The Best Hotel Credit Cards (2024 Reviews)

If you are a frequent traveler, opting for a hotel credit card can be a smart decision. Signing up for a hotel credit card for your favorite hotel or a chain that has properties in the places you frequently travel to can give you extra perks and rewards points. If you earn enough rewards points, you can earn free nights at the hotel.

We reviewed several dozen hotel credit cards to find the best ones. We looked at chain-specific credit cards and those offered through financial institutions. We looked at what perks each card offered and what customer reviews said.

The Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card combines some of the best features that you can get in a hotel credit card to make it easier to save through rewards. It also has fewer restrictions on where you can earn points and makes it easy to earn points every day.

The 5 Top-Rated Hotel Credit Cards

Editor's Picks	Brand	Rating
Top Pick	Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card	4.2
Runner Up	Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card	3
Best Hotel Credit Card with High Intro Bonus	Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card	3.9
Best Hotel Credit Card with No Annual Fee	Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card	4.5
Best Low APR Hotel Credit Card	Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard®	3.5

*Ratings are from CreditCards.com at the time of publication and can change

Our Top Pick: Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card is our top pick for hotel credit cards. When it comes to hotel credit cards, every company has their own. That means that most of the cards are limited by which hotel chains that you can use it with to get the maximum rewards. Fortunately, the Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card can be used with nearly any hotel to get rewards points.

Another great benefit of the Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card is how the rewards points are structured. Hotel stays have a 10x multiplier, which is well above many other cards. However, you also get double points on any purchase anywhere. While other cards limit you to specific types of purchases, the Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card lets you get points on every purchase. That wall, you will stockpile points every day.

A feature that most people don’t think about is statement credits. You can save a lot of money by converting your unused points into statement credits using the Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card. Since you stockpile points so quickly, it is a great way of bringing down your bill when you need to.

Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card Key Features: 

• 10x points on hotel stays
• Can use it to stay anywhere
• Earn points on every purchase
• 50,000 point signing bonus

Our Runner Up Pick: Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card is our runner up choice for hotel credit cards. It is similar to our top pick, but more focused on keeping your costs down. It lets you earn points on every purchase and you can get rewards points at different hotel chains. Plus, there is a 20,000 point signing bonus.

What sets the Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card apart is that it reduces your fees. It does not have an annual fee. It also has a lower APR than our top pick, which will drastically reduce how much you pay in interest throughout the year. The first 12 months are also APR-free making it easy to start using your card right away.

Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card Key Features: 

• 14.24% – 24.24% APR
• No annual fee
• Points anywhere on anything
• 0% APR for 12 months

Best Hotel Credit Card with High Intro Bonus: Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card

The Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card is our best hotel credit card with a high intro bonus pick. Many cards offer intro bonuses in a variety of forms. The Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card combines several of them to give you the best value.

It starts with a 30,000 point bonus once you spend $3,000 in the first three months. These kinds of bonuses help you get a lot of points quickly so that you can start getting rewards fast. It also has reward points multipliers that work on travel costs, transportation, and food costs. That way, you can earn extra points every time you eat out, travel, or order takeout.

Like the other leading cards, this card lets you earn points on nearly any purchase. If you are someone who uses credit cards often, then this makes it possible to get a lot of points on a regular basis. Without an annual fee or APR for a year, you can buildup your points without additional charges.

Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card Key Features: 

• 16.24% to 28.24% APR
• No annual fee
• 3x points on daily and travel expenses
• Points everywhere

Best Hotel Credit Card with No Annual Fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is our best hotel credit card with no annual fee pick. Annual fees can be frustrating when you are already using your card and paying interest on those purchases. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card does not have an annual fee, so there is no arbitrary fee that you have to pay for just having the card.

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card also gives you unlimited points since you can earn those points anywhere, even overseas. There is no foreign transaction fee so you won’t have to pay inflated prices for overseas purchases. Plus, you always keep your points since they never expire. That means you can keep the points that you don’t use until you need them.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card Key Features: 

• Unlimited points
• Points never expire
• 1.5x points on all purchases
• No foreign transaction fee or annual fee

Best Low APR Hotel Credit Card: Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard®

The Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® is our best low APR hotel credit card pick. A high APR can drastically raise what you pay in fees on your credit card. Since the Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® has a low APR of 13.49% – 23.49%, you will pay considerably less in fees than other cards.

Another great benefit is that the APR for the Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® is deferred for nine billing cycles. You won’t have to pay fees based on the APR for 8-9 months so your first year will be much more affordable.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® Key Features: 

• No annual fee
• No APR for nine billing cycles
• 25,000 point signing bonus
• 3x points for purchases through the BOA Travel Center

Who Should Buy a Hotel Credit Card

Anyone that travels often for work or for personal reasons should think about getting an applicable hotel credit card. Hotel credit cards can help you save money over time thanks to their rewards points. With the right card, you have access to rewards like free stays and reduced fares on things that you need when you travel.

Hotel credit cards also make traveling more enjoyable. Many cards have rewards that most people don’t have access to on a regular basis. They also have rewards that can get you into different amenities like pre-sale access to concert tickets that would otherwise sell out before you can get one.

The key to getting a hotel credit card and knowing which one is right for you is to check the rewards and restrictions. The card must be one that you can use often and that gives you rewards that you can use. Start by looking at the places that you usually stay at when you travel. Most hotel chains have an applicable rewards card that can help you save money and have better trips.

Important Features to Consider

When choosing a hotel credit card, there are several important features to consider. It is important to remember that you are applying for a credit card, so due diligence is required to avoid making a bad decision. Here are several important features to consider when getting a hotel credit card:

• APR. Annual Percentage Rate. APR is the interest rate for the card for one year. You will pay that percentage on top of paying back the amount that you borrowed. APR is usually variable and adjusts at the end of the year.
• Signing Bonus. A bonus offer usually rewards points, earned when signing up for the card. Most cards have a bonus that requires you to spend a specific amount within the first few months to earn. It is a fast way of building up points toward rewards.
• Reward Points Multipliers. The amount of rewards points that you earn for purchases often based on the amount of money that you spend. These multipliers vary between cards as well as between purchase types for most cards.
• Balance Transfer Fee. The fee that you pay to have a balance from an old credit card transferred to your new hotel card. You can do this to consolidate your cards or to close old ones out.
• Foreign Transaction Fees. Fees that you pay for using your card for overseas expenses. This applies to any purchase made with a vendor outside of the U.S.
• Annual Fee. A fee that you pay to have the card. It is a once per year fee and is a fixed amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do hotel credit cards work?

Hotel credit cards function like normal credit cards, but are offered through hotel chains or banks with related rewards programs. You can earn rewards points on specific purchases related to hotels and travel by using the card. As you acquire points, you can use them to get rewards like discounted rates or free hotel stays. In every other way, a hotel credit card works just like a regular credit card. They are accepted anywhere that you can use Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.

Do I need a hotel credit card?

While having a hotel credit card can be a good option if you travel often, you do not need a hotel credit card. Many credit cards let you use rewards points on hotel stays and travel expenses without being tied to a specific hotel line. However, cards that are attached to specific hotel chains often award more points for booking with their hotels and resources.

How can I get free hotel stays?

Yes, many hotel credit cards offer free hotel says. Some offer free hotel stays as a promotional offer for booking longer stays. Other cards let you trade in your rewards points for prizes like free hotel stays. Earning free stays is generally not difficult since you can accrue points very quickly. Signing bonuses are often enough to earn you several free stays. You can take advantage of this to ensure that you can get a free stay when you need it.

How can I get cheap last minute hotels?

If you are looking for an affordable last minute hotel, then using your hotel card can make that easier. Many hotel cards let you upgrade your stay to elite status and they have rooms set aside for those cardholders. In other cases, you can trade in rewards points for higher level rooms where fewer bookings are, or trade in points for a free hotel stay.

Some cards make this process much easier by letting you use your card and points anywhere. For example, some cards let you redeem points for a statement credit. This can offset the cost of your room by giving you some of the money back on your next card statement.

Other Best Hotel Credit Cards We Reviewed

We looked at 20 other hotel credit cards. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best hotel credit cards list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for your budget. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.

• Hotel Credit Cards with No Annual Fee
• Low APR Hotel Credit Cards
• Hotel Credit Cards with High Intro Bonus

Hotel Credit Cards with No Annual Fee

Best Western Rewards® Mastercard®

Traveling often with a hotel credit card means you should try to avoid the annual fee to save over the long term. The Best Western Rewards® Mastercard® doesn’t have an annual fee, but comes with plenty of other features. During your stay, you are automatically upgraded to Gold Elite status so that you can take advantage of the highest tear of perks. The current offer also gives you 32,000 bonus points after your first purchase and stay. That way, you can rack up points towards different rewards instantly.

Key Features:

• 2 reward points per dollar spent
• 20.99% – 24.99% APR
• No foreign transaction fee
• Gold Elite Status upgrade

Hilton Honors American Express Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Card is also a great option for traveling since you can rack up points very quickly with the right purchases. Qualifying hotel purchases give you 7x the number of points spent while outside purchases can get you up to 5x the points spent. Plus, you get 75,000 points just for signing up. You will likely qualify for high-level rewards instantly, and rack up points very fast.

Key Features:

• 75,000 reward points signing bonus
• 17.99%-26.99% APR
• 7x rewards points for hotel charges
• 5x rewards points on qualifying purchases.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card offers you better APR options and a hefty signing bonus. The APR is capped at 25.24% to keep your costs inline. Plus, the rewards points multipliers help you build rewards points quickly. That means that you can earn free night stays much faster. There is no limit to the number of points that you can rack up either, so the number of rewards that you can store up is unlimited. This card also gets you 15 elite stay night rewards per year.

Key Features:

• 50,000 point signing bonus
• 18.24% – 25.24% APR
• 3x rewards points for hotel stays
• 2x rewards points for travel purchases

Orbitz Rewards Visa Card

If you book with Orbitz often, check out the Orbitz Rewards Visa Card. It gives you benefits that work at many hotels and other vendors that you will need for a successful trip. You get a $100 statement credit after the first 90 days if you spend $1,500 or more. Plus, you can get an additional 5% in rewards points on bookings with Orbitz, and 2% cash back on everything else.

Key Features:

• $100 statement credit
• 17.99% – 26.99% APR
• 3% balance transfer fee
• No foreign transaction fee

Radisson Rewards Visa Card

The Radisson Rewards Visa Card is designed to help you travel easier. This includes offering additional coverage on rental cars. It gives you a collision damage waiver in case you have an accident. You also get access to travel assistance and emergency services, so that you never end up stranded during your trip. As you use your card, you can earn free stay e-certificates too.

Key Features:

• 3 free rewards nights
• 3x points on bookings
• 30,000 point signing bonus
• Rental collision damage waiver

Low APR Hotel Credit Cards

Discover it® Miles

If you want to save money on your trips, then find a hotel credit card with a low APR. The Discover it® Miles card gives you a low APR and several other cost-lowering benefits. It does not charge an annual fee and has a 1.5x point multiplier for every dollar spent. You’ll also signup for the Discover Match program. At the end of your first year, your accrued miles double automatically bringing you much closer to high-level rewards.

Key Features:

• No annual fee
• 1.5x rewards points on all purchases
• Mile match program
• 14.24% – 25.24% APR

Hilton Honors American Express Ascend Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Ascend Card lets you earn points quickly. It comes with a 125,000 signing bonus when you make $2,000 in qualifying purchases within your first 3 months. Plus, the earning rate is 12-times what you spend on hotel stays. You will accrue points so quickly that it could just be a month or two before you get some of the high-level perks. There is a $95 annual fee, but you also get an APR as low as 17.99%.

Key Features:

• 125,000 point signing bonus
• 12x points for hotel purchases
• 6x points for restaurants, gas stations, and supermarkets
• 3x points for qualifying purchases

Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card helps you build points quickly while avoiding some of the fees. There is no fee for balance transfers or purchases. You also get a low APR. There is a 75,000 signing bonus if you spend $3,000 on qualifying purchases in the first three months. If you need a new phone, this card can help by giving you 4x points at phone stores.

Key Features:

• 17.99% – 26.99% APR
• 6x points on hotel stays
• 4x points at phone companies
• 2x on eligible purchases

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card can potentially rack up points faster than other cards thanks to its points multipliers. You get 12x points at hotels, but you also get 3x points everywhere else with a few restrictions. That has the potential to accrue points very quickly and you won’t have to travel to make it happen. If you use your card often, there is a 125,000 signing bonus when you make enough qualifying purchases in the first few months of your membership.

Key Features:

• 125,000 signing bonus
• 17.99% – 26.99% APR
• $95 annual fee
• 12x points at hotels

Wyndham Rewards® Visa® Card

The Wyndham Rewards® Visa® Card has two options available based on your preferences. You can get a card with no annual fee and fewer rewards point bonuses, or you can pay the $75 annual fee and have a chance to double your signing bonus. Both cards have the same benefits otherwise. The signing bonus is enough for several free night stays. Plus, you can earn points on things that you commonly buy so that you build up your points every day.

Key Features:

• 15,000 – 30,000 bonus points on your first purchase
• No annual fee or $75 annual fee
• 3x points on hotel stays
• 2x points on gas, utility, and grocery store payments

Hotel Credit Cards with High Intro Bonus

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a more accessible option if you travel around the world often. The point multipliers work outside the U.S. so you can get points no matter where you go. Also, there is a 60,000 signing bonus. With a relatively low APR starting at 18.24%, you can use your card often without accruing a lot of interest. The bonus multiplier and the signing bonus get you rewards quickly as it is easy to stockpile rewards points.

Key Features:

• 60,000 signing bonus
• 18.24% – 25.24% APR
• The bonus equals $750 in travel rewards
• Point multipliers work around the world

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card comes with a lot of other perks that make traveling much simpler. If you need assistance planning your trip, you can take advantage of the Chase concierge service. You also get access to car rental services and travel insurance so that you won’t have to worry about your trip. The cards have been updated with the new EMV chips so that they work around the world securely and reliably. Plus, you get access to Chase travel lounges in more than 1,000 travel destinations around the world.

Key Features:

• 50,000 signing bonus
• 19.24% – 26.24% APR
• 3x points on restaurants
• $300 annual travel credit

IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card

The IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card has a very high rewards points multiplier. It is 25x the amount that you spend as long as you stay at an IHG hotel. While you are a premium card holder, your card is upgraded to the Platinum Elite status which has access to exclusive perks. Using your points can earn you more points too. Redeeming points for a stay of four or more nights gets you a fifth night for free.

Key Features:

• 25x rewards points on IHG hotel stays
• 18.24% – 25.24% APR
• Platinum Elite status
• TSA Pre-check fee reimbursement

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card is one of your best options when staying at the Marriot. Aside from the 75,000 point signing bonus, you also get one free night per year. With the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card, points build up fast with a 6x points multiplier for stays at Marriot Bonvoy hotels. With 15 Elite Night credits per year, you can upgrade your stay even without the points.

Key Features:

• 75,000 point signing bonus
• One free night stay added per year
• 15 Elite Night credits each year
• Silver Elite Status

Radisson Rewards Premier Visa Signature® Card

The Radisson Rewards Premier Visa Signature® Card helps you plan your trip. There is a concierge service made available by Visa to help you plan and book arrangements. Since you have automatic Gold status, you can upgrade your stays. Plus, you can earn up to 9 free stays per year. Points build up pretty quickly including a 40,000 point renewal bonus each year.

Key Features:

• 9 free stay nights
• 40,000 renewal points
• Automatic Gold Status
• Visa concierge services

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

If you want to be able to use your points at any time, then choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card. The points that you earn never expire as long as your card is open. There are no blackout dates and you earn points on every purchase regardless of what it is. Since it is a Visa card, it is protected by Visa’s Zero Fraud Liability program.

Key Features:

• 40,000 point signing bonus
• No blackout dates or seat restrictions
• Points don’t expire
• Points earned on all purchases

The Business Platinum® Card from American Express

The Business Platinum® Card from American Express is one of your best options if you travel on business often. Flights and hotels that you book from Amextravel.com earn 5x the rewards points. You won’t have to worry about your card or your purchases since every purchase is covered under the purchase protection program. American Express will cover purchases when there is fraud involved so you won’t have to wait for that money to be returned before you can use your card.

Key Features:

• 5x rewards on flights and hotels from Amextravel.com
• Access to pre-sale tickets
• Access to private jets
• Purchase protection program

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express makes traveling more comfortable by upgrading your ground travel as well. You get Uber VIP status that has benefits like free rides and ride credits. Some of your airline and baggage fees will be credited back to your account on qualifying charges. There is a lost luggage reimbursement program as well to help you replace the things that you lost.

Key Features:

• 60,000 point signing bonus
• Uber VIP
• Airline and baggage fee credits
• Free credit score reading

The World Of Hyatt Credit Card

Many travelers choose The World Of Hyatt Credit Card because it makes it easy to earn free stays. It has a 9x multiplier for Hyatt stays and you earn one free night per year. The points cost of free nights starts at 5,000 points making them very accessible. With a 50,000 point signing bonus, you immediately qualify for several stays.

Key Features:

• 9x points on Hyatt stays
• 18.24% – 25.24% APR
• Low free night points cost
• One free night per year

United℠ Explorer Card

The United℠ Explorer Card is designed for travelers that take United flights often. It gives you double points on restaurants and on United flights. Plus, you earn 25% back on United flights. There is a $100 credit for the Global TSA Pre-Check program to reduce costs and help you get through security checks faster.

Key Features:

• No annual fee for the first year
• 25% back on United flights
• Priority boarding privileges
• Global TSA credit