10 Best Hotel Rewards Credit Cards of 2021 – Reviews & Comparison

Travel rewards credit cards take many different forms. Airline rewards cards offer opportunities to fly for free or on the cheap, reducing the cost of your vacations and business trips. Dining rewards cards reduce the cost of restaurant meals, often a major expense on trips.

The list goes on. Many cash back credit cards give you a percentage back on all of your most important purchases. Gas rewards credit cards pay you to buy gasoline and make other purchases at gas stations.

If you travel frequently, one or more of these card types have a place in your wallet – and so do hotel rewards credit cards. Virtually every major hotel company or brand family has at least one rewards credit card. Some cater to individual travelers, and others are meant for business owners.

Best Hotel Credit Cards

Every hotel rewards card is a little different, but the basic premise is consistent: purchases earn you points that can be redeemed for free or discounted nights, incidental hotel expenses (such as meals or spa treatments), and sometimes other travel expenses, such as airfare.

Several hotel credit cards have more expansive rewards programs, offering merchandise, gift cards, and other valuable items that have nothing to do with hotels. Most hotel credit cards have extensive perks and benefits. And many have enticing promotions and sign-up bonuses.

Keep in mind that the majority of these cards come with annual fees. While the lack of an annual fee is certainly nice, no-annual-fee cards often come with foreign transaction fees – meaning they’re less than ideal for frequent international travelers. Plus, they tend to have fewer fringe benefits than annual-fee cards.

1. Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card

$300 Annual Travel Credit; 3 Points per $1 Spent on Dining & Travel Worldwide; One-to-One Transfer to Participating Frequent Flyer & Hotel Guest Programs

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card is an exclusive travel rewards card that’s ideal for folks who spend heavily at hotels. This card has far too many perks to name here, but highlights include:

• A $300 annual travel credit against virtually all eligible travel purchases.
• A sign-up bonus worth up to $900 when redeemed for travel and other select purchases.
• 3 points per $1 spent on most eligible travel purchases and all eligible dining purchases
• 5 total points per $1 spent on air travel purchases made through Chase Travel
• 10 total points per $1 spent on hotel and car rental purchases made through Chase Travel
• A one-to-one point transfer arrangement with some of the world’s top travel vendors, including Southwest Airlines and the Intercontinental Hotel Group.
• Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership that promises access to more than 1,000 airport lounges worldwide.
• Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fee credits, up to $100 value, every four years.
• Complimentary Lyft Pink membership for one year ($199 minimum value).
• Complimentary DashPass subscription from DoorDash after you activate by Dec. 31, 2021.

Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect from this top-of-the-line hotel rewards credit card.

• Sign-up Bonus. Spend at least $4,000 in qualifying purchases within 3 months to earn 60,000 bonus Ultimate Rewards points. That’s worth up to $900 when redeemed for airfare, hotels, and other travel purchases through the Ultimate Rewards portal, as well as statement credits against other select purchases (for a limited time only).
• Hotel Rewards. Earn unlimited 3 points per $1 spent on qualifying dining and most travel purchases after using up the $300 travel credit. Earn 5 total points per $1 spent on air travel purchases made through Chase Travel and 10 total points per $1 spent on hotel and car rental purchases made through Chase Travel. Most other qualifying purchases earn unlimited 1 point per $1 spent, with the exception of Lyft and eligible Peloton purchases, which earn 10 points per $1 spent through March 2022 (capped at 50,000 bonus points earned for eligible Peloton purchases).
• Redemption. You’ll get the most value for your points ($0.015 per point) when you redeem for travel purchases (including hotels) at the Ultimate Rewards portal. This rate represents a 50% premium to the standard cash redemption value. Notably, through September 2021, you’ll get the same great rate when you redeem for statement credits against certain other types of purchases: grocery stores, dining (including restaurants and takeout), home improvement stores, and eligible delivery services. If you don’t want to redeem for hotel purchases or other types of travel, you can also redeem for cash equivalents (statement credits, bank account deposits, gift cards) and other items at a per-point value of $0.01 or less.
• Key Fees. The annual fee is $550. Additional cards for authorized users cost $75 per card, per year. There’s no foreign transaction fee.
• Introductory APR. There is no intro APR.
• Other Perks. As noted, perks include complimentary airport lounge access through Priority Pass, a $300 annual travel credit, a $100 application fee credit against Global Entry and TSA PreCheck applications, and much more.

See our Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Review for more information. Learn more about this card and find out how to apply here.

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2. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

$50 Annual Statement Credit Against Eligible Hotel Purchases Made Through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 5 Points Total on Eligible Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel Purchases (Including Hotels); 2x Points on All Other Eligible Travel Purchases; 1-to-1 Transfer to Participating Frequent Traveler Programs

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is simple, elegant, and powerful. It earns 5 total points per $1 spent on eligible travel purchases (including hotels) made through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal and 2 points per $1 spent on other eligible travel purchases after the $50 annual Ultimate Rewards hotel credit, which applies to eligible hotel purchases made through Chase Ultimate Rewards. That’s a great incentive to stay at your favorite hotels more often.

You can also transfer points to participating frequent traveler programs, such as Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards and IHG Club Rewards, at a 1-to-1 ratio. For instance, 1,000 Ultimate Rewards points equal 1,000 IHG Club points. This card does have a $95 annual fee.

When redeemed for airfare and hotel purchases through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards portal, you get 20% off, making your Ultimate Rewards points worth up to $0.0125 apiece. You can also redeem for gift cards, cash (statement credits, direct deposits, or checks), and merchandise, mostly at a $0.01-per-point rate.

Finally, Chase Sapphire Preferred has a solid sign-up bonus: 100,000 bonus Ultimate Rewards points when you spend at least $4,000 within 3 months.

• Sign-up Bonus. Earn 100,000 bonus points, worth up to $1,250 on travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards and statement credits against other eligible purchases using Chase’s Pay Yourself Back feature, when you spend at least $4,000 within 3 months.
• Hotel Rewards. Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 5 total points per $1 spent on eligible travel purchases (including hotels) made through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal and unlimited 2 points per $1 spent on other eligible travel purchases. Eligible restaurant purchases, select streaming service purchases, and online grocery purchases earn 3 points per $1 spent. All other purchases earn 1 point per $1 spent, again with no caps or restrictions, and with some exceptions. For example, through March 2022, Lyft rides purchased with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card earn 5 points per $1 spent. Also, through March 2022, you’ll earn 5 points per $1 spent on qualifying Peloton equipment purchases (Bike, Bike+ Tread, Tread+, and accessories over $1,800), up to 25,000 bonus points earned.
• Redemption. You can redeem your accumulated points for anything offered through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards portal, including general merchandise, cash, and statement credits, usually at a value of $0.01 per point. However, travel (including hotel) redemptions offer the best deal, and aren’t subject to blackouts. When you book hotels through Ultimate Rewards, you get 20% off your order, boosting the value of your Ultimate Rewards points to $0.0125 apiece. You also don’t need to accumulate enough Ultimate Rewards points to pay for an entire room night or stay – simply use whatever points you have and pay the rest with your Sapphire Preferred card. Since Ultimate Rewards points have fixed values, there is no financial advantage to booking at higher-priced (e.g., Category 7) or lower-priced (e.g., Category 1) hotels. If you prefer, you can turn your Ultimate Rewards points into frequent traveler points with hotel brands and airlines such as Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, Marriott, Intercontinental Hotel Group, and more. Point transfers are made on a 1-to-1 basis.
• Key Fees. The card’s annual fee is $95. There are no foreign transaction fees. Late and returned payments cost up to $38. Balance transfers cost the greater of $5 or 5%, and cash advances cost the greater of $10 or 5%.
• Introductory APR. There is no intro APR.
• Other Perks. Enjoy a 10% bonus points boost to base point earnings (those earned at a rate of 1 point per $1 spent) after your account anniversary. Cardholders get VIP packages, early access, exclusive deals, and concierge treatment at entertainment and sporting events, including the PGA Championship. For a limited time, cardholders can activate a DashPass subscription from DoorDash and pay no delivery fees on eligible orders for a minimum of one year – a value of more than $100. Through December 2021, get up to $60 back on a qualifying Peloton membership and enjoy full access to Peloton’s workout library (cardio, running, strength, yoga, and more) with no fitness equipment required.

See our Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Review for more information. Learn more about this card and find out how to apply here.

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3. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card from Chase

Up to 17x Marriott Bonvoy Points For Every $1 Spent at Participating Marriott Bonvoy Hotels; 2 Points Per $1 Spent on All Other Purchases

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The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card earns up to 17x Marriott Bonvoy points for every $1 spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels worldwide. All other purchases earn 2x points per $1 spent. There are no spending caps on any category, and the card carries a $95 annual fee.

Redemption minimums vary by hotel class, but start at 7,500 points at Category 1 properties and range up to 85,000 points at Category 8 properties.

The Boundless card also has a very generous sign-up bonus. Plus, you get 1 free night stay at any property requiring 35,000 points or less per award night after your account anniversary each year, and automatic Silver Elite Status as long as you remain a cardholder in good standing.

• Sign-up Bonus. Earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points and 1 bonus free night award after you use your new card to make $5,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months. Each bonus free night award has a redemption level up to 50,000 points. Certain hotels have resort fees. This offer ends Nov. 3, 2021
• Hotel Rewards. Earn up to 17x Marriott Rewards points for every $1 spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2x points per $1 spent on most other qualifying purchases.
• Redemption. You can redeem your Bonvoy points for free stays and upgrades at Marriott-branded hotels or redeem for other types of travel with participating airline and car rental partners. Category 1 properties (the lowest level) require 7,500 points per night, while Category 8 properties (the highest level) require 85,000 points per night. Category 1 properties tend to cost less than $100 per night, while Category 8 properties nightly rates routinely exceed $500. All quoted per-night prices are subject to change – check Marriott’s website for the latest details.
• Preferred Customer Status. This card comes with automatic Silver Elite Status as long as your account remains open and in good standing. Silver Elite Status’s benefits include a 10% bonus on base points earned during stays at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties, members-only room rates, guaranteed reservations (with compensation for alternate arrangements if your reservation can’t be honored), and more. When you spend at least $35,000 in a calendar year, you graduate to Gold Elite Status, whose benefits include a 25% bonus on base Bonvoy point earnings and complimentary room upgrades where available.
• Key Fees. The card’s annual fee is $95. There are no foreign transaction fees. Balance transfers cost the greater of $5 or 5%, and cash advances cost the greater of $10 or 5%.
• Introductory APR. There is no intro APR. Variable regular APR applies from day one.
• Other Perks. You get a free night’s stay at select Marriott hotels (requiring 35,000 points or less per award night) after your account anniversary each year.

See our Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card Review for more information. Find out how to apply for this card here.

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4. Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card

Up to 14x Points Per $1 Spent at Participating Bonvoy Properties; 2 Points Per $1 Spent on Other Travel Purchases

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The Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card is a no-annual-fee alternative to the Bonvoy Boundless card.

Although it’s not quite as generous, it still has a nice rewards program:

• Up to 14x points per $1 spent at participating Bonvoy properties (more than 7,000 in all).
• 2 points per $1 spent on other travel purchases.
• 1 point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.

The sign-up bonus isn’t bad either: 60,000 bonus points after you spend at least $2,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months of card membership.

You can redeem your points for free nights at Bonvoy properties worldwide or transfer to participating travel partners. Redemption minimums start at 7,500 points for basic Category 1 properties and rise to 85,000 points for luxurious Category 7 hotels.

• Sign-up Bonus. Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend at least $2,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months of card membership.
• Hotel Rewards. This card earns up to 14x points per $1 spent at all participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and resorts – more than 7,000 properties in all. All other eligible travel purchases earn 2x points per $1 spent while eligible non-travel purchases earn 1x point per $1 spent.
• Redemption. Redeem your Bonvoy points for free stays and upgrades at participating Bonvoy hotels, or for other types of travel with airline and car rental partners. Category 1 properties require 7,500 points per night; Category 8 properties require 85,000 points per night, with other property types falling in between. Redemption values and underlying room rates are subject to change – check Marriott’s website for the latest details.
• Preferred Customer Status. Receive 15 free night credits per year, enough to qualify for Silver Elite Status.
• Key Fees. There is no annual fee. There is no foreign transaction fee. Balance transfers cost the greater of $5 or 5%, and cash advances cost the greater of $10 or 5%.
• Introductory APR. There is no intro APR promotion.
• Other Perks. Through Visa Signature, Bonvoy Bold offers complimentary travel protections like travel delay reimbursement, baggage delay reimbursement, and lost luggage reimbursement, subject to claim limits.

Find out how to apply for this card here.

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5. World of Hyatt Credit Card

4 Bonus Points Per $1 Spent at Hyatt Properties; 2 Points Per $1 Spent on Direct Airline Purchases, Restaurants, Fitness Services, and Local Transit Purchases

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The World of Hyatt Credit Card is a Chase card with a $95 annual fee and a solid rewards program that favors regular Hyatt guests.

It earns:

• Unlimited 4 bonus Hyatt points per $1 spent at Hyatt properties.
• Unlimited 2 bonus points per $1 spent on direct airfare purchases, restaurant purchases, local transit and commuting purchases, and fitness and gym membership purchases.
• 1 bonus point per $1 on everything else.

Don’t forget about the generous, 2-part sign-up bonus either.

You can redeem your points for free nights at Hyatt properties worldwide. Redemption minimums start at 5,000 points (2,500 when you combine points and cash) for basic Category 1 hotels and rise to 30,000 points for luxurious Category 7 hotels. Other card benefits include automatic Discoverist status in the World of Hyatt loyalty program.

• Sign-up Bonus. Earn 30,000 points after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months. Plus, earn 2 bonus points per $1 spent on purchases that earn 1 bonus point up to $15,000 in the first 6 months of account opening.
• Hotel Rewards. This card earns an unlimited 4 bonus Hyatt points per $1 spent at Hyatt properties; an unlimited 2 bonus points per $1 spent at restaurants, on local transit and commuting purchases, on fitness and gym memberships, and on direct airline purchases (not through third-party sites such as Expedia); and an unlimited 1 bonus point per $1 spent on everything else.
• Redemption. You can redeem your Hyatt points for free room nights and upgrades at Hyatt properties worldwide. The free night redemption threshold starts at 5,000 points for standard rooms in Category 1 (lowest) hotels and rises to 30,000 points for standard rooms in Category 7 (highest) hotels. You can combine points and cash (called Points + Cash) to earn free night faster – for instance, 2,500 points plus $50 earns a free Category 1 night, while 15,000 points plus $300 earns a free Category 7 night. Point values vary based on category and property – for instance, the Category 1 Hyatt Place Phoenix-North (Arizona) starts at $110 per night for a standard midweek room, while the ultra-luxe Category 7 Park Hyatt New York starts at $917 per night for a standard midweek room. Points are generally more valuable when redeemed at higher-end properties. Redemption thresholds are subject to change at any time.
• Preferred Customer Status. This card automatically comes with Hyatt Discoverist status, which includes late check-out flexibility, 10% bonus on points earned on Hyatt stays, and complimentary in-room Internet access.
• Key Fees. There is a $95 annual fee. There is no foreign transaction fee. Balance transfers cost the greater of $5 or 5%, and cash advances cost the greater of $10 or 5%. Late and returned payments cost up to $39 each.
• Introductory APR. There is no intro APR promotion.
• Other Perks. You get a free award night (valid at Category 1 through 4 properties) on your cardmember anniversary, provided your account remains open and in good standing. You get another free award night in any cardmember anniversary year during which you spend at least $15,000 ineligible purchases.

See our Chase World of Hyatt Card Review for more information. Find out how to apply for this card here.

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6. IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card

Earn 10 Bonus IHG Rewards Points Per $1 Spent at Intercontinental Hotels; And 2 Bonus Points Per $1 on Gas, Groceries & Restaurants

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The IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card earns you 10 IHG Rewards points per $1 spent at Intercontinental Hotel Group hotels, which includes properties such as Staybridge Suites and Holiday Inn.

That’s on top of 15 base points earned as an IHG Rewards Club member, for a total of up to 25 points per $1 spent at IHG properties.

This card also earns 2 points per $1 spent at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants, and 1 point per $1 spent everywhere else. There aren’t any spending caps or restrictions.

IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card also has a nice sign-up bonus that delivers enough points to cover multiple award nights at lower-tier IHG properties.

You can redeem points for hotel stays at select Intercontinental properties, including most Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express locations. Redemption minimums vary by property brand and redemption date, but typically start at 10,000 points per night and range up to 60,000 points per night.

• Sign-up Bonus. Earn 150,000 bonus points when you spend at least $3,000 on eligible purchases during your first 3 months of cardmembership. This is worth more than 10 free nights at lower-tier IHG properties.
• Hotel Rewards. Earn 10 IHG Rewards points per $1 spent on purchases at Intercontinental Hotel Group hotels, such as Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites. You’ll continue to earn 15 points per $1 spent on IHG purchases due to your IHG Rewards Club membership and Platinum Elite Status, as well, for a total of up to 25 points per $1 spent at IHG properties. You’ll also earn 2 points per $1 spent on purchases at grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, plus 1 point per $1 spent on purchases everywhere else.
• Redemption. You can redeem your IHG Rewards points for free hotel rooms and upgrades, with no blackout dates. You can also transfer to frequent flyer programs with several dozen major airlines, including Delta and Singapore Airlines, typically at a ratio of 5 IHG Rewards points to 1 frequent flyer mile. Per-night hotel redemption requirements range from 10,000 to 60,000 points, depending on the property brand and quality level. The amount of points required for redemption doesn’t always correspond to a hotel’s nightly rates – for instance, the Crowne Plaza Denver’s standard midweek rooms start at $161 or 30,000 points per night, while the nearby Holiday Inn Express Denver Downtown’s standard midweek rooms start at $198 or 20,000 points per night, which is a much better deal. Hotels in popular areas tend to require more points – for example, the Intercontinental: New York Times Square costs at least $399 (or 60,000 points) for a midweek single-night stay. You can also combine points and cash – for instance, you can get a free standard room at the Holiday Inn Express Denver Downtown for 10,000 points plus $70, or a free standard room at the Intercontinental: New York Times Square for 50,000 points plus $70. All redemption values are subject to change at IHG’s discretion.
• Preferred Customer Status. Cardholders in good standing automatically qualify for Platinum Elite status. Benefits include a 50% bonus on base IHG Reward point earnings on hotel stays, priority/flexible check-in and check-out, 72-hour guaranteed room availability, and complimentary room upgrades where available.
• Key Fees. The card carries a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then an $89 annual fee thereafter. There are no foreign transaction fees. Balance transfers cost the greater of $5 or 5%, and cash advances cost the greater of $10 or 5%. Late and returned payments cost up to $39.
• Introductory APR. There is no intro APR.
• Other Perks. You get one reward night per year at select IHG hotels for as long as your account remains in good standing and a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for any stay of 4 nights or longer. Plus, when you spend at least $20,000 in qualifying purchases and make one additional purchase in a calendar year, you’ll earn 10,000 bonus points.

See our IHG Rewards Club Premier Card Review for more information. Find out how to apply for this card here.

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7. Hotels.com® Rewards Visa® Credit Card

Limited-Time Offer: Get 2 Reward Nights Worth Up to $250 Total As a Sign-up Bonus

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The Hotels.com® Rewards Visa® Credit Card has a versatile and potentially lucrative rewards program that’s good at more than 500,000 hotel, resort, and homestay properties worldwide — far more than any single hospitality family can offer.

That program rewards hotel spending and everyday spending too. You’ll earn 1 stamp for every night you stay at any eligible property booked on Hotels.com, plus 1 stamp each time you spend $500 on purchases with your card. Collect 10 stamps to earn a reward night toward future bookings on Hotels.com.

Not bad for a no-annual-fee hotel credit card.

• Sign-up Bonus. For a limited time, earn 2 reward nights worth $250 total (a maximum of $125 per night, less taxes and fees) when you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. When you redeem for a night priced under $125, you’ll forfeit the difference. Plus, for the first year, enjoy perks like free breakfast, airport transfers, and free WiFi at select properties.
• Hotel Rewards. Earn 1 stamp for every night you stay at any eligible property booked through Hotels.com. Also, earn 1 stamp for each $500 you spend on eligible purchases with your card.
• Redemption. Collect 10 stamps to get 1 reward night toward future bookings on Hotels.com. You can book at more than 500,000 properties in more than 200 countries worldwide.
• Key Fees. There’s no annual fee or foreign transaction fee.
• Other Perks. Enjoy basic travel insurance protection, including limited trip interruption and cancellation coverage for nonrefundable passenger fares booked with your card. Plus, get up to $600 per claim in cell phone protection (less a $25 deductible) when you pay your monthly phone bill with your card.

Find out how to apply for this card here.

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8. Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

12 Points per $1 Spent at Hilton Hotels; 6 Points per $1 Spent at Restaurants, Supermarkets & Gas Stations; 3 Points per $1 Spent Everywhere Else

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The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is a powerful travel rewards card with great benefits for frequent Hilton guests.

It earns:

• 12 points per $1 spent at select Hilton properties.
• 6 points per $1 spent at supermarkets, restaurants, and gas stations.
• 3 points per $1 spent on everything else.

Surpass also comes with a generous welcome offer that’s worth up to 26 free nights at participating Hilton properties, subject to restrictions and exclusions.

You can redeem your Honors points for free room nights at Hilton properties, starting at 5,000 points per night at Category 1 properties and rising to as many as 95,000 points per night at high-end Category 10 properties. You can also transfer to airline rewards programs, such as Delta SkyMiles, often at a 10-to-1 ratio.

Hilton Honors Surpass has some other important perks, including complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status and complimentary Private Pass membership ($99 value), which entitles you to 10 complimentary visits at more than 1,000 airport lounges worldwide. Just watch out for the $95 annual fee (see rates and fees page).

• Welcome Offer. When you spend at least $2,000 in eligible purchases on your card within 3 months of opening your account, you get 130,000 Honors points. That’s good for as many as 26 free nights at a Category 1 property.
• Hotel Rewards. Earn 12 points per $1 spent at Hilton hotels and 6 points per $1 spent at U.S. supermarkets, restaurants, and gas stations. All other purchases earn 3 points per $1 spent.
• Redemption. Redemption procedures are identical to the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card’s.
• Preferred Customer Status. Cardmembers get automatic Gold status, which comes with complimentary high-speed in-room Internet access, complimentary room upgrades when available, and a 25% boost to points earned on Hilton stays. When you spend $40,000 in eligible purchases on your card in a calendar year, you ascend to Diamond status. Cardmembers also enjoy complimentary Priority Pass Select memberships conferring up to 10 free lounge visits per year.
• Key Fees. This card has a $95 annual fee. Cash advances cost the greater of $10 or 3%. Late and returned payments cost $37 each. See rates and fees page.
• Other Perks. You get a free weekend night every year your card spending totals more than $15,000 in eligible purchases. You also get a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership that’s good for up to 10 complimentary airport lounge visits each year after you enroll, 24/7 roadside assistance, and other attractive travel perks.

See our American Express Hilton Honors Surpass Card Review for more information. Find out how you can apply for this card here.

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9. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card

6 Points Per $1 Spent at Participating Marriott Bonvoy Properties

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card has a host of valuable perks, such as a $300 annual statement credit against qualifying purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties and complimentary access to hundreds of airport lounges worldwide through Priority Pass Select (enrollment is required).

Bonvoy Brilliant earns 6 Bonvoy points per $1 spent on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties with no spending limits or restrictions. U.S. restaurant purchases and purchases made directly with airlines earn 3 points per $1 spent, with no spending limits or restrictions. All other purchases earn 2 points per $1 spent.

Bonvoy points can be redeemed for free nights and room upgrades at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, or used for airfare and car rental redemptions with participating partners. When you redeem for hotel stays, you never have to worry about blackout dates.

Note that there’s a less generous business version of this card: Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card.

• Welcome Offer. Earn 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points and a bonus free night award after you use your new card to make $5,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership. Resort fees may apply. Terms apply. Offer expires Nov. 3, 2021.
• Hotel Rewards. Earn 6 Bonvoy points per $1 spent on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties. U.S. restaurant purchases and flights booked directly with airlines earn 3 points per $1 spent. Most other eligible purchases earn 2 points per $1 spent, with no caps or restrictions.
• Redemption. The best way to redeem points is free nights and room upgrades – with no blackout dates – at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels. You can also redeem for other types of travel with participating airlines and car rental companies. Redemptions generally begin at 7,500 points per night for budget-friendly Category 1 properties and rise to 85,000 per night for luxe Category 8 properties. If you don’t have enough points to redeem for a free night, you may be able to combine cash and points. See Marriott’s website for up-to-date information about redemption rates and resort fees not included in nightly awards.
• Preferred Customer Status. This card automatically comes with Gold Elite Status in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program. Benefits include 25% faster base Bonvoy point earnings, complimentary room upgrades where available, guaranteed reservations (with compensation for alternate accommodations when the property is unable to honor a reservation), flexible check-out times, and complimentary in-room Internet access. When you spend at least $75,000 in qualifying purchases during a calendar year, you earn an automatic upgrade to Platinum Elite Status, whose benefits include automatic upgrade to the best available room at check-in (where available), a 50% bonus on base Bonvoy point earnings, a welcome gift of your choice, and 4pm check-out.
• Key Fees. The card has a $450 annual fee. There are no foreign transaction fees. Cash advances cost the greater of $5 or 3%. See rates and fees page.
• Introductory APR. There is no introductory APR. Variable regular APR applies from day one.
• Other Perks. This card comes with a host of additional benefits, including up to $300 in statement credits against qualifying purchases made at Marriott Bonvoy properties, complimentary airport lounge access for the cardholder and two guests through Priority Pass Select (enrollment required), up to $100 in statement credits against Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees, and free access to thousands of Boingo WiFi hotspots worldwide.

See our Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card Review for more information. Learn more about this card and find out how to apply here.

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10. Hilton Honors American Express Card

7 Hilton Honors Points Per $1 Spent at Hilton Hotels; 5 Points Per $1 Spent on Supermarket, Gas Station & Drugstore Purchases; No Annual Fee

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The Hilton Honors American Express Card earns you 7 Hilton Honors points per $1 spent on hotel stays within the Hilton portfolio; 5 points per $1 spent on supermarket, gas station, and drugstore purchases; and 3 points per $1 spent on everything else. Terms apply.

All categories have no spending caps or restrictions, making this a great card for frequent travelers who want to earn points on everyday purchases too. You can redeem points for hotel stays and incidental charges at variable rates and minimums, depending on the hotel property.

This card has some nice fringe benefits too. For example, you enjoy Hilton Honors Silver status, which entitles you to a free night on stays of 5 days or longer and automatically boosts your total point earnings by 15% (unlimited), for as long as you remain in good standing. If you spend $20,000 in a year, you’ll automatically qualify for Hilton Honors Gold status, which boasts even better benefits. Terms apply.

Furthermore, the two-part limited-time welcome offer is very solid: 80,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 within 3 months of account opening, plus 50,000 in additional bonus points after you spend a total of $5,000 in the first 6 months of cardmembership.

• Welcome Offer. Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 within 3 months of account opening. Plus, you can earn 50,000 in additional bonus points after you spend a total of $5,000 in the first 6 months of cardmembership.
• Hotel Rewards. Earn 7 Hilton Honors points for every $1 spent at Hilton Hotels; 5 points per $1 spent at the supermarket, gas station, and drugstore; and 3 points per $1 spent on everything else. There are no spending caps or restrictions. You can also earn 500 bonus points per stay when you use your card to both reserve your hotel online and subsequently pay for your room upon arrival.
• Redemption. Point redemption follows the same guidelines as the Hilton Honors Surpass Card from American Express. Category 1 redemptions require 5,000 points, while Category 10 redemptions require 70,000 to 95,000 points, depending on the property. You can transfer to a number of popular airline frequent flyer programs, typically at a 10 points to 1 mile ratio, and can use Points + Money to earn free room nights faster.
• Preferred Customer Status. This card automatically qualifies you for Hilton Honors Silver status. Silver benefits include a 15% bonus on all Hilton Honors base points earned on Hilton stays, complimentary fitness center access, and a free fifth night on stays of five nights or longer. Terms apply.
• Key Fees. There is no annual fee or foreign transaction fee. See rates and fees page.
• Introductory APR. There is no intro APR.

See our American Express Hilton Honors Card Review for more information. Find out how you can apply for this card here.

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Final Word

With so many great hotel rewards credit cards out there, it’s hard to pick a favorite. When you throw the attractive sign-up bonuses that so many cards feature into the mix, the category gets even more exciting.

However, that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to throw caution to the wind and apply for new cards as fast as your fingers can type. Opening multiple credit card accounts within short time-frames can damage your credit score, sometimes with dramatic consequences. If you’re not careful, you could find yourself applying for a secured credit card in an effort to rebuild your credit. Plus, if you’re not paying off your entire statement balance each month, the interest you end up paying will likely exceed the value of any rewards you earn.

For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, please visit this rates and fees page.

For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Surpass Card from American Express, please visit this rates and fees page.

For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card, please visit this rates and fees page.