Hotels, South America
Best Cards For Hotels In South America
Updated on Wed, 11 Feb 2026
South America is one of the best regions in the world for affordable travel, which can make maximizing hotel points more challenging. Cash prices are often lower than in other western regions, luxury options are less common outside major cities, and true outsized redemptions are harder to find. The best approach is to prioritize flexibility, focus on hotel programs with large regional footprints, and leverage credits and card perks to reduce out-of-pocket costs. The cards below are best suited for that strategy.
Our Rankings
1 | Citi Strata Elite
The Citi Strata Elite tops our list for hotel stays in South America because of the breadth of its transfer partners. Citi partners with four hotel programs that can make sense in this region. Accor has one of the largest footprints across South America, and its fixed-value redemptions function like a discount, with every 2,000 points equaling a €40 credit toward your stay. Transfers are 1:2, so you’re effectively getting about 1 cent per Citi point, but you can apply as many or as few points as you’d like toward a booking. Choice also has solid regional coverage, and Citi’s 1:2 transfer ratio can unlock strong value. Preferred Hotels are concentrated in larger cities, but the 1:4 transfer ratio creates legitimate outsized redemption opportunities. Wyndham has a surprisingly large presence throughout the continent, and its fixed 7,500 and 15,000 point award tiers can deliver excellent value when cash rates are higher. The Strata Elite’s $300 annual hotel credit, when used through the Citi portal on lower-cost stays without strong point options, further reduces out-of-pocket costs and helps maximize the card’s value.
Honorable Mentions
2 | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
Marriott’s large presence across South America is the reason it has a card that ranks second on this list. You could go one of two ways with a Bonvoy card. The Brilliant offers complimentary Platinum Elite status, which can go even further in this region, where you’re less likely to compete with as many elite members as you would in North America or Europe. The annual fee is high, but the large signup bonus helps offset it, though we recommend waiting for an elevated offer given Amex’s 1/7 Rule. The annual free night certificate worth up to 85,000 points can unlock a high-end stay in South America, where award pricing often stretches further than in other regions. If you don’t want to take on the annual fee and the status isn’t a priority for you, the Boundless or Business cards are both great backup options. They have a signup bonus of 3 free nights up to 50k points, plus an annual free night certificate up to 35k points. Those nights can stretch far in South America, and all for a low annual fee compared to the Brilliant.
Honorable Mentions
3 | Capital One Venture X
The Venture X earns a spot for its flexibility. It partners with the same four strong hotel programs as Citi: Accor, Wyndham, Choice, and Preferred Hotels. The reason it ranks below the Strata Elite is the weaker transfer ratios to Choice and Preferred, though value is still possible in the right situation. The $300 annual travel credit through the portal can be used similarly to Citi’s, especially for lower-cost stays where points redemptions don’t make sense. While we don’t typically recommend using Capital One’s purchase eraser at 1 cent per point, South America’s lower cash prices can make that option surprisingly practical if you prefer not to pay out of pocket.
Honorable Mentions
4 | Hilton Honors Surpass
Hilton doesn’t have quite the same footprint as Marriott in South America, but it still has a strong presence in major cities. The Hilton Surpass strikes a better balance for this region than the higher-fee Aspire. You’ll receive Gold status, which includes free breakfast and space-available room upgrades, perks that still provide meaningful value without committing to a premium annual fee. Hilton’s award pricing is high, but the welcome bonus can cover multiple nights in many South American cities where cash rates are reasonable. If you plan to stay longer in one place, you can also take advantage of Hilton’s fifth night free benefit on award stays. The Surpass keeps costs lower while still giving you access to Hilton’s strong network across the continent.
Honorable Mentions
5 | IHG One Rewards Premier
The IHG Premier is a strong card for those who don’t want to take on the high annual fees charged by many other hotel cards on this list. Even with its low fee, you’ll receive a free night each year you hold the card, valid for stays up to 40,000 points, which can stretch far in certain South American cities. IHG also offers a fourth night free on award stays, which adds meaningful value if you plan to stay in one place instead of hopping between cities. The main drawback is that IHG’s footprint in South America isn’t as extensive as Marriott’s or Hilton’s.
Honorable Mentions
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