Best Hotel Credit Cards for No Annual Fee in 2024

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ByRajiv Baniwal
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Reviewed byAaron Eli Glatt 2
Contributions by2 experts
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Updated: March 14, 2024

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No-annual-fee hotel credit cards typically offer higher reward earn rates when you use them to pay at participating properties. Depending on the card you have, you might benefit by getting a membership status upgrade in your hotel loyalty program.

Co-branded hotel cards account for the best cards from this category. These cards are linked to specific groups of hotels and offer brand-specific benefits. For example, the no-annual-fee Hilton Honors Card comes with complimentary Hilton Honors Silver Status and offers 7x points for eligible purchases made at properties within the Hilton portfolio. Similarly, the IHG Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card lets you earn up to 15x points at IHG Hotels and Resorts.

The top no-annual-fee hotel credit cards come without foreign transaction fees. Some such cards offer basic travel insurance coverage as well.

This article is part of our larger series on
Best Hotel Credit Cards

MoneyGeek’s Take: Top 2 Hotel Credit Cards With No Annual Fees

Quick Summary

The rewards you stand to earn will vary from one hotel card to the next. While the best hotel credit cards with no annual fee come with introductory bonus offers, not all are equally rewarding. We’ve accounted for these factors when selecting the top no-annual-fee hotel credit cards, and we’ve also paid attention to APRs, foreign transaction fees and other benefits.


  • IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card

    Great card for earning points fast for IHG loyalists


    • 2-17 Points per $1Rewards Rate
    • 21.49% – 28.49% VariableAPR
    • $0Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

  • Hilton Honors American Express Card

    A rewarding travel card for people who are casual guests at Hilton hotels and resorts


    • 3–7 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
    • 20.99% – 29.99% VariableAPR
    • $0Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

Summary of the Best Hotel Cards for No Annual Fee

Learn about the best no-fee hotel credit cards by going through this no-annual-fee hotel card comparison table. Here we’ve summarized aspects such as reward rates, welcome offers and foreign transaction fees.

  • Credit Card
    Best For
    Avg. Reward Rate
    Annual Fee
    Credit Needed
  • IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
    IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
    Great card for earning points fast for IHG loyalists
    2-17 Points per $1
    $0
  • Hilton Honors American Express Card
    Hilton Honors American Express Card
    A rewarding travel card for people who are casual guests at Hilton hotels and resorts
    3–7 Points per $1*
    $0
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
    Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
    Great no-annual-fee card for earning points at Marriot properties
    1–3 Points per $1
    $0
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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

While hotels may offer different versions of their cards, the best hotel cards with no annual fees offer attractive perks for the occasional traveler. These cards provide additional benefits and the ability to earn more points during your stay without needing to commit to one hotel brand. — Lee Huffman, credit card expert at BaldThoughts.com.

How to Compare Hotel Credit Cards & Intro Offers

Even the best hotel cards with no annual fees come with several differences, so it's best practice to compare them across different parameters based on your spending patterns and specific requirements.

1

The brand

Narrow down on a suitable option based on the hotels you use most frequently. This could be Hilton, Marriott, IHG or any other brand.

2

Rewards rate

Take into account the rewards you stand to earn. If you’re a high spender, you might benefit by getting a hotel card with an annual fee that offers a high rewards earn rate. For example, while the no-annual-fee Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card offers up to 14x points on spending at participating Marriott properties, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card with a $95 annual fee lets you earn up to 17x points at participating Marriott properties. The latter also comes with a better new cardholder bonus and other benefits.

3

APR

Pay attention to the interest you’ll need to pay if you maintain revolving balances. If you don’t plan to pay off your balances in full each month, you might benefit more by taking a look at what the best low APR cards have to offer.

4

Introductory offers

It’s common for the top no-annual-fee hotel credit cards to come with introductory spend- and time-based welcome offers. For example, you might earn 30,000 bonus points if you spend $1,000 within three months from account opening.

5

Status upgrades

You might qualify for a complimentary status upgrade through your hotel credit card’s corresponding loyalty program. For instance, you get complimentary Hilton Honors Silver Status with the Hilton Honors Card.

6

Foreign transaction fees

If your travels take you outside of the U.S., getting a no-annual-fee hotel credit card that also does away with foreign transaction fees might work best for you. The IHG Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card, the Amex Hilton Honors Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card fit this bill.

7

Additional benefits

While no-annual-fee hotel credit cards refrain from offering extensive features and perks linked with premium hotel cards, you may still expect some benefits. For instance, the IHG Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card offers a reward night when you redeem points for a stay of four or more nights.

These might come in the form of basic travel insurance coverage, purchase protection, fraud protection and free additional cards.

Expert Advice on How to Choose a Hotel Credit Card with No Annual Fee

  1. How can consumers compare different hotel credit cards to find the best option for their needs?
  2. Are there any potential drawbacks to using a hotel credit card with no annual fee?
  3. How can travelers maximize the rewards and benefits of hotel credit cards with no annual fee?
Linchi Kwok, Ph.D.
Linchi Kwok, Ph.D.

Professor at The Collins College of Hospitality Management, California State Polytechnic University Pomona

Minkyung (Min) Park, Ph.D.
Minkyung (Min) Park, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Tourism and Events Management at George Mason University

Further Reading

About Rajiv Baniwal


Rajiv Baniwal headshot

Rajiv Baniwal is a journalist who has been covering financial topics for over 15 years. Meticulous in his research, he provides accurate and up-to-date information. His expertise includes mortgages, loans, credit cards, insurance and international money transfers.


*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
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