Best Hotel Rewards Credit Cards

 

Comparing the best credit cards for hotels

Determining what is the best hotel credit card can be a challenge, but the following succinct roundup of the key highlights of each card outlined further below can help a person make their decision:

A closer look at the best hotel credit cards

We will have a deeper dive into each of the cards in the following format:

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Rewards Rate: Earn 5x points on flights, earn 10x points on hotels and car rentals, earn 3x points on dining at restaurants and other travel worldwide, and earn 10x points on Chase dining purchases.

Annual fee: $550

Intro APR: N/A

Regular APR: 22.24%-29.24%

Signup bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Our verdict: The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the best credit cards for hotel points due to the fact that it offers an astounding 10x points back on hotel purchases. There is a large $550 annual fee associated with the card, but for those who constantly travel and make purchases while traveling, this can be balanced out quite quickly.

Pros:

• Large earnings rewards for hotel-related purchases and car rentals, among other earnings categories.

• Large welcome bonus offered to new applicants.

Cons:

• High annual fee compared to some other credit cards offered.

Apply now: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Platinum Card from American Express

Rewards Rate: Earn 5x points on flights booked through American Express Travel, 5x points on prepaid hotels, and 1x on all other purchases.

Annual fee: $695

Intro APR: N/A

Regular APR: 20.99%-28.99%

Signup bonus: Earn 80,000 membership rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within 6 months of opening the account.

Our verdict: The Platinum Card by American Express is a traveler’s dream and is one of the best hotel points credit card options to consider. With 5x back on hotel purchases and an additional 5x back on flight purchases through American Express travel, this card can earn a constant traveler thousands back in points. The large welcome bonus is also an added benefit to consider, as it can allow a person to have multiple hotel stays on their journey.

Pros:

• Large 5x points back on hotel purchases and airline costs.

• Large welcome bonus that amounts to nearly $1,000 when redeemed.

Cons:

• High annual fee.

• No introductory APR period.

Apply now: American Express Platinum Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Rewards Rate: Earn 10x points on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel, 5x on miles booked through Capital One Travel, and 2x miles on all other everyday purchases.

Annual fee: $395

Intro APR: N/A

Regular APR: 21.74%-28.74%

Signup bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Our verdict: The Venture X Rewards Credit Card by Capital One is unique on this list of the best hotel travel credit card options. Rather than offering cash-back, this card provides holders with miles back that can be used on partner airlines for future flights. For those traveling for business or pleasure, this can result in free flights with all of the miles that are accumulated, making this one of the best all-around travel cards, rather than just one of the best credit cards for hotel rewards options.

Pros:

• High 10x points back on hotel purchases that can be redeemed for miles.

• Large welcome bonus for new applicants.

Cons:

• No introductory APR period.

• High variable APR range.

• Moderately high annual fee.

Apply now: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

Rewards Rate: Earn up to 17x points at Marriott, 3x points per $1 for the first $6,000 spent each year on grocery stores, dining, and gas stations, and 2x per $1 on all other purchases.

Annual fee: $95

Intro APR: N/A

Regular APR: 20.99%-27.99%

Signup bonus: Earn up to 125,000 bonus points (75,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 within the first six months of account opening and 50,000 points after you stay six eligible paid nights at participating hotels through 1/31/2024).

Our verdict: Those considering picking up the Marriot Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card when looking at the best hotel credit card offers should first ensure that they stay at Marriott hotels which participate with the card. If these hotels are your constant go-to options, then this credit card is the hands-down right choice for you.

Pros:

• Extremely high welcome offer that could pay for nearly an entire trip.

• Low annual fee to hold the card.

• High rewards earning category for Marriott loyalty customers.

Cons:

• No introductory APR period.

Apply now: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

Rewards Rate: Earn 12x Hilton Honors bonus points for each dollar of eligible purchases earned on the card.

Annual fee: $95

Intro APR: N/A

Regular APR: 20.74%-29.74%

Signup bonus: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points and a free night reward after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Our verdict: The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card is the best credit card to earn hotel points for those who only stay at Hilton brand hotels. The impressive 12x back Hilton Bonus points can quickly earn a person a free night and more if they spend a large amount of money on their travels and use this card as a daily driver.

Pros:

• Low annual fee compared to other card offerings.

• Large welcome bonus for Hilton loyalty members.

Cons:

• No introductory APR period.

• Only one rewards earning category.

Apply now: Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

American Express Green Card

Rewards Rate: Earn 3x points on travel, 3x points on transit, 3x points on dining and restaurants, and 1x on all other purchases.

Annual fee: $150

Intro APR: N/A

Regular APR: 20.99%-28.99%

Signup bonus: Earn 60,000 membership rewards points after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first six months of opening the account.

Our verdict: Of all the best credit card for hotel booking options to consider, the Green Card should be near the top of the list. This card not only offers 3x points on all travel related purchases, but also 3x on transit and dining. This makes it the perfect daily driver for a traveler to carry in their wallet for all smaller travel expenses.

Pros:

• Lower annual fee compared to other credit cards.

• Large welcome bonus that is just above $500 when redeemed.

• Multiple rewards earnings categories beyond hotels.

Cons:

• No introductory APR period.

Apply now: American Express® Green Card

World of Hyatt Credit Card

Rewards Rate: 9x points per $1 spent on Hyatt stays and experiences, 2x points per $1 on local transit and commuting, 2x points per $1 for dining at restaurants, cafes and coffee shops, 2x points per $1 on flights, 2x points per $1 on fitness club memberships and 1x points per $1 on all other purchases.

Annual fee: $95

Intro APR: N/A

Regular APR: 21.24%-28.24%

Signup bonus: N/A

Our verdict: As with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless and Hilton Honors cards, the World of Hyatt Credit Card is the best hotel credit card option for those loyal to Hyatt. With 9x per $1 spent on all Hyatt stays and experiences (including dining) this card can earn a holder thousands. On top of this, there are multiple other earnings categories that help to ensure a cardholder is always earning money.

Pros:

• The most earnings categories out of all of the hotel credit cards on this list.

• Low annual fee makes this a great starter card.

Cons:

• No sign up bonus offered.

• No introductory APR period.

Apply now: The World of Hyatt Credit Card

Who should get a hotel credit card?

Truthfully, a hotel credit card isn’t the right choice for everyone depending on their spending habits. Those who should consider picking up a hotel credit card, in particular, are people who travel quite often for business or pleasure, those who only stay at one hotel brand no matter where they go, or those who tend to take luxury vacations.

How to choose a hotel rewards credit card?

Naturally, deciding on the best credit card for hotels to put into your wallet is a challenge. However, consider some of the following factors that can help guide your choice:

1. Think about which hotel brands you stay at the most and see if they offer a card.
2. Consider whether or not there is a sign-up bonus offered by the card issuer.
3. Look at whether the card offers additional rewards categories for spending beyond hotels.
4. Evaluate any other potential benefits the credit card may offer.
5. Calculate what your interest rate would be an evaluate it against your current debt.

How to make the most of your hotel credit card?

Staying in a hotel alone may not be enough to make investing in a hotel credit card worth it on the surface, but there are a few ways to make the most of this credit card type. First, consider joining a hotel loyalty program that accrues points as you stay as this will also give you additional benefits. When considering the best credit card for hotels, don’t forget to also pool existing points you may have with the credit card issuer already, as you may be able to redeem your points for even more nights.

Methodology

When looking at the best hotel rewards credit card options, there were a number of key factors that went into determining the methodology for which cards made the cut. The most prominent of these included:

• The annual fee of the credit card balanced against the rewards offers.

• The types of rewards offered by the credit card.

• Whether the credit card offered any bonus perks beyond hotel stays.

• APR or interest rates that the card has, including any introductory periods.

The product information provided here is based on research conducted up to a specific date and may have changed. For the latest and most accurate information, we recommend you to visit the respective card’s website before proceeding.