Best hotel credit card with free nights

The information about the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, the Radisson Rewards Premier Visa Signature Card, The World of Hyatt Credit Card, and the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

Compare Bankrate’s top 2022 hotel credit cards

A closer look at our top hotel credit cards

Hilton Honors American Express Card: Best no annual fee hotel card

• What we love about the Hilton Honors Amex: It offers a welcome bonus of 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 3 months of Card Membership. Plus, you can earn up to $100 in Statement Credits on eligible purchases made on the Card at any of the Hilton family hotels in the first 12 months of Membership — one of the most generous offers out there for a rewards card that charges no annual fee. It also includes annual, well-rounded rewards that are difficult to find on cards with no annual fee.
• Who this card is good for: Loyal Hilton customers who want exceptional rewards rates in a variety of purchase categories, all with no annual fee.
• Alternatives: This card lacks elite benefits, which is a common tradeoff for no-annual-fee hotel cards. If luxury is alluring for you, consider the card’s next iteration that comes with a $95 annual fee, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass credit card.

Read our full Hilton Honors American Express Card review.
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The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Best for business travel

• What we love about the Hilton Honors Amex Business Card: You’ll earn 12X points on purchases made through Hilton hotels and resorts—one of the most generous rewards rates you’ll find anywhere. Plus, new cardholders can offset the first-year cost by earning the welcome offer, plus the long-term value of rewards on hotel purchases makes it worth it.
• Who this card is good for: Business travelers who want to earn Hilton perks and stellar rewards rates in categories beyond travel, including U.S. restaurants and U.S. gas stations.
• Alternatives: If you can spare the $695 annual fee, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is a great alternative for business owners who want to earn rewards on common business expenses alongside hotel and airline bookings. The card not only carries some of the most valuable business card rewards out there, but also several luxuryperks, including the same complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status you’d get with the Hilton Honors Amex Business card.

Read our full Hilton Honors American Express Business Card review.
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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card: Best for loyal Marriott customers

• What we love about the Bonvoy Brilliant Amex: Unlike some co-branded hotel cards, this one has rewards categories that extend to eligible airfare purchases (3X points on airfare booked directly through airlines). Plus, cardholders get a bevy of high-caliber benefits, including complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, premium airport lounge access and enough value via the card’s annual credits and Free Night Award to offset the $650 annual fee.
• Who this card is good for: Travelers who want premier benefits for staying at Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis, plus solid rewards rates in a variety of purchase categories.
• Alternatives: If you’re looking to avoid high annual fees but still want to reap the benefits of rewards, consider the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. The card earns slightly fewer points per dollar spent but still comes with elite membership benefits and a much lower annual fee.

Read our full Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card review.
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Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card: Best for business rewards

• What we love about the Bonvoy Business Amex: Not only does it have a great welcome offer, but you can also get automatic Gold Elite status with the card, upon enrollment. Its everyday 4X rewards categories and solid travel benefits also complement your Marriott rewards, making it easier to recoup the $125 annual fee.
• Who this card is good for: Business travelers who stay at Marriott on their frequent business trips and want a card that rewards them for purchases across an array of categories.
• Alternatives: Business owners who don’t spend a lot of money in the 4X categories won’t receive the maximum rewards value. Opting for a business hotel card that earns generously on hotel stays would be a strong alternative. Consider the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card for an option with a lower annual fee and the same rewards rate on nightly stays without sacrificing Silver Elite status.

Read our full Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card review.
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Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: Best for flexibility

• What we love about the Capital One Venture: The VentureOne card’s flexibility makes for a streamlined travel rewards experience from beginning to end. Not only can you earn unlimited 1.25X miles on all purchases (and 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel), but the card’s travel portal is also much more flexible than competing cards’. Its AI-powered pricing can help you find the best deals and you can cancel bookings at any time, for any reason. Even better, you can always redeem your miles at a value of 1 cent apiece for a statement credit to cover a wide range of eligible travel purchases you’ve made in the past 90 days instead.
• Who this card is good for: Frequent flyers who want to earn flexible rewards at a flat rate on all purchases—travel-related or not. Cardholders who aren’t attached to a single hotel chain and want a variety of options for redeeming travel rewards can also squeeze plenty of value from Capital One’s travel portal and its slew of transfer partners.
• Alternatives: If you’re loyal to one hotel brand, you might benefit more from the perks and elite statuses potentially available on co-branded rewards cards like those offered in either the Hilton Honors Program or the Marriott Bonvoy Program.

Read our full Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review.
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The Business Platinum Card from American Express: Best for luxury business travel

• What we love about the Amex Business Platinum: It provides perhaps the richest pool of rewards and benefits for frequent business travelers who don’t always book with a specific hotel brand. Along with its 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel, the card offers one of the best rates available in many popular business spending categories and a slew of annual hotel and travel reimbursements that can easily justify its annual fee.
• Who this card is good for: Luxury-minded business owners and employees who spend a lot of time traveling and are looking for a more comfortable experience at both airports and hotels — especially fans of Marriott and Hilton (you’ll enjoy complimentary elite status with both brands).
• Alternatives: Amex’s other business cards don’t carry nearly as many hotel rewards and perks as the Business Platinum, and it can be difficult to find a luxury business card with strong hotel rewards that isn’t tied to a particular hotel brand. The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card may be a good alternative thanks to its 3X points on travel purchases, including hotels (on up to $150,000 per year, then 1X points) and a range of other accommodations like timeshares and discount travel site stays.

Read our full Business Platinum Card from American Express review.
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The Platinum Card from American Express: Best for premium benefits

• What we love about The Platinum Card from Amex: Complimentary gold-level status (enrollment required) with not one but two hotel brands: Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status and Hilton Honors Gold Status.
• Who this card is good for: Travelers who want premium benefits that they’re unlikely to find anywhere else and aren’t hesitant about paying a steep annual fee ($695) to get them. Cardholders who can take advantage of luxury perks like the card’s premium hotel program credits and privileges, annual travel reimbursements and comprehensive airport lounge access should have no problem getting their money’s worth.
• Alternatives: If you aren’t excited by the Amex Platinum’s luxury perks and don’t want to fork up a nearly $700 annual fee, you might be better off with a card that costs less. In that case, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® may be a more practical option. It comes with a lower $550 annual fee and can still provide plenty of perhaps more flexible rewards and benefits, especially considering your points are worth 50 percent more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Read our full The Platinum Card from American Express review.
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Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card: Best hotel welcome offer

• What we love about the Hilton Honors Amex Surpass: The card’s welcome offer of 130,000 points after spending $2,000 in your first three months of card membership is a solid payday for loyal guests.
• Who this card is good for: Frequent Hilton guests looking to maximize short- and long-term value via a hefty welcome bonus and solid rewards rate on everyday spending.
• Alternatives: This card is a great mixture of both affordability and rewards value, but cardholders who don’t prefer Hilton hotels don’t stand to benefit from a Hilton loyalty rewards card. Consider competitor options like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless or a general-purpose travel card that rewards you for purchases outside hotel stays.

Read our full Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card review.

What is a hotel credit card?

A hotel credit card rewards its users for brand loyalty. You earn points in the hotel chain’s loyalty program by using the card to book rooms at the chain’s hotels or resorts and, in some cases, by making eligible non-travel purchases. Other incentives may include free nights, free room upgrades and access to the hotel chain’s travel partners.

How do hotel credit cards work?

There are two types of hotel credit cards. One is a co-branded hotel card that works through a partnership between an issuer and a hotel brand. These cards usually include enrollment in the hotel’s loyalty program. The other type of hotel credit card is a general travel rewards card that might offer hotel-related perks but isn’t associated exclusively with a single chain.

You earn points with a hotel credit card each time you use it to make a rewards-eligible purchase. Depending on the card, these purchases could include hotel stays, airfare, meals at restaurants or everyday purchases like groceries and gas.

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Bankrate insight

Every free night you earn with a hotel credit card could be worth more than $100. STR, a data analytics company serving the hospitality industry, estimates the average daily rate for a U.S. hotel room at $106.

Why get a hotel credit card?

A hotel credit card can potentially offer a lot of value year-round if you travel frequently or want to enjoy the benefits of an elite status you may not otherwise qualify for. For instance, some hotel loyalty programs offer complimentary membership status to cardholders along with boosted rewards rates and room discounts—sometimes for no annual fee. Plus, you may also benefit from earning points on non-travel purchases like dining, groceries or gas. However, you will still earn the most points for hotel room bookings.

Are hotel credit cards with no annual fees the best choice?

Hotel credit cards with no annual fee carry some obvious advantages over not having one at all or opting for one that costs anywhere from $95 to $450. You can qualify for room rate discounts, elite status, and boosted rewards just for holding some cards and you’ll have the added benefit of using points to book rooms.

Whether you opt for a hotel rewards card with an annual fee or a no-annual-fee card will likely depend on how frequently you stay at hotels and whether you can offset the annual fee with your rewards or card benefits. While a no-annual-fee card may be easier to manage, a premium hotel card makes sense if you stay with a particular hotel brand frequently enough that the card’s higher rewards rates and more valuable perks will make up for its annual fee.

For instance, if two hotel cards offer the same rewards rate at the same hotel chain but one of the cards carries a free reward night each year that’s worth up to $300 worth of points, the premium card may be the better choice if its annual fee is less than $300. On the other hand, a no annual fee card would likely be better if you’re not looking for perks with a specific hotel brand or you don’t stay at hotels frequently enough for your rewards spending and privileges to recoup an annual fee.

Pros and cons of hotel credit cards

Whether or not a hotel card is the right choice for you depends on your travel habits, budget and financial priorities. Make sure to weigh the pros and cons before choosing a particular card.

Pros

• Exclusive sign-up bonuses: Hotel cards regularly offer lucrative welcome offers or sign-up bonuses for new cardholders who meet the spending requirements within a specified period, usually three months.
• Earn extra points: A co-branded hotel card will likely offer a higher-than-average rewards rate compared with a general travel card. You could earn up to 10 points per dollar spent on eligible hotel purchases, and in some cases more.
• Special perks and status: Late check-in, complimentary breakfast and room upgrades are fairly standard across co-branded hotel credit cards. Many hotel cards also offer expedited pathways to elite status, which comes with even more perks.
• Convenient bookings: A hotel credit card offers a convenient way to book your hotel stays and earn hotel-specific rewards all at the same time.

Cons

• Complicated redemption process: To get the most value from your card, you might have to navigate complicated rewards programs and redemption processes.
• Low-value points: Although rewards rates are high with some co-branded hotel cards, the points are generally not worth as much as those earned with non-branded travel cards.
• Strict use of points: Redeeming points for award night stays is generally the only option for getting full point value. The value can decline significantly when you transfer points to travel partners or redeem for merchandise.
• Higher annual fees: Whether you opt for a co-branded hotel card or a general travel rewards card, you’ll most likely have to pay an annual fee of $95 or more if you’re looking for noteworthy perks at hotels.

Who should get a hotel credit card?

As a niche product, hotel credit cards appeal to fairly specific types of consumers. But anyone who stays at least a few times annually at a hotel may benefit from a hotel card.

Here are some of the ways that you might fit the profile:

If you’re unsure which of these spending styles fit your financial and travel needs, consider checking out our spender type tool to help you determine which credit card can give you the most comfortable getaway.

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Bankrate insight

Hotel credit cards commonly offer generous rewards rates, but you might be able to earn additional points outside the specified purchase categories as well. A number of hotels offer the opportunity to earn points on purchases with their partner companies, which typically include airlines and retailers. For example, the Hilton Honors program allows you to earn extra points by linking your account to cover participating partner merchant, restaurant and bar purchases — including Lyft rides.

How to choose the best hotel credit card for you

Wondering how to pick the best hotel credit card? The right hotel card for you will vary based on your travel habits and preferences. Follow these steps to help you in your search.

1. Evaluate how often you’ll stay at hotels. If you only travel once or twice per year, it may be a safe bet to rule out cards with high annual fees. If you stay at hotels frequently, all the perks and benefits that come with a hotel card may be worth it, such as extra free nights, complimentary elite status privileges or automatic accommodation upgrades. Take a close look at your travel habits and estimate the total value you can expect to get from different cards’ rewards and perks based on your spending habits. If a card carries an annual fee, be sure to factor that in to see which option will net the best overall value.
2. Choose your favorite hotel or hotel brand. Co-branded travel cards tend to partner with large national and international hotels brands. Most hotel credit cards carry the names of chains such as Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, IHG and Radisson. If your favorite hotel is a small regional brand or you prefer to stay at smaller hotels when you travel, you may be better off with a general travel credit card.
3. Remain conscious of points redemption. Using points when you travel can be tricky, especially when you’ve saved them up for a while and you want to ensure you get the most out of them. If you’re a traveler looking to maximize your points, check how much value you can get out of different redemption options to ensure you’re making the most of your hard-earned rewards. For example, your points may be worth less when you redeem for cash back, gift cards or merchandise instead of a hotel stay. Hotel bookings will generally be the best use of your rewards, but since many hotels use dynamic pricing systems, be sure to also consider when would be the best time to use your points. Your points may not be worth as much if you opt for a stay during peak travel season versus another time of the year. Checking to see if certain hotels’ redemption options or award-booking policies will be more valuable for you than others’ is a key step toward maximizing your hotel card.

Following these steps will help you find the best hotel credit card for you. The right card for you will align with your travel habits and elevate your travel experience by giving you benefits you can actually use.

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Bankrate insight

There are three main ways to earn free nights at hotels outside redeeming your rewards: leaning into hotel loyalty programs, snagging sign-up bonuses and via a card’s annual award night perk. Many hotel credit cards offer cardholders a fast-track to elite status, at least one complimentary award night each year, or at least enough points in their welcome offers to qualify for free nights.

What cards offer complimentary elite status with hotel loyalty programs?

Complimentary elite status with a hotel loyalty program or a fast-track to elite status is a valuable feature on several hotel rewards cards. After all, kickstarting your elite status journey could give you a boost toward incredibly valuable perks like improved rewards rates, exclusive upgrade privileges, extra award nights or other discounts.

Qualifying for elite loyalty status usually centers around frequent card use, but a credit card might carve you a shortcut toward elite status if it carries an automatic status offer. Popular cards that offer complimentary elite status by becoming a cardholder include:

Want to learn more about hotel loyalty programs? Check out our guides below for more info on some of your favorite hotel chain programs.

• Best Western Rewards
• Hilton Honors
• IHG Rewards Club
• Marriott Bonvoy
• Radisson Rewards
• World of Hyatt
• Wyndham Rewards

How to maximize hotel rewards points

Even the best hotel credit cards are only worth it when you take full advantage of the hotel rewards programs and associated perks. Here are a few tips on how to get the most out of your card and the hotel reward points you’ll earn:

• Make sure you’re a member of the associated hotel rewards program. They’re free to sign up for and will provide you with extra resources on how to get the most out of your booking. As both a loyalty member and co-branded cardholder, you’ll earn extra points on top of your card’s rewards rate. For instance, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card carry 6X points on eligible Marriott Bonvoy hotel purchases, but the Bonvoy loyalty program and automatic Platinum Elite status actually boosts your Marriott hotel rewards rate. It may also be beneficial to enroll in hotel’s loyalty program even if you don’t have a matching credit card so you don’t leave rewards on the table.
• Pair multiple credit cards. Your new hotel credit card will give you big point totals for hotel purchases, but not necessarily on everything else. Use your hotel card alongside high-earning cash back cards, other travel cards or one that allows you to transfer points to your preferred hotel chain.
• Book directly through the hotel or issuer’s shopping portal. You usually glean extra value by booking your room through the hotel’s website or an issuer’s shopping portal, like Chase Ultimate Rewards. Booking through third-party sites may not qualify for the expected rewards rate.
• Use your rewards. While it can be tempting to hoard points for a huge payout, it may be smarter to redeem more frequently. Award night pricing may change often, especially for hotels that have dynamic pricing, so you may get more value from your rewards by spending them on stays throughout than by saving them all for a trip during peak vacation season, when your points carry the least value.

How we chose our list of best hotel cards

Our credit card experts can help you find a top-rated hotel card to help you fund your next family vacation, business trip or overseas getaway. The best hotel rewards card is one that accommodates your personal travel needs. There’s not much reason to accrue Hilton Honors points if you frequently find yourself in Starwood-Marriott locations. Our 5-star scoring system takes a host of elements into account, but for hotel credit cards, we’ve emphasized:

Rewards value and redemption flexibility

Some cards offer the capability to transfer hotel points to different chains while other cards have their rewards tied to specific loyalty programs. The value of your rewards often varies, depending on the redemption option you chose. We considered cards that have a number or flexible redemption options, but also factored in how much rewards might be worth depending on which option you choose.

Annual fee

A lot of high-end hotel rewards cards charge fees, but offset this cost with luxury benefits like free room upgrades and trip insurance. We examined each of these add-ons as we determined whether the annual fee is worth the cost.

Sign-up bonus

Sign-up bonuses offer an easy way to earn hotel points. Often, within three months, you can hit the spending requirement and quickly amass enough points to redeem for a free night. We compared each of these welcome bonuses as we determined which cards deliver the strongest offerings on the market.

Learn more about hotel cards and loyalty programs

When it comes to hotel credit cards and travel tips, Bankrate has a huge collection of resources at your service:

• Hotel Credit Card Reviews
• Using credit card points for long weekend trips
• Best travel credit cards with no annual fee for 2022

Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @Bankrate.

* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.

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