Ultimate Guide to the Best Hotel Credit Cards for Savvy Travelers

Discover the Top Hotel Credit Cards for Rewards and Perks

Selecting the right hotel credit card can enhance your travel experience with increased rewards and exclusive benefits, unlike standard hotel credit cards. These cards reward consistent stays at specific brands or frequent travel, reducing overall vacation costs.

Here are key tips for choosing the best hotel credit card:

Earn Rewards with Every Purchase
Even without a dedicated hotel card, other credit cards can accumulate points through dining, gas, and daily expenses, helping you upgrade rooms or enjoy free night stays.

Maximize rewards by focusing on high-earning categories or selecting co-branded hotel cards aligned with your preferred hotel chain. Alternatively, travel credit cards offer flexible points that can be redeemed across various hotel brands.

Compare Sign-Up Bonuses
Top hotel credit cards often provide attractive sign-up bonuses after initial spending thresholds, typically between $1,000 and $3,000. These bonuses can cover a night’s stay or more and help narrow down your options.

Evaluate Point Value
Hotel points vary in value depending on hotel rates and locations. Calculating the points per dollar spent and hotel costs helps determine how quickly you can redeem rewards for stays.

Additional Hotel Perks
Besides free nights, premium hotel cards offer upgrades, complimentary breakfasts, late checkouts, and elite loyalty status, enhancing convenience and loyalty.

Considering these factors, here are the top 10 hotel credit cards to consider:

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Offers a generous sign-up bonus, no annual fee first year, and a modest fee afterward. It features a variable APR from 17.49% to 24.49%.

Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Card
$95 annual fee, with 6 points per dollar at Marriott and SPG hotels, 2 points elsewhere, and similar APR range.

The Hyatt Credit Card
With a $75 annual fee, earn 40,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 in three months.

Starwood Preferred Guest® Card from American Express
No fee first year, then $95 annually, with an APR between 16.74% and 20.74%.

IGH® Rewards Club Premier Card
Chase-issued, $84 annual fee, offering 80,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 in three months.

Barclays Choice Privileges Visa Signature
No annual fee, with an APR from 16.74% to 26.49% based on creditworthiness.

The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Card
$45 annual fee, includes a $300 travel credit, with an APR of 17.49% to 24.49%.

Hiltons Honors American Express® Ascend
$95 annual fee, APR 17.24% to 26.24%, provides weekend night rewards for spending $15,000 annually.

Capital One® Venture® Rewards
Earn 50,000 miles after spending $3,000 in three months; $0 fee first year, then $95.

Wyndham Rewards® Visa Signature® Card
No annual fee, offering free Wi-Fi, late check-out, and member services at Wyndham properties with Gold status.