Points experts reveal the best credit cards maximizing hotel savings. Unlock exclusive benefits and rewards programs designed for travel enthusiasts. Optimize your referrerAdCreative strategy by focusing on cards offering substantial bonus points or statement credits for hotel stays. Prioritize cards aligning with your preferred hotel loyalty programs to elevate your travel experience and achieve significant cost reductions.
Traveling and staying in hotels can quickly add up, but savvy travelers know how to leverage credit card rewards to offset these costs. Experts in the world of points and miles have weighed in on the best credit cards for scoring significant savings on hotel stays. Here’s a breakdown of their top picks and why they stand out.
Why Focus on Hotel Credit Cards?
While general travel credit cards offer flexibility, hotel credit cards often provide enhanced benefits specifically tailored to hotel stays. This can include bonus points on hotel purchases, automatic elite status, free night awards, and other perks that can significantly reduce your overall travel expenses. Experts emphasize that aligning your credit card strategy with your travel habits is crucial. If you frequently stay at a particular hotel chain, a co-branded card can be incredibly rewarding.
The Top Hotel Credit Cards, According to Points Experts
Here's a look at some of the best credit cards for saving on hotels, as recommended by leading points and miles experts. Note that annual fees and specific reward structures may vary, so it's important to compare options carefully to find the best fit for your individual needs.
Card Name |
Key Benefits |
Earning Structure |
Why Experts Love It |
---|
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card |
Automatic Platinum Elite status, free night award each year, $300 statement credit for Marriott Bonvoy purchases, Priority Pass Select membership. |
6x points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3x points at U.S. restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines, 2x points on all other eligible purchases. |
The Platinum Elite status provides valuable perks like room upgrades and free breakfast, making it ideal for frequent Marriott guests. The free night award easily offsets the annual fee. |
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card |
Automatic Diamond status, weekend night reward each year, $250 Hilton resort statement credit, Priority Pass Select membership, $250 airline incidental fee credit. |
14x points at Hilton properties, 7x points on select travel and dining, 3x points on all other eligible purchases. |
The Diamond status offers incredible benefits like executive lounge access and complimentary breakfast. The numerous statement credits can provide significant value. |
World of Hyatt Credit Card |
Free night award each year (at Category 1-4 hotels), Discoverist status, earn extra free night award by spending $15,000 each year. |
4x points at Hyatt hotels, 2x points at restaurants, airline tickets purchased directly from airlines, local transit and commuting. |
This card offers a solid earning rate at Hyatt properties and a valuable free night award that easily justifies the annual fee. The ability to earn a second free night award is a great bonus. |
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card |
Anniversary free night award, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, fourth night free when redeeming points for stays of 4 or more nights. |
10x points at IHG hotels, 5x points on travel, gas stations, and restaurants, 3x points on all other purchases. |
The free night award and fourth-night-free benefit can lead to substantial savings on IHG stays. The bonus categories also offer good earning potential. |
Beyond Co-Branded Cards: General Travel Rewards
While co-branded hotel credit cards are excellent for brand loyalists, general travel cards can also offer significant value. These cards typically earn flexible points that can be redeemed for hotel stays through the card's travel portal or transferred to partner hotel loyalty programs. Some examples of highly rated general travel cards include:
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
American Express Platinum Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The advantage of general travel cards is their flexibility. You're not tied to a specific hotel chain, allowing you to choose the best option based on price, location, or personal preference. These cards also often offer travel protections and perks, such as trip delay insurance and rental car coverage.
Maximizing Your Hotel Savings
Experts recommend a multi-faceted approach to maximizing hotel savings with credit cards:
Choose the Right Card: Carefully evaluate your travel habits and spending patterns to select a card that aligns with your needs.
Take Advantage of Welcome Bonuses: New cardholders can often earn substantial bonus points after meeting a minimum spending requirement.
Utilize Bonus Categories: Make sure to use your card for purchases in categories where you earn bonus points.
Redeem Strategically: Understand the different redemption options and choose the one that offers the best value for your points.
Consider Elite Status: If you frequently stay at a particular hotel chain, earning elite status can unlock valuable perks.
The Bottom Line
By strategically using the right credit cards, you can significantly reduce your hotel expenses and make your travel dreams a reality. Whether you prefer the benefits of a co-branded card or the flexibility of a general travel card, there's a credit card out there to help you save on your next hotel stay. Be sure to compare offers, read the fine print, and choose the card that best fits your individual needs and travel style. Don't forget to always pay your balance in full and on time to avoid interest charges and maintain a good credit score. These tips help you make the most of your rewards and truly save money on your travels.