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 Rewards Club Premier IHG Rewards Club Premier

Earn 10 points on purchases directly from IHG properties and 15 for being a Platinum member.

25x 0.6¢ 15.0¢
World Of Hyatt Card World Of Hyatt Card

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 Amex Hilton Honors Surpass Amex

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 Rewards Premier Business IHG Rewards Premier Business

Earn 10 points on purchases directly from IHG properties and 15 for being a Platinum member.

25x 0.6¢ 15.0¢
World Of Hyatt Business card World Of Hyatt Business card

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¢
AAdvantage Executive World Elite AAdvantage Executive World Elite

Hotels booked through aa.com/hotels.

10x 1.3¢ 13.0¢
Capital One Venture X Capital One Venture X

Purchases through Capital One Travel using this Rewards card account.

10x 1.1¢ 11.0¢
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

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

15x 0.6¢ 9.0¢
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful

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

15x 0.6¢ 9.0¢
Hilton Honors Aspire Amex Hilton Honors Aspire Amex

Purchases made directly from Hilton.

14x 0.6¢ 8.4¢
Hilton Honors Amex Business Hilton Honors Amex Business

Purchases made directly from Hilton.

12x 0.6¢ 7.2¢
Wyndham Rewards Earner Biz Wyndham Rewards Earner Biz

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

7x 1.0¢ 7.0¢
US Bank Altitude Reserve US Bank Altitude Reserve

Prepaid hotels on Altitude Rewards Center.

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¢
Citi Rewards Plus Card Citi Rewards Plus Card

Booked on CitiTravel.com through December 31, 2025.2

5x 1.1¢ 5.5¢
Wyndham Rewards Earner Wyndham Rewards Earner

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

5x 1.0¢ 5.0¢
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¢
Marriott Bonvoy Business Marriott Bonvoy Business

Purchases made directly from Marriott.

6x 0.6¢ 3.6¢
Citi Premier Card Citi Premier Card

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

3x 1.1¢ 3.3¢
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¢
Business Advantage Travel Rewards Business Advantage Travel Rewards

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¢
United Club Infinite Card United Club Infinite Card 2x 1.5¢ 3.0¢
United Explorer Card United Explorer Card

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

2x 1.5¢ 3.0¢
United Quest Card United Quest Card

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

2x 1.5¢ 3.0¢
Wells Fargo Active Cash Wells Fargo Active Cash

2% cash back on all purchases

2x 1.5¢ 3.0¢
American Express Gold Personal American Express Gold Personal 2x 1.4¢ 2.8¢
American Express Green Business American Express Green Business

Booked on AmexTravel.com

2x 1.4¢ 2.8¢
British Airways Visa Signature British Airways Visa Signature

Purchases made directly from Hotels.

2x 1.0¢ 2.0¢

Cards Offering Some Value for Hotels with Limitations (-)

Multiplier Point Value Per $ Spent
IHG Rewards Club Traveler IHG Rewards Club Traveler

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

15x 0.6¢ 9.0¢
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Marriott Bonvoy Bold

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

14x 0.6¢ 8.4¢
American Express Platinum Business American Express Platinum Business

prepaid hotels on amextravel.com ONLY

5x 1.5¢ 7.7¢
American Express Platinum Personal American Express Platinum Personal

Prepaid hotels on amextravel.com ONLY

5x 1.5¢ 7.7¢
US Bank Altitude Connect Visa US Bank Altitude Connect Visa

Prepaid hotels on Altitude Rewards Center.

5x 1.2¢ 6.0¢
Capital One Spark Cash Plus Business Capital One Spark Cash Plus Business

When booked through Capital One Travel

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

Purchases through Capital One Travel using this Rewards card account

5x 1.1¢ 5.5¢
Capital One Venture Reward Capital One Venture Reward

Purchases through Capital One Travel using this Rewards card account.

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

Purchases through Capital One Travel using this Rewards card account

5x 1.0¢ 5.0¢
United Business Card United Business Card 3x 1.5¢ 4.5¢
United Club Card Business United Club Card Business

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

3x 1.5¢ 4.5¢
Hilton Honors Amex Hilton Honors Amex

Purchases made directly from Hilton.

7x 0.6¢ 4.2¢
American Express Business Gold American Express Business Gold

When booked on AmexTravel.com

3x 1.4¢ 4.2¢
Southwest Performance Business Southwest Performance Business

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

3x 1.3¢ 3.9¢
Delta Skymiles Platinum Personal Delta Skymiles Platinum Personal

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

3x 1.2¢ 3.6¢
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Marriott Bonvoy Bevy

Purchases made directly from Marriott. .

6x 0.6¢ 3.6¢
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex

Purchases made directly from Marriott.

6x 0.6¢ 3.6¢
Southwest Plus Southwest Plus

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

2x 1.3¢ 2.6¢
Southwest Premier Southwest Premier

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

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

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

2x 1.3¢ 2.6¢
Southwest Priority Southwest Priority

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

2x 1.3¢ 2.6¢
Sonesta World Mastercard Sonesta World Mastercard

Purchases made directly from Sonesta

3x 0.7¢ 2.1¢