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Best hotel credit cards of November 2024: Free nights and more

Updated November 02, 2024

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Showing 12 results

Best starter hotel card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Bankrate score

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5.0
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Chase's secure site

Intro offer

$300 Chase Travel℠ Credit + 60,000 bonus points

Rewards Rate

1x - 5x

Annual fee

$95

Regular APR

20.99% - 27.99% Variable

Why you'll like this: This card’s potential value far exceeds the annual fee.

Best no-annual-fee hotel card

Hilton Honors American Express Card

Bankrate score

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4.3
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on American Express's secure site

See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply

Intro offer

Earn 100,000 points

Rewards rate

3X - 7X

Annual fee

$0

APR

20.49%-29.49% Variable

Why you'll like this: It offers terrific short- and long-term value for Hilton guests with its welcome offer and everyday bonus categories.

Best for business travel

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Bankrate score

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4.1
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on American Express's secure site

See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply

Intro offer

Earn 175,000 Bonus Points

Rewards Rate

3X - 12X

Annual fee

$195

Regular APR

20.49% - 29.49% Variable

Why you'll like this: The stellar hotel credits, automatic Gold Status and travel rewards potential set this card apart if you typically book with Hilton for business trips.

Best for Marriott fans

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Bankrate score

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4.6
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
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on American Express's secure site

See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply

Intro offer

95,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points

Rewards rate

2X - 6X

Annual fee

$650

APR

20.49%-29.49% Variable

Why you'll like this: It packs some of the best Marriott perks available, offering exceptional value with its award nights, annual credits and elite status.

Best for everyday spending

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Bankrate score

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4.7
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on American Express's secure site

See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply

Intro offer

Earn 165,000 points

Rewards rate

3X - 12X

Annual fee

$150

APR

20.49%-29.49% Variable

Why you'll like this: Complimentary Gold Status enhances the already great rewards rates to make this card a lucrative option for groceries, gas and online shopping.

Best Marriott business card

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

Bankrate score

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4.7
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on American Express's secure site

See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply

Intro offer

3 Free Night Awards

Rewards Rate

2x - 6x

Annual fee

$125

Regular APR

20.49% - 29.49% Variable

Why you'll like this: You can maximize your rewards on business trips with complimentary Gold Elite status, an annual Free Award Night and other Marriott perks.

Best for luxury benefits

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Bankrate score

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4.8
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on American Express's secure site

See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply

Intro offer

Earn 80,000 points

Rewards rate

5X - 5X

Annual fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Why you'll like this: It earns rewards with any hotel brand in its travel portal and packs more than $1,500 worth of benefits and credits, plus valuable Marriott and Hilton loyalty status.

Best for hotel deals

One Key™ Card

Bankrate score

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4.0
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Wells Fargo's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

Earn $400 in OneKeyCash™

Rewards Rate

1.5% - 3%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR

Best for One Key fans

One Key+™ Card

Bankrate score

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star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.0
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Wells Fargo's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

Earn $600 in OneKeyCash™

Rewards Rate

2% - 3%

Annual fee

$99

Regular APR

19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR

Best point value

The World of Hyatt Credit Card

The World of Hyatt Credit Card

Bankrate score

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4.4
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)

Intro offer

Up to 60,000 Bonus Points

Rewards Rate

2X - 9X

Annual fee

$95

Regular APR

20.99% - 27.99% Variable

Why you'll like this: Few cards offer more value for Hyatt fans than this one.

Best for Marriott Fans

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Bankrate score

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3.8
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)

Intro offer

Earn 125,000 Points

Rewards Rate

2X - 17X

Annual fee

$95

Regular APR

20.99% - 27.99% Variable

Why you'll like this: Automatic Silver Elite status offers a ton of up-front value.

Best for IHG stays

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

Bankrate score

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4.7
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)

Intro offer

Earn 140,000 Bonus Points

Rewards Rate

3X - 26X

Annual fee

$99

Regular APR

20.99% - 27.99% Variable

Why you'll like this: This card offers a generous spread of perks that make it easy to earn value.

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Compare

Compare Bankrate's top 2024 hotel credit cards

Card name Best for Rewards highlights Bankrate score

Starter hotel card

5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠

3X points on dining, select streaming services and online groceries

2X points on all other travel purchases.

5.0 / 5

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(Read card review)
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on Chase's secure site

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 

4.3 / 5

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(Read card review)
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on American Express's secure site
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Business travel

12X points on eligible Hilton purchases

5X points on made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year 

3X points on all other eligible purchases

4.1 / 5

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(Read card review)
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on American Express's secure site
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Marriott fans

6X points at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy®  program

3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines

2X points on all other purchases

4.6 / 5

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(Read card review)
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on American Express's secure site
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Everyday spending

12X points on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels and resorts

6X points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations

4X points on U.S. online retail purchases

3X points on other eligible purchases.

4.7 / 5

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(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

Marriott business card

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 Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card points on all other eligible purchases.

4.7 / 5

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(Read card review)
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on American Express's secure site
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Luxury benefits

5X points on up to $500,000 of directly booked flights with airlines per calendar year and 5X on prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com 

4.8 / 5

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(Read card review)
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on American Express's secure site
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Hotel deals

3% in OneKeyCash on Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo

3% in OneKeyCash at gas stations, grocery stores and on dining

1.5% in OneKeyCash on other purchases

4.0 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Wells Fargo's secure site

One Key fans

3% in OneKeyCash on Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo


3% in OneKeyCash at gas stations, grocery stores and on dining


2% in OneKeyCash on other purchases

4.0 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
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on Wells Fargo's secure site
Image of The World of Hyatt Credit Card
The World of Hyatt Credit Card
Point value
Up to 9X points for Hyatt stays – 4X points on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5X points from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
 
2X points at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline
 
1X points on all other eligible purchases
Image of Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Marriott fans

Up to 17X points at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® program
 
3X points on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
 
2X points on all other purchases
Image of IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

IHG stays 

Up to 26X points when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts

5X points on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants

3X points on all other purchases

What is a hotel credit card?

A hotel credit card is a travel card that typically rewards its users for making purchases at a specific hotel brand. You earn points in a hotel chain’s loyalty program by using the card to book rooms at the chain’s hotels or resorts and by making eligible non-travel purchases. Other incentives may include free nights, elite status, upgrades and access to the hotel chain’s travel partners.

There are two types of hotel credit cards. The first 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 is a general travel rewards card that offers hotel-related perks and benefits without being exclusively associated with a single hotel chain. 

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

  • Checkmark Icon

    Hotel cards regularly offer lucrative welcome offers for new cardholders who meet the spending requirements within a specified period.

  • Checkmark Icon

    A co-branded hotel card will likely offer a higher-than-average rewards rate on eligible hotel purchases compared with a general travel card.

  • Checkmark Icon

    Late check-in, complimentary breakfast and room upgrades are some of the perks offered by co-branded hotel credit cards. Many hotel cards also offer expedited pathways to elite status with even more perks.

Cons

  • 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.

  • Although rewards rates are high with some co-branded hotel cards, the points’ redemption values may not be worth as much as those earned with non-branded travel cards.

  • 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 want noteworthy perks at hotels.

Tips for choosing the best hotel credit card for you

The right hotel card for you will vary based on your travel habits and preferences. Here are a few first steps to help you in your search.

Expert advice for hotel credit cards

Hotel credit cards can be worthwhile, but it’s best to know how to manage them effectively to make them worth the spot in your wallet. 

Tips for maximizing hotel credit cards

Here are some of our top tips for maximizing your hotel credit cards so you can get the best returns. 

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

Here’s how a Bankrate expert uses his hotel credit card

Bankrate credit cards writer Ryan Flanigan appreciates the everyday value he can get from the Hilton Honors Amex Surpass. 

This card has great practical use for my everyday needs. I go to this card early and often in the year to earn the free night as quickly as possible. If I spend just in the 6X bonus categories, that’s 90,000 points in my pocket. That’s great value for the annual fee. The quarterly Hilton credits also give me a boost while staying on property. This card can almost always be found in my wallet. — Ryan Flanigan, Writer, Credit Cards

What people say about hotel credit cards

You may be wondering whether it’s worth it to get a hotel credit card. The short answer — it depends on your travel needs. We explored what people on social media thought about their experience with hotel credit cards and brands.

Frequently asked questions about hotel credit cards

How we assess the best hotel credit cards

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150+
cards rated
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50+
rewards programs valued
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1800
data points analyzed
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40+
perks evaluated

When evaluating the best hotel rewards cards, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards in popular categories to scoring a large sign-up bonus or high-value perks. Whenever possible, we also feature cards that are available at various credit levels and price points. 

We analyzed over 150 of the most popular rewards cards and scored each based on its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, welcome bonus value, APR, fees, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup of the best hotel cards.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the key factors in our rewards card scoring methodology and details we considered when putting together our list.

How we rate rewards cards
  • Value 65.00%
  • Flexibility 15.00%
  • Perks 15.00%
  • Customer experience 5.00%

*Information about all credit cards marked with an asterisk has been collected independently by Bankrate. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.