The best 7 hotel credit cards for 2024

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A hotel credit card can offer unmatched value for frequent travelers, transforming regular stays through elite status perks, free night awards, and more.

These cards are made for hotel loyalists who prefer the comfort and consistency of staying with their favorite hotel brands. The best hotel cards offer valuable rewards and benefits that save you money on hotel stays and help you access exclusive perks.

We reviewed more than a dozen hotel credit cards to find the best options, looking at factors like:

• Rewards earning rates on hotel purchases and travel expenses
• Estimated redemption value from points and free night certificates
• Elite status perks like upgrades and lounge access

Here are the best hotel credit cards, depending on your travel preferences and what you’re looking for.

Best credit cards for hotel rewards

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for flexible travel rewards
• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for luxury hotel benefits
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Best for Marriott hotels
• The World of Hyatt Credit Card: Best for Hyatt hotels
• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Best for IHG hotels
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: Best for no annual fee
• Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Best for business travelers

Chase Sapphire Preferred: Best for flexible travel rewards

Rewards:

• 5X points on travel booked through Chase Travel℠
• 5X points on Lyft rides (through March 2025)
• 3X points on dining (including eligible delivery services), select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs)
• 2X points on other travel
• 1X points on other purchases

Annual fee: $95 

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is among the best travel cards due to its flexible rewards program. The card comes with travel perks and a valuable welcome bonus, which you can redeem for 25% more via Chase Travel℠.

Where the card shines is its ability to transfer points at a 1:1 rate to different travel partners, including IHG Rewards Club, Marriott Bonvoy, and World of Hyatt. This allows cardholders to pool points and convert them into hotel stays.

Other perks include travel insurance, rental car insurance, and no foreign transaction fees.

The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for luxury hotel benefits

Rewards:

• 5X points on directly booked airfare, flights, and prepaid hotels through American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year)
• 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel
• 1X points on all other purchases

Annual fee: $695. See rates and fees.

Luxury travelers should look no further than the Platinum Card® from American Express. The card does come with a hefty $695 annual fee, but it's packed with travel perks, statement credits, and other benefits to offset the fee. See rates and fees.

With this card, you can transfer Membership Rewards 1:1 into chains like Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy.

Other benefits include an annual hotel credit through the Fine Hotels + Resorts Program and The Hotel Collection, an annual airline fee credit, and complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite and Hilton Honors Gold status. You'll also get up to $200 annual Uber credits, access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, a $189 annual CLEAR membership for expedited airport security, and more.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Best for Marriott hotels

Rewards:

• Earn 6X total Bonvoy points at participating hotels (up to 17X points if you have Silver Elite Status in the Bonvoy loyalty program
• 2X Bonvoy points on all other purchases
• 3X points on grocery store, gas station, and dining purchases (up to $6,000 in combined purchases each year, then 2X points)

Annual fee: $95

There are a few Marriott co-branded cards, but we like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card because of its hotel perks and reasonable annual fee.

New cardholders can earn 5 Free Nights (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases. The Boundless card also earns an incredibly high bonus rate on Marriott purchases.

Other benefits include a free night award for every card anniversary and automatic Bonvoy Silver Elite status, which unlocks perks like late checkout and room upgrades. All this makes the $95 annual fee on the Boundless card well worth it for frequent Marriott guests.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card: Best for Hyatt hotels

Rewards:

• 4X points spent at Hyatt hotels
• 2X points on restaurants, airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit and commuting expenses, and fitness clubs and gym memberships
• 1X points on all other purchases

Annual fee: $95

Though Hyatt maintains a smaller hotel footprint than larger chains, the World of Hyatt Credit Card still offers exceptional value. With every stay, Hyatt loyalists can unlock elite status, free nights, and other money-saving perks.

Cardholders get an annual free night certificate valid at any Category 1-4 hotel (valued between 5,000 to 15,000 points per night), which gives you a free stay even when standard rates are expensive.

You'll also get automatic Discoverist elite status, which includes perks like room upgrades and late checkout. You can also earn a free award night on each card anniversary if you spend more than $15,000 on your card throughout the year.

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Best for IHG hotels

Rewards:

• Up to 26X points at IHG properties
• 5x points on gas, restaurants, and grocery purchases
• 1X points on other purchases

Annual fee: $99

IHG Rewards allows travelers to earn and redeem points across a vast portfolio of hotel brands, including Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, InterContinental, Kimpton, and more. The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card supercharges earnings and perks for loyal IHG guests.

The card offers a huge welcome bonus and incredibly high rates on IHG hotel and resort purchases. Cardholders receive a free award night each card anniversary. Plus, you receive the fourth night free on consecutive four-night stays at IHG properties.

This comes with automatic Platinum Elite status and access to perks like award night discounts, complimentary room upgrades, and a welcome amenity at check-in. It's also one of the few co-branded hotel cards with a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: Best for no annual fee

Rewards:

• 5X miles on hotels and rental cars when you book through Capital One Travel
• 1.25X miles on all purchases

Annual fee: $0

For travelers looking to earn flexible travel rewards with no annual fee, the Capital VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a solid choice. Even if you’re not a frequent traveler, you may benefit from having this card in your wallet.

This card has an attainable welcome bonus and allows you to earn unlimited 1.25x miles on every purchase. You can redeem miles through Capital One or transfer them to another hotel loyalty program.

With no annual fee and the ability to pool rewards, Capital One VentureOne is a simple way to lower the cost of hotel stays. You can pair it with a premium co-branded hotel card to balance high-value elite status perks and flexible earning rates.

Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Best for business travelers

Rewards:

• 12X points on Hilton portfolio hotels and resorts
• 5X points on other purchases (on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, then 3X)

Annual fee: $195. See rates and fees. 

Business travelers will love the Hilton Honors Business Card. The card has complimentary Hilton Gold status, no foreign transaction fees, and complimentary airport lounge visits through Priority Pass Select.

Other travel perks include baggage insurance and secondary car rental loss and damage insurance. This card also offers specific business benefits, including free employee cards, year-end summaries, and compatibility with QuickBooks.

With the complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status, you can access perks like room upgrades, executive lounge access, free breakfast, and free reward nights.

How do hotel credit cards work?

Hotel credit cards come with rewards and benefits tied primarily to hotel brands. They’re designed to maximize perks for loyal members, giving them access to elite status, discounts, and other bonuses. These cards often offer higher bonus rates when you spend with a particular hotel brand.

There are two main types of hotel credit cards — co-branded hotel cards and flexible travel rewards cards. Co-branded hotel cards are tied to a specific hotel chain, with rewards tailored to that brand. Benefits may include elite status, free award nights, or brand discounts.

Flexible travel cards aren't tied to any specific hotel brand, though they may offer some benefits with hotel partners. These cards offer many ways to earn and redeem hotel stays and other travel rewards. Many flexible cards also allow you to transfer rewards to travel partner programs.

Because hotel cards can vary widely, it’s important to compare the advantages and disadvantages.

How to pick a hotel credit card

When choosing a hotel credit card, it's important to consider how often you travel, where you frequently stay, and what perks you want to get out of a card.

Here are several factors to consider when choosing a hotel credit card.

• Credit score: Check your credit score to ensure it meets the card's requirements. Rewards credit cards often require good to excellent credit.
• Preferred hotel brands: Consider where you frequently stay and look for cards that partner with that brand.
• Spending habits: Consider where and how much you spend. Look for cards with bonus rates in your highest spending categories and purchases at your preferred hotel brand.
• Welcome bonus: Earning a card's welcome bonus is the quickest way to boost your points balance and earn free award nights. Consider the welcome bonus offer and whether you can meet the spending requirements to earn it.
• Hotel benefits: Most hotel cards offer hotel-specific perks, like a complimentary night each year, which can add significant value.
• Travel benefits: Consider other travel perks, like travel credits, airport lounge access, and application fee reimbursements for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
• Fees: Assess whether the rewards included with a hotel card outweigh the cost of any annual fee. If you travel internationally, look for cards without foreign transaction fees.

Is a hotel card right for you?

A hotel card may be a good option if you frequently stay at major hotel brands when you travel. These cards can give you access to perks and discounts at hotels you already stay at.

It's important to weigh the cost of having a hotel card. Hotel credit cards come with annual fees ranging from zero to hundreds of dollars. Paying a higher fee isn't bad if the benefits received outweigh the added expense. Always review a card's reward potential and benefits to determine if its fee is justified.

If you're not a frequent traveler or have no hotel brand loyalty, getting a hotel card may not make sense. Other rewards credit cards may offer more value and flexibility for how you travel.

How to make the most of your hotel credit card

Here are key tips to help you maximize rewards and manage your card responsibly:

• Pair rewards credit cards: Pair your hotel credit card with a general travel card to earn points on a wider range of purchases and access more travel benefits.
• Meet spending requirements: Make sure you can hit the spending threshold to earn the card's welcome bonus.
• Understand loyalty program tiers: Familiarize yourself with the hotel loyalty program's tiers to understand what benefits are available and what it takes to reach the next program tier.
• Use your points wisely: Hotel card redemption options are not all equal. Maximize your points value by redeeming them for high-value stays.
• Watch for promotions: Keep an eye on special promotions or bonus point opportunities offered by the hotel brand or your hotel credit card.
• Always use your card for hotel-related expenses: Maximize point earnings by using the card for all hotel-related expenses, including dining, spa, and other services at the hotel.
• Pay your balance in full: Avoid costly interest charges and racking up card debt by paying off your monthly balance.

How we rated the best hotel cards

To determine the best credit cards for hotel stays, we carefully evaluated a wide range of factors, including the card's sign-up bonus, rewards earning rates on purchases, added perks and benefits, annual fees, and overall value for consumers.

Our team analyzed numerous credit card offers and selected the top contenders based on these key criteria. The options on this list represent the best value, rewards, and benefits available.

Here are some of the key factors we considered:

• Rewards: Rewards are the primary reason many people use credit cards, as they allow you to earn valuable points, miles, or cash back on your everyday spending.
• Redemption flexibility: What good are rewards if they're a hassle to redeem? Flexible redemption options allow you to use your rewards in the way that best suits you, whether that's offsetting your bill with statement credits or booking a dream vacation.
• Benefits: Credit card benefits can provide significant value and make your life easier, from saving you money on checked bags to providing peace of mind with travel insurance.
• Annual fee: The annual fee is a key factor because it's a recurring cost that can eat into your rewards earnings. It's important to make sure you're getting enough value from the card to justify the fee.
• Welcome bonus: A lucrative welcome bonus can give your rewards a massive head start, especially in the first year, making it a great way to kickstart your earnings.
• Rates & other fees: High interest rates and fees can quickly negate the value of any rewards you earn, so it's important to understand these costs and how to avoid them.

Frequently asked questions about hotel credit cards

How do I earn points with a hotel credit card? 

Hotel credit cards typically award points on every purchase, with a higher reward rate for purchases made with the co-branded hotel chain. For example, you might earn 6X points per dollar at Marriott properties, 3X points on gas and dining, and 2X points on all other purchases. Points accumulate in your hotel loyalty program account.

How much are hotel points worth? 

The value of hotel points varies by program and how you redeem them. On average, hotel points are worth about 0.5 to 1 cent each, but this can vary significantly. To calculate the value of your points, divide the cash price of a hotel stay by the number of points required to book it.

Can I transfer hotel points to airline miles? 

Some hotel loyalty programs allow you to convert hotel points to airline miles with partner airlines, usually at a ratio of 2-5 hotel points to 1 airline mile. However, these transfers are typically a poor value compared to using hotel points for free stays.

What credit score do I need to qualify for a hotel credit card?

Most hotel credit cards require a good to excellent credit score (670 or higher) to qualify. However, some hotel cards are available to those with average credit (600-669). The higher your credit score, the better your odds of approval for the most rewarding hotel cards.

Can I use a hotel credit card for non-hotel purchases? 

Yes, you can use a hotel credit card for non-hotel purchases and earn points on those purchases. However, hotel cards tend to offer the highest rewards rate on hotel spending, so you may want to pair a hotel card with another rewards card that earns more on your other spending categories.

Do I have to stay at the hotel brand to use my hotel credit card?

No, you can use your hotel credit card anywhere the card network (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express) is accepted, just like any other credit card. Co-branded hotel cards simply offer additional perks and higher rewards on the purchases you make with that hotel brand.

The bottom line

Hotel credit cards are an excellent choice for travelers loyal to specific hotel brands and who want to leverage their spending into rewards like free stays, upgrades, and other exclusive perks.

To find the right hotel card, consider your travel habits, the hotel brands you like, and the benefits you value. Look for a card with benefits that align with your preferences and needs.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.