Best Hotel Credit Cards for No Annual Fee in 2024
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 CardBest ForAvg. Reward RateAnnual FeeCredit Needed
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit CardGreat card for earning points fast for IHG loyalists2-17 Points per $1$0
- Hilton Honors American Express CardA rewarding travel card for people who are casual guests at Hilton hotels and resorts3–7 Points per $1*$0
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit CardGreat no-annual-fee card for earning points at Marriot properties1–3 Points per $1$0
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
- How can consumers compare different hotel credit cards to find the best option for their needs?
- Are there any potential drawbacks to using a hotel credit card with no annual fee?
- How can travelers maximize the rewards and benefits of hotel credit cards with no annual fee?
Professor at The Collins College of Hospitality Management, California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Associate Professor of Tourism and Events Management at George Mason University
Further Reading
About Rajiv Baniwal
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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