Hotel Credit Cards

Offers are organized according to the issuing bank instead of the affiliated loyalty program, so be sure to scroll through the entire list.

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of the card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed. This site may be compensated through some of the included links.

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Offers from Citi

 

Citi® Hilton HHonors™ Reserve Card

Application Link: Two (2) weekend nights after spending $2,500 in 4 months

This card has a $95 annual fee but the most lucrative benefits of any Hilton credit card, incluing the best rate for Hilton hotels, so I recommend it for people who regularly stay at Hilton properties. Keep it for the long term with complimentary Gold status.

  • Earn 2 weekend night certificates good at select hotels and resorts within the Hilton HHonors portfolio after $2,500 in eligible purchases within 4 months of account opening*
  • Earn 10 HHonors Bonus Points per $1 spent on hotel stays within the Hilton HHonors portfolio*
  • Earn 5 HHonors Bonus Points per $1 spent on airline and car rental purchases*
  • Earn 3 HHonors Bonus Points per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases*
  • Enjoy the benefits of HHonors Gold status as long as you are a cardmember*
  • No foreign transaction fees on purchases*
  • Travel with ease and enjoy global acceptance with your Citi chip credit card
  • Earn an anniversary bonus of 1 weekend night certificate at select hotels and resorts within the Hilton HHonors portfolio each cardmembership year with qualifying purchases*

Citi® Hilton HHonors™ Visa Signature® Card

Application Link: 40,000 HHonors points after spending $1,000 in 4 months
Application Link
: 50,000 HHonors points after spending $1,000 in 4 months (info)

This card isn’t quite as good as the American Express Hilton Surpass, but it is superior to the regular American Express Hilton thanks to a slightly higher standard bonus. It remains a great way to earn Hilton HHonors points for casual travelers.

  • Earn 40,000 Hilton HHonors points after spending $1,000 within 4 months of account opening.*
  • Earn 6 HHonors points for each $1 spent at a participating hotel within the Hilton HHonors portfolio.*
  • Earn 3 HHonors points for each $1 spent at supermarkets, drugstores and gas stations.*
  • Earn 2 HHonors points for each $1 spent on all other purchases.*
  • No annual fee.*

 

Offers from American Express

 

Hilton HHonors™ Surpass® Card

Application Link: 40,000 points after first purchase plus 20,000 points after spending $3,000 in 3 months

There are many Hilton cards, but get this card first. You’ll get Gold VIP status the first year free. Then, if you can spend $40K in in a single year, apply for the Citi Hilton Reserve that gives you Gold VIP every year plus the chance to earn Diamond VIP status.

  • Earn 9 points per dollar at Hilton properties
  • Earn 6 points per dollar on everyday purchases at gas stations, drugstores, phone, cable and satellite TV and Internet
  • Earn 3 points per dollar everywhere else
  • 500 bonus points when you use your card to book your trip online at a Hilton-branded website
  • Complimentary HHonors Gold Elite status for the first year. After the first year, you can maintain Gold Elite status by spending at least $20,000 each calendar year.
  • Automatic upgrade to HHonors Diamond Elite status when your eligible spending reaches at least $40,000 in a calendar year.
  • Complimentary PriortyPass membership (valued at $99)

Hilton HHonors™ Card

Application Link: 40,000 points after spending $750 in 3 months

Hilton HHonors points aren’t worth as much as some others, so 40K isn’t as large a bonus as you may think. But you can strategize to maximize their value. For example, this fee-free American Express card gives you access to special AXON award rates.

  • Earn 6 Hilton HHonors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases at any participating hotel within the Hilton HHonors portfolio of brands.
  • You will receive 3 HHonors Bonus Points for each dollar of other eligible purchases.
  • No Annual Fee
  • No Blackout Dates: No blackout dates when redeeming for hotel stays
  • Silver Status: Complimentary Silver status for life of membership

Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card

Application Link: 25,000 points after spending $5,000 in 6 months

You can transfer points to several airlines and get 25K miles for every 20K points. Cash+Points awards save money, plus you also get elite stay credit for award redemption. Get status faster with 2 stays and 5 nights credit just for being a card holder.

  • Starpoints® bonus: earn up to 25K bonus points — 10K with your first purchase and another 15K when you spend $5K within the first 6 months of Cardmembership – enough for a weekend getaway to a Category 4 hotel like the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa
  • Free Hotel Nights: redeem Starpoints at over 1,000 hotels in over 100 countries worldwide — with no blackout dates
  • Free Flights: redeem Starpoints on over 350 airlines with SPG Flights — with no blackout dates
  • Get 5,000 bonus Starpoints when you transfer 20,000 Starpoints to a frequent flyer program with more than 30 airlines
  • No limits on the number of Starpoints you can earn
  • $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $65
  • Terms and Restrictions Apply

 

Offers from US Bank

 

Club CarlsonSM Premier Rewards Visa Signature® Card

Application Link: 50,000 points after first purchase and 35,000 points after spending $2,500 in 3 months. (Up to 85,000 points.)

Club Carlson Premier RewardsClub Carlson has really upped it’s game. Only 50,000 points are needed for a free night at its luxurious Radisson Blu properties. Cardholders can actually get two free nights for 50,000 points since the last night is free on each stay of two or more award nights.

  • Up to 85,000 Bonus Gold Points – receive 50,000 Gold Points after your first purchase plus 35,000 points once you spend $2,500 on your card within the first 90 days
  • 40,000 renewal bonus points each year when you renew your card
  • 10 points per $1 spent in eligible net purchases at participating Carlson Rezidor hotels
  • 5 points per $1 spent in eligible net purchases everywhere else
  • Bonus Award Nights – When you redeem Gold Points for 2 or more consecutive Award Nights, your last night is free. Exclusively for cardmembers!
  • Your upgrade is automatic – Your Club Carlson membership will be upgraded to Gold Elite Status after you activate and use your card
  • Already reached Gold or Concierge Elite status? You will receive 15 qualifying nights toward obtaining or maintaining Concierge Elite status after you activate and use your new card.

Club CarlsonSM Rewards Visa Signature® Card

Application Link: 50,000 points after first purchase and 10,000 points after spending $1,500 in 3 months. (Up to 60,000 points.)

Club Carlson Premier RewardsThis card is a step down from the Premier version with fewer points and Silver — not Gold — elite status. However, you still get the last night free on each stay of two or more award nights. I recommend the Premier version, but you could use this card to pad your balance.

  • Up to 60,000 Bonus Gold Points – receive 50,000 Gold Points after your first purchase plus 10,000 points once you spend $1,500 on your card within the first 90 days
  • 25,000 renewal bonus points each year when you renew your card
  • 6 points per $1 spent in eligible net purchases at participating Carlson Rezidor hotels
  • 3 points per $1 spent in eligible net purchases everywhere else
  • Bonus Award Nights – When you redeem Gold Points for 2 or more consecutive Award Nights, your last night is free. Exclusively for cardmembers!
  • Your upgrade is automatic – Your Club Carlson membership will be upgraded to Silver Elite Status after you activate and use your card
  • Already reached Silver, Gold or Concierge Elite status? You will receive 10 qualifying nights toward obtaining or maintaining Gold or Concierge Elite status after you activate and use your new card.

 

Offers from Chase

 

The Hyatt Credit Card

Application Link: Two nights after spending $1,000 in 3 months. (Platinum members also get two suite upgrades. Diamond members get only two nights, but in a suite.)

This card more than earns its fee through a free night each year, which I often use for New Year’s Eve, but free WiFi and better rooms are nice, too. Hyatt will also regularly offer cardholders 50% bonuses on earned points during quarterly promotions.

  • Begin with 2 Free Nights at Hyatt properties worldwide, after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months from account opening with the Hyatt Credit Card
  • Receive 1 Free Night each year on your anniversary in any Category 1–4 property
  • No foreign transaction fees and Smart Chip protection on international purchases
  • 3 Hyatt Gold Passport points for every $1 spent with your Hyatt Card at all Hyatt properties
  • NEW: Now more points in more places, 2 Hyatt Gold Passport points for every $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly with the airline and at car rental agencies
  • 1 Hyatt Gold Passport point for every $1 spent on purchases elsewhere
  • There are no limits to the points you can earn
  • $75 annual fee

Priority Club® Select Visa®

Application Link: 80,000 points after spending $1,000 in 3 months (info)
Application Link: 60,000 points after spending $1,000 in 3 months

Priority Club’s new program changes make this the easiest way to get Platinum status since purchased points no longer count. It doesn’t hurt that there is no minimum spend required for the bonus, but pay the annual fee and you’ll get a free night each year.

  • Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first three months from account opening
  • Free Night e-Certificate every year, good at any of our 4,500 hotels worldwide
  • Platinum Elite Status as long as you are a cardmember
  • 5 points per $1 spent at our hotels
  • 2 points per $1 at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants
  • 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • 10% points rebate—earn points for using points
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • $0 introductory annual fee the first year, $49 thereafter

Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Application Link: 50,000 points and 1 free night (Category 1-4) after spending $1,000 in 3 months.

Marriott top-tier elite status seems impossible to get (75 nights?!), but it also has a devoted following. You’ll get 15 nights credit toward elite status each year, plus another night for every $3,000 spent. A free night each year makes up for the annual fee.

  • Enjoy up to 7 Free Nights To Start!
  • New! Smart Chip Technology and No Foreign Transaction Fees!
  • Earn 5 points for every $1 spent at Marriott® locations.
  • Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on airline tickets purchased directly with the airline, and at car rental agencies and restaurants.
  • Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on other purchases.
  • Receive 1 free night stay after account approval and each year upon account anniversary.
  • Cardmembers achieve Silver Elite status with 15 nights credit toward Elite status.

Marriott Rewards® Visa Signature®

Application Link: 30,000 points and 2 free nights (Category 1-4) after spending $1,000 in 3 months.

This card has significantly reduced benefits and a reduced fee. You’ll still get 10 nights toward elite status each year, plus another night for every $3,000 spent. I consider it a good deal for those looking for a reduced-fee Marriott card.

  • Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 in your first 3 months after account opening, redeemable for up to 4 free nights
  • Plus receive 2 free night say e-certificates upon account approval
  • $0 Introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $45
  • Earn 3 points for every $1 spent at Marriott® locations
  • Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on other purchases
  • Cardmembers achieve Silver Elite status with 10 nights credit toward Elite status
  • Redeem Marriott Rewards® points at Marriott properties including Renaissance Hotels, Courtyard, Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn & Suites

The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card

Application Link: 70,000 points after spending $2,000 in 3 months

For some reason Ritz-Carlton has a completely different loyalty program from other Marriott brands. The huge annual fee is mitigated by the airline and hotel credits, but I still recommend this card only to people who already stay at Ritz-Carlton regularly.

  • Earn 70,000 Ritz-Carlton Rewards bonus points after you spend $2,000 in the first 3 months
  • 5 points for every $1 you spend at The Ritz-Carlton hotels
  • 2 points for every $1 you spend on airline tickets purchased directly with the airline, and at car rental agenices and restaurants
  • 1 point for every $1 you spend anywhere else
  • Complimentary worldwide airport lounge access through LOUNGE CLUB™
  • $200 annual reimbursement for airline incidentals
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Upgrade to The Ritz-Carlton Club® Level three times annually
  • Receive a $100 hotel credit with each two-night or longer stay
  • Enjoy automatic Gold Elite status your first year
  • $395 annual fee

Fairmont Visa Signature®

Application Link: Two free nights with breakfast after spending $1,000 in 3 months

As one of the smaller luxury hotel chains, this card makes more sense for regular Fairmont customers or those looking for some free nights. Fairmont has an excellent reputation for quality and service.

  • Enjoy 2 complimentary nights including breakfast for 2 at any Fairmont Hotel or Resort after you make $1,000 in purchases within 3 months.
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Automatic upgrade to Fairmont Premier membership status
  • Earn 5 Fairmont Rewards points for each $1 spent on Fairmont stays
  • Earn 2 Fairmont Rewards points for each $1 spent on airline tickets purchased directly with the airlines, at car rental agencies, and on transit and commuting
  • Earn 1 Fairmont Rewards point per $1 on all other purchases
  • Complimentary annual LOUNGE CLUB membership
  • Complimentary 1-night stay each anniversary year when you spend $12,000
  • $95 annual fee

This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through the American Express Affiliate Program.