 bonus points. In addition, during those first six months, you get to earn 10x points per dollar on eligible purchases up to a combined total of $25,000 at restaurants anywhere in the world, and when you Shop Small with American Express in the U.S.
Booking flights through the International Airline Program with American Express Travel gives you access to competitive fares. You get access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection at airports the world over.
Not having to pay foreign transaction fees when you use this card outside of the U.S. is perfect. Different complimentary travel insurance coverages provide peace of mind when you're traveling.
Pros
Spend-based welcome offers to earn bonus points
5x points on flights booked through Amex Travel and directly through airlines on up to $500,000 per year
Redeem points in different ways, including transferring them to popular airline frequent flyer/loyalty programs
Airport lounge access
$200 airline fee credit per year
Statement credits for various other services
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit
Savings on international first, business and premium economy seats through the Amex International Airline Program
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status and Hilton Honors Gold Status
Access to perks through the Fine Hotels & Resorts Program
Premium car rental status across different car rental programs
Complimentary travel insurance
Purchase protection and extended warranty
Cons
Annual fee of $695
Penalty APR may apply in case of a late or returned payment
Earn 100,000 membership reward points by spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months.
Earn 10x points on total spending of up to $25,000 at restaurants the world over or through Shop Small with American Express in the U.S. during the first six months.
Earn 5x points on flights booked with American Express Travel or directly with airlines, on up to $500,000 per year.
Earn 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel.
Earn 1x points on all other purchases.
Use points to pay for all or part of upcoming travel through amextravel.com.
Transfer points to partner airline frequent flyer programs such as Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Etihad Guest, Emirates Skywards and Asia Miles.
You may redeem your points to shop online, pay off purchases or get gift cards.
Get a $100 Global Entry statement credit every four years or an $85 TSA PreCheck credit every four and a half years.
Get up to $179 in statement credits toward your CLEAR membership each year.
Get $200 as a statement credit toward prepaid Hotel Collection or Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings per year.
Get $200 as a statement credit toward incidental airline fees for one qualifying airline per year.
Earn up to a total of $200 Uber credit per year — through $15 Uber Cash credits per month for rides or eats orders in the U.S. and a $20 bonus credit each December.
Get $25 monthly statement credits toward Equinox.
Get up to $20 statement credits every month toward eligible digital entertainment purchases through Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM and the New York Times.
Pay no foreign transaction fees.
Get access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection at airports worldwide.
Book flights through the International Airline Program and look forward to savings on international first, business and premium economy seats on up to eight tickets per booking.
Get benefits such as complimentary breakfast and late check-out when you make prepaid hotel bookings through the Fine Hotels & Resorts Program.
Get complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status as well as Hilton Honors Gold Status.
Get Premium Car Rental Status for car rental programs such as Avis Preferred, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and National Car Rental.
Benefit through complimentary trip delay insurance, trip cancellation insurance, car rental loss and damage insurance, purchase protection and extended warranty.
Get access to Platinum Card Concierge and By Invitation Only events.
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Co-branded hotel cards are ones that are linked to particular groups of hotels, with examples being the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card and the American Express Hilton Honors Surpass Card. Most co-branded hotel cards offer higher reward rates when you spend at properties within the group. They also tend to offer brand-specific perks such as free nights, hotel credits and automatic elite status within the respective hotel loyalty program.
FEATURED
American Express Hilton Honors Surpass Card
An excellent credit card for earning Hilton Honors points
Good-ExcellentCredit Needed
$95Annual Fee
3-12 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
12xRewards Rate on Hotel
6xRewards Rate on Dining
The American Express Hilton Honors Surpass Card is a fantastic option for people who stay at Hilton properties frequently. This card offers 12x points on purchases at properties in the Hilton portfolio, 6x points on dining at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations, and 3x points on all other eligible purchases.
New cardholders get 150,000 bonus points if they spend $2,000 on purchases in the first three months. They earn 50,000 more bonus points if they spend a total of $10,000 on purchases in the first six months.
With this card, you’ll receive complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status and stand to earn Hilton Honors Diamond status by spending $40,000 on purchases in a calendar year.
While the card does charge a $95 annual fee, it comes with no foreign transaction fees, making it perfect to use outside the U.S.
Other key benefits include an annual spend-based weekend night reward, complimentary airport lounge visits, and car rental loss and damage insurance.
Pros
Opportunities for significant bonus points
Get Hilton Honors Gold status automatically
High reward rates across different categories
Spend-based weekend reward night
Pay no foreign transaction fees
Access to American Express Experiences
Additional cards
Cons
Annual fee of $95
Balance transfer and cash advance fees
Penalty APR may apply in case of late/returned payments
No travel insurance
No purchase protection and extended warranty
No hotel credits
Spend $2,000 on purchases in the first three months to earn 150,000 bonus points.
Spend $10,000 on purchases in the first six months to earn an additional 50,000 bonus points.
Spend at properties within the Hilton portfolio to earn 12x points.
Spend at U.S. gas stations, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. restaurants to earn 6x points.
Earns 3x points through all other purchases.
Redeem your reward points for free nights, VIP access to events, Lyft rides, shopping at Amazon.com and Hilton Honors' online mall or car rentals.
Can convert your points to miles with the program’s airline partners or share them with other Hilton Honors members.
Qualify for a free Hilton Honors weekend night reward from if you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.
Get ten complimentary airport lounge visits every 12 months by enrolling in the Priority Pass Select program.
Get automatic Hilton Honors Gold status with your new card. If you spend $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year, you stand to get Hilton Honors Diamond status, which remains valid for a year.
Fraud protection offers safeguard against possible misuse of your card.
Get access to American Express features such as Send & Split and Pay It Plan It.
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
A fantastic card for earning rewards when you stay at IHG hotels and resorts
Good-ExcellentCredit Needed
$0 - 89Annual Fee
1-25 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
25xRewards Rate on Hotel
2xRewards Rate on Dining
We like the IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card from Chase because it offers multiple benefits for IHG Rewards Club members. For starters, it lets you earn 150,000 bonus points by spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months. You also earn 10,000 bonus points if you spend $20,000 on purchases and make at least one additional purchase every account anniversary year.
You earn up to 25x reward points when you spend at IHG properties. Spending at restaurants, gas stations and grocery stores comes with 2x points. All other eligible purchases earn 1x points. When it comes to redeeming your points, you get to choose from reward nights, online shopping, magazine subscriptions, airline miles, and more.
Once you get your IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card, you get IHG Rewards Club Platinum Elite status automatically. This qualifies you for a reward night after each account anniversary. When you use your points to pay for four or more nights, you get an additional reward night.
Not having to pay foreign transaction fees can lead to savings when you use this card outside of the U.S. Other benefits come in the form of Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance and purchase protection.
The IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card comes with an $89 annual fee, which is currently waived for the first year.
Pros
Annual fee waived for the first year
Significant number of bonus points for the taking
Complementary IHG Rewards program’s Platinum Elite status
Use your points for reward nights or redeem them for other awards
Reward nights
Pay no foreign transaction fees
Fee credit toward Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
Cons
Annual fee of $89 (waived for the first year)
Balance transfer and cash advance fees
Penalty APR may apply if you make a late or returned payment
The earn rate is not the same across all IHG properties
Anniversary reward nights are valid only at IHG Hotels with a current point redemption level of 40,000 points or less
Earn 150,000 bonus points by spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Stand to earn 10,000 bonus points each year by spending $20,000 on purchases and making one additional purchase.
Earn up to 25x points when you stay at IHG hotels (10x points as an IHG Rewards Club Premier cardholder, 10x points as an IHG Rewards Club member and 5x points as a Platinum Elite status holder).
Earn 2x points when you spend at gas stations, restaurants and grocery stores.
Get elevated to IHG Rewards Platinum Elite status automatically.
Get a free reward night after every account anniversary.
Qualify for an added free night when you use reward points to pay for stays of four or more nights.
Get protection when you’re traveling through trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance, lost luggage reimbursement and baggage delay insurance.
Safeguard your purchases against damage and theft (up to $500 per claim) for 120 days through purchase protection.
Get a $100 credit as reimbursement for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fees every four years.
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
An excellent card for earning reward points and free nights at Marriott hotels
Good-ExcellentCredit Needed
$95Annual Fee
2 Points per $1Rewards Rate
6xRewards Rate on Hotel
2xRewards Rate on Dining
We feel the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card is a great option for people who stay at Marriott properties because of its generous sign up offers. You earn three free nights if you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months. You also earn 10x points on combined purchases of up to $2,500 at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants in the first six months. All other purchases earn 2x points.
Using this card at Marriott properties comes with up to 17x reward points. All other purchases come with 2x points. Your points remain valid as long as you use your card to make at least one purchase every 24 months.
As a Marriott Bonvoy Boundless cardholder, you get to enjoy a free night award on each account anniversary, subject to some terms and conditions.
Using this card outside of the U.S. is perfect as it comes with no foreign transaction fees. You can travel in peace knowing that you have access to complimentary baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement and trip delay reimbursement.
If you use this card at Marriott properties often enough, offsetting its $95 annual fee should be easy.
Pros
Sign up bonus in the form of spend-based free night awards
Free night award after every account anniversary
Redeem your points in different ways
Automatic Silver Elite status with your Marriott Bonvoy membership
Up to 15 Elite Night credits each year
No foreign transaction fees
Cons
$95 annual fee
Free night awards start at 7,500 points and you need to pay resort fees at some properties
Free night awards expire after 12 months
Reward points stand to expire if you don't make any purchases on your card in 24 months
Cash advance and balance transfer fees
Penalty APR may apply if you make a late or returned payment
Earn three free night awards (each night valued at up to 50,000 points) by spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Earn 10x points during the first six months on up to a combined total spending of $2,500 at gas stations, restaurants and grocery stores.
Spending at Marriott properties comes with up to 17x points (10x points toward your Marriott Bonvoy membership, 6x points toward your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card and 1x points on account of your complimentary Silver Elite status).
You get 2x points on all other purchases.
Redeem points for free nights, for Lyft rides, for shopping or for car rentals.
Transferring your reward points to partner airline frequent flyer programs is an option.
You qualify for a free award night each year at properties with redemption levels of up to 35,000 points. These night awards start at 7,500 points. They remain valid for 12 months. In some cases, resort fees might apply.
You may receive up to 15 Elite Night credits each year.
Other than free nights, you may redeem your points for booking flight tickets and car rentals.
You have the option of sharing your points with other members of the Marriott Bonvoy program and of pooling your points across multiple accounts.
All cardholders may benefit through trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage reimbursement and baggage delay insurance.
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Several business credit cards offer hotel-related benefits. These can come in the form of hotel reward program membership status upgrades, the ability to earn more points on hotel purchases and free hotel credits. However, the annual fee you need to pay often has a direct bearing on the benefits you get. For example, the Business Platinum Card from American Express offers cardholders Gold status within the Hilton Honors rewards program and Gold Elite status within the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program, among other perks, but comes with an annual fee of $595.
This business credit card is perfect for earning Hilton Honors points
Good-ExcellentCredit Needed
$95Annual Fee
3-12x Points per $1*Rewards Rate
12xRewards Rate on Hotel
6xRewards Rate on Dining
We love the American Express Hilton Honors Business Card not only because it offers a high reward rate for spending at Hilton properties, but for its reward rate that applies on other business-specific spending. It comes with a sizable welcome bonus too.
You get to earn 130,000 bonus points if you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first three months. An additional 50,000 bonus points come your way if you spend a total of $10,000 on purchases within the first six months.
Using this card at Hilton properties comes with 12x points. It offers 6x points for spending on wireless telephone service purchased directly from U.S. service providers, on flights booked with Amex Travel or directly with airlines, on car rentals booked directly through select companies, on U.S. purchases for shipping, at U.S. gas stations and at U.S. restaurants.
You qualify for a free reward night if you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year. If you spend $60,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year, you earn a second free reward night.
All cardholders get complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, which comes with added perks such as daily food & beverage credit (at U.S. hotels) or continental breakfast (at non-U.S. hotels) and availability-based room upgrades.
Your linked Priority Pass Select membership brings with it 10 complimentary airport lounge visits each year. Not having to pay foreign transaction fees may lead to savings when you travel overseas. Other travel benefits include complimentary baggage insurance plan and car rental loss and damage insurance.
Extended warranty and purchase protection are in place to safeguard your business purchases. You may choose to get additional employee cards, and you also get access to different expense management tools.
Pros
Ability to earn considerable bonus points
High reward rates across multiple categories
Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status
Spend-based free night rewards
No foreign transaction fees
Additional employee cards
Dedicated account manager
Integration with with QuickBooks and year-end expense summaries
Cons
Annual fee of $95
Reward nights are spending-based
Reward nights expire after one year of issuance
Cash advance fee
Penalty APR may apply in case of late and returned payments
Earn 130,000 bonus points if you spend $2,000 on purchases within six months from account opening.
Earn 50,000 more bonus points if you spend $10,000 on purchases within six months from account opening.
Spending at properties within the Hilton portfolio comes with 12x points.
You get 6x points at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone service purchased directly from U.S. service providers, on U.S. purchases for shipping, on car rentals booked directly through select companies and on flights that you book through Amex Travel or directly with airlines.
You earn 3x points on all other purchases.
Any additional employee cards you get earn reward points as well.
If you spend $15,000 on purchases in a calendar year, you earn a free night reward.
If you spend a total of $60,000 on purchases in a calendar year, you earn an additional free night reward.
By enrolling into the Priority Pass Select program, you get 10 complimentary airport lounge visits each year.
Safeguard your travels and purchases through car rental loss and damage insurance, baggage insurance plan, purchase protection and extended warranty.
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
We recommend the Business Platinum Card from American Express to businesses that wish to earn and redeem rewards across different airlines and hotels while also getting access to various travel-related perks. For instance, you get elevated to Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and Hilton Honors Gold status without having to meet any requirements.
A welcome offer gives you the opportunity to earn 100,000 membership reward points by spending $15,000 on purchases within the first three months. You earn 5x points when you book flights and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel. When you use points to pay for eligible flights through Amex Travel, you get 35% of the points (up to 500,000 points) back.
All cardholders get access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection at airports the world over. You stand to get statement credits for payments made toward airline fees, TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fees, CLEAR and more.
Using this card outside of the U.S. comes with no foreign transaction fees. The card also brings with it different travel insurance coverage, purchase protection and expense management tools.
Getting this card makes sense only if you intend to use the benefits on offer because it comes with an annual fee of $595.
Pros
Bonus points through a spend-based welcome offer
5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
Get 35% points back when paying with points for eligible fares through Amex Travel
Statement credits for payments toward multiple service providers
Airport lounge access
No foreign transaction fees
Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and Hilton Honors Gold status
Complimentary travel insurance
Simplified expense management through employee cards, integration with QuickBooks and year-end-summaries
Cons
$595 annual fee
Low reward earn rate outside of bookings made through Amex Travel
Penalty APR may apply in cases of late/returned payments
Earn 100,000 bonus points if you spend $15,000 on purchases in three months from account opening.
Earn 5x points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels that you book through Amex Travel.
Earn 1.5x points on eligible purchases of over $5,000.
Earn 1x points on all other purchases.
Earn points quicker through employee cards.
Redeem your points for flight and hotel bookings through Amex Travel.
Transfer points to frequent flyer/loyalty programs of partner airlines such as Aer Lingus, Air Canada, British Airways, Emirates, JetBlue, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.
Use your points to cover for charges on your card, shop online or get gift cards.
Pay with points for all or part of eligible air travel and get 35% of those points back, up to 500,000 points back per year.
Get airport lounge access through the American Express Global Lounge Collection.
Get a $200 airline fee credit every year.
Get a $179 statement credit for payments toward CLEAR each year.
Get a $200 statement credit for Dell Technologies annually.
Get a $100 credit toward Global Entry fees every four years or an $85 credit toward TSA PreCheck fees every four and a half years.
Stand to receive discounts through the Premium Private Jet Program.
Pay no foreign transaction fees when you use this card outside of the U.S.
Get elevated to Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and Hilton Honors Gold status automatically.
Get perks such as complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi access and late check-out when you book hotels through the Fine Hotels + Resorts Program.
Stand to benefit through travel coverage in the form of trip delay insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, car rental loss and damage insurance and baggage insurance plan.
Safeguard your business purchases through extended warranty, purchase protection and cell phone protection.
Connect with QuickBooks for auto-expense categorization.
Get category-based year-end summaries.
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Our lists of the best credit cards are based on publicly available data from card issuers and other reputable sources like the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. We review each card's fees, interest rates, rewards, benefits and more to assign a rating for each feature. These ratings are stack ranked and weighted for each card category to determine our top selections for each type of user. Because card details change regularly, we revisit our data each month to update our ratings, recommendations and other card information as needed. Learn more about our data collection and ranking process.
Top Rating Criteria for Hotel Rewards Credit Cards
Hotel Reward Rate
Sign-up bonus
Annual Fee
Quick Tips for Comparing Hotel Rewards Credit Card Offers
All hotel credit cards serve the basic purpose of giving you access to credit, but their features and benefits vary greatly. As a result, it is important that you pay attention to different aspects before selecting one. Factors that require your attention include:
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Description
Group of hotels
Unless you already have a favored chain of hotels, you need to determine which one might work best for you. Bear in mind that a few big hotel companies own some of the smaller ones, which gives you access to a wider pool of properties across segments. For instance, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Staybridge Suites, Atwell Suites and Indigo Boutique Hotels are part of the InterContinental Hotel Group – and Chase offers an IHG-branded card. Some of the brands that fall under the Marriott umbrella include St. Regis, Ritz-Carlton, Courtyard, Westin, Renaissance and Fairfield.
Free nights
A number of hotel cards offer one or more free nights per year, and you may use them to offset any possible annual fee. While you might automatically qualify for a free night, some cards require that you spend at least a predetermined amount per year to qualify.
Upgrades and other brand-specific perks
With some hotel credit cards, you can expect complimentary room upgrades depending on availability. Some cards offer elevated membership status with their linked hotel loyalty programs, thereby opening up even more benefits, such as early check-ins, late check-outs and complimentary breakfast.
Annual fees
While some hotel credit cards come with no annual fees, others charge over $400 per year. When you choose a premium credit card with a high annual fee, you need to determine if the rewards you earn and the benefits you stand to enjoy will offset this cost.
Foreign transaction fees
You’ll want to pay particular attention to this if you plan to use your card outside of the U.S. cards that come with foreign transaction fees require that you pay 2% to 3% of each international transaction as fees. However, some hotel credit cards charge no foreign transaction fees.
APR
You need to look at the annual percentage rate (APR) if you plan to maintain a revolving balance in your account from one month to the next. If you do, you might consider getting a credit card with a low APR instead of a hotel card. APRs that apply on purchases and cash advances are typically different, with cash advance APRs being noticeably higher. Some cards come with intro APR offers on purchases and balance transfers, in which case you pay no interest for a predetermined time period. Outstanding balances at the end of this period start accruing regular interest.
Sign-up bonus
Some hotel credit cards come with great sign-up bonuses, giving you the means to earn a significant number of reward points in one go. To earn such bonuses, you typically need to spend a minimum amount within a predetermined time period.
Reward rates
Reward rates vary from one hotel rewards card to the next, and cards with high annual fees tend to offer higher reward rates. For instance, the no-annual-fee American Express Hilton Honors Card lets you earn 7x points per dollar on every eligible Hilton purchase. In contrast, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, which comes with an annual fee of $450, offers 14x points per eligible Hilton purchase. When it comes to the worth of your reward points, this typically depends on how you’re redeeming them, with examples being free nights, statement credits, points transfers, gift cards, merchandise and travel.
Value of points
The reward points you stand to earn through different hotel credit cards vary in value. In addition, they are typically lower in value than points earned through regular rewards cards. As a result, you need to determine the actual dollar value of the points you earn as well as how they’d translate into free nights. An easy way to calculate how much your reward points are worth is to divide the dollar value of the reward by the number of points you need to claim a reward. For example, if you need 40,000 points to book a hotel stay worth $500, you divide 500 by 40,000. In this case, you get $0.0125 or 1.25 cents, which is what your one reward point is worth. In addition, you typically get the best value for your points when you redeem them for hotel purchases, and their value tends to diminish if you transfer them to an airline rewards program or redeem them in other ways.
Added perks
Additional benefits may come in the form of complimentary travel insurance, free airport lounge access, priority boarding, hotel credits, airline fee credits, purchase protection and extended warranties.
Hotel Rewards Credit Cards Compared at a Glance
Compare the best hotel rewards credit cards across important parameters such as hotel reward rates, standard reward rates and annual fees.
Choosing the right hotel credit card is extremely personal to you. Don’t sign up for a card because a friend recommends it to you. It is best to analyze your hotel staying habits and needs, along with your personal finances, to find the right card for you. — Brett Holzhauer
MoneyGeek’s Quick Guide to Understanding Hotel Rewards Credit Cards
Hotel credit cards are affiliated with a particular group of hotels, and you stand to earn higher rewards when you spend at any of the properties that are part of the group. Depending on the card you select, you might get other benefits such as free nights and hotel credits. Upgrading cardholders’ hotel reward program membership tiers are also a common feature.
You may benefit by getting a hotel rewards credit card if you’re:
A frequent business traveler: If your business takes you to specific places, you might consider getting a hotel credit card linked to a hotel chain with properties in the cities or towns you frequent. This gives you the means to capitalize on your business spending, and you may also benefit by using some premium services for free. You might also consider looking at what different business credit cards have to offer.
A vacationer: If you like taking off to go on vacation every so often, a hotel credit card might be worth your while. You get multiple alternatives to choose from if you like vacationing in luxury. Budget vacationers and road-trippers have options too. If you prefer to keep your vacation expenses low, you might consider looking at what Wyndham Rewards cards, Best Western Rewards cards and the Sonesta World Mastercard have to offer.
A loyal traveler: If you prefer staying at hotels from a particular group, check if there’s a credit card that complements its loyalty program. This way, you get to maximize your rewards-earning potential.
Looking for perks: A hotel credit card might work well for you if you feel you may make use of benefits such as room upgrades, free nights, complimentary breakfast and hotel credits.
How Do Hotel Credit Cards Work?
A hotel credit card is typically linked to a specific chain of hotels, be it Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Wyndham or Best Western. When you use a co-branded card at any of the group’s properties, you stand to earn more reward points than you would as just a member of the hotel’s loyalty/reward program.
For example, when you use the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card at participating Marriott properties, you earn 10x points as a Marriott Bonvoy member, 6x more points as a Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit cardholder, and an additional 1x points because of the Silver Elite Status that comes with your card.
Depending on the card you have, you may redeem your reward points for free nights or as statement credits, use them to purchase merchandise or gift cards, or even transfer them to an airline frequent flyer program.
Most hotel credit cards offer very basic reward earn rates when you spend outside of the group’s properties. However, this is not a constraint with the best travel credit cards that let you earn higher rewards no matter which hotel you stay at, as well as on other categories such as air travel and dining.
The Pros and Cons of Hotel Rewards Credit Cards
Hotel reward credit cards come with advantages and disadvantages, and it’s best to look at both before applying for one.
Pros
Welcome offers
A number of hotel credit cards give you the means to earn a significant number of sign-up bonus points as long as you spend at least a given amount within a stipulated time frame.
You may redeem your bonus and base reward points for free hotel nights. Some cards offer one or more free nights on your account anniversary and if you spend a preset amount within a given time frame. However, depending on the card you get, there might be limitations on how you can redeem your points for free nights.
Membership status benefits
You usually need to spend a minimum number of nights at hotels of a particular group each year before you can move up the membership status of its loyalty program. Hotel credit cards give you the means to move up the status ladder much faster. For instance, the Hilton Honors Card comes with automatic Hilton Honors Silver status. The Hilton Honors Amex Surpass Card comes with Gold status. And you get Diamond status with the Hilton Honors Aspire Card. The World of Hyatt Credit Card from Chase comes with automatic Discoverist status. Membership status-specific benefits you may enjoy include higher bonus points, late check-outs, room upgrades, executive lounge access, free premium Wi-Fi and food and beverage credit.
Cons
Annual fees
Hotel credit cards that offer high reward rates and a slew of benefits typically come with high annual fees. For instance, the Chase World of Hyatt Credit Card comes with a $95 annual fee, as do the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless and Hilton Honors American Express Surpass cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card charges a $450 annual fee.
Limited to single network
With a hotel credit card, its benefits are mainly limited to hotels that belong to a single network. This can be a problem if your travels take you outside of big cities, where finding hotels from specific chains might be challenging. Besides, network size matters as well. For instance, you’ll find considerably more properties linked to the Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors loyalty programs when compared to the World of Hyatt loyalty program.
Limitations in redeeming rewards
Some hotel loyalty programs place restrictions on how you can redeem your rewards, and these apply to reward points you earn through your hotel credit card. The IHG Rewards Club follows capacity control, wherein only a given number of a hotel’s standard rooms are made available for reward redemptions each night. This is also the case with the World of Hyatt program for its suites and Small Luxury Hotels of the World properties. The Hilton Honors program does not have a capacity control policy for standard rooms. With the Marriott Bonvoy program, hotels may offer a limited number of standard rooms available for awards on specific days.
No flexibility in rules
If you get a complimentary free night upon signing up or on your account anniversary, you might need to use it within 12 months. With the other free nights you earn, there might be limitations surrounding which type of properties you may use them with and when. Hotel credits you receive might be property-specific and subject to lapse after a given time period. In addition, whether or not you might be able to redeem your rewards for statement credit, travel or gift cards, or convert them to airline miles depends on the card you get.
What Can You Expect From Hotel Credit Cards?
Using a hotel credit card gives you the ability to earn higher rewards when you stay at any property that is part of the same group. In addition, the best hotel rewards credit cards also come with noteworthy sign-up or welcome bonuses. For instance, the American Express Hilton Honors Surpass Card offers 150,000 bonus points if you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional 50,000 points if you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first six months.
Annual fees of hotel rewards cards tend to vary based on the perks and features they offer. With some cards, this fee can be upward of $500. Very few hotel credit cards come with no annual fees, and examples of ones that do include the American Express Hilton Honors Card and the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card from Barclays.
If you plan to maintain revolving balances in your account from one billing cycle to the next, the annual percentage rate (APR) requires your attention. This is because it affects how much you pay as interest charges. In such a scenario, you need to consider if the card’s rewards and benefits would outweigh not just its annual fee but also how much you pay as interest.
Is It Worth Getting a Hotel Credit Card?
Getting a hotel credit card might be worth your while if you can make the most of its rewards and benefits. If you already favor one brand of hotel over others, selecting a suitable card becomes relatively simple. If this is not the case, determine if you might be okay limiting your options to hotels from a particular group. If so, you may consider getting a hotel credit card. If not, a regular travel card might work better for you.
When there’s an annual fee involved, you need to determine if the rewards you earn and the benefits you stand to enjoy would offset this cost.
People who might benefit by getting a hotel rewards credit card include those who remain loyal to a particular group of hotels as well as those who frequently travel (for business or pleasure). While seekers of luxury have different options to choose from, so do budget travelers and road trippers.
FAQs About Hotel Rewards Credit Cards
Here are answers to some other commonly asked questions about hotel rewards credit cards.
Applying for a hotel rewards credit card if you have bad or fair credit is not a good idea because such cards typically require that you have good to excellent credit.
Some of the best credit cards that reward hotel and air travel purchases include the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card ($550 annual fee), the Platinum Card from American Express ($695 annual fee), the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card ($400 annual fee) and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card ($95 annual fee).
Several hotel credit cards give you the ability to transfer your reward points to partner airline frequent flyer programs. But doing so may not give you the best overall value for your points.
Hotel cancellations fall under trip cancellation insurance, through which you receive coverage for non-refundable trip expenses owing to specific unexpected reasons. Some cards that offer trip cancellation insurance include the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, the Ink Business Preferred Card and the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard from Barclays.
Compared to regular credit cards with hotel rewards, credit cards issued through hotel partnerships tend to offer higher rewards when you spend across the group’s other hotels. However, regular rewards cards tend to come with higher reward rates across other categories.
With the example in question, the IHG Rewards Club Traveler Card offers up to 15x points at IHG Hotels and Resorts when you combine card benefits with IHG Rewards Club member benefits. It offers 2x points on purchases at restaurants, gas stations and grocery stores. All other purchases come with 1 point per dollar.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card, on the other hand, offers 5x the total points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points at restaurants, eligible takeout, online grocery purchases and select streaming services. All other purchases come with 1 point per dollar.
This depends on which of the two groups of hotels you favor. If you use both, you might consider getting a travel credit card that offers the same rewards no matter which hotels you stay at.
The number of points you need to book a free night at a Hilton property depends on the property in question, the cost of the room you want and the time of the year. While you might redeem your points for a stay in some standard rooms on some properties for as little as 5,000 points per night, you might require up to 120,000 points per night for standard rooms at select properties.
Yes, you can have more than one hotel rewards credit card. You may do this if you regularly use more than one hotel chain and if you can justify paying your cards’ annual fees.
Hotel rewards credit cards don’t usually have lower limits than other rewards cards. However, your existing income and creditworthiness play a role in the credit limit assigned to your card.
Yes, you can get free stays with a hotel rewards program. Getting a hotel credit card gives you the means to earn free stays sooner, provided you use it in the right manner.
Hotel rewards programs are typically linked to specific groups of hotels. However, a single group of hotels might cover multiple brands. For example, some of the names that come under the Wyndham Rewards Program include Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Registry Collection Hotels, Wyndham Grand, Dolce Hotels and Resorts, La Quinta Inn & Suites, TRYP, Esplendor Boutique Hotels and Ramada.
If an independently owned hotel or collection of hotels is associated with a group of hotels that has a loyalty rewards program (as is the case with Autograph Collection Hotels, which has partnered with Marriott, and Curio Hotels, which has partnered up with Hilton), you may earn rewards linked to your hotel loyalty rewards program. If you’re staying at hotels not associated with any popular chain, you might be better off using a regular rewards credit card.
A number of hotels accept payments via prepaid cards. For example, Marriott and Courtyard by Marriott hotels generally accept prepaid cards, as do some Holiday Inn hotels. Even so, this is typically the case when you’re checking in or out. Some hotels have policies that require you to have a credit card to make a reservation. This is because they then put a hold on the estimated charge. Some prepaid cards work only in the U.S., in which case you cannot use them to pay for hotel stays outside of the country. In any case, it is always best to check with the property you plan to visit ahead of time.
Expert Advice: Finding the Right Hotel Rewards Credit Card
How can consumers determine whether a hotel credit card is worth it for their lifestyle? Who is best suited for a hotel credit card?
What should consumers keep in mind when it comes to hotel credit cards and their rewards?
What mistakes do consumers make when selecting and using a hotel credit card?
Dr. Corey Cole
Assistant Professor of Finance at Eastern New Mexico University
Rachael Hung
Travel Blogger at FI with Orange
Tim Leffel
Editor, Perceptive Travel and Cheapest Destinations Blog
Angel Carrete Rodriguez
Assistant Professor of Finance at Concordia College
Dipra Jha
Assistant Director & Scholarly Associate Professor, School of Hospitality Business Management, Washington State University, Carson College of Business
Kathryn Brownell
Associate Professor at Jefferson Community College
Dr. Robert Paul Jones
Department Chairperson, Hospitality and Retail Management, at Texas Tech University
Steven Shapiro
Director of the Hospitality & Tourism Law Program at the American University Washington College of Law
Minkyung (Min) Park, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Tourism and Events Management at George Mason University
Agnes DeFranco
Professor and Conrad N. Hilton Distinguished Chair of the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management
John T. Bowen
Professor Emeritus, Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, University of Houston
Andrew Coggins, Jr.
Clinical Professor at the Lubin School of Business at Pace University
Rebecca Heid
Associate Professor of Hospitality Management at Northampton Community College
Dr. Elizabeth Yost
Assistant Professor at the University of Central Florida, Rosen College of Hospitality Management
Melih Madanoglu
Michael A. Leven Endowed Chair and Professor, Coles College of Business, Kennesaw State University
Christine A Vogt
Emeritus Professor at Arizona State University
David Miles, Ed.D, SPHR, CMF
Chairman at Miles LeHane Companies, Inc. and Executive in Residence Professor at the Northern Arizona University (NAU) School of Hotel and Restaurant Management
Karen Craig
Associate Professor of Finance Accounting, Finance, & Information Systems at Eastern Michigan University
Julia Menez
Travel Hacking Coach and Founder of Geobreeze
Dr. Stephen Henry
Assistant Professor of Economics and Finance at SUNY Plattsburgh
Eddy Junarsin, Ph.D., CFP
Visiting Assistant Professor of Finance, Economics and Finance at Murray State University
John Drea
Ruth Badger Pixley Professor of Social Sciences and Professor of Business at Illinois College
Prasenjit Ghosh
Assistant Professor of Ag Business at the University of Southern Indiana
Dr. Francesco Marchionne
Senior Lecturer in Business Economics and Public Policy at the Kelley School of Business, Indiana University Bloomington
Michael Pretes, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair of Geography at the University of North Alabama
Dr. Sotiris Hji-Avgoustis
Professor of Hospitality and Food Management at Ball State University
Harold Sang Kwon Lee
Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of North Texas
Bonnie Canziani
Professor at Bryan School of Business & Economics at the University of North Carolina Greensboro
Chay Runnels
Interim Director and Professor, Human Sciences at Stephen F. Austin State University
Bobbi Olson
Financial Coach & Host of the "CentsAble Chat" Podcast
Ling Thich
Personal Finance Content Creator at Finsavvy Panda
Marc Compeau
Professor of Practice, Marketing and Entrepreneurship at Clarkson University
Madeline Reeves
Founder and CEO at Fearless Foundry
Eugene Roh
Professor at Central Michigan University
Next Steps
Now that you know how hotel credit cards work and the benefits they have to offer, determine if getting one might work well for you based on rewards, perks and fees. If you wish to earn higher rewards across categories that extend beyond hotels, consider looking at what the best travel rewards cards have to offer.
Rajiv Baniwal has been writing about different financial topics for over 15 years. Meticulous in his research, he makes sure he provides accurate and up-to-date information. His areas of expertise include mortgages, personal loans, credit cards, insurance and international money transfers.
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