Many consumers want to have just a few credit cards. But even if you don’t want a wallet full of travel cards, it may be worth getting and keeping a shared hotel credit card.
The value I get from hotel cards is much higher than the annual fee paid for these cards. So here are four reasons why you need to use your favorite credit card for your hotel loyalty program.
The annual fee is usually worth it
Hotel credit cards that don’t have annual fees, but are usually worth getting the annual fee version, as these cards offer more privileges every year, sometimes free night certificates.
In most cases, it is relatively easy to get more value from a free night certificate than to keep the card’s annual fee. For example, the world of Hyatt Credit Cards (see Fees and Fees) has an annual fee of $95, but after your card membership anniversary, free nights are available every year at 1-4 Hyatt Hotels or resorts.
If you redeem free nights at a Class 4 Hyatt Hotel, you should easily get over $95 worth from this benefit.
Related: My Top 3 Drafts for Best Shared Hotel Credit Cards
Meanwhile, some cards offer sufficient bonus points on each account anniversary to justify the annual fee. For example, the Wyndham RewardsErner® business card costs $95 annually, but cardholders receive 15,000 bonus points per anniversary year.
TPG’s June 2025 valuation of PEG 15,000 Wyndham Rewards points are $165, exceeding the card’s annual fee.
Information on Wyndham Rewards’ revenue card has been collected independently by Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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Related: 7 of the free hotel credit cards every year
Enjoy additional benefits and bonus income
Each hotel credit card is different, but most offer bonus benefits at their planned hotels. For example, the Hilton Honors American Express Supass® card offers 12 points per dollar for qualified purchases at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio.
Most hotel credit cards also offer other privileges related to the program.
Take the IHG reward of a Prime Minister’s credit card (see rates and fees) as an example. It offers automatic Platinum Elite status and receives IHG’s excellent fourth bonus night benefits. The latter is an extremely valuable revitalization, and you can pay zero points every fourth night when you redeem IHG points for a reward of four nights or more.
Related: Best Hotel Credit Cards with annual fees under $100
Grab a valuable welcome offer
There are currently several hotel credit cards with limited time quotes that are higher or different from the usual offers. Here are some of these quotes:
- IHG Reward Prime Minister Credit Card: Purchase of $5,000 during the first three months of opening (each free night is valid for one night hotel accommodation with redemption level up to 60,000 points; the offer ends on July 23 and is valid every day). According to TPG’s June 2025 valuation, the welcome report is worth up to $1,500.
- IHG A Reward Traveler Credit Card (See Interest Rates and Fees): Earn 120,000 bonus points in the first three months of opening an account (quoted on July 23). Based on our valuation, this welcome offer is worth $600.
- Marriott Hotel BonvoyBoundless® Credit Card (See Rates and Fees): After spending $5,000 on qualified purchases within three months of opening an account, you will receive five free night prizes (each free night prize is valid for one-night hotel accommodation with redemption levels up to 50,000 points). According to TPG’s June 2025 valuation, the welcome report is worth up to $1,750.
- Marriott Hotel BonvoyBold® Credit Card (See interest rates and fees): $2,000 spent in the first three months of opening an account and earn 60,000 bonus points and a free night reward after a qualified purchase (free night rewards are valid for one night hotel accommodation with redemption levels up to 50,000 points). Based on our valuation, this welcome offer is worth $770.
These offers allow you to earn points quickly or free nights, which will be useful if you run low on your favorite hotel points.
Related: 10 Ways to Meet Spend Requirements and Earn Bonus on New Cards
Reduce efforts to maintain elite status
Some credit cards can help you earn status or provide free hotel elite identity. Even if you don’t stay in a hotel often, it’s useful to still be in elite form.
For example, the Marriott Bonvoy Brillight® American Express® card offers the Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite identity, while the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card provides Hilton with automatic top diamond status.
Information on the Hilton Aspire Card has been collected independently by Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
However, some cards can also help you get a higher hotel elite status. For example, Marriott Credit Card offers Elite Night Points, and each calendar year can help you get a higher Bonvoy Elite status.
Meanwhile, Choice Privileges® MasterCard® (see Rates and Fees) offers 10 Elite Night Points Elite Status per Calendar Year, while Choice Privileges® SelectSelect MasterCard® (see Price and Fees) offers 20 Elite Night Points per Calendar Year.
Related: On the Hamster Wheel chasing the hotel’s elite identity? But buy
Bottom line
If you have a hotel brand or plan you should consider getting one of their co-branded credit cards. In many cases, the annual free night certificate or bonus points will not just prove the annual fee paid for the hotel card. Additionally, most hotel credit cards offer bonus benefits and additional benefits when staying in hotels in the program.
Related: How to choose a hotel credit card
