10 Best Hotel Credit Cards

Earning Structure:

• 12x points at Hilton hotels
• 6x points at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations
• 3x points on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

• Up to 130,000 Hilton Honors points after spending a set amount in the first 3 months (offer details may vary)

Card Details:

• Annual Fee: Around $95
• Credit Type: Charge card
• Recommended Credit Score: Good to excellent (680+)

Key Benefits:

• Automatic Hilton Gold status
• Priority Pass lounge access (enrollment required)
• No foreign transaction fees
• Free weekend night reward annually after spending $15,000

Redemption Options:
Points can be used for hotel stays, experiences, and sometimes transferred to airline partners. Redeeming for hotel stays typically offers the best value.

Spending Limitations:
Card requires responsible use because balance must be paid in full each month. Annual fee may not be ideal for infrequent Hilton guests.

This card suits beginners who stay at Hilton hotels regularly. It’s useful for those wanting to build points quickly and enjoy hotel perks without a high annual fee.

Earning Structure:

• 3% OneKeyCash on purchases made with Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo
• 3% back on gas, dining, and groceries
• 2% back on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

• Varies by offer; typically includes OneKeyCash credits
• Often includes a $100 OneKeyCash bonus on account anniversary

Card Details:

• Annual Fee: $0 or low (check current offers)
• Credit Score Needed: Good to excellent (typically 700+)
• Issuer: Not specified (usually affiliated with Citi or Wells Fargo)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Not stated; likely none, but check issuer terms

Key Benefits:

• Automatic Gold tier status in the One Key program
• Extra savings and perks on select hotel bookings
• Up to $120 statement credit for trusted traveler programs like Global Entry

The card requires a good credit score, generally 700 or higher, to qualify. It may not suit people who rarely book through Expedia or the related sites because rewards are limited to those platforms.

Why it Works for Beginners: It works well for beginners who want a simple rewards program tied to popular travel sites. The multiple bonus categories make it easy to earn rewards on common purchases.

Earning Structure:

• 10 points per $1 spent on Choice Hotels stays
• 3 points per $1 on dining and gas
• 1 point per $1 on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 40,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 within the first 3 months. These points can cover multiple reward nights at select hotels.

Card Details:

• Annual Fee: $0
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None
• Elite Status: Automatic Gold Elite membership
• Bonus Points: 40,000 points

Key Benefits:

• 10 elite night credits annually
• Cell phone protection included
• No foreign transaction fees

Points can be redeemed for free hotel nights at thousands of Choice Hotels properties worldwide. The program allows flexibility for both short stays and longer visits.

This card fits those with good credit who want easy rewards on daily spending and travel with Choice Hotels. It has few drawbacks but may earn slower rewards compared to some cards that charge an annual fee.

Why it Works for Beginners: Its low barrier to entry and automatic elite status make it appealing for beginners new to hotel rewards programs.

Earning Structure:

• 10x points per $1 spent at IHG hotels and resorts worldwide
• 2x points per $1 on other travel and dining purchases
• 1x point per $1 on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

• 5 Free Night Rewards after spending $5,000 within the first 3 months

Card Details:

• Annual Fee: Around $99
• Automatic Elite Status: Platinum Elite upon approval
• Annual Free Night: 1 night at hotels up to 40,000 points
• Fourth Night Free: On award stays of 4 or more nights

Key Benefits:

• Automatic Platinum Elite status, which includes room upgrades and bonus points
• Fourth night free on award bookings of four or more nights
• Annual free night reward to use at many IHG locations
• No foreign transaction fees

Redemption Options:

Points can be redeemed for free nights, room upgrades, or other rewards within the IHG network. The card’s points are valuable since many hotel stays earn bonus points.

Credit Requirements:

Applicants typically need good to excellent credit to qualify.

Spending Limitations:

The card has a $99 annual fee. To get full value, travelers should use it mainly for IHG stays and meet the welcome bonus spending requirement.

Why it Works for Beginners: This card is straightforward for beginners who often stay at IHG hotels. It offers easy-to-understand rewards, automatic elite status, and useful perks without the need for heavy spending.

Earning Structure:

• 6 points per $1 spent at Marriott hotels
• 3 points per $1 spent on gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores (combined up to $6,000 annually)
• 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

• Earn 5 Free Night Awards (each night worth up to 50,000 points) after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months

Card Details:

• Annual Fee: $95
• Issuer: Chase
• Rewards Program: Marriott Bonvoy

Key Benefits:

• Annual free night certificate after account anniversary
• Automatic Silver Elite status with Marriott
• Elite Night credits that count toward higher Marriott status
• No foreign transaction fees

Redemption Options:

Points can be redeemed for free hotel stays across Marriott’s global portfolio, room upgrades, and travel experiences. Free nights using points vary in value depending on the hotel category.

Credit Requirements:

Applicants typically need good to excellent credit (around 700+ FICO score).

Spending Limitations:

Bonus points at gas, restaurant, and grocery stores are capped at $6,000 per year combined. The $95 fee may not suit very infrequent Marriott guests.

Why it Works for Beginners: The card offers a straightforward rewards program with modest fees and valuable perks. Its welcome bonus and annual free night certificate make it appealing for travelers new to hotel rewards.

Earning Structure:

• 4x points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels
• 2x points per dollar on dining, airline tickets, and local transit
• 1x point per dollar on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

• Earn 2 free nights at Category 1-4 Hyatt hotels after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
• Plus, 25,000 bonus points after spending $12,000 in the first 6 months

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $95
• No foreign transaction fees
• Automatic Discoverist elite status with the World of Hyatt program

Key Benefits:

• Free night awarded every year after card renewal
• Bonus points on Hyatt stays and travel-related expenses
• Ability to earn tier-qualifying nights through spending

Redemption Options:

Points can be used for hotel stays, room upgrades, dining, spa services, and experiences at Hyatt properties worldwide. Points typically have good value compared to other hotel rewards programs.

Credit Requirements:

Applicants generally need good to excellent credit to qualify for this card.

Spending Limitations:

To maximize rewards, cardholders must spend a moderate amount annually. The welcome bonus requires meeting specific spending thresholds.

Why it Works for Beginners: This card is simple to use and offers valuable perks without complicated rules. It is a solid choice for those new to travel credit cards who want to build points and enjoy hotel benefits.

Earning Structure:

• 5x points on hotels
• 4x points on airlines
• 3x points on dining and other travel
• 1x point on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

New cardholders may earn a bonus of points after meeting a minimum spending requirement in the first few months.

Key Benefits:

• Unlimited points with no category caps
• Points do not expire as long as the account is open
• Various travel protections like trip delay and baggage coverage

Redemption Options:

Points can be redeemed for travel bookings, gift cards, and merchandise. Transferring points to partners is possible but limited.

Credit Requirements:

Applicants typically need good to excellent credit to qualify.

Spending Limitations/Potential Drawbacks:

The card has fewer transfer partners compared to some competitors. It might not offer the highest rewards outside the main categories.

Why it Works for Beginners: The simple rewards system and no annual fee make it easy to use. Beginners can start earning travel points without worrying about complicated rules or fees.

Earning Structure:

• 12x points at Hilton properties
• 6x points on select business categories like gas stations and restaurants
• 3x points on other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

• Up to 175,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $8,000 in the first six months (offer valid through June 5, 2024)

Card Details:

• Annual Fee: $95
• Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
• Hilton Honors Status: Complimentary Gold Status, potential Diamond upgrade
• Annual Hilton Credit: Up to $240

Key Benefits:

• Complimentary Gold elite status
• Airport lounge access
• Annual Hilton resort statement credit
• No foreign transaction fees

Points can be redeemed for hotel stays, upgrades, or experiences through Hilton Honors.

This card requires good to excellent credit. Spending limits depend on the user’s creditworthiness, as it is a charge card.

Why it Works for Beginners: It’s a good choice for beginners who own a business and want to earn hotel rewards without a high annual fee. The simple rewards structure and elite perks add value without complexity.

Earning Structure:

• 5 points per $1 on travel booked via Chase
• 3 points per $1 on dining
• 2 points per $1 on other travel purchases
• 1 point per $1 on all other spending

Welcome Bonus:

New users can earn a generous signup bonus after spending a set amount in the first few months. This bonus can provide a useful boost in points.

Card Details:

• Annual Fee: $95
• Credit Requirement: Good to excellent credit
• Hotel Credit: $50 annual statement credit

Key Benefits:

• Points transfer to major airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Travel and purchase protections
• Flexible redemption options through Chase Ultimate Rewards®

Redemption Options:

Points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, gift cards, and more. Booking travel through Chase offers extra point value.

This card is suitable for those new to travel rewards because it combines a clear rewards structure with travel perks, all at a moderate cost. It does require good credit and may not be the best choice for those who use cards mostly for everyday expenses outside travel.

Earning Structure:

• All Purchases: 2 miles per $1 spent
• Hotels and Car Rentals (booked via Capital One Travel): 5 miles per $1 spent

New cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months. This bonus can be worth up to $750 in travel rewards.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $95
• No foreign transaction fees
• Visa Signature benefits

Key Benefits:

• Unlimited miles on all spending
• Higher miles on travel booked through Capital One
• No blackout dates or seat restrictions for redeeming miles
• Access to a concierge service

Miles can be redeemed as a fixed value toward travel or transferred to airline and hotel partners for greater value.

This card is best for those with good to excellent credit. It has no category restrictions, making it easy for beginners to use. The annual fee might be a drawback for those who spend very little on travel, but the rewards rate balances this cost well.