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 All hotels purchased through the chase portal, includes trip insurance. |
10x | 1.7¢ | 17.0¢ | |
IHG Rewards Club 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 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 Purchases made directly from Hilton. |
12x | 0.6¢ | 7.2¢ | |
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 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 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 Hotels booked through aa.com/hotels. |
10x | 1.3¢ | 13.0¢ | |
Capital One Venture X Purchases through Capital One Travel using this Rewards card account. |
10x | 1.1¢ | 11.0¢ | |
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 | 0.6¢ | 9.6¢ | |
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Purchases made directly from Marriott. 6x on card, plus 10x for being a member |
16x | 0.6¢ | 9.6¢ | |
Hilton Honors Aspire Amex Purchases made directly from Hilton. |
14x | 0.6¢ | 8.4¢ | |
Wyndham Rewards Earner Biz Earn 8 points for every $1 on purchases made at Wyndham hotels. |
8x | 1.0¢ | 8.0¢ | |
Hilton Honors Amex Business Purchases made directly from Hilton. |
12x | 0.6¢ | 7.2¢ | |
US Bank Altitude Reserve Prepaid hotels on Altitude Rewards Center. |
5x | 1.2¢ | 6.0¢ | |
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 Booked on CitiTravel.com through December 31, 2025.2 |
5x | 1.1¢ | 5.5¢ | |
Wyndham Rewards Earner Earn 5 points for every $1 on purchases made at Wyndham hotels. |
5x | 1.0¢ | 5.0¢ | |
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Earn 3x miles on purchases made directly with Delta in worldwide hotels. |
3x | 1.2¢ | 3.6¢ | |
Marriott Bonvoy Business Purchases made directly from Marriott. |
6x | 0.6¢ | 3.6¢ | |
Citi Premier Card Purchases from hotels & travel agencies (e.g. Expedia or Orbitz) |
3x | 1.1¢ | 3.3¢ | |
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 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 | 2x | 1.5¢ | 3.0¢ | |
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 Earn 2 points per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel. |
2x | 1.5¢ | 3.0¢ | |
Wells Fargo Active Cash 2% cash back on all purchases |
2x | 1.5¢ | 3.0¢ | |
American Express Gold Personal | 2x | 1.4¢ | 2.8¢ | |
American Express Green Business Booked on AmexTravel.com |
2x | 1.4¢ | 2.8¢ | |
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 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 Purchases made directly from Marriott. 3x on card, plus 10x for being a Bonvoy member |
14x | 0.6¢ | 8.4¢ | |
American Express Platinum Business prepaid hotels on amextravel.com ONLY |
5x | 1.5¢ | 7.7¢ | |
American Express Platinum Personal Prepaid hotels on amextravel.com ONLY |
5x | 1.5¢ | 7.7¢ | |
US Bank Altitude Connect Visa Prepaid hotels on Altitude Rewards Center. |
5x | 1.2¢ | 6.0¢ | |
Capital One Spark Cash Plus Business When booked through Capital One Travel |
5x | 1.1¢ | 5.5¢ | |
Capital One Spark Miles Business Purchases through Capital One Travel using this Rewards card account |
5x | 1.1¢ | 5.5¢ | |
Capital One Venture Reward Purchases through Capital One Travel using this Rewards card account. |
5x | 1.1¢ | 5.5¢ | |
Capital One Savor One Rewards Purchases through Capital One Travel using this Rewards card account |
5x | 1.0¢ | 5.0¢ | |
United Business Card | 3x | 1.5¢ | 4.5¢ | |
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 Purchases made directly from Hilton. |
7x | 0.6¢ | 4.2¢ | |
American Express Business Gold When booked on AmexTravel.com |
3x | 1.4¢ | 4.2¢ | |
Southwest Performance Business Earn 3 points for each $1 spent at participating Rapid Rewards hotels. |
3x | 1.3¢ | 3.9¢ | |
Delta Skymiles Platinum Personal 3x miles on purchases made directly with Delta in worldwide hotels. |
3x | 1.2¢ | 3.6¢ | |
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Purchases made directly from Marriott. . |
6x | 0.6¢ | 3.6¢ | |
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Purchases made directly from Marriott. |
6x | 0.6¢ | 3.6¢ | |
Southwest Plus Earn 2 points for each $1 spent at participating Rapid Rewards hotels. |
2x | 1.3¢ | 2.6¢ | |
Southwest Premier Earn 2 points for each $1 spent at participating Rapid Rewards hotels. |
2x | 1.3¢ | 2.6¢ | |
Southwest Premier Business Earn 2 points for each $1 spent at participating Rapid Rewards hotels. |
2x | 1.3¢ | 2.6¢ | |
Southwest Priority Earn 2 points for each $1 spent at participating Rapid Rewards hotels. |
2x | 1.3¢ | 2.6¢ | |
Sonesta World Mastercard Purchases made directly from Sonesta |
3x | 0.7¢ | 2.1¢ |