Hotel Credit Card is a travel reward card that helps you get free nights, discounts and even elite status at a popular hotel chain. Having one of the cards in your wallet can bring you closer to the next holiday.
Let’s review the best hotel credit cards currently available and discuss what to consider when choosing.
Best hotel credit cards
Here are some tips for the best hotel credit cards for beginners.
| credit card | The best | Welcome offer | Income rate | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | Non-core expenditure rewards | Spend $4,000 in the first three months of account opening and 4,000 miles on qualified purchases. |
|
$95 |
| One Key™ card (see rates and fees) | Expedia Loyalist who wants a card without an annual fee | Earn $400 for Onekeycash™ Spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months Open from the account. |
|
$ 0 |
| One key +™ card (see rates and fees) | Expedia Enthusiasts | Spend $3,000 in the first three months and earn $600 in Onekeycash Open from account. |
|
$99 |
| ihg A reward prime minister credit card (see rates and fees) | IHG | Earn five free nights (worth up to 60,000 per night), and spend $5,000 to purchase $5,000 in the first three months of opening an account. |
|
$99 |
| Marriott Hotel BonvoyBold® Credit Card (see rates and fees) | Marriott Loyalists who don’t need annual fees | Earn 60,000 bonus points plus a free night prize (up to 50,000 points), spending $2,000 to purchase $2,000 in the first three months of opening an account. Some hotels have hedging fees. |
|
$ 0 |
| Marriott Hotel BonvoyBoundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees) | For Marriott Travelers | Earn five free nights (worth up to 50,000 points per night) and spend $5,000 in the first three months of opening an account. Some hotels have hedging fees. |
|
$95 |
| Hilton Honors American ExpressSupasspass® Card | Hilton Loyalists | Spend $3,000 in the first six months of card membership and earn 130,000 points. There is an annual fee of $0 for the first year, followed by an annual fee of $150 (see Fees and Fees). |
|
$0 for the first year of the year, followed by $150 (see rates and fees) |
| The World of Hyatt Credit Cards (see rates and fees) | Hyatt Loyalists | Earn up to 60,000 points: Earn 30,000 points in the first three months after opening. Within a maximum of six months, you can earn up to 30,000 points per dollar (up to $15,000) in a maximum of six months after you usually earn 1 bonus point purchase. |
|
$95 |
| Citi Formation Premiere Card (see rates and fees) | Beginner Travel | Spend $4,000 in the first three months of the account opening and earn 60,000 bonus points. |
|
$95 |
| Capital One Venture X Reward Credit Card | Advanced Travel | Making 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months after the account opened. |
|
$395 |
| American Express Platinum Card® | Luxury goods | In the first six months of your card membership, earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 on qualified purchases. You may be able to get higher bonuses through the CardMatch tool (Terms and Conditions; Change Offers are available). |
|
$695 (see rates and fees) |
Related: What are the key points and mileage? TPG’s monthly valuation
Travel frequency
How often do you travel and stay in a hotel? If you travel a lot, it makes sense to get a hotel credit card. If you don’t travel frequently or tend to stay in other accommodations (such as Airbnbs), you may receive a travel reward card that receives more flexible rewards, such as the Chase SapphirePreferred® card (see rates and fees).
Related: Why I Love My Choice Card for Chasing Sapphire – And Will Always Keep It in My Wallet
Are you loyal to a specific hotel chain?
If you want to stay in a specific hotel chain, consider applying for one of its shared credit cards.
Marriott Hotels is my preferred hotel chain and I have Titanium Elite status so Marriott credit cards can help me stay and maximize my points every time. Whatever chain you prefer, the best chain is the one you should choose for your first hotel card.
Related: The Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World: Which one is right for you?
Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with TPG Daily Newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG experts
What are your benefits?
When researching a hotel credit card, it is important to consider the benefits of the card, which may include:
For example, an IHG rewards Premier credit card will automatically give you Platinum Elite status, which includes several benefits.
Some hotel cards also offer you Elite Night Points just to hold the card, which may bring you closer to the higher status tier. The Marriott Hotel Bonvoy Brillight® American Express® card is a great example because it automatically provides you with 25 elite night points every year.
Additionally, if you hold a credit card and book points, IHG will offer you a fourth night.
Related: Quick Points: Get the fourth or fifth night for free at the Hotel Awards
Income structure
Another benefit of a hotel credit card is the bonus income from hotel accommodation. Some cards earn more than others, so you have to choose the right one.
For example, Hilton Honors America Express earns 12 points per dollar on all Hilton accommodations.
The Marriott family’s credit card family earns up to 23.5 points per dollar on the Marriott dormitory. IHG cards earn up to 26 points per dollar per dollar on IHG stay. Meanwhile, Hyatt Card earns up to 9 points on accommodation at Hyatt Hotels.
Related: People Make 11 Major Mistakes with Travel Reward Credit Cards
Did you choose the right welcome quote?
Most hotel credit cards have generous welcome offers, such as bonus points or free nights, to help you accumulate rewards quickly. For example, the Marriott Hotel has six credit cards with different welcome offers. As a few examples:
For a limited time, the Bonvoy Boundless Carddoldors of the New Marriott can buy $5,000 for $5,000 in the first three months of opening, earning five free nighttime awards (worth up to 50,000 points per night). (Certain hotels have job seeking fees).
And, for a limited time, new Bonvoy Bold cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points, plus a free nighttime prize (up to 50,000 points), after buying $2,000 from the first three months after the account opening.
Welcome offers vary between cards, so you should determine whether you want to earn points or a free night certificate. You should also make sure you can meet the minimum spending requirements for eligible for a quote, as cards may also vary.
Related: Best Credit Card Welcome Quotes
Should you put your daily expenses on your hotel card?
Hotel cards don’t always have the best rate of income in daily purchases. However, in some cases, you should put your daily expenses on your hotel card.
If you want to qualify for a popular quote, put your daily expenses on a new card to ensure you meet the threshold. If you want to earn points for your upcoming trip, you should also prioritize your hotel card.
Related: Best Credit Cards for Daily Expenditure
Is the annual fee worth it?
Many hotel credit cards charge annual fees, so you need to determine if you will get enough value from the card to justify paying the fee.
Welcome bonuses and anniversary certificates can offset some of these annual fees, especially in your first year. A few cards will provide you with a free night certificate, and each anniversary is limited to credit cards only.
For example, Hyatt Credit Cards has an annual fee of $95, but every year after your card anniversary, you can offer a free night certificate for any 1-4 attributes. You can easily get a normal night, usually priced between $200 and $400, offsetting the annual fee and making the card effortless.
Related: I won’t lose the crazy things about the free hotel night and how to avoid my mistakes
Bottom line
A hotel credit card can be a great way to get an elite identity and point to your next dream vacation. Choose the card that suits your lifestyle and preferred hotel chain. This way, you can make the most of the benefits of having a hotel credit card. If you don’t stay in the hotel often, choose to get a travel card with more flexible currency.
Related: The Best Hotel Credit Cards
For Amex Platinum rates and fees, click here.
Amex Ampass exceeds here for the rates and fees of Hilton Honors.
For rates and fees at Bonvoy Brilliant Amex, click here.
