Best Credit Card for Hotels

This is a tricky category since so many cards offer high multipliers on their own brand. It's important to look at the value on the return, not just the multiplier here. That's because a 3X multiplier may be worth 6 cents on one card, while another card could have a 10X multiplier that's only worth 3 cents. The (+) versions have the best combination of signup bonus and category multiplier. The (-) versions are the inferior branded card choice or have other significant limitations.

It's worth noting, if the value is close, we do usually use the branded card (like Hilton or Marriott) as it shows more loyalty and you may end up getting an extra perk or two. Stated "status perks" that come with some cards like room upgrades and free breakfast are not dependent on use of the card however.

Our Top Selections for Hotels (+)

Multiplier Point Value Per $ Spent
Chase Sapphire Reserve Chase Sapphire Reserve

All hotels purchased through the chase portal, includes trip insurance.

10x 1.7¢ 17.0¢
IHG One Rewards Premier IHG One Rewards Premier

Earn 10 points on purchases directly from IHG properties and 16 for being a Platinum member.

26x 0.6¢ 15.6¢
World of Hyatt World of Hyatt

Earn 4 points per $1 spent for Hyatt stays and experiences, including restaurants and spas. (Plus 5 Base Points per $1 you earn as a World of Hyatt member.)

9x 1.6¢ 14.4¢
Hilton Honors Surpass Hilton Honors Surpass

Purchases made directly from Hilton.

12x 0.6¢ 7.2¢
Chase Ink Business Cash Chase Ink Business Cash

All hotels booked anywhere, includes trip insurance.

3x 1.6¢ 4.8¢

Other Cards with Solid Value for Hotels (=)

Multiplier Point Value Per $ Spent
IHG One Rewards Premier Business IHG One Rewards Premier Business

Earn 10 points on purchases directly from IHG properties and 16 for being a Platinum member.

26x 0.6¢ 15.6¢
World of Hyatt Business World of Hyatt Business

Earn 4 points per $1 spent for Hyatt stays and experiences, including restaurants and spas. (Plus 5 Base Points per $1 you earn as a World of Hyatt member.)

9x 1.6¢ 14.4¢
Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Executive

Hotels booked through aa.com/hotels.

10x 1.4¢ 14.0¢
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

Purchases made directly from Marriott. 6x on card, plus 1x for being a silver status member and 10x for being a member

16x 0.7¢ 11.2¢
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful

Purchases made directly from Marriott. 6x on card, plus 10x for being a member

16x 0.7¢ 11.2¢
Capital One Venture X Capital One Venture X

Purchases through Capital One Travel using this Rewards card account.

10x 1.1¢ 11.0¢
Hilton Honors Aspire Hilton Honors Aspire

Purchases made directly from Hilton.

14x 0.6¢ 8.4¢
Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Wyndham Rewards Earner Business

Earn 8 points for every $1 on purchases made at Wyndham hotels.

8x 1.0¢ 8.0¢
Hilton Honors Business Hilton Honors Business

Purchases made directly from Hilton.

12x 0.6¢ 7.2¢
Citi Rewards Plus Citi Rewards Plus

Booked on CitiTravel.com through December 31, 2025.2

5x 1.2¢ 6.0¢
Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus

Earn 6 points for every $1 on purchases made at Wyndham hotels.

6x 1.0¢ 6.0¢
Wyndham Rewards Earner Wyndham Rewards Earner

Earn 5 points for every $1 on purchases made at Wyndham hotels.

5x 1.0¢ 5.0¢
Citi Custom Cash Citi Custom Cash

Booked on CitiTravel.com through June 30th, 2026

4x 1.2¢ 4.8¢
US Bank Business Altitude Connect US Bank Business Altitude Connect

On the first $150,000 in combined annual spend.

4x 1.1¢ 4.4¢
Marriott Bonvoy Business Marriott Bonvoy Business

Purchases made directly from Marriott.

6x 0.7¢ 4.2¢
Citi Strata Premier Citi Strata Premier

Purchases from hotels & travel agencies (e.g. Expedia or Orbitz)

3x 1.2¢ 3.6¢
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business

Earn 3x miles on purchases made directly with Delta in worldwide hotels.

3x 1.2¢ 3.6¢
Chase Sapphire Preferred Chase Sapphire Preferred

2X points on all travel purchases. 5X on purchases made through the Chase Travel portal. Plus, a $50 annual credit towards hotels booked through the Chase Travel portal.

2x 1.6¢ 3.2¢
Bank of America Business Travel Bank of America Business Travel

Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases (car, hotel, airline) booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.

3x 1.0¢ 3.0¢
Amex Business Green Amex Business Green

Booked on AmexTravel.com

2x 1.4¢ 2.8¢
Amex Gold Amex Gold 2x 1.4¢ 2.8¢
Wells Fargo Active Cash Wells Fargo Active Cash

2% cash back on all purchases

2x 1.4¢ 2.8¢
United Club Infinite United Club Infinite 2x 1.3¢ 2.6¢
United Explorer United Explorer

Earn 2 points per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel.

2x 1.3¢ 2.6¢
United Quest United Quest

Earn 2 points per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel.

2x 1.3¢ 2.6¢
British Airways British Airways

Purchases made directly from Hotels.

2x 1.0¢ 2.0¢

Cards Offering Some Value for Hotels with Limitations (-)

Multiplier Point Value Per $ Spent
Capital One Venture Capital One Venture

Purchases through Capital One Travel using this Rewards card account.

10x 1.1¢ 11.0¢
Capital One Venture X Business  Capital One Venture X Business

Purchases through Capital One

10x 1.1¢ 11.0¢
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Marriott Bonvoy Bold

Purchases made directly from Marriott. 3x on card, plus 10x for being a Bonvoy member

14x 0.7¢ 9.8¢
IHG One Rewards Traveler IHG One Rewards Traveler

Earn 5 points on purchases directly from IHG properties and 10 points for being a card member.

15x 0.6¢ 9.0¢
Amex Business Platinum Amex Business Platinum

prepaid hotels on amextravel.com ONLY

5x 1.5¢ 7.7¢
Amex Platinum Amex Platinum

Prepaid hotels on amextravel.com ONLY

5x 1.5¢ 7.7¢
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Wells Fargo Autograph Journey 5x 1.4¢ 7.0¢
US Bank Business Altitude Power US Bank Business Altitude Power

Booked directly in the Rewards Center

6x 1.1¢ 6.6¢
Capital One Spark Cash Capital One Spark Cash

When booked through Capital One Travel

5x 1.1¢ 5.5¢
Capital One Spark Cash Plus Capital One Spark Cash Plus

When booked through Capital One Travel

5x 1.1¢ 5.5¢
Capital One Spark Cash Select Capital One Spark Cash Select

Booked through Capital One

5x 1.1¢ 5.5¢
Capital One Spark Miles Capital One Spark Miles

Purchases through Capital One Travel using this Rewards card account

5x 1.1¢ 5.5¢
Capital One Spark Miles Select Capital One Spark Miles Select

Booked through Capital One Travel

5x 1.1¢ 5.5¢
US Bank Altitude Connect US Bank Altitude Connect

Prepaid hotels on Altitude Rewards Center.

5x 1.1¢ 5.5¢
Capital One Savor Capital One Savor

Purchases through Capital One Travel using this Rewards card account

5x 1.0¢ 5.0¢
United Gateway United Gateway

Booked through United Hotels

3x 1.4¢ 4.3¢
Hilton Honors Hilton Honors

Purchases made directly from Hilton.

7x 0.6¢ 4.2¢
Amex Business Gold Amex Business Gold

When booked on AmexTravel.com

3x 1.4¢ 4.2¢
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Marriott Bonvoy Bevy

Purchases made directly from Marriott. .

6x 0.7¢ 4.2¢
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant

Purchases made directly from Marriott.

6x 0.7¢ 4.2¢
Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business

Earn 3 points for each $1 spent at participating Rapid Rewards hotels.

3x 1.3¢ 3.9¢
United Business United Business 3x 1.3¢ 3.9¢
United Club Business United Club Business

2x from United as a MileagePlus member, plus 1.5x miles earned with the United Club Business Card

3x 1.3¢ 3.9¢
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Delta SkyMiles Platinum

3x miles on purchases made directly with Delta in worldwide hotels.

3x 1.2¢ 3.6¢
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus

Earn 2 points for each $1 spent at participating Rapid Rewards hotels.

2x 1.3¢ 2.6¢
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier

Earn 2 points for each $1 spent at participating Rapid Rewards hotels.

2x 1.3¢ 2.6¢
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business

Earn 2 points for each $1 spent at participating Rapid Rewards hotels.

2x 1.3¢ 2.6¢
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority

Earn 2 points for each $1 spent at participating Rapid Rewards hotels.

2x 1.3¢ 2.6¢