Best Hotel Credit Cards in September 2024

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

. . .

Whether you travel for business or pleasure, you might find that you prefer one hotel chain over another. But did you know that many of the most popular hotel brands offer rewards credit cards that allow you to earn free nights and unlock exclusive benefits?

A hotel credit card can help you earn rewards points to use toward your next trip — you just have to choose which hotel brand and which card level is right for you.

Best for IHG: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

. . .

IHG is one of the largest hotel chains in the world, with properties ranging from the Intercontinental to the Holiday Inn — and the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is one of the best cards to earn rewards for stays at IHG.

You can earn up to 26x total points at IHG properties. This includes:

• 10x points with this credit card
• Up to 10x points for being an IHG One Rewards Member
• Up to 6x additional points with Platinum Elite status (which comes with this card)

General travel, gas stations, and restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery) earn 5x points, while all other purchases earn 3x points.

When you redeem points for a consecutive four-night stay at an IHG property, you'll receive the fourth night free for the same stay. You'll also get a free anniversary stay each year. Plus, with Platinum Elite status, you'll get access to complimentary upgrades, early check-ins, and a welcome amenity at check-in.

If you’re a frequent traveler, you’ll want to take note of the card’s travel perks, such as a United® Airlines Travel Bank credit of up to $50 each year after registering this card with your MileagePlus® account. You’ll also get up to $100 every four years ($120 starting 10/1/24) to cover the application cost for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS.

If you spend $20,000 in a calendar year, you’ll also be eligible to earn a $100 statement credit and a 100,000 point bonus.

Why we chose it

While the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has an annual fee, it can be easily offset by the free nights and travel rewards you’ll earn if you frequently stay at IHG properties. By comparison, its sister card, the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card, has no annual fee but doesn't have nearly as many perks.

For example, while both have no foreign transaction fees, only the Premier comes with trip cancellation and interruption insurance. As well, the Traveler card only gets you automatic Silver Elite status, while the Premier gets you Platinum Elite.

LEARN MORE: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

Best for Hilton: Hilton Honors American Express Card

. . .

Hilton is one of the most recognizable hotel chains in the world and a favorite for business travelers. With no annual fee, the Hilton Honors American Express Card is good to have if you stay at Hilton frequently.

You'll earn 7x points on stays at properties in the Hilton portfolio, as well as 5x points on dining (including takeout and delivery) at U.S. restaurants, and 5x points at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations. Plus 3x points on all other purchases. 

The Hilton Honors American Express card also gives you complimentary Hilton Honors Silver Status. Or, you can upgrade to Gold Status by making $20,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year.

This card also offers a few useful travel perks, including no foreign transaction fees, car rental loss and damage insurance,* and a 24/7 Global Assist® Hotline.* 

Read our full review of the Hilton Honors American Express Card.

Why we chose it

There are other Hilton cards to choose from, but we like that the Hilton Honors American Express Card has no annual fee without denying you the ability to earn a hefty amount of points, get access to travel perks, benefit from purchase protection,* and gain access to American Express Experiences.

If you wanted even more Hilton perks, you could opt for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card instead, although note that it does have an annual fee (rates and fees).

LEARN MORE: Hilton Honors American Express Card

Best for Marriott: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

. . .

Marriott has a portfolio of hotels around the world, including the Ritz-Carlton, Courtyard, and Springhill Suites.

With the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, you can earn up to 17x points at Marriott Bonvoy hotels:

• 6x points with this card
• Up to 10x points for being a Marriott Bonvoy member
• Up to 1x points for maintaining Silver Elite Status

You'll also earn 3x points on gas, grocery stores, and dining out. Outside of those categories, you'll earn 2x points on everyday spending.

The card is loaded with perks including a Free Night Award on your card account anniversary (valid for a one-night hotel stay worth up to 35,000 points, resort fees may apply) and you’ll receive 15 Elite Night Credits every calendar year.

Plus, you’ll automatically get Silver Elite Status each year and a path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 in the calendar year. You’ll get free wifi during your stay too. 

This credit card is also packed with travel perks, such as baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and trip delay reimbursement. You also won’t pay any foreign transaction fees for purchases made abroad and will get purchase protection on new purchases.

Why we chose it

There are several other Marriott credit cards to choose from, but the Boundless is an accessible option for most people. Marriott has a few premium cards but they come with high annual fees, and its no-annual-fee card, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, has a much lower rewards structure — making the Boundless a good middle-of-the-road choice.

If you’re a frequent visitor to Marriott properties, the moderate fee of the Boundless can be easily offset by the anniversary credit and additional card perks.

LEARN MORE: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Best for Hyatt: The World of Hyatt Credit Card

. . .

If you’re looking to earn points or redeem free stays while also banking frequent flyer miles, Hyatt should be on your radar. Hyatt’s partnership with American Airlines makes this an essential card for frequent travelers.

With the World of Hyatt Credit Card you can earn up to 9x points for Hyatt stays and experiences, including restaurants and spas: 4x points from the card and 5x points for being a World of Hyatt member.

You’ll also earn 2x points for local transit and commuting, dining out, flights booked directly with an airline, and gym or fitness club memberships, and 1x points for all other purchases.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers hotel perks like World of Hyatt Discoverist status, five qualifying night credits toward your next tier status each year, and you can earn two additional qualifying night credits with each $5,000 spent on your card.

You’ll also receive a free night (for a Category 1-4 property) every year on your account anniversary, and an additional free night if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year. 

The World of Hyatt Credit Card also comes with lots of benefits, including no foreign transaction fees, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, an auto rental collision damage waiver, and purchase protection.

Why we chose it

Hyatt has limited credit card options — just one consumer card and one business card.

If you're a business traveler, you may get more out of the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, but otherwise, anyone who frequently stays at Hyatt properties on personal trips will enjoy the benefits of the regular World of Hyatt Credit Card.

LEARN MORE: World of Hyatt Credit Card

Best for flexible stays: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

. . .

If you don’t have a preference for which hotel you stay at, a general travel card may suit you better.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the best travel credit cards on the market, since you can use points to book a variety of hotels right through Capital One Travel.

To kickstart your rewards balance, you can earn 75,000 miles to use on Capital One Travel after spending $4,000 in the first three months. You'll then earn 2x miles on all your purchases with no restrictions, and 5x miles when you book a hotel, vacation, or rental car through Capital One Travel. Miles can be easily redeemed by booking travel through the Capital One Travel portal or reimbursed as a statement credit for travel-related expenses.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has an annual fee but does give you access to added travel perks, like no foreign transaction fees, travel accident insurance, Hertz Five Star® status, and an auto rental collision damage waiver. You’ll also receive a credit of up to $120 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and 24/7 travel assistance services. 

You'll also get extended warranty protection for purchases made with the card.

Read our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.

Why we chose it

There are a lot of general travel credit cards to choose from, but we like the flexibility of the Capital One Venture when it comes to redeeming for hotels.

You can book travel directly through the Capital One Travel portal — not just hotels, but also flights and car rentals. You can also book Lifestyle Collection hotels and receive a $50 experience credit and free room upgrades (when available). Plus, when you book through Capital One Travel, you also receive 5x miles on eligible hotel bookings.

LEARN MORE: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

How To Choose a Hotel Credit Card

When it comes to choosing the best hotel credit card, there’s no one-size-fits-all. Most hotel brands have several credit cards to choose from, at varying fee levels, so you'll need to consider factors like your travel habits and spending patterns to determine which is best for you.

Hotel choice

Of course, it doesn't make sense to get a credit card that earns you points for a hotel chain you rarely visit. Consider which hotels you most prefer and are most convenient for destinations where you frequently travel.

Redemption value

Unlike general credit cards, the value of hotel points can vary by hotel chain.

For example, 10,000 points earned with Hilton might not have the same purchasing power as 10,000 points earned at Marriott. If you find that you're equally loyal to Marriott and Hilton, you may want to choose the one whose point structure will give you the most value.

How you’ll use your rewards

Which card aligns best with your spending habits and travel goals? If status is more important to you, then you’ll want to choose the card that helps you achieve that. If you want to score free nights, check which card offers that perk.

Earnings potential

Hotel credit cards have different levels of earning for different categories. To get the most out of your card, you’ll want to maximize your spending. Look at your budget to see what categories you earn the most in and then pick the credit card that gives you the best return on your spending habits.

Sign-up bonuses

Many hotel credit cards offer generous welcome offers when you open a new account. Earning a huge haul of points or miles based on spending you were going to do anyway is a great way to start your rewards balance.

But you don't want to overspend just to get a sign-up bonus. Compare the sign-up bonuses for each and choose the one that gives you the best rewards, but with requirements that match what you'll reasonably spend.

How To Maximize Your Hotel Credit Card

To get the full advantage of a great hotel credit card, it’s important to follow a few good practices, such as:

Understand the perks

Like airline credit cards, hotel cards often come with perks beyond free stays. These can include complimentary upgrades, late checkout, or lounge access.

Pair it with a general travel credit card

Co-branded hotel cards are great if you’re loyal to a particular chain. But these cards might have limited categories in which you can earn points. Combining it with a general travel card can help you maximize your earnings while giving you access to other perks like travel assistance.

Learn about where you can stay

Many chains operate different tiers of hotels. Your points can generally be redeemed at any hotel in a chain’s portfolio. This can give you access to luxury and boutique hotels you might not have previously considered. Marriott, for example, includes the Ritz-Carlton and independent hotels in the Autograph Collection.

Pros and Cons of Hotel Credit Cards

The right hotel credit card can take your travel accommodations to the next level, as well as ease the burden on your wallet. That said, they’re not for everyone. Consider both the benefits and downsides before you apply.

Pros

• Earn free stays to offset the cost of your next trip.
• Extra perks, from late checkout to lounge access, can improve your travel experience.
• Receive complimentary status and a fast track to higher status levels.

Cons

• You likely won’t have the option of price shopping between hotels.
• The annual fee may be hard to offset with the card’s benefits if you’re not a frequent hotel guest.
• You may get better rewards on everyday spending with another type of credit card.

Hotel vs. General Travel Card: Which Should You Get?

Determining whether you should get a hotel credit card depends on how often you travel and whether you think you’ll actually benefit from it. While hotel points can be great to earn for frequent travelers, they can be quite restrictive for occasional vacationers.

If your goal is to offset the costs of a big upcoming trip, you’re better off getting a general travel card. This will give you the option to earn points in a wide variety of categories. When it comes time to redeem your points, you'll have more options to choose from too. 

For business travelers, selecting a hotel to get status with can make your life on the road more manageable. The ability to use a hotel credit card to get status and access to premium benefits, like lounges and room upgrades, will make a hotel card a valuable option.

FAQs 

How much is a hotel point worth?

Each hotel has a different point system. The value of the points you earn — and how much purchasing power they have — can vary between hotel chains. General travel cards are typically worth around 1 cent per point.

Are hotel cards worth the annual fee?

They can be if you travel frequently. You’ll want to look at your travel schedule to see if you’ll benefit from getting status or if you can earn enough free nights to make it worth it.

You’ll also want to check if a hotel credit card has other travel benefits like travel insurance or a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application credit. These extra features can also make the annual fee worth it.

Final Thoughts

A hotel credit card can save you money and earn you perks at hotels where you frequently stay. If you're a fan of one particular chain, a branded hotel credit card may be a good travel card to add to your wallet. Just be sure the rewards you'll earn will balance out the annual fee (if there is one).

. . .

---

* 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.

Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.