Our take
Hotel credit cards provide travel rewards for your purchases which can lead to savings when booking your hotel. Some will even include useful perks that can help lower some of your travel expenses like free night stays and complimentary elite membership offers.
However, with a co-branded credit card, you’ll have to prefer one hotel over all the others, as you’ll only get these perks and rewards with one brand. If you find yourself staying at one hotel, like Marriott or an IHG hotel, more than others, consider looking into a co-branded credit card with that hotel. But if you prefer shopping around for the best rate or don’t always stay with the same hotel, a general travel credit card will likely suit you better.
Whether you’re vacationing or traveling for business, a hotel credit card can help you save money and grant access to exclusive amenities to get the most comfort out of your stay.
If you’re not partial to one specific hotel brand, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a good option. You’ll earn points for your purchases that can be redeemed through the card’s hotel and airline partners, or for nearly any hotel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
The Sapphire Preferred comes with a few hotel perks, including a $50 annual hotel credit to use when booking your stay through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal. And Chase has three hotel partners to transfer points to -- IHG, Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt. Booking travel through the Chase portal may stretch your points further. You can redeem at 1.25 cents per point as opposed to transferring your rewards 1:1 to the travel partner of your choice.
In addition, the Sapphire Preferred has a 60,000-point welcome bonus (or $750 toward travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards) if you spend $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. This can be valuable for upcoming hotel stays.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 21.49% – 28.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
If you’re not partial to one specific hotel brand, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a good option. You’ll earn points for your purchases that can be redeemed through the card’s hotel and airline partners, or for nearly any hotel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
The Sapphire Preferred comes with a few hotel perks, including a $50 annual hotel credit to use when booking your stay through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal. And Chase has three hotel partners to transfer points to -- IHG, Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt. Booking travel through the Chase portal may stretch your points further. You can redeem at 1.25 cents per point as opposed to transferring your rewards 1:1 to the travel partner of your choice.
In addition, the Sapphire Preferred has a 60,000-point welcome bonus (or $750 toward travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards) if you spend $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. This can be valuable for upcoming hotel stays.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 21.49% – 28.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
If you’re a loyal Hilton fan, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card* also automatically qualifies you for Hilton Honors Gold status. Perks include getting fifth night free when booking with points, room upgrades when available, free water, and daily food and beverage credits for select US hotels. The card also offers a free night reward if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year.
If you spend $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year, you may qualify for Hilton Honors™ Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year. Diamond status includes room upgrades if space is available, 48-hour room guarantee and other perks to enhance your stay.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 20.99%-29.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
If you’re a loyal Hilton fan, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card* also automatically qualifies you for Hilton Honors Gold status. Perks include getting fifth night free when booking with points, room upgrades when available, free water, and daily food and beverage credits for select US hotels. The card also offers a free night reward if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year.
If you spend $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year, you may qualify for Hilton Honors™ Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year. Diamond status includes room upgrades if space is available, 48-hour room guarantee and other perks to enhance your stay.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 20.99%-29.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card* is a midtier Marriott hotel credit card. You’ll get an annual free night certificate equivalent to up to 35,000 points, and 15 Elite Night credits per calendar year that help you get to Gold Status faster from the automatic Silver tier you receive each account anniversary year. And you can earn 3 Free Night Awards (each valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 in the first three months.
Aside from redeeming your rewards for Marriott hotel stays, you can also redeem points for airfare, cruises, rental cars, gift cards and Marriott Bonvoy shopping portal purchases. Or you can transfer points to Marriott’s travel partners.
The card also has a few other travel benefits, including baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement and trip delay insurance.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 21.49% – 28.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card* is a midtier Marriott hotel credit card. You’ll get an annual free night certificate equivalent to up to 35,000 points, and 15 Elite Night credits per calendar year that help you get to Gold Status faster from the automatic Silver tier you receive each account anniversary year. And you can earn 3 Free Night Awards (each valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 in the first three months.
Aside from redeeming your rewards for Marriott hotel stays, you can also redeem points for airfare, cruises, rental cars, gift cards and Marriott Bonvoy shopping portal purchases. Or you can transfer points to Marriott’s travel partners.
The card also has a few other travel benefits, including baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement and trip delay insurance.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 21.49% – 28.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
With the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, you get 20% off point purchases through IHG.com and a free night after each card anniversary. We like that you’ll get the fourth night of your stay free when you redeem points for a stay of three or more nights. You can also earn a 140,000-point welcome bonus after spending $3,000 within the first three months. Plus, earn up to $100 in IHG statement credits on purchases at IHG hotels and resorts during the first 12 months from account opening.
If you’d like to be a VIP whenever you visit an IHG property, the IHG Rewards Premier credit card awards you Platinum Elite Status once you’re a cardholder. Platinum Elite member perks include guaranteed room availability, free room upgrades, priority check-in, late checkout, welcome amenities and complimentary drinks or snacks at Kimpton hotels.
IHG properties include some of the most luxurious and trendy brands around such as Kimpton Hotels, Regent, Six Senses, Crowne Plaza and Intercontinental Hotels.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 21.49% – 28.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
With the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, you get 20% off point purchases through IHG.com and a free night after each card anniversary. We like that you’ll get the fourth night of your stay free when you redeem points for a stay of three or more nights. You can also earn a 140,000-point welcome bonus after spending $3,000 within the first three months. Plus, earn up to $100 in IHG statement credits on purchases at IHG hotels and resorts during the first 12 months from account opening.
If you’d like to be a VIP whenever you visit an IHG property, the IHG Rewards Premier credit card awards you Platinum Elite Status once you’re a cardholder. Platinum Elite member perks include guaranteed room availability, free room upgrades, priority check-in, late checkout, welcome amenities and complimentary drinks or snacks at Kimpton hotels.
IHG properties include some of the most luxurious and trendy brands around such as Kimpton Hotels, Regent, Six Senses, Crowne Plaza and Intercontinental Hotels.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 21.49% – 28.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Business travelers should look at the Business Platinum Card from American Express. The card offers up to a $200 airline fee statement credit per calendar year at one selected qualifying airline, up to a $189 CLEAR® Plus airport security statement credit per year (subject to auto-renewal), up to a $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ($100 statement credit for Global Entry every 4 years, or up to $85 statement credit for TSA PreCheck every 4.5 years), complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges.
As for hotel perks, you’ll get up to $550 per year in value from Fine Hotels + Resorts including complimentary daily breakfasts for two and late checkouts (4 p.m.).
Best of all, Business Platinum cardholders get Gold status for Hilton Honors and Gold Elite Status with Marriott Bonvoy without the need to carry specific cards for either brand or meeting a minimum number of stays. You can also transfer your points at a 1:1 ratio to several travel partners, including Marriott Bonvoy for hotel stays.
Keep in mind that this card has a steep $695 annual fee, so it’s best to make sure the card is a valuable addition to your wallet before applying.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 19.49% – 27.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
Business travelers should look at the Business Platinum Card from American Express. The card offers up to a $200 airline fee statement credit per calendar year at one selected qualifying airline, up to a $189 CLEAR® Plus airport security statement credit per year (subject to auto-renewal), up to a $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ($100 statement credit for Global Entry every 4 years, or up to $85 statement credit for TSA PreCheck every 4.5 years), complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges.
As for hotel perks, you’ll get up to $550 per year in value from Fine Hotels + Resorts including complimentary daily breakfasts for two and late checkouts (4 p.m.).
Best of all, Business Platinum cardholders get Gold status for Hilton Honors and Gold Elite Status with Marriott Bonvoy without the need to carry specific cards for either brand or meeting a minimum number of stays. You can also transfer your points at a 1:1 ratio to several travel partners, including Marriott Bonvoy for hotel stays.
Keep in mind that this card has a steep $695 annual fee, so it’s best to make sure the card is a valuable addition to your wallet before applying.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 19.49% – 27.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
How do hotel credit cards work?
Hotel credit cards let you earn rewards on your everyday purchases then redeem them toward future hotel stays, room upgrades and other hotel perks. There are generally two main types of hotel credit cards: co-branded hotel credit cards and travel credit cards. Both options let you earn and redeem rewards for hotels, but the right type of hotel card for you depends on how often you travel, whether you’re a hotel loyalist and if you can offset an annual fee with rewards and other perks.
Co-branded hotel credit cards: These cards are offered by major card issuers, including Chase and American Express, in partnership with hotel loyalty programs such as Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy. With a co-branded hotel card, you’ll earn points toward the hotel’s loyalty program. A major benefit is the added brand perks and benefits. Some hotel credit cards offer automatic elite status, annual hotel credits and free night awards.
However, you won’t be able to redeem your rewards with other hotel loyalty programs -- which makes this card less valuable if you’re interested in the best deal anywhere instead of brand loyalty. On the other hand, some co-branded hotel credit cards let you enhance your travel in other ways -- like redeeming points for flights or rental cars.
General travel credit cards: If you’re not loyal to a single hotel brand, or you’re looking for a more flexible card option, general travel cards are another way to earn rewards toward trips. We like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card * because of their flexible redemption options.
You’ll accrue points or miles on your regular spending, bills and travel. You can then redeem them for hotel stays through the issuer’s travel portal, or you can transfer them directly to a hotel loyalty program.
While travel credit cards offer more flexibility, this option focuses on helping you save on your trip altogether -- not just hotels. Some travel credit cards will offer hotel perks or more points to use toward a hotel stay. But you can also redeem rewards towards flights, rental cars and other travel expenses. Some even come with concierge service, travel insurance and lounge access.
Are hotel credit cards worth it?
To decide whether a hotel credit card is right for you there are a few factors to consider.
First, think about how often you book hotels and which loyalty program you use the most. If a good portion of your spending goes toward hotel stays and travel, a hotel credit card may be worth considering.
In general, co-branded hotel credit cards are most valuable for people who stay with a specific hotel brand a few times per year and want some added benefits within the loyalty program -- like early check-in or free award nights. For business travelers who might spend several weeks in a hotel each year, co-branded hotel credit cards can be even more helpful to climb the elite status ladder and score extra benefits along the way.
The decision may be different depending on a number of factors including whether you prefer travel with one brand, you’re interested in earning status or you want more flexible redemption options.
On the other hand, if you’re more flexible in your hotel preferences, a hotel credit card may not be as beneficial. Instead, consider a general travel rewards credit card. This way, you can rack up rewards based on your spending -- ranging from travel to everyday purchases like dining and groceries. Most flexible travel credit cards let you redeem your rewards for hotel stays through the issuer travel portal, or even transfer your points to specific hotel loyalty programs, among other redemption options.
Do hotel rewards expire?
When it comes to flexible travel credit cards that earn points you can use for hotels, rewards typically do not have an expiration date as long as your account is open. On the other hand, points you earn in hotel loyalty programs often do expire if you don’t have any qualifying account activity for a specific length of time (which can vary by program).
Here’s a rundown of the expiration policies for many major hotel loyalty programs.
| Loyalty program | Expiration policy |
| Choice Privileges | 18 months with no qualifying activity |
| Hilton Honors | 24 months with no qualifying activity |
| IHG Rewards | 12 months with no qualifying activity |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 24 months with no qualifying activity |
| World of Hyatt | 24 months with no qualifying activity |
| Wyndham Rewards | 18 months with no qualifying activity |
While these expiration policies may seem severe, even very minor activity on your account can reset the clock and keep your points alive. For example, your expiration timeline for hotel points starts over any time you earn any hotel points or you redeem points for a hotel stay or other redemptions. If you have a hotel credit card that you use to earn points on a regular basis, you can continue to keep your hotel points alive in perpetuity.
If you don’t travel often enough to meet these deadlines, you may find better value from a general travel credit card or cash-back credit card that you can use to earn more flexible rewards on your everyday spending without worrying about expiration dates.
FAQs
Hotel credit cards work similarly to a general travel rewards card. The more you spend, the more points you can earn to redeem for hotel stays, status upgrades and more. Most cards have varying rewards rates based on the type of purchase with the highest earnings potential for spending at the hotel property. Depending on the card you choose, you may be limited to a particular hotel loyalty program or the card’s travel booking purchases.
Hotel credit cards are best for travelers who are loyal to a particular hotel brand, book hotel stays at least occasionally and are interested in earning free hotel stays based on spending. The best hotel rewards credit cards can upgrade you to higher-level hotel status such as Gold or Elite. That can open doors to more perks such as free upgrades, late checkout, free stays each year and more, depending on the hotel loyalty program.
When deciding what type of rewards credit card is best, think about how often you travel and where you like to stay when traveling. If you need a card that gives you the flexibility to redeem points for hotels or airfare, a travel rewards credit card may be best since a hotel credit card only lets you redeem rewards at the particular hotel brand and its partners.
To earn free stays with a hotel credit card, make everyday purchases with your hotel or travel rewards card to earn points. Then, redeem these points toward hotel stays. In many cases, you can also earn an annual certificate for a free night or bonus points, depending on the card. But discipline is key -- be sure you’re not overspending simply to earn points for free hotel stays or the interest charges could offset the free nights.
Elite status is typically reserved for frequent travelers who spend a number of nights at a particular hotel brand. Hotels reward the most loyal customers with perks for elite status which include later checkout times, free room upgrades, redemption discounts and more. Many hotel rewards credit cards automatically upgrade cardholders to elite status.
Our methodology
CNET reviews credit cards by exhaustively comparing them across set criteria developed for each major category, including cash-back, welcome bonus, travel rewards and balance transfer. We take into consideration the typical spending behavior of a range of consumer profiles -- with the understanding that everyone’s financial situation is different -- and the designated function of a card.
Cards researched
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Best Western Rewards® Premium Mastercard®
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Choice Privileges® Visa Signature® Card
- Citi Premier® Card
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
- Hotels.com® Rewards Visa® Credit Card
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
- Radisson Rewards Premier Visa Signature® Card
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card
- The World Of Hyatt Credit Card
- Wyndham Rewards® Earner℠ Plus Credit Card
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card from American Express, click here.
*All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.
