Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to pay a hefty annual fee to get a travel credit card. If you don’t travel often enough to take advantage of all the benefits that come with the top cards, or if you don’t have enough room in your budget to justify those fees each year, there are still plenty of no-annual-fee cards that might fit your needs.
When it comes to hotel credit cards, the good news is that no-annual-fee cards can offer you more benefits than you think. Some cards come with free elite status, while others establish ways to earn elite status through spending.
Depending on the product you choose, a no-annual-fee co-branded hotel card can help you earn perks unique to certain hotel chains. This is thanks in part to the high earnings they offer when you book a stay or make a purchase on-site.
The best no-annual-fee hotel cards vary from person to person, but some of the best options currently available include Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (See Rates and Fees) and Hilton Honors American Express Card (See Rates and Fees).
Both hotel chains offer accommodations around the world, which means you’ll have plenty of opportunities to earn and redeem points almost anywhere.
Below, we’ve rounded up our top picks for the best no-annual-fee hotel credit cards to help you find one that fits your travel style and budget.
The best hotel credit cards with no annual fee
Here are our picks for the best hotel cards with no annual fee.
Choice privilege and Wyndham Rewards earning card information is independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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The best hotel credit cards with no annual fee
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Current welcome bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus miles when you spend $500 or more within the first three months of account opening.
Bonus value: $370 based on TPG January 2026 valuation.
Yield:
- Earn 5 miles for every $1 spent on hotel, vacation rental and car rental bookings with Capital One Travel
- All other purchases earn 1.25 miles per $1 spent
Other benefits: While the above hotel cards can give you elite benefits or other exclusive perks, sometimes it doesn’t make sense to limit yourself to one brand. That’s why VentureOne is our favorite for all hotel stays, as it offers an easy earn program (unlimited 1.25 miles per $1 spent on all purchases), as well as even easier ways to redeem. Earn 5 miles for every $1 spent when you book with Capital One Travel.
You can redeem miles for any hotel (or other travel) charges on the card. If you’re a premium rewards traveler, you’ll be happy to know that you can transfer your Capital One miles to airline and hotel partners like Air Canada Aeroplan and Singapore KrisFlyer to find even more potential value.
why we like it: We love the flexibility VentureOne offers. You won’t earn hotel elite status, but you won’t be tied to one loyalty program when redeeming miles. If all you’re looking for is a way to earn and redeem travel rewards, this might be a good card. Plus, you can take your VentureOne with you without paying any foreign transaction fees.
For more details, check out our full review of Capital One VentureOne.
Learn more: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Choose Privilege Mastercard
Current welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Bonus value: $360 based on TPG January 2026 valuation.
Yield:
- Earn 5 points for every $1 spent at eligible Choice Hotels, including points on Choice privileges
- Earn 5 points for every $1 spent when you pay for eligible Choice Privileges points purchases with your card
- Earn 3 points for every $1 spent at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plans
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on other purchases
Other benefits: You will automatically receive Gold Level status in the Choice Privileges program and enjoy benefits such as elite welcome gifts, early check-in and late check-out. When you pay your monthly bill with this card, you’ll also get up to $800 in cell phone protection against damage or theft (subject to a $25 deductible), as well as World Elite Mastercard benefits.
why we like it: Becoming a Choice Privileges elite member will enhance your hotel experience. With this card, you will receive this status for free. While this card isn’t the most profitable hotel card with no annual fee, it’s simple.
For more details, check out our full review of Mastercard Select Perks.
learn more: Choose Privilege Mastercard
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Current welcome bonus: Card members can earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 in the first six months.
Bonus value: $400 based on TPG January 2026 valuation.
Yield:
- Earn 7 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases directly at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio
- Earn 5 points for every $1 spent at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery), U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on other eligible purchases
Other benefits: It’s not often that a card with no annual fee gives you as many benefits as the Hilton Honors American Express card. First, you get free Silver membership, which gives you 20% bonus points on stays and a free fifth night. In addition to great rewards on Hilton stays and everyday purchases, you get secondary rental car insurance* and no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees).
*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and restrictions apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by American Express Insurance Company. Car rental loss or damage insurance is provided by American Express Travel Related Services.
why we like it: The Hilton Honors American Express Card proves you can get great benefits without paying an annual fee. The card’s welcome bonus offers a generous number of Hilton Honors points and offers ways to continue earning on everyday purchases. We recommend this card to those who enjoy staying at Hilton hotels but want to keep costs as low as possible.
For more details, check out our full review of the Hilton Honors American Express Card.
Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Card
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
Current welcome bonuses: Earn up to 120,000 bonus points: 90,000 bonus points when you spend $2,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening, plus 2 and 3 bonus points per dollar on purchases up to $10,000 in the first six months, and an additional 30,000 bonus points per $1 spent.
Bonus value: Based on TPG January 2026 valuation, up to $600.
Yield:
- Earn up to 17 points per $1 spent at IHG Hotels & Resorts (up to 5 points per $1 spent as an IHG Traveler cardholder; up to 10 points per $1 spent as an IHG One Rewards member; and up to 2 points per $1 spent as a Silver Elite member)
- Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on utilities, internet, cable TV, phone service and select streaming services, gas stations and restaurant purchases (including takeout and eligible delivery)
- Earn 2 points per $1 on every other purchase
Other benefits: This hotel card has the unique benefit of a fourth night free bonus, which means when you book with points, you’ll pay the price of three nights for a total stay of four. In addition, you can enjoy a 20% discount when purchasing points using card payment points.
why we like it: By using this card strategically, you can get value from the free fourth night benefit.
For more details, check out our full review of the IHG One Rewards Traveller Card.
Apply here: IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card
Current welcome bonus: Get two free nights (worth up to 50,000 points per night) when you spend $1,000 in the first three months of account opening. Some hotels charge a resort fee.
Bonus value: Based on TPG January 2026 valuation, up to $700.
Yield:
- Earn 3 points for every $1 spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent at grocery stores, ride-hailing services, select food delivery services, select streaming services, and internet, cable and phone services
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Other benefits: You will automatically become a Silver Elite member. As a cardholder, you can enjoy benefits such as priority late checkout and 10% stay bonus points. So you can earn up to 14 points per $1 spent on qualifying Marriott stays (3 points per $1 spent with this card, 10 points per $1 spent with Marriott Bonvoy members, and 1 point per $1 spent with Elite Silver).
The longer you stay at a Marriott hotel, the more opportunities you have to increase your elite status. The card offers a variety of travel and purchase protections, including lost baggage and delay coverage. Best of all, there are no annual fees (and no foreign transaction fees).
why we like it: When you build a credit card portfolio, you’ll eventually want a card that earns transferable points, as well as an airline card and a hotel card. If Marriott is your hotel chain of choice, the Bold is the perfect place to start. The possibilities for achieving the next level of Marriott Elite membership are endless with free, fast-track advancement to Silver Elite status.
For more details, check out our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card.
Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card
Wyndham Rewards Earn Card
Current welcome bonus: Earn 30,000 points when you spend $1,000 in purchases within 90 days of account opening. Resort fees may apply and cannot be paid with points.
Bonus value: $330 based on TPG January 2026 valuation.
Yield:
- Earn 5 points per $1 spent on Wyndham hotels and gas
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent at restaurants and grocery stores (except Target® and Walmart®)
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases (excluding Wyndham Vacation Club down payment)
Other benefits: With this card, you’ll enjoy no foreign transaction fees and complimentary Gold membership, which guarantees free Wi-Fi, preferred room selection and late checkout. Plus, you can redeem 10% Wyndham Rewards points for qualifying stays. Plus, you can earn 7,500 bonus points every anniversary after you spend $15,000 on qualifying purchases.
why we like it: For a card with no annual fee, those who stay at Wyndham hotels frequently can get significant value from a welcome bonus and ongoing Gold elite status.
Learn more: Wyndham Rewards Earn Card
bottom line
Almost all of the no-annual-fee hotel cards in this guide give you automatic elite status. The best option for you will depend on which hotel chain you prefer first, but dig deeper to understand the ongoing rewards rate and any other benefits you can get from the card (such as no foreign transaction fees or any travel and purchase protection).
Remember: Since you don’t pay an annual fee with any of these cards, you don’t have to worry about whether you’re getting enough value each year to justify the fee.
Related: Earn rewards on a budget with these no-annual-fee credit card strategies
For Hilton American Express Card rates and fees, click here.
