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Overview
Ever eavesdropped on the check-in line for VIP guests at your hotel and been left green with envy as you hear someone receive an upgrade, complimentary breakfast, and a couple of free drinks for good measure? While I hate to cause you any ill feelings, I can’t lie—it’s pretty great.
For the uninitiated, hotel elite status seems an impossible goal reserved only for the most ardent of road warriors traveling for work. And while it’s possible that a loyal guest hit the required stays for that particular brand, it’s far more likely they got these perks through a back-door method: via a hotel’s cobranded credit card.
Almost every major hotel chain has a range of co-branded cards that can bestow elite status upon the cardholder, allowing even the occasional traveler to enjoy the benefits. Some even offer some amazing intro bonuses that could translate into multiple free nights. Plus, you’ll earn hotel points every time you make a purchase.
But like airline cards, sometimes the best hotel credit cards are actually general credit cards that earn transferrable points. Many major banks are transfer partners with hotels, offering even more flexibility when searching for your perfect stay.
To help you on your journey, here are the best hotel credit cards currently—so you can score “suite” deals on hotel stays.
The Bottom Line:
Hotel credit cards can be an amazing tool for saving money on one of your biggest travel expenses, but they prove even more valuable in the form of experience: offering room upgrades, free breakfasts, and other members-only perks.
The quick pick:
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
If you’re the indecisive type and don’t plan on going to one hotel chain consistently, this card is going to be the best pick for a majority of people.
Best hotel credit cards of 2024:
- Best card for hotel elite status: The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Best card for premium travel: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Best credit card for points transfers: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Best credit card for Hilton: Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
- Best card for Marriott: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- Best card for Hyatt: World of Hyatt Credit Card
- Best card for IHG: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- Best premium hotel card: The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- Best for: Luxury Perks
- Annual Fee: $695
- Pay Over Time APR
- Reward Rate: 5X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
The Platinum Card® from American Express
80,000 Membership Rewards® Points
Offer Details:
80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in your first 6 months of card membership
Why we like it
The Amex Platinum was once the sole dominating force in the luxury credit card space. While it now faces some stiff competition, it still offers unbeatable perks like unprecedented airport lounge access, elite status at Hilton and Marriott, and some outstanding statement credits making the mammoth $695 worth it for some.
Reward details
5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
$200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
$199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
Cons
The $695 annual fee is brutally high. Too high for many that can’t, or don’t want to take full advantage of its benefits.
Points-earning rates are low unless spending directly on flights or with the Amex Portal.
Some of the benefits, like travel credits, are more limited and are harder to use than competing cards’ offerings.
- Best for: Beginner Travelers
- Annual Fee: $95
- Variable APR: 20.74% - 27.74%
- Reward Rate: 1X - 5X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
60,000 Bonus Points
Offer Details:
60,000 Bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Why we like it
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is the ultimate all-around travel credit card—it fits perfectly into almost any points-earner’s wallet. Points novices can enjoy a significant intro bonus and easy to grasp spending categories with an approachable annual fee. The more experienced can utilize its high value earning potential as a secondary card and also gain access to Chase’s strong travel booking portal.
Reward details
5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.
2x on all other travel purchases.
1x on all other purchases.
Pros & Cons
PROS
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruises through Chase Travel℠.
The $50 dollar hotel credit for stays purchased on the Chase Travel Portal already cuts the already approachable $95 annual fee significantly.
A 10% annual points bonus is tacked on every year, adding a little more value.
A free year-long Doordash DashPass membership is also thrown in, which gives you free delivery and some extra discounts. It’s a solid perk if you order food delivery at least semi-frequently (Activate by 12/31/2027).
Along with all of the above, cardholders also have access to a string of travel protections like rental coverage, cancellation insurance, and purchase protection.
CONS
Maximizing the value of Chase points can still be complicated for complete novices.
Competing cards like the Capital One Venture have a better earning rate for non-bonused spend.
It’s subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. So, if you’ve opened five cards in the last two years, you’re most likely not going to be accepted.
- Best for: Overall Travel
- Annual Fee: $395
- Regular APR: 19.99% - 29.49% variable
- Reward Rate: 2X - 10X
- Recommended Credit: 720-850
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
75,000 Bonus Miles
Offer Details:
75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Why we like it
The Capital One Venture X is a direct competitor to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, and for many seeking a simpler earning scheme with premium perks, it could be the better option. But the Venture X truly shines with one benefit in particular: four free authorized users. Not only can they all use the card and earn miles, they all receive a Priority Pass membership which allows themselves and two guests access to airport lounges. In a highly improbable situation, that means you could technically bring 15 people into a lounge with you.
Reward details
10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5 Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
2 Miles per dollar on every purchase
Pros & Cons
Pros
Its solid intro bonus of 75,000 miles is worth well over $1,000 when transferred to partner airlines and hotels, or a flat rate $750 when redeemed on the Capital One Travel Portal.
Cardholders get a bonus of 10,000 miles each year after their first account anniversary, which is nothing to shrug off, especially when a little bit short of that business class flight. It’s worth almost $200 depending on how you use it.
The $300 annual credit for purchases made on the Capital One Travel Portal, combined with the yearly free miles, more than annul the $395 annual fee.
Four authorized users can be added for free.
Enjoy complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and the Partner Lounge Network
A generous offering of travel insurance, protections and reimbursements round out an excellent array of benefits.
Cons
The $300 credit is a bit less flexible than the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s comparable benefit.
Miles earning is the same as the Sapphire Reserve on portal-based purchases, but less on general travel spending.
Capital One transfer partners are solid, but still don’t include any US-based airlines or hotels.
- Best for: Free Hilton Stays
- Annual Fee: $150
- APR: 19.99%-28.99% Variable
- Reward Rate: 3X - 12X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points
Offer Details:
Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/8/2025.
Why we like it
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is an excellent hotel card, with a strong intro bonus of 165,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the card in your first six months of card membership. It’s worth having this card even for a couple of stays a year, as the $150 annual fee is already validated by the free breakfast and strong points earnings. If free Hilton nights is the goal, its earning potential is stellar, with 4X points for each dollar on U.S. online retail purchases, and 3X points for all other eligible purchases on your card.
Reward details
12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Strong 165,000-point intro bonus, which could translate to multiple free nights or one night in a luxury property in some places
Up to $200 back each year on eligible Hilton purchases after you use your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Get complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status. This entitles the cardholder to room upgrades if available, free breakfast, 80% bonus points on Hilton spends, and fifth night free on an award stay. It’s more than worth the annual fee.
Strong spending categories on popular purchases like U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. restaurants
Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your card in a calendar year
Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors(TM) Gold Status
Cons
No automatic free anniversary nights
You’ll need a lot of Hilton points to redeem for a free night at a luxury property
$150 annual fee
- Best for: Earning Marriott points
- Annual Fee: $95
- Regular APR: 20.74%–27.74% (Variable)
- Reward Rate: 2X - 6X
- Recommended Credit: 690-850
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points)
Offer Details:
After spending $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card!
*Information about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card has been collected independently by The Daily Navigator and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
Why we like it
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card provides a strong option for those with a preference for staying at Marriott properties. As with many hotel cards, heavy travelers would do well to upgrade to a more premium card, but for the regular guest, the Boundless makes a compelling case to be in your wallet. Plus, earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening —which is enough to make the card a no-brainer, as that comfortably justifies the $95 annual fee.
Reward details
6 points per dollar on purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
3 points per dollar on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on gas stations, grocery stores, and dining
2 points per dollar on all other purchases
Pros & Cons
Pros
Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points)
Cardholders enjoy a free night certificate each cardmember anniversary, worth up to 35,000. If used strategically, the value of this night could well exceed the $95 annual fee
It’s possible to earn up to 17X spent on Marriott stays
Automatic Silver Elite status, which offers late checkouts and 10% bonus points on stays
Cons
You’ll need to shell out for a larger fee card if you want high-tier elite status
Mediocre points-earning bonus categories
- Best for: Hyatt Hotel Lovers
- Annual Fee: $95
- Regular APR: 20.74%-27.74% (Variable)
- Reward Rate: 1X - 4X
- Recommended Credit: 690-850
World of Hyatt Credit Card
Up to 60,000 Bonus Points
Offer Details:
Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 more Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
Why we like it
The World of Hyatt Credit Card is a wonderful card to have in your wallet, not least because Hyatt points are one of, if not the most, valuable hotel points out there. Plus, its intro bonus is worth up to 60,000 bonus points. Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months of opening the card, which may seem sultry compared to others, it’s actually worth close to $600. You can also technically earn an extra 30,000 points, but that takes a bit more spending. But with the bonus, a free night certificate doled out each year, and an extra free night certificate after spending $15,000, you’re getting a card that packs a punch.
Reward details
4 bonus points per $1 spent with your card at Hyatt hotels, including participating restaurants and spas.
2 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants, airline tickets purchased through the airline, fitness club and gym memberships, and local transit and commuting.
1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Intro bonus of up to 60,000 points can be worth over $1,000 towards Hyatt stays.
Get 1 free night each year after your Cardmember anniversary at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort.
Enjoy complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open, which includes bonus points on paid Hyatt stays, premium internet, and 2 pm late checkout.
Receive 5 tier qualifying night credits towards status after account opening, and each year after that for as long as your account is open.
Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year.
Earn 2 qualifying night credits towards tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card.
Earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays – 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member.
Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting, and on fitness club and gym memberships.
Cons
Points-earning potential isn’t too strong, especially beyond the intro period.
Hyatt has fewer properties than the likes of Marriott and Hilton, so you may be more limited to where you can redeem your points.
- Best for: IHG Hotel Lovers
- Annual Fee: $99
- Regular APR: 20.74% - 27.74% (Variable)
- Reward Rate: 3X - 10X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
140,000 Bonus Points
Offer Details:
140,000 Bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Why we like it
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card should claim a spot in any IHG loyalist’s wallet, thanks to its 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening and some bonus perks that more than compensate for the $99 annual fee. While IHG points may not be as valuable as other hotel points, there are still some hefty savings to be had with this card.
Reward details
Up to 10X points from IHG® for being an IHG One Rewards member
Up to 6X points from IHG® with Platinum Elite status
5X points on travel, dining, and at gas stations
3X points on all other purchases
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cardholders will earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
The complimentary anniversary night is more than worth the $99 annual fee.
Cardholders can also get a bonus reward night after redeeming points for a stay of four nights or more (i.e. book four nights with points for the cost of three nights).
Complimentary Platinum Elite status comes with the card which gifts 50% bonus points on stays, room upgrades where available, and more.
It’s possible to earn as much as 26X points when paying for an IHG stay.
A wide variety of points-earning categories makes it easy to rack up rewards.
Cons
IHG points aren’t as valuable as some hotel currencies—you’ll need a lot more points to get free stays.
The high earning rates, in turn, aren’t quite as lucrative as they seem.
- Best for: Premium Hotel Perks
- Annual Fee: $550
- Regular APR: 20.24% to 29.24% (Variable)
- Reward Rate: 3X - 14X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
150,000 Bonus Points
Offer Details:
150,000 Bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months from account opening.
*Information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by The Daily Navigator and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
Why we like it
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is big ticket hotel card with a hefty $550 annual fee to match. But with complimentary Hilton Diamond elite status, a whopping 150,000-point intro bonus worth around $900, an annual free night certificate, free Priority Pass membership, $250 in resort credits, and a further $250 in airline fee credits, the Aspire has a lot to offer, even if you only stay in Hilton properties a few times a year.
Reward details
14X Hilton Honors Bonus Points per $1 of eligible purchases on your Card made directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for eligible purchases: on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com; on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies; & at U.S. restaurants.
3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other purchases
Pros & Cons
Pros
The 150,000 point intro bonus is worth around $900 and can score you several nights in some excellent hotels. It’s earned by spending $4,000 within the first three months of opening the card.
Complimentary Diamond elite status with Hilton Honors is a huge perk as its the hotel’s top-tier status. It offers free breakfast, executive lounge access, room upgrades, and strong bonus points earning opportunities.
Cardholders get a free night on their anniversary each year which can be used at any Hilton hotel around the world, and big spending customers will get another free night if they spend $60,000 in a year on the card. This is on the top of the points you already earn for spending on the card.
The $250 resort credit can be used to cover room rates or on-site expenses at almost 250 resorts worldwide, further validating the annual fee.
The $250 yearly airline fee can be used to offset checked bag fees, among other costs, with your selected airline. This perk makes the card more flexible, as you don’t need an airline card to enjoy free checked bags if you only travel a few times a year.
The Priority Pass Select membership allows for unlimited visits to 1400+ airport lounges around the world, a major benefit for anyone traveling regularly. You can even bring two guests for free.
Cons
The $550 yearly fee is high, and while it’s easy to gain the value back, infrequent travelers may want to look at a less expensive Hilton credit card
The airline and resort credits have rules that make them a little more complicated to use, so gaining maximum value isn’t always easy
Hilton Honors awards nights can have very high rates
FAQ's
Should I open a hotel card?
Hotel credit cards can be extremely useful for a wide range of reasons. Unlike airline cards, which generally offer less flexibility and fewer perks, co-branded hotel cards often provide value above and beyond.
Intro bonuses can often comfortably cover two or three nights in a hotel, and many reward customers with a free night certificate each year, which easily offsets the cost of the cards in many cases. Many of the cards listed in this article come with a free yearly stay and only have an annual fee that’s less than $100. If you stay in a hotel once a year and spend $200 on that hotel, you’ve already got your money back.
What really sets them apart is the perks they come with, like automatic elite status perks. Becoming a high-tier elite member of a hotel brand can mean many things, like free breakfasts, room upgrades, and bonus points on spending. All of these factor together to produce buckets of value from a card.
Is it worth splashing on a premium card?
As with many credit cards, the answer lies in your lifestyle. If you’re an extremely occasional traveler, going for a high-annual fee premium option will usually not be worth the cost. The value in these cards come from regular usage and a personal desire for the luxury perks they offer – like airport lounge access.
The mid-tier cards are far more risk free and offer simple ways to ensure paying an annual fees is validated. So if you’re only spending a few nights in a hotel a year, you probably don’t need to shell out for a premium card.
Mid-tier cards bridge the gap for everyone else flying occasionally or for those who don’t prefer one airline over another. General premium travel credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Capital One Venture X offer lounge access regardless of the airline being flown. Combine this with a mid-tier card like the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card, and you’ll still enjoy free checked bags, hefty intro bonuses, and priority boarding.
Should you stick to one hotel brand?
This comes down to personal preference. Some travelers swear by a certain hotel collection and won’t even look elsewhere. Others operate on a case-by-case basis. If you feel confident that you can get use from two hotel brands, make a calculated decisions — it may even be worth having cards for each chain if you travel enough.
Some general travel cards also offer hotel automatic elite status as well, allowing for flexibility but still giving you access to elite perks.
*For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
by your friends at The Daily Navigator
