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

Updated September 21, 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 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: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3 Bankrate review
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See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Image of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
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on American Express's secure site
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5 Bankrate review
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Intro offer

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Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
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
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See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Image of Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

Best for business owners who prefer Marriott hotels

Marriott Bonvoy Business® 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

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Image of Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
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on Capital One's secure site
Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
4.1 Bankrate review
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Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
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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Intro offer

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Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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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 if you're pre‐qualified for this card with Approval Odds

Intro offer

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Annual fee

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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chance of approval
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Compare Bankrate's top 2023 hotel credit cards

Card name Best for Rewards highlights Bankrate score
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 
4.7 / 5
Read full card review
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card 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

4.9 / 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

4.7 / 5
Read full card review
Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card 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
4.8 / 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
4.1/ 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 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
Read full card review
Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card Road trips
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
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 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
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

3.8 / 5
Read full card review
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Welcome offe
12X points on eligible Hilton purchases
6X points at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations
 
3X points on all other purchases
4.5 / 5
Read full card review

A closer look at our top hotel credit cards

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Hilton Honors American Express Card

Best no annual fee hotel card

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It offers a welcome bonus of 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 3 months of Card 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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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 is a hotel credit card?

A hotel credit card is a travel card that 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?

A hotel credit card works similar to a rewards or cash back card but usually focuses its rewards around hotel partnerships. Often these cards will come with high rewards rates on hotel bookings and include perks like credits for hotel stays. 

There are many 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. Read on for more details.

Types of hotel cards 

Hotel credit cards can be general travel cards, co-branded cards, business cards or personal cards. Some of these cards can fit into more than one category, such as general travel business cards or co-branded personal cards. 

When deciding on which type of hotel card you get, consider how much you travel, which brands you love, the card’s rewards rates and the additional perks. Perks could include hotel credits, travel protections or even business perks. Keeping these factors in mind helps narrow down the options to find the perfect card(s) for you.

Co-branded vs general

When it comes to co-branded cards versus general travel cards that offer hotel benefits, the biggest difference is flexibility. With co-branded cards, the credit card is attached to a specific hotel chain, such as Hilton or Marriott. Because of this, you not only get high rewards on stays with the brand, you also get perks like complimentary silver or gold status and room upgrades. However, a downside is that the best perks only apply to one specific hotel brand,  while other perks may fall short.

For general travel cards, you can book anywhere with any brand. Some cards even let you earn big on Airbnb stays and flights. They can also come with perks like luggage protection and travel credits. A downside can be that these cards can lean into rewarding flights more than hotel stays and might not be as rewarding for those who tend to stay at the same hotel.

Business vs personal

Personal and business cards differ in accessibility. Personal hotel cards are the most common, available to people who meet the credit score and application requirements. They come with perks that can enhance your vacation stays, including generous welcome offers and perks that you can personalize to your lifestyle.

Though many people can get personal hotel credit cards to use for leisure, not everyone can receive a business hotel credit card. You must have a qualifying business, whether a corporation or small business. If you don’t travel often for work, a business hotel card may not have much value. That being said, if you do find yourself booking hotels for work, these cards often come with better perks than the non-business versions.

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

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

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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. 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’re looking for noteworthy perks at hotels.

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.

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.

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 HiltonMarriottHyattIHG 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.

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.

 

Why get a hotel credit card?

A hotel credit card can offer a lot of year-round value if you travel frequently or want to enjoy the benefits of an elite hotel loyalty status you may not otherwise qualify for. For instance, some loyalty programs offer complimentary membership status to cardholders along with boosted rewards rates and room discounts — sometimes for no annual fee. And though they’re generally geared toward earning points on hotel stays, hotel cards can also earn points on non-travel purchases like dining, groceries or gas. 

Who should get a hotel credit card?

As a niche product, hotel credit cards appeal to 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.

How much are points/miles worth?

Hotel programs aren’t always the strongest redemption option for credit cards, especially compared to airlines. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not worth it. Many hotel programs hover around 0.7 or 0.8 cents per dollar in value. However, the rates of points or miles per dollar on hotel cards are much higher. For general travel cards, you can recieve 2X to 5X points/miles per dollar while co-branded cards typically offer more.

For example, Amex Platinum card rewards earn 5X points on prepaid hotels. Let’s say that you use this card for a $500 stay at a Hilton hotel. You would earn 2,500 points, worth $15 in redemption value, according to Bankrate’s 0.6 cent value for the Hilton Honors program. If you used the Hilton Honors Amex for this stay istead, you would earn 3,500 points, worth $21 in redemption value.

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 available 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. Here’s a list of popular cards that offer complimentary elite status to cardholders and their program point values:

Card Status Program point value (according to Bankrate)
The Platinum Card from American Express Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite and Hilton Honors Gold (enrollment required) 0.6 cents
The Business Platinum Card from American Express Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite and Hilton Honors Gold (enrollment required) 0.6 cents
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card Hilton Honors Gold (enrollment required) 0.6 cents
Hilton Honors American Express Card Hilton Honors Silver (enrollment required) 0.6 cents
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card IHG Rewards Club Platinum Elite (Premier card membership required) 0.7 cents
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite 0.7 cents
Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite 0.7 cents
The World of Hyatt Credit Card World of Hyatt Discoverist 2.1 cents
 

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, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card earns 6X points on over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. If you become a Marriott Bonvoy loyalty member, you earn an additional 10X points on stays. Plus, your automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status – complementary of the Boundless card – adds an additional point to the category, boosting your Marriott hotel rewards rate up to 17X points.
  • 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 receive 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:
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    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.
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    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.
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    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'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.

Frequently asked questions about hotel credit cards