Best no-annual-fee hotel credit cards
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to pay annual fees topping $550 to get the best travel credit card. If you don’t travel enough to use all the benefits that come with a top-tier card — or simply don’t have room in your budget to justify these fees each year — there are still plenty of no-annual-fee cards to choose from.
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When it comes to hotel credit cards, the good news is that a no-annual-fee card can offer you more benefits than you would typically expect. From complimentary (or a pathway to) elite status to earning hotel points on your everyday purchases, you’ll only gain from owning these cards instead of worrying about outsizing the value from cards with no annual fees.
Related: Best hotel credit cards of 2021
While the best hotel card for you will depend on which hotel chain you prefer, the best options of the bunch are the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Card. Both brands are widely prevalent, meaning you have more opportunities to earn and redeem points at properties worldwide.
The best no-annual-fee hotel credit cards for 2021
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card: Best for Marriott
- Hilton Honors American Express Card: Best for Hilton (see rates & fees)
- IHG Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Best for IHG Hotels
- Choice Privileges Visa Signature Card: Best for Choice Hotels
- Best Western Rewards® Mastercard®: Best for Best Western
- Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: Best for all hotels
Comparing the best no-annual-fee hotel credit cards
| Card | Rewards rate | Intro bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy Bold | 3x points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 2x on other travel purchases and 1x on all other purchases | Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in your first three months from account opening. |
| Hilton Honors American Express Card | 7x points on eligible Hilton hotel and resorts purchases, 5x points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and at U.S. gas stations and 1x on other eligible purchases. | Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership. Offer ends 04/05/2023. |
| IHG Rewards Traveler’s Credit Card | Up to 15x points at IHG Hotels & Resorts, 2x points at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants and 1x points on everything else. | Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $2,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening. |
| Choice Privileges Visa Signature Card | 15x points at eligible Choice Hotels and 2x points on everything else. | Earn 32,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in purchases within 90 days of card membership; earn 8,000-anniversary bonus points every year you spend $10,000 or more on the card. |
| Best Western Rewards Mastercard | 16x points on Best Western purchases and 2x points on everything else. | Earn 40,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 within the first three billing cycles after account opening; another 20,000 points when you spend $5,000 every 12 billing cycles. |
| Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card | 1.25x miles on all purchases | Earn a bonus of 40,000 miles once you spend $1,000 on purchases within three months from account opening |
The best no-annual-fee hotel credit cards
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card: Best card for Marriott
Current sign-up bonus: Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in your first three months from account opening.
Rewards rate: Earn 3x points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 2x on other travel purchases and 1x on everything else.
Other benefits: You’ll become an automatic Silver Elite member as a cardholder, which gets you perks such as priority late checkout and 10% bonus points on stays. Therefore, you’ll have the ability to earn up to 14x points on eligible Marriott stays (3x points with this card, 10x for being a Marriott Bonvoy member and 1x for Silver Elite). Plus, earn 2x points on all travel purchases, from rideshares to plane tickets. You’ll have the opportunity to improve your elite status the more you stay with Marriott. This card comes with an impressive number of travel and purchase protections, including baggage loss and delay insurance and more. To top it all off, there’s no annual fee (and no foreign transaction fees), meaning you’ll only be a winner from owning this card.
Analysis: As you build up your credit card portfolio, you’ll eventually want to have a card that earns transferable points, along with an airline card and a hotel card. If Marriott is your hotel chain of choice (we don’t blame you, since there are more than 7,000 properties worldwide to choose from), the Bold is the perfect place to start. With a complimentary jump-start to Silver Elite status, the possibilities are endless to reach higher tiers of Marriott elite status.
Further reading: Marriott Bonvoy Bold card review
APPLY HERE: Marriott Bonvoy Bold
Hilton Honors American Express Card: Best card for Hilton
Current welcome offer: Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership. Offer ends 04/05/2023.
Rewards rate: Earn 7x points on eligible Hilton hotel and resorts purchases, 5x points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and at U.S. gas stations, plus 1x on other eligible purchases.
Other benefits: It’s not often that a no-annual-fee card provides you with as many perks as the Hilton Honors Amex card does. For starters, enjoy complimentary Silver Elite status to get 20% bonus points on stays and a fifth free night benefit. If you spend $20,000 or more on this card in a calendar year, enjoy a bump up to Gold Elite status, which comes with 80% bonus points on stays, room upgrades (upon availability) and free breakfast. In addition to a lucrative rewards rate on Hilton and everyday purchases, you’ll have secondary rental car coverage and no foreign transaction fees (see rates & fees).
Analysis: The Hilton Honors Amex proves that you don’t have to pay an annual fee to get top-notch perks. Its welcome bonus offers a healthy stash of Hilton Honors points (worth up to $600 based on TPG’s valuations) and ample ways to continue earning on your everyday spending. We recommend this card for those who enjoy staying at Hilton properties but want to keep costs as low as possible.
Further reading: Hilton Honors American Express card review
APPLY HERE: Hilton Honors American Express
IHG Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Best no-annual-fee card for IHG Hotels
Current sign-up bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $2,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Rewards rate: Up to 15x points at IHG Hotels & Resorts (5x points for having the card and 10x as an IHG member), 2x points at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants and 1x points on everything else.
Other benefits: This hotel card comes with the unique benefit of a fourth-night reward, meaning you’ll pay the price of three nights to stay for a total of four nights. Get a 20% discount on points purchases when you pay for those points with your card. Last but not least, enjoy no foreign transaction fees, cell phone protection and travel and purchase insurance.
Analysis: The current sign-up bonus will get you an estimated $400 in value, according to TPG’s valuation. You’ll have the opportunity to receive IHG Gold Elite status after spending $10,000 or more on this card in a calendar year, which gets you priority check-in, extended check-out and welcome amenity at select hotels. By being strategic with this card, you can get a ton of value without ever paying an annual fee.
Further reading: IHG Traveler card review
APPLY HERE: IHG Traveler card
Choice Privileges Visa Signature Card: Best for Choice Hotels
Current bonus: Earn 32,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in purchases within 90 days of card membership.
Rewards rate: 15x points at eligible Choice Hotels and 2x points on everything else.
Other benefits: If you can spend $10,000 or more on this card each year (roughly $833 per month), you’ll get 8,000-anniversary points posted to your account. You won’t have to keep up with confusing bonus categories with this card, as you’ll earn 2x points on all purchases (15x points at participating Choice Hotels stays). You’ll have Gold Elite status, which unlocks benefits such as an elite welcome gift, early check-in, late checkout and more.
Analysis: Being a Choice Hotels elite member will enhance your hotel experience, and with this card, you’ll be granted this status for free. While not the most lucrative no-annual-fee hotel card out there, this card offers simplicity — a reason to keep it in your wallet each year with the opportunity to earn anniversary points.
Further reading: Choice Privileges card review
Best Western Rewards Mastercard: Best for Best Western
Current bonus: Earn 40,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 within the first three billing cycles after account opening.
Rewards rate: 16x points on Best Western purchases and 2x points on everything else.
Other benefits: After earning a sign-up bonus, you may not find long-term value with a card’s rewards rate. This isn’t the case with the Best Western Mastercard — by spending $5,000 or more every 12 billing cycles, you’ll enjoy an additional 20,000 bonus points. With this card, you’ll also enjoy no foreign transaction fees, 10% off room rates and complimentary Gold status, which guarantees you 10% bonus points for your eligible stays and early check-in and late checkout.
Analysis: The sign-up bonus alone is worth $240, but with the opportunity to earn bonus points every 12 billing cycles, you can find $120 in additional value (based on TPG’s valuation). For a card with no annual fee, this is a convincing offer — this means potentially lots of free nights just by spending on this card.
Further reading: Your ultimate guide to Best Western Rewards
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card: Best for all hotels
Current bonus: Earn a bonus of 40,000 miles once you spend $1,000 on purchases within three months from account opening
Rewards rate: 1.25x miles on all purchases.
Other benefits: While the hotel cards above can get you elite perks or other exclusive benefits, sometimes it doesn’t make sense to limit yourself to one brand. That’s why the VentureOne is our favorite for all hotel stays, as it offers a simple earning scheme (unlimited 1.25x miles on all purchases), plus an even simpler way to redeem. You can redeem your miles at 1 cent each for any hotel (or other travel) charges on your card. If you’re an advanced award traveler, you’ll be happy to know that you can now transfer your Capital One miles to airline and hotel partners to find even more potential value. The hotel partners include ALL Accor Live Limitless, Choice Privileges and Wyndham Rewards.
Analysis: We like the flexibility that the VentureOne offers. Sure, you won’t get hotel elite status with this card, but you can use this card to pay for hotels from any brand. If all you’re looking for is a way to earn and redeem your travel rewards, this is the card for you. Plus, with no foreign transaction fees, you can take the VentureOne with you anywhere.
Further reading: Capital One VentureOne Review
APPLY HERE: Capital One VentureOne
Bottom line
Almost all of the no-annual-fee hotel cards in this guide get you automatic elite status, plus a pathway to the next level for even better benefits. The best pick for you will first depend on the hotel chain you prefer, but take a deeper look at the ongoing rewards rate and any additional benefits you can get from the card (such as no foreign transaction fees or any travel and purchase protections).
And remember: Since you’re not paying an annual fee on any of these cards, you won’t have to worry about if you’re stretching enough value to justify the cost each year.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Amex card, click here.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees