Best Hotel Credit Cards
At Travel Freely, we know that getting your hands on the best hotel credit cards can be a game-changer for the way you do free travel. With the right card, you can get incredible hotel stays at next-to-nothing prices, free nights, bonus perks and more.
So to help you build up that point strategy for great accommodations, we’ve gathered the best hotel credit cards in this article and outlined how each card can benefit you the most. Also check out the tips we’ve included to get the most out of your hotel credit card and other opportunities that can enhance your free travel experience.
Travel Freely Members Glenn and Janet used points to stay at the Hyatt Regency in Maui, HawaiI!
How do Hotel Credit Cards work?
Before we give you our list of best hotel credit cards, let’s talk about how they work.
Hotel credit cards are pretty straightforward. Most come with a generous sign-up bonus or “welcome offer” for meeting a minimum spending requirement. These points translate into free nights when booking an award night with points on their site. Some of the more premium cards (i.e. with higher annual fees) can include some elite status and extra perks like free breakfast.
One thing I like about the hotel cards with annual fees is that most come with one annual free night every year. This free night redemption easily outweighs the annual fee and encourages my wife and I to use them! As a couple, that means we can stack our annual free nights for a great weekend trip. I tend to keep my hotel cards (instead of cancel them) each year because of this free night value.
Just my opinion, but I tend to like the Hyatt and Marriott programs the best. Those are the ones I am most familiar with and feel good about the value I get when redeeming them. Hyatt points normally carry the highest overall value, and you can always top up your account by transferring Chase points to Hyatt (instantly) at a great 1:1 ratio. There are many people who love Hilton, but I haven’t found the value with Hilton compared to Marriott and Hyatt.
Below you will see options for co-branded cards (specific “Hotel” credit cards) and some options for bank cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card that offer far more flexible options via the Chase Travel℠ portal, transfer partners, and exclusive hotel program. If you are brand new and do not have the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, I would strongly recommend that card before you look at hotel cards.
Best Co-Branded Hotel Credit Cards
Hyatt
With hundreds of hotels covered in its World of Hyatt rewards program, great earning opportunities, and unique membership perks, it’s easy to see why Hyatt is a top choice among free travelers. Hyatt recognizes and awards your loyalty strongly with generous benefits so you’re always guaranteed great bonuses.
Hyatt currently has one personal card, “World of Hyatt Credit Card“, and one business card, the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card. As I mentioned above, if you have Chase Ultimate Rewards, the transfer to World of Hyatt Points is 1:1!
This is a two-tiered signup bonus with the first bonus being 30,000 points earned after spending $3,000 on the card within the first 3 months. The second bonus offer is dependent on how much you spend, where you'll earn 2x points per dollar spent in the first 6 months (on purchases that normally earn 1x point), on up to $15,000 spent.
For the small business owner who loves Hyatt, this is an intriguing offer that includes Explorist status through 2/28/26. If you have high monthly spending, this card will also help you earn Globalist status.
Why we love it:
- Although not as big as other contenders, there are lots of hotel brands that are under Hyatt, giving you access to hundreds of accommodations. Here are some of their brands to name a few: Andaz, Thompson Hotels, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Destination Hotels, and Joie de Vivre.
- No resort fees on stays paid for with points or free nights.
- The freebies and perks you get with Hyatt easily offset the annual $95 fee for the card.
Additional Cardholder Benefits:
- Getting the Hyatt personal credit card automatically gives you “Discoverist Status” which entitles you to an additional percentage of bonus points for all your stays, room upgrades, late checkouts when available and more. In addition, you’ll be able to achieve higher elite status quickly because you’ll receive qualifying-night credits for ever year you keep your card.
- With the personal card you get a complimentary free night for every year you keep the card.
- No foreign transaction fees.
The beach across the street from the Hyatt in Santa Barbara.
Marriott
What started as a root beer stand in 1927, Marriott is now a hotel chain with more hotel rooms than any other in the world. So if you look at it, it’s a no-brainer to get access to Marriott’s hotel credit cards. Over the years Marriott’s Bonvoy Rewards program also merged with two other hotel rewards programs: Starwood Preferred Guest and Ritz-Carlton Rewards.
Check out our Marriot Bonvoy Complete Guide here for an in-depth look into this rewards program.
Marriott has a lot of options when it comes to credit cards, but here are three of the best Marriott cards on our list:
1. Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
With this unique offer, you'll earn 3 free night awards (up to 50,000 points per night) after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months. You'll also earn an additional 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $6,000 total within the first 6 months. The free nights expire 12 months after they are earned.
2. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
With an annual fee of $650, perks include Platinum status, dining credits, 25 Elite nights credit towards status per calendar year, Priority Pass select and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® fee credit and a free night award annually (after your card renewal month). This is a very intriguing card for those looking for instant status and a lot of Marriott benefits. Terms Apply.
3. Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
The Marriott Business Amex card offers several perks for those who love to stay at Marriott hotels and offers a free annual night award and 15 Elite night credits toward status each calendar year. Certain hotels have resort fees. Terms apply.
These cards are different in their own ways, but here are some features you may want to take note of:
- Having a Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card automatically gets you Silver Elite Status with Marriott Bonvoy Rewards. With Silver Elite Status, you’ll receive some perks such as 10% bonus points on all hotel stays and late checkouts based on availability.
- Having a Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant credit card grants you Platinum Elite Status with Marriott Bonvoy Rewards. Benefits of Platinum Elite status includes 50% bonus points from stays, 4pm late checkouts, lounge access, dedicated reservations line for elite status holders, and more.
Why we love it:
- As the largest hotel chain in the world, Marriott offers a wide range of hotels including ultra-luxury resorts, family-friendly hotels, and economical roadside stops. Marriott houses a collection of so many hotel brands, such as Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, W Hotels Worldwide, The Ritz-Carlton, Bulgari Resorts and Hotels and more.
- Racking up Marriott points can be very easy taking into account the considerable welcome bonuses and powerful point earning potential from Marriott expenses, U.S. restaurants, flights, and other expenses.
- Marriott also offers different levels of elite status which are sometimes automatic or complimentary. With elite status, you can earn even more points, credits, and free nights.
- Get great value for your points when you “Stay 5, Pay for 4.” This is Marriott’s incredible offer that allows you to redeem five nights for the cost of four nights. This perk is available for everyone.
- You can also transfer Marriott points to airlines, including many valuable loyalty programs with difficult-to-earn airline miles. However, the ratio is 3:1 in most cases, which is not great value.
Additional Cardholder Benefits:
- Each cardmember year, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant cardholders receive a free night certificate, valid at hotels costing up to 35,000 points and 85,000 points respectively. Marriott Bonvoy Bevy and Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful cardholders can earn a free night certificate (up to 50,000 points) after spending $15,000 in a calendar year. Terms apply.
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant cardmembers receive Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® statement credits of up to $120 every 4 years.
- All Marriott Bonvoy cardholders receive automatic elite status.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold and Boundless: Silver Elite — 10% bonus on bookings and late checkout.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy and Bountiful: Gold Elite — 25% bonus, late checkout, and room upgrades when available.
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: Platinum Elite — 50% bonus, upgrades (including select suites), and complimentary breakfast when available.
Sheraton Kauai, beachside with the pool and palapas in the background
IHG
If Marriott started out as a root beer stand, IHG’s humble beginnings start with a brewery! From William Bass’s brewery in the 1700’s, the Bass family later expanded into the hospitality industry, building its own hotel chains, and then ultimately purchasing Holiday Inn International. The IHG brand later came after several buyouts and acquisitions. Today, what is now known as IHG or the InterContinental Hotel Group, is one of the largest hotel brands in the world with over 6,000 hotels worldwide and counting.
Your best options for IHG is the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card. With IHG’s One Rewards Program, the IHG One Rewards Premier is a great card for everyday spend, given IHG’s hefty sign-up bonus. Although the value of the rewards are not as comprehensive as Marriott’s or Hyatt’s, access to IHG’s 6,000+ hotels stands as one of the top reasons why this card deserves your time and investment.
Best Offer of the Year ends 7/23/25! Great offer on an incredibly valuable card if you'll use the annual free night stay and fourth night free when booking award stays.
Why we love it:
- With IHG you have access to thousands of hotels around the world. Their catalog of brands includes Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, Kimpton, and InterContinental Hotels.
Additional Cardholder Benefits:
- Every cardmember year, cardmembers of the IHG One Rewards Premier and IHG One Rewards
Premier Business receive an reward night certificate valid at IHG hotels (capped at 40,000 points, with the ability to top off an award with points from your account). - IHG cardholders get their fourth night free when redeeming points for a four night stay or more.
- IHG Premier cardmembers receive Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® statement credits of up to $120 every 4 years.
- IHG cardholders automatically receive IHG Platinum Elite status which comes with many perks, such as bonus points on IHG stays. Platinum Elite status holders are also eligible for various upgrades and late checkout (when available). As a Platinum Elite member, your IHG points do not expire.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Hilton
Founded by Conrad Hilton in 1919, the Hilton Brand is now a multinational company that boasts of nearly a million rooms across thousands of properties in over 100 countries worldwide. Those numbers alone definitely show how big of a player Hilton currently is in the hotel industry. Hilton’s rewards program is known as Hilton Honors.
We’ve listed two best hotel credit cards for Hilton; these are:
1. American Express Hilton Honors Aspire
If you stay at Hilton properties throughout the year, you should really consider this high-end card. Lots of great benefits with a total value that exceeds the higher annual fee. Annual Free Night Reward upon signup and every year upon renewal. Terms apply.
2. American Express Hilton Honors Surpass Card
This card is great for those who love Hilton as it's an easy way to get and/or keep Hilton Honors™ Gold status. Know that Hilton points are lower in value relative to other rewards programs, so don't be enamored by the big earning bonuses. Terms apply.
Here are some distinctions that you may want to take note of with regards to these two cards:
- The Hilton Honors Aspire card costs more in annual fees but comes with an annual free night reward and automatic Diamond Elite status. With Diamond Elite status, you’ll get a wide range of perks including executive lounge access, space-available room upgrades (up to a 1-bedroom suite) and premium Wifi.
- The Hilton Honors Surpass card has a lower annual fee and comes with automatic Gold Elite Status. Hilton’s Gold Elite status includes benefits such as 5th night free when redeeming points for an award stay (this benefit is for those with Silver elite status and above). Additionally, Both Hilton Honors Gold and Diamond members receive a food & beverage credit OR complimentary breakfast. The offering depends on the hotel brand and the region.
Why we love it:
- Hilton is home to brands like Waldorf Astoria, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Curio, Signia and more.
- Hilton Honors cards have built-in elite status that grants you access to loads of the most valuable perks. These include upgrades when available, free in-room and lobby Wi-Fi, late check-out, and more.
- Elite status holders can also enjoy the “5th night free” offer on Hilton award bookings. This applies to every 5th night on reservations of up to 20 consecutive nights, and you can use it an unlimited number of times.
Additional Cardholder Benefits:
- The Hilton Aspire card comes with a high annual fee offset by a number cardholder benefits. These include, a yearly free night award, complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status, up to $200 in flight credits and annual $199 CLEAR reimbursement.
- The Hilton Surpass card comes with complimentary Gold Elite status.
- Both the Hilton Aspire and the Hilton Surpass offer Hilton resort credits, up to $400 per year for the Aspire and up to $200 per year for the Surpass. Additionally both cards come with National Emerald Club Executive car rental status.
- No foreign transaction fees
(Photo: Hilton.com) Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock. What should’ve been a 2-night stay worth $691.36 cost us only $85.44.
Here’s the view from Hilton Santa Clara by Levi’s Stadium before walking over to the Coldplay concert. We got the room completely for free.
Best Non-Branded Hotel Credit Cards
Chase Credit Cards
Travel Freely’s most recommended card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is one of our top recommendations for best hotel credit cards. Simply put, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers an awesome welcome offer and great redemption value. If you’re looking for hotel stays, you can use your Chase points to book within the Chase Travel portal or transfer points at 1:1 directly to their hotel partners: IHG, Marriott, and Hyatt. Go here for specifics on hotel redemptions with Chase points.
Our #1 personal card we recommend most often. Hands down the single best "starter card" for beginners and the MVP card for free travel.
Why we love it:
- When you use the Chase Travel portal to redeem your points, you’ll receive a 25% more redemption value on hotels, airfare, car rentals and cruises.
- Chase has a number of travel partners which you can transfer your points to so you get even more perks. For hotels, Chase partners with World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy® and IHG One Rewards.
- When you transfer your points to any of these three hotel programs and book direct through the hotel, your stay counts towards earning elite status within the program, even for award stays.
- Read our article 6 Reasons Why We Love the Chase Sapphire Preferred
Spa and hot springs at Royal Corin during our trip to Costa Rica. We booked our stay at Royal Corin with our Chase Points.
What should have been $625.96 for our stay at Royal Corin, we got for free with Chase!
How to Book Hotels with Chase Ultimate Rewards
Check out this video below on how you can make the most out of booking hotels with your Chase points. Sometimes, the offers on the portal may not be the best offer that’s out there so do take the time to check this video for insider tips on how you can maximize your points for hotel bookings:
Also — check the full article on booking hotels with Chase Ultimate Rewards here.
American Express Credit Cards
Getting great value with American Express Membership Rewards points for hotels is a bit different. It’s best to transfer your points to their partners (Hilton, Marriott) or book through The Hotel Collection (The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay) or Fine Hotels and Resorts (Platinum cardholders only) to receive some extra perks. If you are looking for best available rates without extra benefits, it’s better to use Chase points if you have them.
Here are the two most popular American Express cards:
1. American Express Gold® Card
A must-have for anyone who loves Amex Points. Some of the highest returns (4x!) for spending at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S). Definitely worth a spot in your wallet.
Terms apply.
2. The Platinum® Card from American Express
An ultra-premium card loaded with benefits and perks, especially for the frequent traveler. Terms apply.
Each card has its own specialty, but here are some of those that stand out:
- When you book a property through the Hotel Collection using your American Express Gold Card you’ll receive cash credits that you can use towards hotel expenses such as food and spa services. The Amex Gold Card also grants you access to travel discounts and amenities as part of The Travel Collection by Travel Leaders Group program.
- With the Amex Platinum, cardholders can unlock complimentary access to a number of exceptional travel services. Platinum Card members receive complimentary Gold status holders with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy programs (enrollment required). For eligibile cardmembers, this card also grants you access to numerous airport lounges that fall under the American Express Global Lounge Collection®.
Why we love it:
- Amex Membership Rewards points do not expire! This means that you aren’t pressed for time on when to redeem your points so you can save them for even higher value rewards.
- Thanks to the Amex’s wide network of partners and the transferable nature of Membership Rewards Points, you can move your points over to other loyalty programs like Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors which grants you access to a multitude of premium destinations. If you get to catch the occasional Amex transfer bonus, you can get more hotel points or airline miles than the usual ratio.
Final Thoughts
Booking the best hotel accommodations are a great way to upgrade your travel experience, and more so if you get them for free! So when choosing a hotel credit card, make sure you spend the time to check out the perks and offers you can get, as well as the flexibility of the card. Look into features such as transferring of points to other rewards programs, or added benefits for other travel needs – flights, food, car rentals, insurance and more.
