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Best hotel credit cards of March 2023: Free nights and more

Updated March 23, 2023

Hotel credit cards can earn you free nights, upgrades, luxury perks and more, whether you have a preferred chain or you like to stay flexible. If you're not traveling as much, some cards earn points for non-travel purchases too. Check out the best hotel cards of 2023 from our partners and find a better way to stay.

Image of Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card
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Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
4.1 Bankrate review
Info

Intro offer

45,000 points
Info

Annual fee

$75

Regular APR

20.24%, 24.49% or 29.49% variable

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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Info
Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
4.1
Info
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on Barclays's secure site
Image of Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card

Best for balance transfers

Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card

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on Barclays's secure site
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2 Bankrate review
Info

Intro offer

30,000 points
Info

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

20.24%, 24.49% or 29.49% variable

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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Info
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2
Info
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on Barclays's secure site
Image of Hilton Honors American Express Card

Best no annual fee hotel card

Hilton Honors American Express Card

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on American Express's secure site
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6 Bankrate review
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See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

Intro offer

Earn 100,000 points
Info

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

20.49%-29.49% Variable

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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Info
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Info
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on American Express's secure site
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Image of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
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on American Express's secure site
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8 Bankrate review
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See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

Intro offer

Earn 165,000 Points
Info

Annual fee

$95

Regular APR

20.49% - 29.49% Variable

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Info
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8
Info
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on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Image of Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
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on American Express's secure site
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6 Bankrate review
Info
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

Intro offer

95,000 points
Info

Annual fee

$650

Regular APR

20.49%-29.49% Variable

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Info
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Info
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on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Image of Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
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on American Express's secure site
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7 Bankrate review
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Intro offer

Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 points
Info

Annual fee

$125

Regular APR

20.49% - 29.49% Variable

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Info
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
Info
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Image of Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
Info

Intro offer

40,000 miles
Info

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Info
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
Info
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site
Image of The Business Platinum Card®  from American Express
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on American Express's secure site
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8 Bankrate review
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See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

Intro offer

120,000 points
Info

Annual fee

$695

Regular APR

18.99% - 26.99% Variable

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Info
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8
Info
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Info
Image of The Platinum Card® from American Express
chance of approval
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on American Express's secure site
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8 Bankrate review
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See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
See if you're pre‐approved for this card with Approval Odds

Intro offer

Earn 80,000 points
Info

Annual fee

$695

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
chance of approval
Info
Info
Info
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8
Info
chance of approval
Info
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

Compare Bankrate's top 2023 hotel credit cards

Card name Best for Rewards highlights Bankrate score
Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card Gas
6X points per dollar on eligible purchases made at Hotels by Wyndham as well as on qualifying gas purchases
 
4X points per dollar on eligible dining and grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart)
4.1 / 5
Read full card review
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Everyday purchases Up to 17X total points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy program

3X points at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining (on your first $6,000 in combined spending in these categories each year)

2X points on all other purchases

4.7 / 5
Read full card review
Wyndham Rewards Earner Card Balance transfers
5X points per dollar on eligible purchases made at Hotels by Wyndham as well as on qualifying gas purchases
 
2X points per dollar on eligible dining and grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart)
4.2 / 5
Read full card review
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Starter hotel card Up to 14X total points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy program

2X Bonvoy points on other travel purchases

3.7 / 5
Read full card review
Hilton Honors American Express Card 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 
4.6 / 5
Read full card review
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card Business travel 12X points on 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

4.8 / 5
Read full card review
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card 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

4.6 / 5
Read full card review
Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card Business rewards
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
4.7 / 5
Read full card review
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card Flexibility
5X miles on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel
1.25X miles on all purchases
4.2 / 5
Read full card review
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express 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
Read full card review
The Platinum Card® from American Express Premium 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

4.9 / 5
Read full card review
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Hotel welcome offer
12X points on eligible Hilton purchases
6X points at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations
 
3X points on all other purchases
4.4 / 5
Read full card review

A closer look at our top hotel credit cards

Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card: Best for gas

  • What we love about the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card: 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 the fee you’ll find on most mid-tier hotel cards, making it a low-risk option.
  • Who this card is good for: Frequent Wyndham guests looking for a standalone rewards card they can use to cover most of their everyday spending.
  • Alternatives: 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 not only earns 5 miles per dollar on hotel bookings made through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases, but also 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. 

Read our full Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card review.
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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: Best for everyday purchases

  • What we love about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: 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.
  • Who this card is good for: Occasional travelers who like to stick with one card for most of their spending and don’t mind redeeming rewards mostly for Marriott stays.
  • Alternatives: 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.

Read our full Marriott Bonvoy Boundless review.
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Wyndham Rewards Earner Card: Best for balance transfers

  • What we love about the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card: 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 value thanks to its anniversary bonus and impressive rewards rate in everyday categories like gas, groceries and dining.
  • Who this card is good for: Wyndham fans who need to pay off debt and occasional travelers looking for a no-annual-fee card that earns Wyndham points.
  • Alternatives: 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. However, if you want a card that has more flexibility while still offering a balance transfer, Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a good, flat rate option. This card will let you earn 1.25X miles on all purchases and have a similar balance transfer intro offer, which is great for those who don’t mind staying at hotels other than Wyndham.

Read our full Wyndham Rewards Earner Card review.
Jump back to offer details.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold: Best starter hotel card

  • What we love about the Marriott Bonvoy Bold: 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.
  • Who this card is good for: Rewards beginners who usually stay at Marriott hotels and aren’t ready to commit to an annual fee.
  • Alternatives: 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.

Read our full Marriott Bonvoy Bold review.
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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 $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 04/05/2023. — 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 luxury perks, 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. It