In the US, most hotel credit cards are worth their annual fee whereas most airline credit cards are not. That statement is a gross oversimplification, but I believe that it trends true. With both airline cards and hotel cards, the annual fees are worth paying only if you make good use of their included perks. With hotel cards, the most valuable perk is often a free hotel night. With airline cards, the most valuable perk is often free checked bags. I believe that most of us are more likely to get good value from the former rather than the latter.
In this post I’ve sought to identify the hotel cards that offer the best value over and above the annual fee. In this post, you won’t find a comparison of the hotel cards’ welcome bonuses. If you’re primarily interested in earning a huge bonus after signing up for new hotel cards, see: Top 10+ Hotel Credit Card Offers (this is continuously updated as offers change).
Best Hotel Credit Card Contenders
The contenders for this challenge include:
- Hilton: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- Hyatt: Chase World of Hyatt Credit Card
- IHG: Chase IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
- Marriott Cards
- Ultra Premium Cards (50K free night each year)
- Premium Cards (35K free night each year)
- Radisson: Radisson Rewards Premier Visa Signature Card
- Wyndham: Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card
The above cards were chosen for this comparison because each includes a free night or bonus points that alone may make the card worth its annual fee. Marriott offers four different $100-ish cards that offer a 35K free night each year. The perks are essentially the same, so these are treated as one below.
Best Hotel Cards, Ranked
#1) Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
What I like: Combination of perks far exceeds this card’s annual fee. Sure, $450 is a lot to spend on a credit card, but the perks that come with this card are worth it, and then some. Each year, you get a free weekend night which can be used at almost any Hilton property worldwide. If you use it each year at a very expensive property, this perk alone can justify the annual fee. But wait, there’s more… a lot more. You also get free top tier Diamond Elite status which means free breakfast, free hotel lounge access, and free room upgrades. You also get up to $500 in statement credits each year: $250 for any spend at Hilton resorts + $250 in airline incidental fee credits (see: Amex Airline Fee Reimbursements. What still works?).
What I don’t like: Free night certificates are usually limited to weekend use only (but the certs are temporarily usable any day of the week due to COVID-19). Also, this card is not very rewarding for spend outside of its bonus categories. Additionally, the included Priority Pass membership doesn’t offer free meals at Priority Pass participating restaurants.
| Card Name w Details & Review (no offer) |
|---|
FM Mini Review: This card is loaded with valuable perks that are more than worth the card's annual fee if you stay in Hilton resorts at least twice per year. $550 Annual Fee Earning rate: ✦ 14X Hilton spend ✦ 7X US restaurants, flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, select car rental companies ✦ 3X on all other eligible purchases ✦ Terms & Limitations Apply. Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign transaction fees. Big spend bonus: Additional free night awards after $30K and $60K spend in calendar year Noteworthy perks: ✦Annual Free Night Reward every year upon renewal ✦ Free Diamond Status ✦ Up to $400 Hilton Resort Credit per membership year ($200 semi-annually) ✦ $200 Flight Credit ($50 per quarter for purchases directly with airlines or via Amex Travel) ✦ $100 on-property credit w/ Aspire Card package ✦ Terms Apply. See Rates & Fees See also: Amex Hilton Aspire In-Depth Review |
#2) Chase Ritz-Carlton Credit Card
What I like: Free authorized users each can get their own free Priority Pass membership. And this is the best version of Priority Pass that is available from any credit card: each Priority Pass member can bring along unlimited guests and restaurants are included. Additionally, the combination of the annual 50K free night certificate and $300 annual airline incidental fee credits can more than justify the $450 annual fee. And, for those who don’t have the Sapphire Reserve card, it’s great that the Ritz card offers equally excellent travel protections (see: Ultra-Premium Credit Card Travel Insurance).
What I don’t like: Ever since Marriott introduced Peak and Off-Peak award pricing, it has become harder to use these certificates at category 6 properties which cost 50K Standard or 60K Peak. I’d also prefer a general $300 travel credit instead of one that is supposed to only work with airline incidental fees (see: Chase Ritz-Carlton Visa airline fee credits: What works?). Additionally, this card is not rewarding for spend other than with Marriott properties
| Card Name w Details & Review (no offer) |
|---|
FM Mini Review: While the card is pricey, the annual free night, plus $300 in ariline fee credits, plus other perks make this card a keeper. $450 Annual Fee Earning rate: ✦ 6X Ritz & Marriott.✦ 3X airline tickets purchased directly with the airline, at car rental agencies and at restaurants ✦ 2X everywhere else Card Type: Visa Infinite Big spend bonus: $75K spend per calendar year for Platinum elite status Noteworthy perks: ✦ Annual 85K hotel certificate upon renewal ✦ 3 club level upgrades. $100 hotel credit for each 2 night or longer stay ✦ Priority Pass Select with unlimited guests ✦ $300 annual credit for airline incidentals ✦ Automatic Gold Status ✦ $10 monthly GoPuff credit (through 12/31/23) See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide |
#3) World of Hyatt Credit Card
What I like: I’m a huge fan of Hyatt’s top tier status and so I love that this card can be used to get to status through spend (earn 2 elite nights for each $5K spend). Also, Hyatt has some very nice hotels and resorts that can be used with the annual category 1-4 free night certificate. Plus, unlike Marriott certificates, these are tied to the hotel’s category rather than it’s point price. This means that once Hyatt implements peak award pricing, we’ll still be able to use these certificates at category 4 hotels even when they are peak priced.
What I don’t like: After spending $15K per year to earn a second free night certificate, this card is not very rewarding for spend outside of its bonus categories. If Hyatt were to offer 1.5 points per dollar for base spend, I’d be much more excited about spending my way to elite status with this card.
| Card Name w Details & Review (no offer) |
|---|
FM Mini Review: Great card for signup bonus and annual free night. Might be worth using regularly for additional free night and as a path to status. $95 Annual Fee Earning rate: ✦ 2X restaurants / cafes / coffee shops, airlines, local transit, fitness clubs and gym memberships ✦ 4X Hyatt Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign transaction fees. Big spend bonus: One free Cat 1-4 night certificate after $15K spend in a calendar year. ✦ Get 2 elite qualifying night credits every time you spend $5K in purchases Noteworthy perks: ✦ Free category 1-4 night every year upon renewal ✦ Additional free category 1-4 night after $15K spend in calendar year ✦ Discoverist elite status ✦ 5 elite qualifying nights |
#4) Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
What I like: Combination of 50K free night certificates and $300 Marriott hotel credits can more than justify the $450 annual fee.
What I don’t like: Ever since Marriott introduced Peak and Off-Peak award pricing, it has become harder to use these certificates at category 6 properties which cost 50K Standard or 60K Peak. Also, this card is not rewarding for spend other than with Marriott properties. Additionally, Priority Pass membership doesn’t include free meals at Priority Pass participating restaurants.
50K Free Night Award each year upon renewal ⚬ $300 Marriott Rewards statement credit per membership year ⚬ Gold Elite status ⚬ 15 elite nights credit ⚬ Priority Pass Select with 2 free guests ⚬ Global Entry fee credit ⚬ Free premium internet at Marriott properties
| Card Name w Details & Review (no offer) |
|---|
FM Mini Review: Decent ultra-premium option for Marriott fans, especially those aiming for lifetime status tiers $650 Annual Fee Earning rate: 3X airfare -on flights booked directly with airlines; 3X restaurants worldwide, 6X Marriott; 2X on all other eligible purchases Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign transaction fees. Big spend bonus: Annual Choice Award with $60K calendar year spend Noteworthy perks: ✦ 85K Free Night Award each year upon renewal ✦ $300 dining credit per membership year ($25/mo) ✦ Platinum Elite status ✦ 25 elite nights credit ✦ Priority Pass membership (Lounges only) with 2 guests ✦ Global Entry fee credit ✦ Free premium internet at Marriott properties Note: Enrollment required for some benefits. See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide |
#5) Marriott Cards Offering Annual 35K Free Night
What I like: In past research, I’ve found that the 35K free night certificates are easily worth $200 or more (see: What are Marriott 35K certificates worth?). This certificate, then, can easily justify any of these Marriott cards that cost around $100. Additionally, for those seeking Marriott elite status, holding any one of these consumer cards offers 15 elite nights towards status each year. Plus, holding a business card offers another 15 elite nights towards status each year.
What I don’t like: Marriott’s Peak pricing often makes the free night certificates unusable at category 5 hotels which are priced 35K Standard or 40K Peak. I also hate how complicated it is to get more than one Marriott card! See: Are you eligible for a new Marriott card?
| Card Name w Details & Review (no offer) |
|---|
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 Earning rate: 6X Marriott ✦ 2X on all other eligible purchases Card Type: Amex Credit Card Big spend bonus: Marriott Gold Elite with $30K annual spend (note this threshold will increase to $35K on January 1, 2019) Noteworthy perks: 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card account anniversary up to 35K points (subject to resort fees) ✦ Receive free premium internet at Marriott properties. See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide |
$125 Annual Fee Earning rate: 6x at Marriott Bonvoy properties ✦ 4x at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased from U.S. suppliers and on U.S. purchases for shipping ✦ 2x on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply. (Rates & Fees) Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign transaction fees. Big spend bonus: Earn an additional 35k free night certificate (can be topped-up with up to 15k additional points, subject to resort fees) after you spend $60K on purchases in a calendar year Noteworthy perks: Complimentary Marriott Gold elite status ✦ 7% discount off the standard rate for a standard room at participating hotels when you book direct (Terms and Conditions apply) ✦ 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year ✦ 35k Free Night Award every year after card renewal (subject to resort fees) ✦ Complimentary premium Internet access at Marriott properties ✦ Terms Apply (Rates & Fees) See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide |
$95 Annual Fee Earning rate: ✦ 6X Marriott Bonvoy ✦ 3X gas stations, grocery stores, and dining on up to $6K in combined purchases each year ✦ 2X everywhere else Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign transaction fees. Big spend bonus: Earn Gold status when you spend $35K each year ✦ 1 Elite Night Credit towards elite status for every $5K spent Noteworthy perks: ✦ Annual free night certificate for 1 night at a hotel redemption level up to 35K ✦ Automatic Silver status ✦ 15 nights of elite credit each year ✦ 1 Elite Night Credit for every $5K spent ✦ $10 monthly GoPuff credit (through 12/31/23) See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide |
$99 Annual Fee Earning rate: 6X Marriott ✦ 4X dining, internet, cable and phone service ✦ 4X gas stations and shipping ✦ 2X everywhere else. Card Type: Visa Signature Business Noteworthy perks: 35K free night award each year upon renewal ✦ Gold status ✦ 15 elite night credits each calendar year ✦ Free in-room premium internet ✦ 7% discount off the standard rate for a standard room at participating hotels when you book direct (Terms and Conditions apply) See also: Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide |
#6) IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
What I like: The card’s annual 40K certificate is more usable than in the past thanks to IHG moving to dynamic award pricing. Almost all properties are now at least sometimes available for 40K points or less (see this post for details). Platinum status, 10X earnings at IHG, and 4th Night Free award stays are also good perks of this card.
What I don’t like: The fee-free IHG Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card offers the same 4th Night Free benefit, so this perk shouldn’t be considered a reason to keep the IHG Premier card. Also, outside of 10X earnings at IHG properties, this card offers poor value for spend.
| Card Name w Details & Review (no offer) |
|---|
$99 Annual Fee Earning rate: 10X IHG ✦ 5X travel, dining, and gas stations ✦ 3X on all other purchases Card Info: Mastercard World Elite issued by Chase. This card has no foreign transaction fees. Big spend bonus: 10K bonus points + $100 statement credit after you spend $20K in a calendar year + make one additional purchase ✦ Diamond status after $40K in purchases + one additional purchase in a calendar year Noteworthy perks: Anniversary free night e-certificate good at IHG properties up to 40K points per night ✦ Ability to add an unlimited number of points to a free night certificate to book a higher-level hotel ✦ Fourth night free on award stays ✦ 20% discount on points purchases ✦ Platinum elite status ✦ Up to $50 in United TravelBank cash per year (must register your card with your United account) ✦ $10 monthly GoPuff credit (through 12/31/23) |
#7) Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card
What I like: Instead of a free night, you get 15K points per year. This is great because it doesn’t require finding an excuse to stay at a Wyndham property each year to justify keeping this card. The pot is sweetened with automatic top-tier Diamond status (which matches to Caesar’s Diamond), and surprisingly strong earnings at Wyndham properties, gas stations, and utilities (telecommunications, cable, satellite, electric, gas, heating oil and water).
What I don’t like: Wyndham is dominated by low end brands. Aspirational properties can be hard to find.
| Card Name w Details & Review (no offer) |
|---|
FM Mini Review: Excellent earning rate at gas stations and Wyndham hotels. Diamond status plus 15K annual bonus makes this card a keeper. $95 Annual Fee Earning rate: 8X Wyndham & gas ✦ 5X marketing, advertising, and utilities (telecommunications, cable, satellite, electric, gas, heating oil and water) ✦ 1X everywhere else Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Barclays. This card has no foreign transaction fees. Noteworthy perks: 15,000 points each anniversary year ✦ Diamond status ✦ 10% discount on free night awards ✦ Cardmember discount on paid stays ✦ No foreign transaction fees |
#8) Radisson Rewards Premier Visa Signature Card
What I like: Instead of a free night, you get 40K points per year. This is great because it doesn’t require finding an excuse to stay at a Radisson property each year to justify keeping this card. You also get Radisson Gold status, the ability to earn a free night (usable in the US only) for each $10K spend (up to $30K), and very strong earnings for spend (10X at Radisson properties, and 5X everywhere else).
What I don’t like: In my opinion, Radisson has very few desirable properties in the US. Additionally, the card’s 3% foreign transaction fee means that it’s a very poor choice for spend outside the US.
| Card Name w Details & Review (no offer) |
Want to learn more about miles and points? Subscribe to email updates or check out our podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
