Best hotel credit cards of December 2024

The Bonus: Get 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

The Rewards: You earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more. You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to numerous frequent flyer and hotel loyalty programs.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• Save with a $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit.
• Points can be transferred to the IHG Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt programs, among other travel partners.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.

CONS:

• To get this card's great benefits, you must pay a AnnualFees annual fee.
• Unlike co-branded hotel credit cards, there are no brand specific perks such as complimentary elite status or free nights.
• Hilton fans will be disappointed to see there is no option to transfer points to the Hilton Honors program.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

The Bonus: Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within three months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

The Rewards: This card gives you unlimited two miles for every $1 you spend, plus earn five miles for every $1 you spend on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, so you never have to plan your purchases to maximize your miles. Then, you can redeem your miles for hotels, flights, car rentals, cruises and other travel-related purchases. So, for example, you can fly any airline and stay at any hotel. Plus, you can transfer your miles to multiple leading travel loyalty programs if you choose.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• While not specifically for hotels, the two miles per dollar spent reward is a solid all-purpose travel rewards card offering. Pair that with the five miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and you can hike up those earnings!
• Venture Miles come with several flexible redemption options including the opportunity to transfer miles to the hotel loyalty programs.
• The card comes with additional perks such as 24-hour travel assistance services and MasterRental Insurance.

CONS:

• You won't get any complimentary hotel elite status with this card.
• The card comes with a $95 annual fee but it can be easily offset by its valuable benefits.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

The Bonus: Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership. Offer ends 1/8/2025.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

The Rewards: Earn 7X Hilton Honors bonus points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Honors portfolio of brands. Earn 5X points for each dollar of eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations. Earn 3X points for other eligible purchases on your card.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

Added Perks: Enjoy no foreign transaction fees as well as complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver status. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors™ Gold status through the end of the next calendar year. Enrollment required for select perks.

PROS:

• As the entry level Hilton Honors credit card, this card does not charge an annual fee.
• Cardholders receive complimentary Silver Status and get Gold Status if they spend $20,000 in a year.
• You'll only have to spend $2,000 within six months of opening your account to earn 100,000 bonus Hilton Honors points. Offer ends 1/8/2025.
• Enrollment required for select perks.

CONS:

• The earning potential with the Hilton Honors American Express Card is lower than what you could get with other Hilton cards.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

The Bonus: Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

The Rewards: You earn up to 26 points per $1 spent at IHG hotels and resorts. Earn 26 points per $1 spent at IHG hotels; five points per $1 spent on travel and at gas stations and restaurants; and three points per $1 on everything else.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• This card has a solid welcome offer: new cardholders earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• Cardholders can save with a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee reimbursement every four years.
• The card comes with valuable perks such as Elite status, a free reward night on your account anniversary and a free reward night when you redeem points for any consecutive four-night stay at an IHG hotel.

CONS:

• If you're looking for a free rewards credit card, you'll likely want to keep looking. This card charges an AnnualFees annual fee; however, it does offer a lot of great rewards to help offset this.
• With popular brands such as Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza, IHG hotels are often associated with economy and business travel. That means this card might not be the best option for those who prefer to stay at higher-end, luxury properties.
• You won't be eligible for the current bonus point offer if you've received a new card member bonus from this card in the past 24 months.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

The Bonus: Earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points. Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first three months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first six months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

The Rewards: Earn nine points per $1 spent at Hyatt (that's four bonus points for using your card and five base points per $1 you'll earn as a World of Hyatt member). Earn two points per $1 at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly with airlines, on local transit and commuting, and on fitness club/gym memberships.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

Additional features: You'll receive a free night at a Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort every year after your account anniversary; earn a second free night if you spend at least $15,000 in your anniversary year on the card. Take advantage of your complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status as a cardholder and receive five qualifying nights every year toward your next status tier.

PROS:

• Earn up to nine points total per $1 spent at Hyatt - four bonus points per $1 on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to five base points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member. Travel, restaurant and fitness club purchases earn two points per dollar spent and all other spending earns one point per dollar, so it's great for more than just travel.
• Cardholders receive at least one free night at a Category 1-4 property each year.

CONS:

• To earn the bonus points, you'll need to spend $3,000 within three months of opening an account. That level of spending may be hard for some households to achieve.
• Although the cost is reasonable for a rewards card, there is a AnnualFees annual fee.
• While there is an option to earn a second award night each year, you'll need to spend $15,000 to get it.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

Welcome Offer: For a limited time, earn 100,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first three months from account opening.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

The Rewards: Rack up up to 17 points per $1 spent at more than 7,000 participating Marriott Bonvoy properties. Earn 3X total points on up to 6,000 in combined purchases at gas stations, restaurants and grocery stores each year. You also earn two points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. Enjoy automatic Silver Elite Status each account anniversary year and earn Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each account year.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• If you want to maximize your Marriott Bonvoy rewards, this is a great option for you. Cardholders receive up to 17 points per $1 spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties as well as two points per $1 spent on other purchases and 3x points on certain purchases up to an annual spend cap (details in Card Details)
• Automatic Silver Elite Status means you'll get perks such as priority late checkout and free WiFi at Marriott brand hotels.
• You'll receive a free award night every year after your account's anniversary. Plus, cardholders receive 15 elite night credits each year and one additional elite night credit for every $5,000 you spend.

CONS:

• This card does come with a AnnualFees annual fee, although it is easily offset by the card's many benefits.
• If you don't stay at Marriott properties frequently, the card's benefits may have little value for you.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

Limited Time Offer: Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership. Offer ends 1/8/2025.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

The Rewards: You earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible Hilton purchases; 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases made using the card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year; and 3X points thereafter.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

Added Perks: Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors(TM) Gold Status with your card, that gives you benefits at hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio and allows you to earn an 80% bonus on all base points you earn on every stay getting you to free nights faster.

PROS:

• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors^TM Gold Status with your card, that gives you benefits at hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio and allows you to earn an 80% bonus on all base points you earn on every stay getting you to free nights faster.
• You may receive an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the calendar year if the total eligible purchases on your card account during a calendar year reach $40,000 or more.

CONS:

• This card comes with a AnnualFees annual fee.
• While you can earn an upgrade to Diamond Elite Status, it is only available after spending $40,000 in a year.
• Those who don't stay frequently at Hilton properties may find the benefits of this card to be limited.

We have not polled this card yet, but would love to hear your thoughts on it if you are a cardholder. Comment below or email us at [email protected] to share more about your experience.

The Bonus: Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

The Rewards: Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines; 2X points on all other eligible purchases.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

Additional Perks: The luxury perks offered with this card are numerous. Here's just a taste of what membership offers: As a Marriott Bonvoy Elite member you can earn 50% more points on eligible purchases at participating hotels for each U.S. dollar or the currency equivalent that is incurred and paid for by the member; Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases, card members are eligible to select an Earned Choice Award benefit; Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your card; Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®; Each calendar year you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy Elite status; Priority Pass select enrollment, which gains you unlimited access to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries; cell phone protection; and more. Terms apply. Enrollment required for select benefits.

PROS:

• If you're trying to gain Elite Status within the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, having this card is an easy way to get you there. Membership automatically gains you Elite status, and then each calendar year you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to cards offered by American Express.
• Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases, card members are eligible to select an Earned Choice Award benefit. Benefit options include: Five Suite Night Awards, a free night valued at 85K points, and mattress and box spring $1,000 discount from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Reward earning isn't restricted to just hotel stays. Cardholders can also earn rewards on restaurant purchases worldwide and airline purchases made directly with the airline, as well as a boost of 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Terms apply. Enrollment may be required for select benefits.

CONS:

• If you're truly a luxury traveler the annual fee isn't hard to offeset; however, if you don't think you'll utilize the luxury perks that the card offers, it's likely not worth the price.
• The rewards rate offered on eligible Marriott Bonvoy property stays is nice, but it's not quite as high as you might expect for a card with such a high annual fee. This card is more about its numerous perks.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

The Bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

The Rewards: Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 spent on these purchases per calendar year) and 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

Added Perks: Enjoy complimentary access to the Global Lounge Collection, the only credit card airport lounge access program that includes proprietary lounge locations around the world; enjoy Uber Cash with up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the U.S. annually; and much more. Terms Apply. Enrollment required for select benefits.

PROS:

• Complimentary access to the Global Lounge Collection is an awesome perk for anyone who spends a lot of time in airports.
• There are plenty of benefits and credit opportunities to more than offset the annual fee if you take advantage of all. Enrollment required for some benefits
• Enjoy complimentary status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors.
• Receive either a statement credit available every four years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit available every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck (up to $85), after you apply through a TSA official enrollment provider, when charged to your Platinum card.
• Enrollment required for select benefits.

CONS:

• The annual fee is sizable so this card is only worth it for frequent travelers who can take advantage of the card's numerous perks.
• This is a more general travel rewards card so it doesn't earn quite as heavily on hotel rewards. However, because it's not a co-branded card, it does offer you some added flexiblity in how you travel.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

The Bonus: For a limited time, earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

The Rewards: Earn 10 points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com; three points per $1 spent on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations; and one point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• Travel internationally with this card without worrying about the added cost of foreign transaction fees.
• Transfer ThankYou® Points to participating airline loyalty programs to get flights fast. There is no fee, and the minimum transfer is only 1,000 points.
• Outside of transferring rewards for flights, points can also be redeemed for gift cards including for department and home stores, and restaurants, or use ThankYou® Points to shop online at Amazon.com or BestBuy.com.
• The perk of $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more through CitiTravel.com once per calendar year offsets the annual fee.

CONS:

• Though it can easily be offset, there is an annual fee to take into consideration.
• This card offers a lot of flexibility in how you can earn rewards, but reward redemption with hotels is a bit limited. If you want to use your rewards strictly for hotel stays and there's a hotel you love, a co-branded hotel credit card might be the better fit for you.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.