Are you a frequent traveler who loves staying in hotels and earning rewards? If so, consider getting a hotel credit card. With the right card, you can earn points or miles towards free hotel stays, upgrades, and other travel perks. But with so many options, how do you know which is the best for you? In this article, we'll guide you through finding the perfect hotel credit card.
Why You Should Get a Hotel Credit Card
Hotel credit cards offer a variety of benefits that can enhance your travel experience and help you save money. Here are some of the reasons why you should consider getting a hotel credit card:
- Earn points or miles towards free hotel stays, upgrades, and other travel perks.
- Receive elite status or other loyalty program benefits.
- Enjoy exclusive hotel perks like complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and late checkout.
- Get travel insurance, purchase protection, and other cardholder benefits.
- Avoid foreign transaction fees and other unnecessary fees.
How to Choose the Best Hotel Credit Card for You
Choosing the right hotel credit card depends on your individual needs and preferences. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a card:
What Hotel Chains Do You Frequent?
If you stay at a specific hotel chain or brand, you should get a co-branded credit card that offers rewards and benefits for that chain. For example, if you often stay at Marriott hotels, you might want to get the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card.
Do You Want a Co-Branded or Generic Card?
Co-branded cards are affiliated with a specific hotel chain and offer rewards and benefits for that chain. On the other hand, generic cards offer rewards and benefits that can be used at various hotels. Both cards have advantages and disadvantages, so you'll need to decide which one is right for you.
What Rewards Do You Value the Most?
Hotel credit cards offer different rewards, such as points, miles, or cashback. You'll need to consider which type of reward you value the most and how easy it is to redeem those rewards.
What Fees and Interest Rates Do You Want to Avoid?
Like all credit cards, hotel credit cards have varying fees and interest rates. You'll need to decide which fees and rates you're willing to pay and which ones you want to avoid.
The Best Hotel Credit Cards of 2023
Now that you know what to look for in a hotel credit card, let's look at some of the best options
available in 2023.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card offers a welcome bonus of 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after you spend $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. You'll also earn 6x points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3x points at U.S. restaurants and flights booked directly with airlines, and 2x on all other purchases.
Other benefits include a $300 annual statement credit for eligible purchases at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, automatic Gold Elite status, and a free night award worth up to 50,000 points each year on your account anniversary. The annual fee is $450.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card offers a welcome bonus of 150,000 Hilton Honors points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. You'll also earn 14x points on eligible purchases at participating Hilton properties, 7x on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies and U.S. restaurants, and 3x points on all other purchases.
Other benefits include automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status, a free weekend night reward each year on your account anniversary, and a $250 Hilton resort statement credit each year. The annual fee is $450.
World of Hyatt Credit Card
The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers a welcome bonus of up to 60,000 bonus points - 30,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the 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.
You'll also earn 9x points at Hyatt hotels and resorts, 2x at restaurants, airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit and commuting, fitness club and gym memberships, and 1x on all other purchases.
Other benefits include:
- Automatic Discoverist status.
- A free night award every year after your cardmember anniversary at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort.
- You can earn an additional free night award by spending $15,000 on purchases in a calendar year.
The annual fee is $95.
IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
The IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card offers a welcome bonus of 150,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. You'll also earn 25x points at IHG hotels and resorts, 2x points at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants, and 1x point on all other purchases.
Other benefits include automatic Platinum Elite status, a free night award every year after your account anniversary at eligible IHG hotels, and a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for any stay of 4 or more nights. The annual fee is $89.
Radisson Rewards™ Premier Visa Signature® Card
The Radisson Rewards™ Premier Visa Signature® Card offers a welcome bonus of up to 120,000 points - 50,000 points after your first purchase, plus 35,000 points when you spend $2,500 on your card within the first 90 days of account opening, and an additional
Thirty-five thousand points each year when you renew your card.
You'll also earn 10x points per dollar spent at participating Radisson Hotels Worldwide, 5x points per dollar spent on all other purchases, and automatic Gold Elite status.
Other benefits include an annual free night award valid for one night at a Category 1-7 hotel, a 40,000 point anniversary bonus, and 3 free nights after spending $10,000 on your card in a calendar year. The annual fee is $75.
Conclusion
Choosing the right hotel credit card can significantly save travel expenses and provide valuable perks like free nights, elite status, and bonus points. By considering your travel goals and spending habits, you can select the card with the most benefits and rewards for your needs.
Remember always to use your card responsibly and pay your balance in full each month to avoid high-interest charges.
FAQs
What should I look for in a hotel credit card?
Look for a card that offers bonus points on hotel stays, travel-related purchases, and everyday spending. Also, consider perks like free nights, elite status, and statement credits.
How do I earn points with a hotel credit card?
You earn points by making purchases with your card, typically at participating hotels and on other eligible purchases. Points can be redeemed for hotel stays, flights, and other travel expenses.
What is elite status, and how do I qualify for it?
Elite status is a membership level that provides additional perks and benefits, such as free room upgrades, late checkout, and bonus points. Qualification is typically based on the number of stays or nights you have at participating hotels.
Can I use my hotel credit card for other purchases besides hotels?
Yes, most hotel credit cards allow you to earn points on all purchases, although bonus points may only apply to specific categories like dining, travel, or gas.
What should I do if I can't pay my credit card balance in full?
If you can't pay your balance in full, contact your card issuer to discuss your options. You can set up a payment plan or negotiate a lower interest rate to make your payments more manageable.
