18 Best Hotel Credit Cards of November 2026
At The Points Guy, our team is passionate about maximizing all aspects of travel, and our list of the best hotel credit cards is all you need to decide which one you want to add to your wallet.
Hotel credit cards can be powerful tools to help you secure upgrades and unlock valuable perks such as free stays and complimentary breakfast. If you’re a frequent traveler loyal to one hotel chain, having a cobranded hotel card is a no-brainer. Plus, some hotel credit cards also offer generous welcome bonuses, providing you with an opportunity to rack up points for future stays.
Check out our curated selection and comprehensive guide on some of the best hotel cards from our partners below.
- American Express Platinum Card®: Best for premium travel perks and digital entertainment
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Best for Hilton loyalists
- The Brand New IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card: Best for IHG loyalists who want valuable hotel perks
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Best for welcome offer and elite status
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Best for low annual fee
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best for travel credits
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for travel insurance
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Best for low fee Marriott loyalists
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for business owners who prioritize premium travel perks
- Hilton Honors American Express Card: Best for no annual fee
- The New IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Best for IHG
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: Best for Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status
- The World of Hyatt Credit Card: Best for Hyatt loyalists
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Best for small businesses
- Sapphire Reserve for Business℠: Best for business travel rewards
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card: Best for no annual fee
- Bilt Palladium Card: Best for a premium, all-in-one rewards experience
- Citi Strata Premier® Card: Best for starter travel
Comparing the best hotel credit cards
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X | Earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. |
The American Express Platinum Card® has a high annual fee but remains one of the best cards on the market for those who prioritize premium travel experiences. A combination of updated and new statement credits makes the refreshed Amex Platinum an ideal card for frequent travelers and digital entertainment enthusiasts alike.
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- Up to $600 hotel credit (disbursed as up to $300 in statement credits semiannually)
- Up to $300 digital entertainment credit (disbursed as up to $25 in statement credits per month; enrollment required)
- Earns transferable Membership Rewards points
Cons
- $895 annual fee
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 Delta Sky Club visits (subject to visit limitations) when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass™ membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. *As of 01/2026
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
- $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights™ by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. As a Platinum Card® Member you have special access to reservations on select nights at participating sought after Resy restaurants in select cities through Platinum Nights™ by Resy. Simply add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to book your reservation.
- $219 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Start your vacation sooner and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM late check-out.
- $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Get up to a $12.95* statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 14X | Earn 14X Hilton Honors Bonus Points when you make eligible purchases on your Card at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton Portfolio. |
| 7X | Card Members can earn 7X Points on purchases of Flights booked directly with airlines or flights booked through American Express Travel, Car rentals purchased directly from select car rental companies, and purchases at U.S. Restaurants. |
| 3X | Card Members can earn 3X Points on all other eligible purchases. |
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card offers unparalleled value for frequent Hilton loyalists. It offers automatic Diamond status, up to $400 in annual Hilton resort statement credits (up to $200 semi-annually) and a Free Night Reward every year. Its rich suite of benefits easily offsets the annual fee for those who stay at Hilton properties even a few times per year.
Pros
- Complimentary Hilton Diamond status with all the associated perks (including lounge access at select properties, complimentary breakfast and room upgrades when available)
- Annual Free Night Reward (valid at most Hilton properties worldwide)
- Up to $400 in Hilton resort statement credits each year (up to $200 semi-annually)
- Up to $200 in airline fee credits annually (up to $50 in statement credits each calendar year)
- Strong earning rates on Hilton purchases and select travel categories
Cons
- High $550 annual fee
- Perks are heavily Hilton-focused, making them less valuable if you don’t stay at their properties often
- Best Points Offer Yet! Earn 200,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 01/13/2027.
- Enjoy complimentary Diamond status with your Card. Diamond status gives you a 100% Bonus on Base Points you earn on every stay, Premium Wi-Fi and space-available room upgrades at select properties, executive lounge access at select properties, and more.
- Earn 14X Hilton Honors Bonus Points when you make eligible purchases on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
- Card Members can earn 7X Points on purchases of Flights booked directly with airlines or flights booked through American Express Travel, Car rentals purchased directly from select car rental companies, and purchases at U.S. Restaurants.
- Card Members can earn 3X Points on all other eligible purchases.
- $400 Hilton Resort Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually for eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton Resorts on your Hilton Honors Aspire Card. That's up to $400 back annually.
- $200 Flight Credit: Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter, for a total of up to $200 back each year, on flight purchases made directly with an airline, through AmexTravel.com, or through the Amex Travel App™ using your Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
- CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster at 60+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $219 per calendar year in statement credits when you pay for your membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Hilton Honors Aspire Card.
- Earn up to 3 Free Night Rewards with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Receive one complimentary Free Night Reward each membership year. Earn a second Free Night Reward from Hilton after you spend $30,000 or more on purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Earn a third Free Night Reward from Hilton after you spend an additional $30,000 in purchases on your Card in the same calendar year.
- $100 Property Credit: Receive up to a $100 credit for qualifying charges at Waldorf Astoria® Hotels & Resorts and Conrad® Hotels & Resorts properties when you book a 2 night minimum stay with your Card at HiltonHonorsAspireCard.com and select the Aspire Card Benefit rate option on the booking page, or call Hilton Honors at 855-292-5757 with the proper booking reference.
- Hilton Honors Aspire Card Members can enjoy complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status, including perks like Executive Area Access (for full-size reservations and above) in the USA and Canada. Card Members must enroll in the National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status through their American Express online account using their Card. Terms apply.
- $550 annual fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Best for IHG loyalists who want valuable hotel perks
at Chase's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 28X | Earn up to 28X total points on stays at IHG Hotels & Resorts. |
| 6X | Earn 6X points on dining and all other travel, including rideshare. |
| 3X | Earn 3X points per $1 spent on all other purchases. |
The IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card offers a robust collection of benefits for frequent IHG guests. Cardholders receive automatic IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, an anniversary free night worth up to 60,000 points, 20 elite night credits each year and a fourth Reward Night free on eligible award stays, plus valuable IHG and travel credits. (Partner offer)
Pros
- Receive automatic IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status
- An anniversary free night each year (worth up to 60,000 points)
- Receive 20 elite night credits each year
- Offers valuable IHG, airline and travel credits
- Earn additional elite night credits through spending
Cons
- Annual fee may be tough to justify for non-loyalists
- Some of the card's most valuable benefits require spending or enrollment
- Several credits are divided into monthly or quarterly increments
- Redemption options outside of IHG stays typically provide lower value
- Limited Time Launch Offer! Earn 200,000 Bonus Points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy up to $300 in Food & Beverage Rewards annually at IHG Hotels & Resorts.
- This card offers over $1,000 in value your first year!
- Get an Anniversary Free Night each year. Plus, redeem 3 nights, get 4th night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG hotel stay.
- Earn up to 28X total points on stays at IHG Hotels & Resorts
- Earn 6X points on dining and all other travel, including rideshare. Earn 3X points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain an IHG One Rewards Premier Select cardmember. Plus, get 20 Elite Night Credits each year.
- Earn 2 Elite Night Credits for every $5,000 you spend on your card.
- IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at Hotels & Resorts such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Hotel Indigo® & Holiday Inn®
- Member FDIC
Best for welcome offer and elite status
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| Up to 21X | Earn up to 21X Marriott Bonvoy® points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Earn 6X points with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Earn up to 10X points from Marriott Bonvoy for being a Marriott Bonvoy member. Earn up to 5X points from Marriott Bonvoy with the 50% Bonus Points on Stays, a benefit available with your complimentary Platinum Elite status. |
| 6X | Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. |
| 3X | Earn 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases. |
The Bonvoy Brilliant is ideal for travelers who are loyal to the Marriott brand. You’ll get a solid return on Marriott stays and a number of premium perks that can help you upgrade your trips. However, with high-end perks comes a high annual fee.
Pros
- Earn up to $300 in statement credits each account year for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide (up to $25 per month)
- 1 free night award (up to 85,000 points) every year after your card renewal month, valid at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program (certain hotels have resort fees)
- Priority Pass membership (enrollment required)
Cons
- $650 annual fee isn't insignificant
- May not make sense if you don't stay at Marriott properties
- Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
- Earn 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines.
- Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
- Earn up to 21X Marriott Bonvoy® points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Earn 6X points with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Earn up to 10X points from Marriott Bonvoy for being a Marriott Bonvoy member. Earn up to 5X points from Marriott Bonvoy with the 50% Bonus Points on Stays, a benefit available with your complimentary Platinum Elite status.
- $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: With the $300 Brilliant Dining Credit, you can get up to $25 per month each calendar year in statement credits for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide when you pay with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
- With complimentary Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite status, earn up to 5X points from Marriott Bonvoy® on eligible hotel purchases with the 50% Bonus Points on stays benefit.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®, such as Le Metropolitan, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Paris. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Brilliant Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
- $100 Marriott Bonvoy® Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee every 4 years, when charged to your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Each calendar year, receive 25 Elite Night Credits towards the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.
- With your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you can enroll in Priority Pass™, with an unlimited number of visits to over 1,300 airport lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or in-between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks and internet access in a comfortable location.
- Trip Cancelled or Interrupted? If you purchase a round-trip entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason cancels or interrupts your trip, we may be able to help. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 12X | Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio. |
| 6X | Earn 6X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of U.S. Online Retail purchases. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card. |
The Hilton Honors Surpass Card stands out in the crowded mid-tier category of cobranded hotel credit cards. It comes with elite-like perks at a reasonable annual fee. Read our full review of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card.
Pros
- High earning rate.
- Automatic Hilton Gold status.
Cons
- Free anniversary night requires high annual spending.
- Earn 130,000 Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 01/13/2027.
- Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status with benefits like an 80% Points earning Bonus on Stays, daily food & beverage credit or continental breakfast (varies by brand & region), space-available room upgrades at select properties, and more.
- Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. That’s up to $200 in statement credits annually.
- Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
- Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
- Earn 6X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
- Earn 4X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of U.S. Online Retail purchases.
- Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
- Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year. With Hilton Honors Diamond status, enjoy benefits like: A 100% Bonus on all Base Points you earn on every stay, Premium Wi-Fi at select properties, Daily food & beverage credit at select brands in the U.S. and complimentary continental breakfast at select brands outside of the U.S., Space-available room upgrades at select properties, and Executive lounge access at select properties.
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Members can enjoy complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status, including perks like Executive Area Access (for full-size reservations and above) in the USA and Canada. Card Members must enroll in the National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status through their American Express online account using their Card. Terms apply.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $150 annual fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
Comparing the best hotel credit cards
Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning rate | Annual fee | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
at American Express's secure site | premium travel perks and digital entertainment | As High As 175,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. Open Intro bonus You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. | 5X points Open Rewards rates
| $895 | ||||||||
Limited-Time Offer at American Express's secure site | Hilton loyalists | Earn 200,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points Open Intro bonus Best Points Offer Yet! Earn 200,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 01/13/2027. | 3 - 14X points Open Rewards rates
| $550 | ||||||||
Limited-Time Offer at Chase's secure site | IHG loyalists who want valuable hotel perks | Earn 200,000 bonus points Open Intro bonus Earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 3 - 28X points Open Rewards rates
| $350 | ||||||||
at American Express's secure site | welcome offer and elite status | Earn 100,000 Bonus Points Open Intro bonus Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. | 2 - 21X points Open Rewards rates
| $650 | ||||||||
Limited-Time Offer at American Express's secure site | low annual fee | Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Points + a Free Night Reward Open Intro bonus Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Points + a Free Night Reward after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 01/13/2027. | 3 - 12X points Open Rewards rates
| $150 |
Which hotel credit card is right for you?
Best credit card for the hotel enthusiast: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Who this is for
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is a great fit for travelers who enjoy staying at hotels and want to earn valuable rewards, including free night awards, on their stays. It's designed for travelers who prefer a large hotel footprint, flexible redemption options and ongoing benefits that reward hotel loyalty.
Why the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless is a good fit
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless makes it easy to earn points on hotel stays and everyday purchases while enjoying benefits that enhance every trip. Cardholders receive an annual free night award after each account anniversary, enjoy automatic Silver Elite status and have opportunities to earn higher elite status through spending. With access to Marriott's extensive global portfolio of hotels and resorts, travelers have plenty of options whether they're traveling for business or leisure.
Key benefits for hotel enthusiasts:
- Earn elevated rewards on eligible Marriott Bonvoy hotel purchases
- Receive an annual free night award after each account anniversary
- Enjoy automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status with opportunities to earn Gold Elite status through spending
- Redeem points across Marriott's extensive portfolio of hotels and resorts worldwide
- Earn additional rewards on everyday purchases
Quick summary
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless is one of the best hotel credit cards for hotel enthusiasts because it combines strong earning potential with valuable ongoing hotel benefits. Between the annual free night award, elite status and access to Marriott's extensive portfolio of hotels and resorts, it delivers lasting value for travelers who regularly stay at hotels.
Best hotel credit card for the elite status chaser: Hilton Honors Aspire
Who this is for
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is designed for travelers who want premium hotel benefits and value elite status throughout their travels. It's a strong choice for frequent travelers who can maximize the card's luxury perks, statement credits and automatic top-tier status.
Why the Hilton Honors Aspire is a good fit
The Hilton Honors Aspire Card provides automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status, unlocking valuable benefits such as complimentary space-available room upgrades, bonus points on stays and premium on-property perks. The card also includes an annual free night reward, statement credits and elevated rewards on Hilton purchases, making it especially rewarding for travelers who stay with Hilton multiple times each year.
Key benefits for elite status seekers:
- Receive automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status
- Receive an annual free night reward
- Earn elevated rewards on eligible Hilton purchases
- Enjoy valuable travel and resort statement credits
- Redeem Hilton Honors points across Hilton's global portfolio of hotels and resorts
- Access premium travel protections and additional cardmember benefits
Quick summary
The Hilton Honors Aspire Card is one of the best hotel credit cards for travelers seeking elite status because it provides automatic Diamond status without requiring any qualifying stays. Combined with premium hotel benefits, an annual free night reward, and valuable statement credits, it helps travelers enjoy a more rewarding hotel experience year-round.
Best hotel credit card for families and resort travelers: World of Hyatt Credit Card
Who this is for
The World of Hyatt Credit Card is an excellent choice for travelers planning family vacations, weekend getaways or upscale resort stays. It's designed for travelers who want to earn Hyatt points, enjoy annual free night awards and receive elite status benefits through one of the industry's most highly regarded hotel loyalty programs.
Why the World of Hyatt Credit Card is a good fit
The World of Hyatt Credit Card is especially appealing because Hyatt points are widely recognized for offering excellent redemption value, helping travelers get more from vacations, resort stays and everyday travel. In addition to rewarding Hyatt stays and everyday spending, cardholders receive an annual free night award, automatic Discoverist status and opportunities to earn additional free nights through eligible spending.
Key benefits for families and resort travelers:
- Earn elevated rewards on eligible Hyatt hotel purchases
- Receive an annual free night award after each account anniversary
- Enjoy automatic World of Hyatt Discoverist status
- Earn additional free night awards through eligible spending
- Redeem Hyatt points for stays at hotels, resorts and all-inclusive properties worldwide
- Receive valuable travel protections and cardmember benefits
Quick summary
The World of Hyatt Credit Card is one of the best hotel credit cards for families and resort travelers because it combines valuable Hyatt rewards with annual free nights and elite status benefits. For travelers who enjoy Hyatt's resorts and premium properties, the card offers an excellent combination of valuable Hyatt points, annual free nights and elite status benefits that can make every trip more rewarding.
How we rate cards
Frequently asked questions
Even if you only stay in hotels a few times a year, it can be worth it to carry a hotel credit card. That’s especially true if you stay with one chain in particular, but not enough to earn elite status on your own.
Hotel credit cards offer generous sign-up bonuses of hundreds of thousands of points or several free nights that can be worth well over $1,000, depending on how you use them. They also field valuable benefits, such as anniversary free nights, that can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars, plus automatic hotel elite status with value-added perks, like early check-in, late checkout, food and beverage credits and the ability to earn even more bonus points on stays.
What’s more, some hotel credit cards provide even more premium perks — such as on-property statement credits during stays, application fee refunds for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, airport lounge access and comprehensive travel protections like trip delay insurance — that can add up to tremendous savings.
There are a few ways to earn hotel points, and carrying a hotel credit card is among the best.
First, you can earn hotel points by signing up for a hotel chain’s loyalty program and staying with participating properties. For instance, if you stay at World of Hyatt brands like Hyatt Regency and Hyatt Place, you can earn points on each and every paid stay.
Carrying a hotel credit card is a great way to supplement that earning since you accrue points not only on stays that you pay for with your card, but also on everyday purchases that you use your card to make. Finding a hotel credit card that earns multiple points per dollar on the purchases you make the most, such as groceries or gas, can boost your earning even further.
Some hotel rewards programs have online shopping or dining portals, such as Eat Around Town by Marriott Bonvoy. When you sign up and dine out, you can earn several points per dollar on meals at participating restaurants.
The best hotel rewards program will depend on your travel habits and goals. If you tend to stay at the brands that are part of one chain, such as Hilton or IHG, then its loyalty program will probably be the best choice for you to focus on.
On the other hand, if you are not loyal to a particular brand or two, you’ll want to evaluate your strategy for earning and redeeming points in the best way possible. It’s worth looking at all the brands that participate in each hotel loyalty program, which can run the gamut from no-nonsense, budget-conscious motels to ultra luxurious resorts. Choose a hotel rewards program that has the types of hotels where you tend to stay.
Aside from your potential travel plans, you should look at which hotel credit cards will offer you the rewards and benefits you’ll be able to maximize most easily and put to use most frequently. After all, you don’t want to get stuck paying the annual fee for a hotel credit card whose perks you don’t use and whose hotels you don’t stay at. On the other hand, if you find a hotel credit card that offers benefits you can derive real value from, that earns bonus points on your major purchase categories each month and that has hotels where you actually want to redeem those points, then you’ve probably pinpointed the best hotel rewards program for you.
Whether or not your hotel points expire depends on the specific program. Best Western Rewards points do not expire, for instance. However, Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 months of no account activity. Wyndham Rewards points expire after just 18 months of no account activity, but they also expire four years after you earn them, whether your account has been active or not.
Account activity in all these cases means earning or redeeming points, so it’s not just about having to book extra stays to keep your account in good standing. If you redeem points for a stay, that should reset your clock, too.
Keeping your miles from expiring is also an excellent reason to carry a hotel credit card, since any points you earn with it, including on your day-to-day spending, will register as account activity and reset your points’ lifetime.
We have a handy guide to expiration policies for airline miles and hotel points that can help you keep track of your points balances and ensure your hard-earned points stay safe.
Many types of hotel points are transferable, and even transferable in different ways, depending on the terms and conditions of the specific hotel loyalty program.
For instance, Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to 39 airline loyalty programs. For most, the transfer ratio is 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 airline mile. And, with most partners, when you transfer 60,000 Marriott points, you earn 5,000 bonus airline miles, meaning you end up with 25,000 miles instead of just 20,000. Likewise, World of Hyatt members can convert their hotel points into airline miles with 25 airline loyalty programs, though the value proposition of doing so is not great.
Many hotel loyalty programs also allow members to transfer points between their accounts. For instance, both Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt members can transfer points to one another for free, though certain terms, conditions and limits apply regarding how many transfers members can make, the minimum and maximum number of points that are transferable and how long both accounts must have been open.
Many premium hotel credit cards offer "free nights" awards. In addition, some cards offer additional free nights if you meet a spending threshold. Some notable cards that offer free nights include:
- World of Hyatt Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Many hotel credit cards offer complimentary breakfast at your hotel as a perk. Some notable cards that offer this include:
- American Express Platinum Card®
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
- The World of Hyatt Credit Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Choosing a card that offers lucrative rewards will typically depend on whether or not you are loyal to a specific hotel chain. You should also consider whether an annual fee is worth having a given card in addition to the benefits a card has to offer.
Once you've answered these questions, scope out current welcome bonuses to see which cards will provide you with a solid number of base points you can redeem in the future.
Some TPG favorite cobranded hotel cards include:
- World of Hyatt Credit Card
- Hilton Honors American Express Card
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
These cobranded hotel cards feature elevated earning rates when you book stays with their respective properties. Some cobranded hotel cards also offer credits you can use to offset the cost of on-property dining or amenities like spa services.
If you're an occasional traveler who only needs to book a hotel room a couple of times a year, you may want to opt for a general travel card like Chase's Sapphire Preferred® Card or Sapphire Reserve®.
Most hotels will put a hold on your room for potential incidentials such as damages. The hold is not deducted from your account and will be removed if no additional charges are incurred. These hotel holds can last as long as a week but are generally released within 24 hours of checking out depending on the credit issuer.