Hotel credit cards don’t have to come with high annual fees to provide real value. In fact, some of the best co-brand hotel cards charge $100 or less while still offering privileges like annual free nights, automatic elite status, and reward points that can meaningfully improve your travel experience.
Whether you want to save money on traveling abroad, add points on your daily expenses, or ensure a safe state of late upgrades and checkouts, these cards are beyond their weight.
In this guide, I will take you through six best hotel credit cards for a year of $100 or less, please explain what makes each credit card worth each and help you determine which card is right for your travel style.
Best hotel credit card with annual fees under $100
Select Privileged Information Select Mastercard and Wyndham Reward Income Card Plus Cards have been independently collected by Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
How to choose a hotel credit card
When determining the right hotel card for you, some key factors should guide your choice:
- Hotel loyalty is the first: Choose the card you have to do with most of the chains. This means IHG if you stay in a lot of holiday hotels or Marriott hotels. Or, if you are a regular brand, choose Choice, Hilton, Hyatt, or Wyndham.
- Start with a flexible point: Your first travel reward card should earn transferable points, such as Chase Ultimate Rewards points or a mile of capital. Next, add a hotel card to get privileges and then consider an airline card.
- Make a decision between free nights and elite allowance: Some cards offer free night certificates over the annual fee, while others focus on bonus income and privileges such as party checkout.
- Check the bonus category: Points for catering, gasoline or groceries can increase the value beyond travel expenses.
- Match your habits: The best card is the one that suits you actually travel and supplements the rest of your wallet.
Related: How to choose a hotel credit card
Select Privileges Select Mastercard
Welcome bonus: Spend $3,000 in the first three months of opening an account and earn 60,000 bonus points.
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Based on our September 2025 valuation, this welcome bonus is worth $360.
Annual fee: $95.
Key Benefits:
Why is it worth it:30,000 Anniversary Reward Points are prone to exceed the annual fee, and the automatic Platinum Status (with 20 years of annual Elite Night Points) gives you half the Diamond Status, where free breakfast becomes a valuable offer (on select brands).
Choice Privileges state that when hotel costs high, especially in areas where redeemed in Nordic areas, they can offset the steep price per night. Coupled with Global Entry/TSA Precheck Credit (up to $120 per four years) and phone protection (up to $800 in loss or theft), and $25 deduction when paying your phone bill with a card), this card is a smart low-level option for travelers. It provides consistent value while also providing avenues to the elevated elite state with privileged choice.
To learn more, read our full review of Choice Privileges.
Apply here: Select Privileges Select Mastercard
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Welcome bonus: Spend $2,000 in the first six months of card membership to earn 80,000 Hilton Rewards Points.
Based on our September 2025 valuation, this welcome bonus is worth $400.
Annual fee: $0 (see rates and fees).
Key Benefits:
Why is it worth it: This card is an easy way to earn Hilton Honors Points without an annual fee. Silver Studio offers meaningful allowances, such as free fifth night free rewards, while the reward category makes it easy to collect points through hotels and daily expenses.
This card is a practical, low-commitment option for travelers who want Hilton benefits without paying for a premium Hilton card.
To learn more, read our full review of the Hilton Honor Amex Card.
Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Card
IHG Reward Prime Minister Credit Card
Welcome bonus: Spend $3,000 in the first three months of opening and earned 165,000 bonus points.
Based on our September 2025 valuation, this welcome bonus is worth $825.
Annual fee: $99.
Key Benefits:
Why is it worth it: Free night certificate alone can justify the $99 annual fee, especially when property redemption with cash rates exceeding $200. I have owned this card for many years and often use certificates to offset expensive summer hotel accommodation in Europe, which easily makes the card pay for itself.
The fourth night’s PERK further raises your point of view, keeping the long-term awards significantly cheaper. Platinum Elite status in IHG improves your stay with room upgrades (depending on the situation), welcome allowances and reward points.
For travelers who are with IHG at least a few times a year, this card is a reliable way to unlock savings and privileges.
To learn more, read our full review of the IHG Reward Prime Minister.
Apply here: IHG Reward Prime Minister Credit Card
Marriott Hotel Bonvoy Unlimited Credit Card
Welcome bonus: Spend $3,000 in the first three months of opening the account to earn three free nighttime awards (worth up to 50,000 points per night). (Certain hotels have job seeking fees.)
Based on our September 2025 valuation, this welcome bonus is worth up to $1,050.
Annual fee: $95.
Key Benefits:
Why is it worth it: Free annual night certificates for only one year can easily pay $95 annual fee and provide more value when used in high-cost properties. Built-in Silver Elite identity with advantages like late (available) and bonus points, plus 15 Elite Night Points, allows you to get a good start in your state without having to stay extra.
If you spend or keep enough time to reach Golden Elite status (25 nights in the calendar year), better perks, such as room upgrades (availability available) and additional bonus points, making the card a mid-term option for anyone with an occasional Marriott hotel.
(Please note that all Bonvoy members of the Marriott Hotel, even without an identity or Marriott credit card, can get the fifth night for free.)
To learn more, read our full review of the Bonvoy Marriott Hotel.
Apply here: Marriott Hotel Bonvoy Unlimited Credit Card
The World of Hyatt Credit Cards
Welcome bonus: Earn up to 60,000 bonus points: After spending $3,000 purchases in the first three months of opening an account, plus $30,000 bonus points, plus every 2 bonus points spent, earn 1 bonus from account opening in the first six months (maximum $15,000) and up to 30,000 bonus points.
Based on our September 2025 valuation, this welcome bonus is worth up to $1,020.
Annual fee: $95.
Key Benefits:
Why is it worth it: I have owned this card for many years and the annual free night certificate (especially at Class 4 hotels) offers great value compared to the annual fee of $95. It’s also a great choice for an extra free night and getting closer to the status of an explorer (even the globalist, the highest state level of Hyatt).
Discoverist identity offers stipends such as room upgrades and checkouts (as the case may be) and faster Wi-Fi, all of which make Hyatt’s stay more comfortable. Combined with the ability to earn more Elite Nights through card spending, this card is a wise way to unlock short-term savings and long-term Elite Allowances.
To learn more, read our full review of Hyatt Card World.
Apply here: The World of Hyatt Credit Cards
Winderham Reward Income Plus Card
Welcome bonus: Spend $1,000 in the first 90 days after opening and earn 45,000 bonus points.
Based on our September 2025 valuation, this welcome bonus is worth $495.
Annual fee: $75.
Key Benefits:
- Reward night discount
- Reward Anniversary Points
- Free Platinum Elite Identity
Why it’s worth it: Platinum status in Wyndham Rewards plans provide you with privileges such as early check-in and late checkout (such as availability) and additional income. The 7,500 anniversary points you get per year have already covered a free night on some properties, making it easy to recover $75 in annual fees.
Most importantly, you enjoy a 10% bonus discount, which can further expand your points. It is also a great choice for buying natural gas, earning bonus points in categories that many travelers use heavily.
For travelers who often stay in Wyndham, especially those on their affordable brands, money-makers and card packaging are of great value.
To learn more, read our full review of Wyndham Rewards Charner Plus.
Bottom line
You don’t have to pay hundreds of dollars in annual fees to get real value from your hotel credit card. With all the major chain options, free nights, status allowances and strong revenue potential can be unlocked at modest costs.
If I have to narrow it down, IHG Reward Prime Minister Credit Card and The World of Hyatt Credit Cards is the best achiever, and Marriott Hotel Bonvoy Unlimited Credit Card It is a solid choice for Bonvoy loyalists. But no matter which program you prefer, these hotel cards under $100 prove that you can travel better without exceeding the cost.
Related: My Top 3 Drafts for Best Shared Hotel Credit Cards
For the rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Award, click here.
