How to choose a hotel credit card

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. A hotel credit card is a travel rewards card that helps you earn free nights, discounts and even elite status at popular hotel chains. Having one of these cards in your wallet can put you closer to your next vacation. Here …

Mar 17, 2025 - 19:08

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

A hotel credit card is a travel rewards card that helps you earn free nights, discounts and even elite status at popular hotel chains. Having one of these cards in your wallet can put you closer to your next vacation.

Here are some things to consider and questions to ask before choosing a hotel credit card.

Frequency of travel

How often do you travel and stay in hotels? If you travel frequently, getting a hotel credit card makes sense. If you don’t travel often or tend to stay in other accommodations, such as Airbnbs, you might be better suited with a travel rewards card that earns more flexible rewards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

Are you loyal to a specific hotel chain?

If you prefer to stay at a specific hotel chain, consider applying for one of its cobranded credit cards.

resort walkway over water — BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY

Marriott is my go-to hotel chain, and I hold Titanium Elite status, so a Marriott credit card can help me maximize the points I earn each time I stay. Whatever chain you prefer and stay with the most is the one you should choose for your first hotel card.

Comparing the best hotel credit cards

Here are some recommendations for the best hotel credit cards for beginners.

Credit Card	Best for	Welcome Offer	Earning rates	Annual fee
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card	Non-bonus spending rewards	Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening, plus receive a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year.	Earn 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase, every day	$95
One Key™ Card (see rates and fees)	Expedia loyalists who want a card with no annual fee	Earn $400 in OneKeyCash™ after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months of cardmembership.	Earn 3% in OneKeyCash on Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo Earn 3% in OneKeyCash at gas stations, grocery stores, and on dining Earn 1.5% in OneKeyCash on other purchases	$0
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card	IHG	Earn 170,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.	Earn up to 26 total points per dollar spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts Earn 5 points per dollar spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants Earn 3 points per dollar on all other purchases	$99
One Key+™ Card (see rates and fees)	Expedia enthusiasts	Earn $600 in OneKeyCash™ after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of cardmembership.	Earn 3% in OneKeyCash on Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo Earn 3% in OneKeyCash at gas stations, grocery stores, and on dining Earn 2% in OneKeyCash on other purchases	$99
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card	Low fee Marriott loyalists	Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first three months from account opening.	Earn up to 17 total points per dollar spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy Earn 3 points per dollar on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining Earn 2 points for every dollar spent on all other purchases	$95
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card	Mid-tier annual fee	Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points, plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first six months of cardmembership.	Earn 12 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio Earn 6 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations Earn 4 points per dollar on U.S. online retail purchases Earn 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases	$150 (see rates and fees)
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see rates and fees)	Starter travel	For a limited time, earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.	Earn 10 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com Earn 3 points per dollar spent on air travel, other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases	$95
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card	No annual fee	Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in your first three months from account opening.	Earn up to 14 total points per dollar spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy Earn 2 points per dollar spent at grocery stores, on ride-hailing services, select food delivery, select streaming, and internet, cable, and phone services 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.	$0
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card	Premium travel	Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.	Earn 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel Earn 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel Earn 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases	$395
The Platinum Card® from American Express	Luxury benefits	Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases in your first six months of cardmembership.	Earn 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar Earn 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel Earn 1 point per dollar on other purchases	$695 (see rates and fees)

What benefits do you get?

When researching a hotel credit card, it is important to consider the benefits of the card, which can include:

Elite status
Free night certificates
Travel protections and insurance
Bonus earnings on hotel stays
Elite night credits
The potential for award stays

Arial shot of a beach and shoreline — IHG HOTELS AND RESORTS

For example, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card automatically gives you Platinum Elite status, which includes several benefits.

Some hotel cards also give you elite night credits just for holding the card, which can move you closer to a higher status tier. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a good example, as it automatically gives you 25 elite night credits annually.

Additionally, IHG will give you the fourth night free if you hold a credit card and pay with points.

Earnings structure

Another perk of hotel credit cards is the bonus earnings on hotel stays. Some cards earn more than others, so it’s essential that you choose the right card.

A man checking into a hotel — ANCHIY/GETTY IMAGES

For example, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass earns 12 points per dollar spent on all Hilton stays. The Marriott family of credit cards earns up to 23.5 points per dollar spent on Marriott stays. IHG cards earn up to 26 points per dollar spent on IHG stays. Meanwhile, Hyatt cards earn up to 9 points per dollar spent on Hyatt stays.

Are you choosing the right welcome offer?

Most hotel credit cards have generous welcome offers, such as bonus points or free nights, that can help you accumulate rewards quickly. Marriott, for example, has six credit cards with varying welcome offers. As a couple of examples:

New Marriott Bonvoy Boundless cardholders can earn three free night awards after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Each night is valued up to 50,000 points; certain hotels may have resort fees.

New Marriott Bonvoy Bold cardholders can earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

courtyard with a pool in a tropical location — EDGARDO CONTRERAS/CASA LECANDA BOUTIQUE HOTEL/FACEBOOK

Welcome offers vary between cards, so you should determine whether you want to earn points or free night certificates. You should also ensure you can meet the minimum spending requirement to qualify for the offer, as that can vary between cards.

Should you put your everyday spending on a hotel card?

Hotel cards don’t always have the best earnings rate on everyday purchases. However, there are some scenarios where you should put your everyday spending on a hotel card.

woman and child looking at juice bottles in a grocery store — D3SIGN/GETTY IMAGES

If you want to qualify for a welcome offer, put your everyday spending on your new card to ensure you reach the threshold. You should also prioritize your hotel card if you want to earn points toward an upcoming trip.

Is the annual fee worth it?

Many hotel credit cards charge an annual fee, so you’ll need to determine if you will get enough value from the card to justify paying the fee.

Welcome bonuses and anniversary certificates can offset some of these annual fees, especially in your first year. A handful of cards will give you a free night certificate every anniversary year just for having the credit card.

For example, the World of Hyatt Credit Card has a $95 annual fee but gives you a free night certificate for any Category 1-4 property after your card anniversary each year. You can easily get a free night that normally costs between $200 and $400, offsetting the annual fee and making the card a no-brainer.

Bottom line

A hotel credit card can be a great way to earn elite status and points toward your next dream vacation. Choose a card that suits your lifestyle and preferred hotel chain. That way, you can maximize the benefits of having a hotel credit card. If you don’t stay at hotels often, opt for a travel card that earns a more flexible currency.

Related: The best hotel credit cards

See rates and fees for the Amex Platinum, click here.
See rates and fees for the Hilton Honors Surpass, click here.