Best hotel credit cards in February 2024

With lodge occupancy charges surging to pre-COVID ranges (and typically past), banks and main lodge chains are competing vigorously to your loyalty. There are lodge and journey bank cards in the marketplace providing perks similar to a number of free nights for no annual price, free upgrades at boutique motels, and immediate Diamond elite standing. There’s even a card that rewards you with factors transferrable to a number of motels and airways only for paying the hire on time. 

Amidst all this selection and competitors, which card is best for you? 

That will help you select, the Fortune Recommends TM workforce evaluated greater than a dozen of the highest lodge rewards bank cards obtainable as we speak, in addition to a number of journey playing cards not tied to 1 particular lodge model. We’ve ranked them based mostly on components together with rewards, welcome bonuses, annual charges, free nights and elite standing. Learn on to see our high picks.

See our full methodology right here.

All rates of interest, rewards, and charges are correct at time of publication, however are topic to alter.

Finest general: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit score Card

Why we like this card

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit score Card seems like an elite-tier card that merely forgot to cost us greater than its very affordable annual price of $99 a yr. Proper out of the gate it gives a welcome bonus of 165,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. 

Relying on the place your coronary heart is ready on touring, that cache of factors from the welcome bonus can internet you many free nights. If we assume a price of 30,000 factors per night time — which may be lifelike for a keep in Atlanta, for instance — 165,000 factors is greater than sufficient to cowl 5 nights. However at 60,000 factors per night time in New York Metropolis, it’s not fairly price three nights. Remember that along with your factors, some properties might cost an amenity price in money.

This card additionally gives a credit score of as much as $100 towards World Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS and rewards of as much as 26X mixed complete factors per greenback spent on IHG purchases (10X for being a member, 10X for utilizing the cardboard, 6X for having Platinum Elite standing). You’ll earn 5X factors on purchases on journey, eating and fuel stations, and 3X factors on all different purchases. 

Plus, it anoints you with Platinum Elite standing only for being a cardholder so that you’ll rating free upgrades and early check-in when obtainable, reward night time reductions, and extra. Toss in a free award night time in your account anniversary, and you’ve got a lodge rewards card providing what we expect most vacationers will discover to be effectively over $1,000 in worth your first yr as a cardholder. That’s a staggering cut price even probably the most steadfast Marriott and Hyatt loyalists can’t ignore.

For more information see our full evaluation of the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit score Card.

Finest lodge card for standing: The Platinum Card® from American Categorical

Why we like this card

In case you like the thought of getting immediate standing with a number of motels and automotive rental companies — however you’re much less eager on monitoring a number of playing cards and annual charges — you’ll most likely be very proud of The Platinum Card® from American Categorical. 

Let’s begin by ripping off the Band-Help. Sure, the Platinum Card costs a $695 annual price. However it additionally gives an welcome bonus of 80,000 Membership Rewards® Factors after spending $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of card membership and greater than $1,500 price of assertion credit together with a $200 lodge credit score, $200 in Uber Money, a $200 airline incidental charges credit score, a $100 Lodge Assortment expertise credit score and $189 towards CLEAR Plus. 

The cardboard additionally gives immediate Gold Elite standing with Marriott Bonvoy, Gold standing with Hilton Honors and similarly-heightened standing with automotive rental corporations Avis, Hertz and Nationwide, so that you’ll be well-pampered as quickly as you land. 

Outdoors of these two lodge manufacturers, you’ll additionally obtain status-like advantages at over 1,500 properties which are a part of Amex’s High quality Accommodations + Resorts Program (FHR). These are typically distinctive/high-end properties like The Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee and Lodge Barriere Fouquet’s New York in New York Metropolis and your Platinum Card grants you a $100 amenity credit score, plus upgrades (when obtainable), late checkout, free every day breakfast for 2 and extra. 

It definitely isn’t low cost, however should you’re in search of a Swiss Military Knife of journey, standing and comfort, you must know that the Platinum Card is known for a cause. 

For more information take a look at our full evaluation of the Amex Platinum.

To view charges and charges of The Platinum Card® from American Categorical, see charges and charges.

Finest for impartial or boutique motels: Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card

Why we like this card

The Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card is a compelling sufficient journey companion as is, providing a welcome bonus of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases inside 3 months from account opening. Plus, earn limitless 2x miles on each buy (5x miles on motels and rental automobiles booked by Capital One Journey) and luxuriate in Hertz 5 Star standing upon enrollment, all for an inexpensive $95 annual price. 

However the Enterprise is particularly nice for followers of boutique motels as a consequence of its Life-style Assortment perk. Life-style Assortment is Capital One’s handpicked checklist of “city retreats,” “native gems” and “weekend getaways” that supply a bit extra selection than the common chain. And should you e-book certainly one of these motels by Capital One Journey utilizing your Capital One Enterprise Rewards card (phew), you’ll get 5X miles per greenback spent, a $50 expertise credit score to make use of throughout your keep, room upgrades when obtainable, early check-in, late checkout and free Wi-Fi.

In essence, the Capital One Enterprise Rewards card provides you perks that one may say really feel like Gold standing to an enormous assortment of particular properties, making it the perfect card for reserving distinctive, memorable experiences. 

For more information take a look at our Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card evaluation.

Finest premier lodge card: Hilton Honors American Categorical Aspire Card

Why we like this card

In the case of lodge rewards playing cards charging a $500+ annual price, the Hilton Honors American Categorical Aspire Card simply takes the cake from the Marriott Bonvoy Sensible® American Categorical® Card
. The Hilton card gives a welcome bonus of 150,000 factors should you spend $4,000 within the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, earn 14X factors per greenback on Hilton stays, 7X factors per greenback on airfare, automotive leases and eating places, and 3X factors per greenback on different purchases. 

And, cardholders can take pleasure in as much as $400 in Hilton Resort credit ($200 semi-annually), a $200 annual flight credit score ($50 per quarter), a $189 CLEAR Plus credit score, a $100 on-property credit score for qualifying stays, an annual free night time and extra. 

You’ll additionally get immediate Diamond standing with Hilton — which brings upgrades, lounge entry and a Gold standing reward for another person — and Emerald Membership Govt standing with Nationwide Automobile Rental, which sends you to the Govt Aisle the place SUVs and convertible Mustangs await. 

With probably greater than $1,600 in first-year worth, the Hilton Honors American Categorical Aspire card rapidly justifies its $450 annual price and units a excessive bar for different premier-level lodge rewards playing cards to match. 

To be taught extra take a look at our full evaluation of the Hilton Aspire Card.

All details about the Hilton Honors American Categorical Aspire Card has been collected independently by Fortune Recommends™.

Finest versatile factors card for motels: Bilt Card

Why we like this card

The Bilt Mastercard is slightly particular as a result of it rewards you with factors for paying hire, and allows you to keep away from the comfort price many properties would usually cost for paying hire by bank card. Even when your landlord isn’t a part of the “Bilt Rewards Alliance” community, Bilt will set you up with an account quantity and routing quantity so you may pay by your on-line portal or will even lower them a bodily test. 

Cardholders earn 1X for on-time hire (as much as 100,000 factors earned on hire every year) plus 2X on journey and 3X on eating. You could make a minimum of 5 transactions in your card per assertion interval to earn factors.

On high of that, Bilt Rewards factors constantly rank as a few of the Most worthy bank card rewards factors within the enterprise. They switch at a 1:1 fee to 13 airline companions in addition to Marriott Bonvoy, World of Hyatt and IHG Rewards.

Think about that you simply might be able to get 1.5 cents every or even perhaps 3 cents or extra per level for World of Hyatt redemptions, and let’s estimate a $1,800 month-to-month hire cost — that’s 21,600 factors earned on hire, price between $324 and $648 in Hyatt stays per yr. Not dangerous for a card with no annual price. 

Credit score the place credit score’s due, Chase Final Rewards factors additionally switch to all three lodge chains at a 1:1 worth if in case you have a premium chase journey card such because the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked — however we felt compelled to offer the accolade to the Bilt Card for giving such a useful and intelligent approach to earn stated factors within the first place. 

Finest no-annual-fee lodge card: IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit score Card

Why we like this card

No-annual-fee playing cards are an fascinating check of a lodge model’s benevolence. They reply the query: How a lot are you keen to supply of us who haven’t actually demonstrated an entire lot of brand name loyalty but? 

IHG’s reply seems to be “quite a bit,” as a result of the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit score Card gives a welcome bonus of 100,000 bonus factors after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening, a fourth night time free whenever you redeem factors for a consecutive three-night keep and immediate Silver Elite standing. 

Plus, you may earn as much as 17X factors whenever you keep at IHG Accommodations & Resorts, 3X factors on purchases at eating places, choose streaming companies, utilities and fuel, 2X factors on all different purchases—so your month-to-month payments may also help fund your subsequent escape to Lodge Indigo. 

Veteran hotel-hoppers might discover that the no-annual-fee Hilton Honors Card comes with a roughly comparable welcome bonus, however notice that IHG One Rewards factors are usually price extra. 

For more information take a look at our IHG One Traveler evaluation

Finest for Hilton: Hilton Honors American Categorical Surpass® Card

Why we like this card

In our program information to Hilton Honors in 2024, we focus on how Hilton makes incomes factors and standing comparatively gradual and unrewarding for members with out Hilton-branded bank cards. Nearly each vital loyalty profit (upgrades, breakfast and many others.) is locked behind Gold standing or larger, and also you received’t attain Gold till you keep 40 nights (which, for comparability, is when IHG One Rewards provides you Platinum Elite standing). 

However should you get a Hilton-branded bank card, you’re basically getting Hilton’s equal to a Disney FastPass, letting you skip the road and get to the good things faster. Heck, the very best of the bunch is actually known as the Hilton Honors American Categorical Surpass® Card, and it gives a welcome bonus of 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus factors after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Categorical Surpass® Card in your first 6 months of card membership. Plus, cardholders get immediate Gold standing and as much as $200 per yr ($50 per quarter) in Hilton assertion credit. All of this helps justify the cardboard’s $150 annual price. 

The cardboard additionally helps to make up for the comparatively low worth of a Hilton Honors level by providing 12X on Hilton purchases, 6X on eating, groceries and fuel, 4X factors for every greenback on U.S. on-line retail purchases and 3X factors for all different eligible purchases in your card. So should you’re planning on staying at a Hilton property greater than twice this yr, you’ll undoubtedly need this “FastPass” to skip the road and get to the advantages faster. 

For extra info take a look at our full Hilton Surpass evaluation.

To view charges and charges of the Hilton Honors American Categorical Surpass® Card, see charges and charges.

Finest for Marriott: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit score Card

Why we like this card

Not like the competitors, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit score Card doesn’t fiddle with a point-based welcome bonus. It merely provides you 5 free nights (valued at 50,000 factors for every night time) after spending $5,000 on purchases inside the first three months of account opening. These free nights may probably get you right into a strong room price round $450 an evening. 

Like its rivals, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless gives a free night time each account anniversary to assist justify its $95 annual price and also you’ll earn 17X complete on Marriott-related purchases (10X for being a base member, 6X for utilizing the cardboard and 1X for having immediate Silver Elite standing). You’ll additionally earn 3X factors per greenback on the primary $6,000 spent in mixed purchases every year on grocery shops, fuel stations, and eating, 2X factors per greenback on different purchases on the cardboard.

At first, Marriott followers could also be disenchanted that the cardboard solely gives immediate Silver standing, which isn’t too thrilling in contrast with larger elite standing tiers. Fortunately, nevertheless, the cardboard additionally gives 15 Elite Night time Credit per yr so that you begin every year simply 10 nights away from Gold (which unlocks Enhanced Room Upgrades). 

If the cardboard provided immediate Gold standing it may be a contender for our Finest General, however because it stands, it’s definitely on the rostrum and is a must have for Marriott followers. 

All details about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit score Card has been collected independently by Fortune Recommends™.

Finest for Hyatt: World of Hyatt Credit score Card

Why we like this card

The World of Hyatt Credit score Card may be Hyatt’s solely private bank card on the time of this writing, however that one card comes able to compete with the very best. This card gives a welcome bonus of . That could possibly be price as much as 5 free nights at a Class 2 property like Hyatt Place. 

It’s also possible to earn as much as 30,000 extra bonus factors, with 2 factors per $1 spent on purchases that earn 1 level, as much as $15,000 within the first 6 months. The cardboard additionally gives a free night time yearly after your account anniversary, redeemable at Class 1-4 properties.

Plus, cardholders take pleasure in immediate Discoverist standing and ongoing rewards of as much as 9X factors per greenback spent on Hyatt purchases (5X for being a base member, 4X for utilizing the cardboard). You’ll earn . 

Whereas 9X might sound tame in comparison with the double-digit charges you’ll see elsewhere on this web page, be mindful Hyatt factors are among the many Most worthy lodge factors within the enterprise, usually price upward of 1.5 cents every and typically even 3 cents or extra per level. So a 9X fee goes a great distance towards reserving your subsequent award night time, and even should you solely keep at Hyatt properties a handful of instances a yr, you’ll preserve receiving the free night time every account anniversary — which immediately justifies the $95 annual price. 

Finest for street journeys: Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card

Why we like this card

In case you’re hitting the street to go to the gorgeous Pacific coast, rustic Route 66, Vermont within the fall or all the above, you’ll most likely need a lodge rewards card that’s higher for street journeys than airplane rides. Ideally, you’ll discover one that provides early check-in, late checkout and most popular room decisions at a few of the extra budget-friendly properties scattered throughout the continental U.S. 

That exactly describes the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card. For a $75 annual price it gives all the above plus a welcome bonus of 45,000 factors (price as much as six free nights) after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days, complimentary Avis and Price range Automobile Rental upgrades and cardmember reserving reductions. 

Toss in rewards charges of 6X factors per greenback spent on Wyndham purchases and fuel plus 4X on eating and grocery shops, with 1X on different spending, and you’ve got the perfect street journey companion to your pockets. 

Often Requested Questions

Which bank card is finest for lodge journey? 

One of the best general lodge rewards card in 2024, in response to our evaluation, is the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit score Card because it gives a max rewards fee of 26X on IHG purchases, a hefty welcome bonus, and what we estimate to be over $1,000 in complete first-year worth for an annual price of simply $99.

What’s the very best no-annual-fee lodge bank card? 

In an analogous vein, the very best no-annual-fee lodge rewards card on our checklist is the Premier card’s little brother, the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit score Card. It has a beneficiant welcome bonus and better rewards fee on qualifying lodge purchases than the rival no-annual-fee playing cards Marriott Bonvoy Daring and Hilton Honors Card. 

Which bank cards offer you Marriott Gold standing?

As of February 2024, the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy, Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful and the Platinum Card by American Categorical grant immediate Marriott Gold Elite standing. 

The Marriott Bonvoy Sensible card grants immediate Marriott Platinum Elite standing.

Is it higher to e-book with a lodge bank card?

Sure. Typically talking, your lodge keep might be much more rewarding should you e-book it utilizing a brand-specific rewards card. You’ll usually earn factors towards future stays and should obtain particular reductions or standing perks. Your reserving might even be largely or utterly free should you use your card’s welcome bonus to redeem an award keep.

Whereas common journey rewards playing cards just like the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked and Capital One Enterprise X might supply elevated charges of 2X to 10X on qualifying lodge bookings, you must know that reserving by a bank card journey dashboard like Chase Final Rewards might disqualify you from benefiting from any elite standing you might have by the lodge’s loyalty program.

Methodology

To carry you our high picks for the very best lodge bank cards, the Fortune RecommendsTM workforce in contrast roughly 30 playing cards obtainable from main issuers. 

We ranked every account in these core classes: 

Annual price (20%): Some bank cards cost an annual price, which may vary from $50 to a number of hundred {dollars}. Normally, the extra precious the rewards and perks related to a card, the upper the annual price. Nonetheless, some playing cards don’t cost a price in any respect. 

Lodge rewards fee (25%): That is the utmost rewards fee awarded on lodge purchases. Standing bonuses had been solely thought-about if the standing comes free with the cardboard

Free night time certificates (20%): We examined whether or not the cardboard provided a free night time upon renewal or on card anniversary. A factors profit equal to an evening was counted as an evening. Solely nights that didn’t require bank card spending had been thought-about.

Welcome bonus (15%): It’s frequent for airline playing cards to supply new cardholders a far or factors bonus after they spend a certain quantity inside a particular timeframe after opening an account. 

Standing advantages (20%): Playing cards had been awarded factors based mostly on what degree standing comes with the cardboard with out extra spending.

Needless to say the rewards, rates of interest, and price constructions for the playing cards talked about can be found for restricted durations and topic to alter, which may influence what number of miles or factors you earn. 

Fortune Recommends™ has partnered with CardRatings for our protection of bank card merchandise. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings might obtain a fee from card issuers.