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How to choose a hotel credit card
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
A hotel credit card is a travel rewards card that helps you earn free nights, discounts and even elite status at popular hotel chains. Having one of these cards in your wallet can bring you closer to your next vacation.
Let’s review the best hotel credit cards currently available and discuss what to consider when choosing one.
Comparing the best hotel credit cards
Here are some recommendations for the best hotel credit cards for beginners.
| Credit Card | Best for | Welcome Offer | Earning rates | Annual fee |
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | Non-bonus spending rewards | Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of account opening. |
|
$95 |
| One Key™ Card (see rates and fees) | Expedia loyalists who want a card with no annual fee | Earn $400 in OneKeyCash™ after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. |
|
$0 |
| One Key+™ Card (see rates and fees) | Expedia enthusiasts | Earn $600 in OneKeyCash after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. |
|
$99 |
| IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (see rates and fees) | IHG | Earn five free nights (each night valued at up to 60,000 points) after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. |
|
$99 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (see rates and fees) | Marriott loyalists who want no annual fee | Earn 60,000 bonus points plus one free night award (valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees. |
|
$0 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees) | For Marriott travelers | Earn five free nights (each night valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees. |
|
$95 |
| Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card | Hilton loyalists | Earn 130,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. There is a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then an annual fee of $150 (see rates and fees). |
|
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 (see rates and fees) |
| World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees) | Hyatt loyalists | Earn up to 60,000 points: Earn 30,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months from account opening. Earn up to 30,000 additional points by earning 2 points per dollar spent in the first six months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 bonus point (on up to $15,000 spent). |
|
$95 |
| Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see rates and fees) | Starter travel | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. |
|
$95 |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | Premium travel | Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. |
|
$395 |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | Luxury benefits | Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases in your first six months of card membership. You may be able to get a higher bonus through the CardMatch tool (terms apply; offer subject to change). |
|
$695 (see rates and fees) |
Related: What are points and miles worth? TPG’s monthly valuations
Frequency of travel
How often do you travel and stay in hotels? If you travel frequently, getting a hotel credit card makes sense. If you don’t travel often or tend to stay in other accommodations, such as Airbnbs, you might be better off with a travel rewards card that earns more flexible rewards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees).
Related: Why I love my Chase Sapphire Preferred card — and will always keep it in my wallet
Are you loyal to a specific hotel chain?
If you prefer to stay at a specific hotel chain, consider applying for one of its cobranded credit cards.
Marriott is my go-to hotel chain, and I hold Titanium Elite status, so a Marriott credit card can help me maximize the points I earn each time I stay. Whatever chain you prefer and stay with the most is the one you should choose for your first hotel card.
Related: Best hotel rewards programs in the world: Which one is right for you?
What benefits do you get?
When researching a hotel credit card, it is important to consider the benefits of the card, which can include:
- Elite status
- Free night certificates
- Travel protections and insurance
- Bonus earnings on hotel stays
- Elite night credits
- The potential for award stays
For example, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card automatically gives you Platinum Elite status, which includes several benefits.
Some hotel cards also give you elite night credits just for holding the card, which can move you closer to a higher status tier. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a good example, as it automatically gives you 25 elite night credits annually.
Additionally, IHG will give you the fourth night free if you hold a credit card and book your stay with points.
Related: Quick Points: Get your fourth or fifth night free on hotel award stays
Earnings structure
Another perk of hotel credit cards is the bonus earnings on hotel stays. Some cards earn more than others, so it’s essential that you choose the right card.
For example, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass earns 12 points per dollar spent on all Hilton stays.
The Marriott family of credit cards earns up to 23.5 points per dollar spent on Marriott stays. IHG cards earn up to 26 points per dollar spent on IHG stays. Meanwhile, Hyatt cards earn up to 9 points per dollar spent on Hyatt stays.
Related: 11 major mistakes people make with travel rewards credit cards
Are you choosing the right welcome offer?
Most hotel credit cards have generous welcome offers, such as bonus points or free nights, that can help you accumulate rewards quickly. Marriott, for example, has six credit cards with varying welcome offers. As a couple of examples:
For a limited time, new Marriott Bonvoy Boundless cardholders can earn five free night awards (each night valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. (Certain hotels have resort fees).
And, for a limited time, new Marriott Bonvoy Bold cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points plus one free night award (valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Welcome offers vary between cards, so you should determine whether you want to earn points or free night certificates. You should also ensure you can meet the minimum spending requirement to qualify for the offer, as that can vary between cards as well.
Related: Best credit card welcome offers of the month
Should you put your everyday spending on a hotel card?
Hotel cards don’t always have the best earnings rate on everyday purchases. However, there are some scenarios where you should put your everyday spending on a hotel card.
If you want to qualify for a welcome offer, put your everyday spending on your new card to ensure you reach the threshold. You should also prioritize your hotel card if you want to earn points toward an upcoming trip.
Related: Best credit cards for everyday spending
Is the annual fee worth it?
Many hotel credit cards charge an annual fee, so you’ll need to determine if you will get enough value from the card to justify paying it.
Welcome bonuses and anniversary certificates can offset some of these annual fees, especially in your first year. A handful of cards will give you a free night certificate every anniversary year just for having the credit card.
For example, the World of Hyatt Credit Card has a $95 annual fee but gives you a free night certificate for any Category 1-4 property after your card anniversary each year. You can easily get a free night that normally costs between $200 and $400, offsetting the annual fee and making the card a no-brainer.
Related: The wild thing I did not to lose a free hotel night, and how you can avoid my mistake
Bottom line
A hotel credit card can be a great way to earn elite status and points toward your next dream vacation. Choose a card that suits your lifestyle and preferred hotel chain. That way, you can maximize the benefits of having a hotel credit card. If you don’t stay at hotels often, opt for a travel card that earns a more flexible currency.
Related: The best hotel credit cards
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Amex Surpass, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex, click here.
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