With such a saturated field of Hotel suitable Credit Cards out there, some of them wonderfully rendering the customer’s need for higher rewards, free nights and extra loyal cardholder perks. However, these special Hotel Credit Cards that we hold so dearly in our hearts could very well just be a needle in a haystack.
Aside from the terribly out-dated idiom I just used, this post will incorporate our most up-to-date list of cards we think are suitable of holding the most exceptional and Top 10 in our “Best Credit Cards for Hotel Spending” segment. Keep in mind that most, if not all, of these cards should only make sense if you make frequent stays at hotels, otherwise, be sure to check out our other list of Best Credit Cards!
| BONUS LINK | OFFER | REVIEW |
| Chase Business Complete Checking® | $300 or $500 Cash | Review |
| Chase Private Client | $3,000 Cash | Review |
| Chase Total Checking® | $300 Cash | Review |
| Chase College CheckingSM | $100 Cash | Review |
| J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing | Up To $700 Cash | Review |
| Chase Secure BankingSM | $100 Cash | Review |
Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card – 5x Cash Back:
It was pretty obvious that we had to have such a phenomenal card on our list for the sole reason of maximizing your hotel rewards. The Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express earns you an attractive 5 Starpoints® for every dollar of eligible purchases at participating Starwood hotels and 2 Starpoints for every dollar on eligible purchases made at participating Marriott Rewards® hotels.
Redeem Starpoints® for free nights at any of Starwood’s ten distinct brands‡including St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels, Le Méridien, Westin, Sheraton, Aloft, Element Hotels, Four Points by Sheraton and Tribute Portfolio. What lands this card in our top Credit Card list for Hotel Spending is the fact that the reward points are consistently lucrative valued at approx. 2.3-2.5 cents each on top of generous travel perks and over 30 airlines transfer partners all on a low $95 annual fee that is waived for the first year.
Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card Summary:
- Apply Now
- Maximum Bonus: 25,000 Starpoints
- Spending Requirement: You must spend $5,000 within 3 months of account opening
- Annual Fee: $95 (but first year is waived)
- Bonus Worth: The 25,000 bonus points is worth about $600 in hotel night stays
- Expiration Date: None
- Additional Advice: The Starpoints are worth a lot more if you redeem them for free hotel night stays!
The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card – 5x Cash Back:
The prestigious Ritz-Carlton Rewards VISA Infinite Credit Card may very well be the sole epitome of Luxury with a beautiful bonus of two complimentary nights, 10,000 bonus points when adding an authorized user and $100 hotel credit/$300 travel credit. This card also earns 5x points on Ritz-Carlton & partner hotel stays and 2x the points of travel and restaurant purchases. Considering the $450 annual fee, this card is well-worth the price tag as long as you’re a frequent Ritz Carlton stayer.
Editor’s Note: The Sign-up Bonus will be decreasing from 3 Complimentary nights to 2 Complimentary nights soon, so if you’re adamant on this card, it’s best that you take advantage of the offer as soon as possible.
Editor’s Note: Whether a $450 Annual Fee is worth it is up to you and your spending patterns. It’s up to your moral conscience as to whether getting this card will fully benefit you or not.
The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card Summary:
- Maximum Bonus: 2 complimentary nights
- Spending Requirement: Must spend $5,000 within first 3 months
- Annual Fee: $450
- Bonus Worth: Roughly $1000
- Expiration Date: None
- Additional Advice: Your points can be redeemed for room upgrades, hotel stays, etc or converted into airline miles transferable to 33 airline partners.
IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card – 5x Cash Back:
The IHG® Rewards Club Select Credit Card is by far, one of the most affordable Hotel credit cards to actually offer you completely straightforward attractive rewards: free night each year of card membership at over 4,900 hotels worldwide, 5 points for each $1 spent at their hotels, 2 points per $1 on gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants, automatic platinum elite status as long as your a cardmember with just a low $49 annual fee that is waived for the first year.
IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card Summary:
- Learn More
- Maximum Bonus: 60,000 bonus points
- Spending Requirement: You must spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of signing up.
- Annual Fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $49
- Bonus Worth: Valuing the hotels at $50 a night including taxes, you’d be getting $600 value from 60,000 points.
- Expiration Date: No expiration
- Additional Advice: Award nights at IHG hotels range from 5,000 points up to 50,000 per night. Therefore, your 60,000 points can get up to 12 free nights at lower tier hotels ($50/night) such as the Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. But, if you would rather stay one free night at a top tier hotel, we recommend Intercontinental® Hotels & Resorts and Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts to enjoy the true celebrity lifestyle.
Hyatt Credit Card from Chase – 3x Cash Back:
With the Hyatt Credit Card by Chase, you will earn 3 points for every $1 spent on purchases at all Hyatt properties with your Hyatt credit card, 2 points for every $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline and at car rental agencies, and 1 point on all other purchases. This card holds tremendous value with the sign-up bonus alone if you redeem for higher-level hotels. On top of that, you get Platinum status for as long as you are a cardmember and beautiful anniversary bonuses such as 1 free night at category 1-4 chains.
Chase Hyatt VISA Signature Credit Card Summary:
- Apply Now
- Maximum Bonus: Get 2 free nights at Hyatt properties worldwide
- Spending Requirement: You must spend $1,000 in purchases on the card in the first 3 months after account opening.
- Annual Fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year ($75 thereafter)
- Bonus Worth: Some Hyatt high end hotels such as Hyatt Paris or Hyatt Tokyo cost at least $600 per night. So for two free nights at any Hyatt properties worldwide, we estimate it to be worth at least $1,200.
- Expiration Date: No expiration
- Additional Advice: Get better value for your sign-up bonus by redeeming for a Category 6+ Hyatt Hotel Chain.
Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card from Chase – 5x Points:
Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card is offering a chance earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend up to $3,000 in purchases within the first year. You can also receive 7,500 bonus points when you add an authorized user and they complete their first purchase.
Aside from the generous sign-up bonus (hefty spending requirement), this card earns 1 Free Night Stay at a Category 1-5 location every year after your account anniversary date. For every $1 spent, earn 5 points at 3,800 Marriott locations, 2 points on airline ticket purchases directly with airlines, at car rental agencies & restaurants and 1 point everywhere else
Chase Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card Summary:
- Apply Now
- Maximum Bonus: 80,000 bonus points
- Spending Requirement: Spend at least $3,000 within a year and add an authorized user to earn 7.5K points
- Annual Fee: $85 (but first year is waived)
- Expiration Date: None
- Additional Advice: There’s no limit to the number of points you can earn, so earn as many as you wish!
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card – 3x Cash Back:
One of the most attractive aspects of the Chase Sapphire Reserve is the 3X on Travel and Dining which could very well be the most valuable restaurant spend point earning of all time. Now, it’s a no-brainer that this card would appear on a Best Credit Card for Hotel spending list. This card is quite versatile for those of you that do not want to be subject to just one hotel you want to earn rewards for. UR points stack beautifully with this card and so much more!
Editor’s Note: Whether a $450 Annual Fee is worth it is up to you and your spending patterns. It’s up to your moral conscience as to whether getting this card will fully benefit you or not.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Summary:
- Apply Now
- Spending Rate: 3x on Dining & Travel
- Maximum Bonus: 50,000 UR Points
- Spending Requirement: You must spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Annual Fee: $450, not waived for the first year
- Bonus Worth: The 100K points alone is worth $1250 towards airfare/hotel.
Club Carlson Premier Rewards Visa Signature Card – 10x Points:
The Club CarlsonSM Premier Rewards Visa Signature® Card can effectively earn you up to 85,000 Bonus Points redeemable for up to 9 free award nights. This card earns you 10 points per $1 spent in eligible net purchases at participating Carlson Rezidor hotels and 5 points per $1 spent anywhere else. On top of that, you’ll earn 40,000 points each year when you renew your card or even one free night when you charge $10,000 prior to renew your card.
Club Carlson Premier Rewards Visa Signature Card Summary:
- Apply Now
- Maximum Bonus: 85,000 Bonus Points
- Spending Requirement: Make at least $2,500 in purchases in first 3 months
- Annual Fee: $60
- Bonus Worth: 85,000 Bonus Points is worth 9 free award nights.
- Expiration Date: None
- Additional Advice: Every year you will receive 40,000 bonus points when you renew your card, which is about 4 free nights and already covers the cost of the annual fee!
Choice Privileges Visa Signature Card – 15x points:
You can earn up to 32,000 Bonus Points for your Choice Privileges® Visa Signature® Card. On top of that, you can take advantage of an additional anniversary bonus of 8,000 when you make a $10,000 or more spend on your card by your anniversary date. Earn 15 points per eligible $1 spent at over 4,200 Choice Privileges locations, 5 points per eligible $1 on additional Choice Privileges points or Choice Hotels gift card purchases and earn 2 points per eligible $1 spent on everyday purchases.
Choice Privileges Visa Signature Card Summary:
- Apply Now
- Maximum Bonus: 32,000 Bonus Points
- Spending Requirement: $1000 in 90 days
- Annual Fee: None
- Bonus Worth: The 32,000 Bonus Points is good for 4 nights at many Choice Privileges Locations
- Expiration Date: None
- Additional Advice: Your Elite Gold Status will allow you to book free nights up to 50 days in advance
Chase Sapphire Preferred – 2X Points:
Earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening worth approximately $625 when redeemed via UR portals with a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. With it’s 2X rewards on all travel purchases, 20% discount on travel bookings through Ultimate Rewards and various travel partners, this card could very well be one of the best travel credit cards in the market if you want all-around flexibility!
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Summary:
- Learn More
- Maximum Bonus: 50,000 bonus points + Additional 5,000 points
- Spending Requirement: You must spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, and add an authorized user (no annual fee) within the first 3 months and they make a purchase.
- Annual Fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter)
- Bonus Worth: The 50K points alone is worth $625 towards airfare/hotel.
- Expiration Date: No expiration
- Additional Advice: If you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, we recommend combining it with another Ultimate Rewards-earning card, such as the no annual fee cash-back card Chase Freedom Card. This way, you can transfer the points you earn on the Chase Freedom to your Chase Sapphire Preferred Card account and redeem them for more than 1 cent per point. Since both cards are on the Ultimate Rewards platform, you can also combine the points instead of using two different rewards platforms. That’s an immediate 25% increase on the value of your points when used for travel. Since the Chase Freedom has no annual fee, it’s worth considering to squeeze out every dollar you can for your wallet.
Business Cards:
- Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express – Earn 25,000 bonus Starpoints® after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. For each dollar of eligible purchases at participating SPG® hotels‡ – that’s 2 Starpoints for which you may be eligible as a Card Member in addition to the 2 or 3 Starpoints for which you may be eligible as an SPG member.‡
- Marriott Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card – Receive 80,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening with your Marriott Rewards Premier Business credit card. Earn 5 points for every $1 spent at over 4,000 participating Marriott locations worldwide. Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on airline tickets purchased directly with the airline, and at car rental agencies, restaurants, office supply stores, and for Internet, cable and phone services purchases.
Honorable Mentions:
- Chase Freedom: The card has a 5x rotating category where they would casually throw in Hotel spend for the category, however, for the first half quarter, this isn’t the exception. First quarter is gas & local commuter while the second quarter is grocery stores and drug stores. Keep in mind that if you have a Chase checking account, you will be able to reap an additional 10%.
Conclusion:
Now, there are tons of hotel reward credit cards out there that have very little to offer you, which is why it’s all the more necessary to provide you with a list of “Best Credit Cards for Hotel Spending.” In this list, we will be reviewing all of the best credit cards we think will provide you the most optimal rewards and ultimately maximize your hotel spending. All of these cards will only benefit you if you put a frequent spend on hotel or travel purposes Find out which card is right for you by checking out our complete list of Credit Card Promotions today!
