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Best hotel credit cards of March 2024: Free nights and more

Updated March 14, 2024

Hotel credit cards can earn you free nights, upgrades, luxury perks and more. The best credit cards for hotel stays offer larger reward rates on hotels than you’d find on general rewards cards, along with free nights and other perks that can add more value to your travel. Whether you’re loyal to a specific chain or would prefer some flexibility, you could find the right fit in a hotel card. Check out the best hotel cards of 2024 from our partners and find a better way to stay.

Best no annual fee hotel card
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
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Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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Recommended Credit

Intro offer

Info

$600

Offer valuation

Info

3X - 7X

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Best for business travel
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
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Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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Recommended Credit

Intro offer

Info

$780

Offer valuation

Info

3X - 12X

Rewards Rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Best for loyal Marriott customers
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
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Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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Recommended Credit

Intro offer

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$1295

Offer valuation

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2X - 6X

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Info
BEST FOR EVERYDAY SPENDING
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
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Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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Recommended Credit
Info

Intro offer

Info

N/A

Offer valuation

Info

3X - 12X

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Best for business owners who prefer Marriott hotels
Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3
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Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit

Intro offer

Info

$1750

Offer valuation

Info

2x - 6x

Rewards Rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Best for flexibility
Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
4.1
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on Capital One's secure site
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit

Intro offer

Info

$340

Offer valuation

Info

1.25 Miles - 5 Miles

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Best for luxury business travel
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8
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Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit

Intro offer

Info

$2400

Offer valuation

Info

1X - 5X

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Info
Best for luxury benefits
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8
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Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit
Info

Intro offer

Info

$1600

Offer valuation

Info

5X - 5X

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

Compare Bankrate's top 2024 hotel credit cards

Card name Best for Rewards highlights Bankrate score

No annual fee

7X points on eligible Hilton purchases

5X points on eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations 

3X points on all other purchases 

4.4 / 5

Info
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Business travel

12X points on purchases made directly with Hilton hotel and resort purchases

6X points on select business (U.S. gas stations, U.S. cellphone service providers and U.S. shipping purchases) and travel purchases (U.S. restaurants, airfare booked through Amex Travel and select car rentals)

3X points on all other purchases

4.5 / 5

Info
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Loyal Marriott customers

6X points at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy®  program

3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines

2X points on all other purchases

4.5 / 5

Info
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Everyday spending

12X points on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels and resorts

6X points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations

4X points on U.S. online retail purchases

3X points on other eligible purchases.

4.7 / 5

Info
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Business owners who prefer Marriott hotels

6X Marriott Bonvoy Points on participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels

4X points on restaurants, U.S. gas stations and wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping

2X points on all other purchases

4.3 / 5

Info
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Flexibility

5X miles on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel

1.25X miles on all purchases

4.1 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
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on Capital One's secure site

Luxury business travel

5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

1.5X points on eligible purchases in key business categories and on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else (on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year)

1X points on all other purchases

4.8 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
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Luxury benefits

5X points on up to $500,000 of directly booked flights and hotels booked through American Express Travel per calendar year

2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel

4.8 / 5

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A closer look at our top hotel credit cards

Image of Hilton Honors American Express Card

Hilton Honors American Express Card

Best no annual fee hotel card

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It offers a welcome bonus of 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first 6 months of card membership (offer ends 4/17/24) — 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.

Loyal Hilton customers who want exceptional rewards rates in a variety of purchase categories, all with no annual fee.

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.

Image of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Best for business travel

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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 and the long-term value of rewards on hotel purchases makes it worth it.

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.

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 and want airline perks like airport lounge access. The card not only carries some of the most valuable business card rewards out there, but also includes the same complimentary Hilton HonorsTM Gold status you’d get with the Hilton Honors Amex Business card.

Image of Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Best for loyal Marriott customers

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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.

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.

If you’re looking to avoid high annual fees but still want to reap great benefits, consider the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. The card earns slightly fewer points per dollar spent but still comes with elite membership benefits and 15 Elite Night Credits.

Image of Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

BEST FOR EVERYDAY SPENDING

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This card not only earns Hilton points at a solid rate on Hilton stays, but also on everyday purchases. This means you can enjoy great value even if you don’t actually spend a ton on hotel stays. 

Hilton fans who want to stick with a single rewards card for most of their everyday spending.

A general travel rewards card like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card could be a better option if you value flexibility, since you can earn and redeem rewards for bookings at nearly any hotel brand.

Image of Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

Best for business owners who prefer Marriott

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Not only does it have a great welcome offer, but you can also get automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status with the card, upon enrollment. Its everyday rewards categories and solid travel benefits also complement your Marriott rewards.

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.

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.

Image of Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Best for flexibility

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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 (terms apply). 

Frequent flyers who want to earn flexible rewards at a flat rate on all purchases — travel-related or not — and cardholders who  want a variety of options for redeeming travel rewards.

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 the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card. Like the VentureOne, this card earns cash back on both Wyndham hotel stays and everyday purchases like dining and gas without charging an annual fee.

Image of The Business Platinum Card®  from American Express

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Best for luxury business travel

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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 AmexTravel.com, 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.

Luxury-minded business owners and employees who often travel and who 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).

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.

Image of The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Best for luxury benefits

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Complimentary gold-level status (enrollment required) with not one but two hotel brands: Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status and Hilton Honors Gold Status. On top of this, there are also tons of flight and entertainment credits that help offset the steep annual fee.

Travelers 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.

If you aren’t excited by the Amex Platinum’s luxury perks and don’t want to fork up a nearly $700 annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® may be a more practical option. It comes with a lower $550 annual fee and can still provide more flexible rewards and benefits, especially considering your points are worth 50 percent more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Image of Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card

Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card

Best for road trips

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Along with its solid rewards rate in the key categories of groceries and dining, it carries one of the best gas rewards rates available on a hotel card, so it’s a great choice if you spend a lot of time on the road and frequent Wyndham hotels. Its annual fee is also a bit lower than what you’ll find on most mid-tier hotel cards, making it a low-risk option.

Frequent Wyndham guests looking for a standalone rewards card they can use to cover most of their everyday spending.

If you aren’t especially loyal to Wyndham, you may be better off with a more flexible travel rewards card like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. The Venture card earns 5 miles per dollar on hotel bookings made through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases. Plus, it allows you to redeem rewards for travel at a fixed value of 1 cent per mile or transfer miles to popular airline and hotel loyalty programs, including Wyndham Rewards. 

Image of Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card

Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card

Best for balance transfers

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It’s one of the only no-annual-fee hotel rewards cards to offer an intro APR on balance transfers, making it a great option for frequent Wyndham guests looking to minimize interest charges. The card also carries solid long-term value thanks to its anniversary bonus and impressive rewards rate in everyday categories like gas, groceries and dining.

Wyndham fans who need to pay off debt and occasional travelers looking for a no-annual-fee card that earns Wyndham points.

Thanks to its higher rewards rates — especially in the key categories of dining and groceries — the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card could be more valuable overall, despite its $75 annual fee. Plus, you’ll still receive a good balance transfer intro APR offer. 

Image of Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Best for everyday purchases

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If you’re looking for a standalone rewards card that earns Marriott points, this may be your best option thanks to its terrific mix of bonus categories, which cover not only Marriott stays but also groceries, gas and dining. The card’s annual fee is also relatively low given the value of its perks, making it a low-risk option if you stay at Marriott hotels at least once per year.

Occasional travelers who like to stick with one card for most of their spending and don’t mind redeeming rewards mostly for Marriott stays.

Though this card carries a solid everyday rewards rate, its points are far less valuable and flexible than those you’d earn with many general travel rewards cards. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card charges the same annual fee as the Boundless and carries an impressive rewards rate on Chase travel bookings, dining and online grocery purchases; however, it also earns some of the most valuable and flexible rewards out there. Plus, you can always transfer points to Marriott Bonvoy if needed.

Image of Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

Best starter hotel card

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It’s the only Marriott card with no annual fee, so it may be a great option if you’re new to hotel rewards and looking for a low-risk starting point. You can earn rewards on Marriott stays and travel and get a taste of elite status at no cost, then decide whether it’s worth upgrading to a higher-tier card down the line.

Rewards beginners who usually stay at Marriott hotels and don’t want to commit to an annual fee.

While an annual fee may be intimidating, other Marriott cards will likely offer more value overall, despite their higher cost. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, for example, carries a $95 annual fee but also gives you a free night award each year after your account anniversary. Since it can cover a stay of up to 35,000 points, this award is easily valuable enough to make up for the fee and then some.

Image of Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Best hotel welcome offer

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The card’s welcome offer is one of the highest on the market. It also earns an outstanding 12X points on eligible Hilton stays, including overseas hotels and resorts.

Frequent Hilton guests looking to maximize short- and long-term value via a hefty welcome bonus and solid rewards rate on everyday spending.

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. Consider competitor options like the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card or a general-purpose travel card — like the Platinum Card from American Express — that rewards you for purchases outside hotel stays.

The information about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card and Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.


What to know about hotel credit cards

A hotel credit card is a travel card that typically rewards its users for their loyalty to a specific hotel brand. You earn points in a 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, upgrades and access to the hotel chain’s travel partners.

You’ll often find 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. Another type of hotel credit card is a general travel rewards card that offers hotel-related perks and benefits without being exclusively associated with a single hotel chain. 

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

  • Checkmark

    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.

  • Checkmark

    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 even more in some cases.

  • Checkmark

    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 with even more perks.

Cons

  • Complicated redemption process: To get the most value from your card, you might have to navigate complicated rewards programs and redemption processes. The value can also decline significantly when you transfer points to travel partners or redeem for merchandise.

  • Low-value points: Although rewards rates are high with some co-branded hotel cards, the points’ redemption values are generally not worth as much as those earned with non-branded travel cards.

  • 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 want noteworthy perks at hotels.

Tips for choosing the best hotel credit card for you

The right hotel card for you will vary based on your travel habits and preferences. Here are a few first steps to help you in your search.

Expert tips & tricks for hotel credit cards

Hotel credit cards can be worthwhile, but once you have one, it’s best to know how to manage it effectively. We’ve laid out some of our top tips for hotel credit cards so you can get the most out of yours. 

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Bankrate Insight

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. The three main ways to earn free nights at hotels outside of redeeming your rewards are: leaning into hotel loyalty programs, earning sign-up bonuses and via a card’s annual award night perk.

Here’s how a Bankrate expert uses his hotel credit card

Bankrate credit cards writer Ryan Flanigan appreciates the everyday value he can get from the Hilton Honors Amex Surpass. 

This card has great practical use for my everyday needs. I go to this card early and often in the year to earn the $15,000 free night as quickly as possible. If I spend just in the 6X bonus categories, that’s 90,000 points in my pocket. That’s great value for the annual fee. The quarterly Hilton credits also give me a boost while staying on property. This card can almost always be found in my wallet.

— Ryan Flanigan, Writer, Credit Cards

Learn more about hotel cards and loyalty programs

When it comes to hotel credit cards and travel tips, Bankrate's Travel Toolkit and a huge collection of resources are at your service:


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

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.

How we assess the best hotel credit cards

Document
150+
cards rated
Congrats
50+
rewards programs valued
Search
1800
data points analyzed
Credit Card Reviews
40+
perks evaluated

When evaluating the best hotel cards, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards in popular categories to scoring a large sign-up bonus or high-value perks. Whenever possible, we also feature cards that are available at various credit levels and price points. 

We analyzed over 150 of the most popular cards and scored each based on its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, welcome bonus value, APR, fees, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup of the best hotel cards.

Here are some of the key factors that we considered:

Frequently asked questions about hotel credit cards