Hotel credit cards are something anyone who does even a small amount of traveling should keep in their wallet. Most hotels around the world offer a credit card to help with purchases being made for travel. Some are exclusive to certain brand names and therefore can only be used in affiliation with those brands, though others are far more generally used. They may be used on just about anything you could think of, but offer special benefits to purchases made for travel such as hotel stays, airline tickets, car rentals, and dining. All of them have their pros and cons. We have reviewed several of the best hotel credit cards currently on the market to help you decide which one might be the best choice for you and your travel needs.

FAQs

How We Chose the Best Hotel Credit Card

We listed some of the best hotel credit cards below. Each were reviewed based on the following parameters: features, point values, annual fees, and other charges. 

Overall Price Range

As with any credit card, it does not cost you anything up front to apply for and receive one. However, there are annual fees involved in using most credit cards. Cards designed for hotels and travel are no different. While you can find credit cards on the market that do not require an annual fee, they usually compensate in part by charging foreign transaction fees. This is not ideal for those who often travel abroad. It is usually far more worth it to pay the annual fee than to pay for extra charges involved when traveling to another country.

One of the cards on this list does not have annual fees, though the rest of these cards have fees that range from $69 to $450. Some of them do charge foreign transaction fees as well. There are also late fees that can be charged, as well as returned fees and fees for cash advances, as is usual for any type of credit card.

What We Reviewed

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Features

This may be the best hotel credit card for all-around travel rewards. While it is not exclusive to one brand of hotels or airlines, it does affiliate itself with some that will earn you more points and miles faster for using specific brands or frequent flyer programs. Therefore, you can get a bit of the best of both worlds. When you spend $4,000 in the first three months, you will earn up to 50,000 bonus points. These points can be redeemed for just about anything through Chase's Ultimate Rewards program, from travel redemptions at a one-to-one ratio to cash, and statement credits.

Where to Apply

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

IHG® Rewards Club Select Credit Card

Features

With at least 12 brands of hotels to choose from, the options for IHG are endless. They provide one of the best sign-up bonus packages we have seen. By spending only $2,000 in the first three months, you can get up to 80,000 rewards points. This offer is valued at around $512, which depending on where you stay could add up to be three or even four free nights in hotel stays.

Where to Apply

IHG® Rewards Club Select Credit Card

The Hyatt Credit Card

Features

This is the best hotel credit card for those who love the Hyatt brand and all the perks that come with it.  When you spend at least $3000 in the first three months, you will get 40,000 rewards points. You will get an additional 20,000 points when you spend at least $6,000 in the first 6 months of your membership.

Where to Apply

The Hyatt Credit Card

Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Features

This is the best hotel credit card for those that use Marriott frequently for their travel needs. This card offers a very large amount of bonus points upon meeting the requirements of the sign-up bonus. When you spend at least $5,000 in the first three months, you get a whopping 100,000 rewards points. You will also be automatically qualified for Silver Elite status.

Where to Apply

Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card

The Wyndham Rewards® Visa Signature® Card

Features

For the cards on this list with an annual fee, this one has the lowest. However, it does charge foreign transaction fees. This card does offer a slightly different option for your sign-up bonus points. Wyndham will give you 30,000 points when you make your first purchase, which is good for two free nights at any eligible hotel.

Where to Apply

The Wyndham Rewards® Visa Signature® Card

The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card

Features

This is classified as a premium credit card, making it one of the best hotel credit cards offered. And while it does have a very high annual fee, it compensates by giving you all sorts of extra benefits. Just a few of these are: a $300 travel credit good for bag fees and airline seat upgrade, a $100 credit for hotel incidentals, and a $100 fare discount on select itineraries.

Where to Apply

The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card

Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express

Features

The Starwood card offers guests many benefits, from being enrolled in Preferred Guest status to being able to transfer your points to around 30 different frequent flyer programs, including about 150 airlines from around the globe. You will also get 25,000 in rewards points, called Starpoints, when you spend at least $3,000 in the first three months of your membership.

Where to Apply

Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card

Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card

Features

This is the perfect card for those that like plenty of options when they travel and enjoy features like cash rewards and being able to use their points for statement credits. As a sign-up bonus, you can earn $200 in cash rewards, which is equivalent to about $500 in travel purchases. This is the most upfront card with no surprises on this list. It simply earns you cash rewards that you can use on just about anything. It is a great card to have whether you are traveling or just making everyday purchases.

Where to Apply

Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card

Barclays Arrival® Premier World Elite Mastercard®

Features

This is the best hotel credit card for everyday travel expenses. You can earn 2 miles per dollar spent on all eligible purchases. When you spend at least $25,000 in one calendar year, you will receive an additional 75,000 miles that can be redeemed for statement credits against past travel purchases. However, it does have a rather high annual fee so if you don't spend enough each year to compensate for that, then this might not be the best card for you and your needs.

Where to Apply

Barclays Arrival® Premier World Elite Mastercard®

Radisson Rewards Premier Visa Signature® Card

Features

The Radisson credit card is the best hotel credit card for those who love to use the Radisson brand for their trips. As a sign-up bonus, you can earn up to 50,000 rewards points when you make your first purchase. When you spend at least $2,500 in the first 90 days, you will earn an additional 35,000 rewards points.

Where to Apply

Radisson Rewards Premier Visa Signature® Card

The Verdict

Each of these cards has benefits that warrant their spot on our 10 Best Hotel Credit Cards list. However, not every card will be the best option for every person. We like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for its versatility in purchases, as well as its sign-up bonus, and the many other benefits it includes. This card may be the best choice for those who travel using a wide variety of methods and different brands. If you're more particular about the value you're getting rather than the name on the hotel or airplane, this might be your best bet.

However, if you frequently travel and stay in the same hotel brand or in the same places, something like the Hyatt Credit Card might be more worth your while. Cards that are more exclusive like this offer some of the best benefits on the market, like free anniversary nights and the options to pair their point redemption with airline miles, allowing for an excellent trip and an excellent stay. The most important factor in choosing a hotel credit card is weighing your particular needs, versus the benefits of each card. Happy travels!