The Best Hotel Credit Cards to Get Right Now
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When I started traveling the world, I stayed in hostels. Money was tight and hostels were cheap so it was a no-brainer. Plus, hostels were a great way to connect with other backpackers and make friends.
I still love hostels but I’ve gotten older and want more luxury, space, and privacy. However, I’m still a budget traveler at heart and I hate paying hundreds of dollars for a room I’m just going to be in for a few hours.
Enter the art of collecting points and miles, which can be used for free things like hotel rooms.
Over the years, I’ve used points to earn countless free stays at hotels, which has saved me thousands and thousands of dollars in accommodation (tools like Awayz are great for helping you maximize hotel points).
Whether you’re a casual tourist or a die-hard backpacker, every traveler needs at least one hotel credit card in their wallet. These cards come with big welcome bonuses, cool perks, and free nights that can help you save money on accommodation.
All the major hotel brands have multiple cards but the below are my favorites from each brand:
The Best Hotel Credit Cards for…
- Hilton: Hilton Honors American Express Card
- Marriott: Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
- InterContinental Hotel Group: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- Hyatt: The World of Hyatt Credit Card
Below, you’ll find a detailed review of each card, including the perks and cost, so you can pick the best hotel credit card for your travel style and budget.
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Annual Fee: $0 (See Rates and Fees.)100,000 Bonus Points + $100 Statement Credit
Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points and a $100 Statement Credit after you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 8/13/2025.
The Hilton Honors American Express Card comes with a generous welcome offer and you get complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status. Plus, with no annual fee, this card comes at no cost to have and is a great way to enhance your stays at Hilton properties around the world.
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card
Annual Fee: $250 (See Rates and Fees.)Up to 135,000 Bonus Points
Earn up to 135,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points. Earn 85,000 points after you spend $5,000 and an extra 50,000 points after you spend an additional $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Amex card comes with Gold status and 15 elite night credits to help reach Platinum status. While it has a $250 annual fee, this is a great card for fans of Marriott hotels and resorts, as you’ll more than recoup that cost with just a few stays per year.
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
Annual Fee: $99140,000 Bonus Points
Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has a great welcome offer and is easy to earn points on, with 5X points on travel, dining, and gas stations, as well as up to 26X points on IHG purchases. The card’s perks more than outweigh the $99 annual fee, with one free stay per year, and up to a $100 statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS (up to $120 starting Oct. 1, 2024).
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Annual Fee: $695 (See Rates and Fees.)Up to 175,000 Bonus Points
You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount.
This is one of the best premium cards out there — if you take advantage of its luxury benefits. This card unlocks lounge access, elite status benefits (enrollment required), travel perks, special hotel discounts, and luxury goods and service credits. It’s my favorite premium credit card and, when the statement credits are used correctly, it more than pays for itself.
The World of Hyatt Credit Card
Annual Fee: $95Up to 65,000 Bonus Points
Earn up to 65,000 Bonus Points. Earn 35,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
Hyatt is my favorite chain at which to redeem points. They offer great value, often going much further than other hotel chains’ points. The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers an easy way to rack up Hyatt points as well as get perks like complimentary Discoverist status and a free anniversary night.
No matter your travel budget or style, every traveler should have a hotel credit card in their wallet. From the free loyalty status to free annual nights, the best hotel credit cards offer tons of amazing perks that can significantly lower the cost of your trip.
Don’t spend hundreds of dollars on accommodation that could be free. Grab one of these cards, start earning points, and you’ll be on your way to free accommodation in no time!
Stop paying full price for travel!
Download my free guide to points and miles and learn how to use points and miles for free travel! It's how all the pros travel so much! In this guide, I'll show you:
- How to Pick a Credit Card
- How to Earn Up to 10x Miles on Your Spending
- How to Redeem Your Points
- And a Ton of Other Money Saving Tips!
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- SafetyWing (best for budget travelers)
- World Nomads (best for mid-range travelers)
- InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Want to Travel for Free?
Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.
Need a Rental Car?
Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip!
Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
Non-Affiliate Disclosure: All information about Chase Cards has been collected independently by Nomadicmatt. Chase Cards are no longer available through Nomadicmatt.
