Best Hotel Credit Cards for March 2022

If you’re not partial to one specific hotel brand, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a good option. You’ll earn points for your purchases which can be redeemed through the card’s hotel and airline partners, or for nearly any hotel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Booking through the Chase portal may stretch your points further. You can redeem at 1.25 cents per point as opposed to transferring your rewards 1:1 to the travel partner of your choice. In addition to the great flexibility, you’ll earn a 60,000-point welcome bonus (or $750 toward travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards) for your next stay if you spend $4,000 on the card within the first three months of account opening.

For more details about the Chase Sapphire Preferred, check out our full review.

Hilton encompasses several hotel brands, from the budget Embassy Suites and Hampton Inn to the luxury Waldorf Astoria and LXR. American Express offers three consumer Hilton rewards cards of various tiers.

The best value for most people will be in the midrange version, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card. This card has the best welcome bonus and an annual fee of $95 per year. You can earn 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases in the first three months of card membership. Besides the welcome offer, being a Surpass cardholder means you automatically qualify for Hilton Honors Gold status for perks including the fifth night free when booking, room upgrades when available, free water and daily food and beverage credits. 

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Marriott has multiple cobranded credit cards to choose from, starting from entry-level with no annual fee to premium. It all depends on how often you plan on staying at one of the 30 brands and more than 7,000 properties under the Marriott wing. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless by Chase Bank is $95 per year but for a limited time you can earn a welcome bonus of 100,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months.

Cardholder perks include an annual free night certificate equivalent to up to 35,000 points, and 15 Elite Night credits that help you get to Gold Status faster from the automatic Silver tier you receive after card approval. It’s a good card to get a taste of being a preferred Marriott guest. 

IHG properties include some of the most luxurious and trendy brands around such as Kimpton Hotels, Regent, Six Senses, Crowne Plaza and Intercontinental Hotels. If you’d like to be a VIP whenever you visit an IHG property, the IHG Rewards Club Premier credit card awards you Platinum Elite Status once you’re a cardholder.

The Platinum Elite status tier means 20% off point purchases, a free night for each card anniversary and a fourth night free when you redeem points for a stay of four or more nights. Other perks include guaranteed room availability, free room upgrades, priority check-in, late checkout, welcome amenities and complimentary drinks or snacks at Kimpton hotels.

Business travelers in need of a premium travel solution for hotel stays and travel should look at the Business Platinum Card from American Express. The $695 annual fee is high, but the card’s perks can easily offset the cost. They include up to a $200 airline fee statement credit per calendar year at one qualifying airline, up to a $179 Clear airport security statement credit per year, up to a $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges and perks worth up to $550 per year from Fine Hotels + Resorts including complimentary daily breakfasts for two and late checkouts (4 p.m.).

Best of all, Business Platinum cardholders get Gold status for Hilton Honors and Gold Elite Status with Marriott Bonvoy without the need to carry specific cards for either brand or meeting a minimum number of stays.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

How do hotel cards work?

Hotel credit cards work similar to a general travel rewards card. The more you spend, the more points you can earn to redeem for hotel stays. Most cards have varying rewards rates based on the type of purchase with the highest earnings potential for spending at the hotel property. Depending on the card you choose, you may be limited to a particular brand or for purchases through the card’s travel booking website.

Who are hotel cards best for?

Hotel credit cards are best for travelers who are loyal to a particular hotel brand, book hotel stays at least occasionally and are interested in earning free hotel stays based on spending. The best hotel rewards credit cards often upgrade cardholders to higher-level status such as Gold or Elite, making it possible to get perks such as free upgrades and other amenities reserved for loyal hotel guests.

What’s better: a hotel card or travel card?

When deciding what type of rewards credit card is best, think about what type of travel you do. If you need a card that provides you with the flexibility to redeem points for hotels or airfare, a travel rewards credit card typically gives you more freedom than a hotel credit card for a particular hotel brand.

How can I earn free stays in a hotel with a credit card?

To earn free stays in a hotel with a credit card, sign up for a hotel or travel rewards card and make your everyday purchases with the card. You’ll earn points that can be redeemed for free stays. In many cases, you could also earn an annual certificate for a free night or bonus points. Discipline is key — be sure you’re not overspending simply to earn points for free hotel stays or the interest charges could offset the free nights.

What’s elite status and how can I earn it?

Elite status is typically reserved for frequent travelers who spend a number of nights at a particular hotel brand. Hotels reward the most loyal customers with perks for elite status which include later checkout times, free room upgrades, redemption discounts and more. Many hotel rewards credit cards automatically upgrade cardholders to elite status.