How to choose a hotel credit card
Editor's Note
A hotel credit card is a travel rewards card that helps you earn free nights, discounts and even elite status at popular hotel chains. Having one of these cards in your wallet can bring you closer to your next vacation.
Let's review the best hotel credit cards currently available and discuss what to consider when choosing one.
Comparing the best hotel credit cards
Here are some recommendations for the best hotel credit cards for beginners.
| Credit Card | Best for | Welcome Offer | Earning rates | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Non-bonus spending rewards | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Plus, upon approval, you'll receive a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use during your first year. |
| $95 | |
One Key™ Card (see rates and fees) | Expedia loyalists who want a card with no annual fee | Earn $300 in OneKeyCash™ after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months. |
| $0 |
One Key+™ Card (see rates and fees) | Expedia enthusiasts | Earn $400 in OneKeyCash™ after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months. |
| $99 |
IHG | Earn 175,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. |
| $99 | |
Marriott loyalists who want no annual fee | Earn two free night awards (valued at up to 50,000 points each) after spending $1,000 in the first three months of account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees. |
| $0 | |
For Marriott travelers | Earn five free night awards (valued at up to 50,000 points each) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees. Additionally, you can receive up to $100 in statement credits (up to $50 biannually) after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases. |
| $95 | |
Hilton loyalists | Earn 130,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. |
| $150 (see rates and fees) | |
Hyatt loyalists | Earn up to five free nights: three free nights after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Plus, two free nights after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first six months. Free nights can be redeemed at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort worldwide. |
| $95 | |
Starter travel | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. |
| $95 | |
Premium travel | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. |
| $395 | |
Luxury benefits | Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of cardmembership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. |
| $895 (see rates and fees) |
Related: What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations
Frequency of travel
How often do you travel and stay in hotels? If you travel frequently, getting a hotel credit card makes sense. If you don't travel often or tend to stay in other accommodations, such as Airbnbs, you might be better off with a travel rewards card that earns more flexible rewards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees).
Related: Why I love my Chase Sapphire Preferred card — and will always keep it in my wallet
Are you loyal to a specific hotel chain?
If you prefer to stay at a specific hotel chain, consider applying for one of its cobranded credit cards.
Marriott is my go-to hotel chain, and I hold Titanium Elite status, so a Marriott credit card can help me maximize the points I earn each time I stay. Whatever chain you prefer and stay with the most is the one you should choose for your first hotel card.
Related: Best hotel rewards programs in the world: Which one is right for you?
What benefits do you get?
When researching a hotel credit card, it is important to consider the benefits of the card, which can include:
- Elite status
- Free night certificates
- Travel protections and insurance
- Bonus earnings on hotel stays
- Elite night credits
- The potential for award stays
For example, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card automatically gives you Platinum Elite status, which includes several benefits.
Some hotel cards also give you elite night credits just for holding the card, which can move you closer to a higher status tier. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a good example, as it automatically gives you 25 elite night credits annually.
Additionally, IHG will give you the fourth night free if you hold a credit card and book your stay with points.
Related: Quick Points: Get your fourth or fifth night free on hotel award stays
Earnings structure
Another perk of hotel credit cards is the bonus earnings on hotel stays. Some cards earn more than others, so it's essential that you choose the right card.
For example, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass earns 12 points per dollar spent on all Hilton stays.
The Marriott family of credit cards earns up to 23.5 points per dollar spent on Marriott stays. IHG cards earn up to 26 points per dollar spent on IHG stays. Meanwhile, Hyatt cards earn up to 9 points per dollar spent on Hyatt stays.
Related: 11 major mistakes people make with travel rewards credit cards
Are you choosing the right welcome offer?
Most hotel credit cards have generous welcome offers, such as bonus points or free nights, that can help you accumulate rewards quickly. Marriott, for example, has six credit cards with varying welcome offers. As a couple of examples:
New Marriott Bonvoy Boundless cardholders can earn five free night awards (valued at up to 50,000 points each) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees. Additionally, you can receive up to $100 in statement credits (up to $50 biannually) after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases.
And, new Marriott Bonvoy Bold cardholders can earn two free night awards (valued at up to 50,000 points each) after spending $1,000 in the first three months of account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees.
Welcome offers vary between cards, so you should determine whether you want to earn points or free night certificates. You should also ensure you can meet the minimum spending requirement to qualify for the offer, as that can vary between cards as well.
Related: Best credit card welcome offers of the month
Should you put your everyday spending on a hotel card?
Hotel cards don't always have the best earnings rate on everyday purchases. However, there are some scenarios where you should put your everyday spending on a hotel card.
If you want to qualify for a welcome offer, put your everyday spending on your new card to ensure you reach the threshold. You should also prioritize your hotel card if you want to earn points toward an upcoming trip.
Related: Best credit cards for everyday spending
Is the annual fee worth it?
Many hotel credit cards charge an annual fee, so you'll need to determine if you will get enough value from the card to justify paying it.
Welcome bonuses and anniversary certificates can offset some of these annual fees, especially in your first year. A handful of cards will give you a free night certificate every anniversary year just for having the credit card.
For example, the World of Hyatt Credit Card has a $95 annual fee but gives you a free night certificate for any Category 1-4 property after your card anniversary each year. You can easily get a free night that normally costs between $200 and $400, offsetting the annual fee and making the card a no-brainer.
Related: The wild thing I did not to lose a free hotel night, and how you can avoid my mistake
Bottom line
A hotel credit card can be a great way to earn elite status and points toward your next dream vacation. Choose a card that suits your lifestyle and preferred hotel chain. That way, you can maximize the benefits of having a hotel credit card. If you don't stay at hotels often, opt for a travel card that earns a more flexible currency.
Related: The best hotel credit cards
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Amex Surpass, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex, click here.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express 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.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $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