Best Hotel Credit Cards of December 2024

Flexible rewards and high-value redemption options are the main attractions. Earn 5 points per $1 spent on all travel purchased through Chase; 3 points per $1 spent on dining (including eligible delivery services and takeout), select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (not including Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs); 2 points per $1 spent on travel not purchased through Chase; and 1 point per $1 spent on other purchases. Points are worth 1.25 cents apiece when used to book travel through Chase, or you can transfer them at a 1:1 rate to several other loyalty programs, including hotel programs with Marriott, Hyatt and IHG.

As a general travel card, it lacks the special perks — such as free anniversary nights and room upgrades — that hotel-specific co-branded cards might offer.

A typical downside of a hotel-branded card is a lack of places to earn and redeem points, but Marriott is huge, with 7,000 properties across 30 hotel brands spanning 129 countries and territories. A free night's stay annually and automatic Silver Elite status every year just for having the card are valuable, along with a points bonus during stays, late checkout and other perks. Another plus: Points are transferable to several airline partners.

Rewards aren't as flexible for redeeming as general travel cards, making this card specific to fans of Marriott.

Hyatt has the highest point values among major hotel loyalty programs, according to NerdWallet valuations. That's important when you can rack up double points on such spending as gym memberships, dining at restaurants, local transit and commuting and airline tickets purchased through airlines. You'll get a free anniversary night at a Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort, automatic Discoverist status and five qualifying night credits toward the next status tier every year. Discoverist status includes such perks as room upgrades and late checkout.

Hyatt is a smaller player among major hotel groups, which limits places to earn and redeem points.

From Hilton and Waldorf-Astoria to Embassy Suites and Hampton Inn, the chain has 5,500 hotels in 109 countries and territories, making it easy to earn and redeem points. Earn extra points for purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and U.S. online retail purchases. Plus, you'll get automatic Hilton Honors™ Gold status, which can snag you a complimentary stay every fifth night at a Hilton portfolio hotel, continental breakfast, and a slew of other benefits. Terms apply.

The card gives you a lot of points, but they have below-average value when you spend them, according to NerdWallet valuations. You can redeem points for airline rewards, but at unfavorable rates.

A free night after each account anniversary and a free reward night when you redeem points for a stay of 4 or more nights are huge benefits, as is Platinum Elite status, which promises exclusive room rates, room upgrades, free Internet and check-in/check-out privileges, among other perks. It also will issue a credit for a Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fee every four years when paying with the card.

Like all co-branded hotel credit cards, its rewards are not as flexible for getting free travel as a general travel card.

This card earns 12X points on purchases made directly with Hilton, 5X points on non-Hilton purchases (up to $100,000 in spending annually), and 3X points on other purchases. There's a big bonus offer, complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold status, and an annual statement credit good on purchases at Hilton properties. Enrollment is required. Terms apply.

Unlike many hotel cards at its price level, it doesn't give you an automatic free night every year. Hilton points have a relatively low per-point value, so the 12X and 5X rewards rates aren't quite as eye-popping as they seem.

The card earns 5 points per dollar spent on stays at participating Choice Hotels; 3 points per dollar at grocery stores, gas stations and home improvement stores and on phone plans; and 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases. You get automatic Gold status in the chain's loyalty program, which gives you points bonuses and perks during stays. There's a bonus offer that could translate into a lot of free nights.

As with any co-branded hotel card, your redemption options are confined to the brands available. Choice's brands tend to be more budget-oriented, which isn't bad, but if you're looking to redeem points for a more upscale experience, your options are limited.

For a $99 annual fee, you'll get a lot of value in return, including a generous sign-up bonus and rich ongoing rewards, even on spending outside of the One Key brands. You'll also get automatic Gold Status within the One Key program, not to mention a couple of travel credits, including a $100 rewards bonus on every cardholder anniversary.

You'll have to be OK earning and redeeming rewards within the One Key ecosystem. If you prefer to book lodging directly with a hotel, this isn't the card for you.

You earn 5 points per dollar on hotel stays booked directly with the hotel; 4 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with airlines; 3 points per dollar on dining and other travel; and 1 point per dollar elsewhere. There's a $50 annual airfare credit (minimum purchase $50), trip cancellation/interruption protection and more. Bonus offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip. Finally, the points are flexible and can be redeemed for travel or statement credit at the same penny-per-point value.

While you can transfer your points to participating hotel and airline loyalty programs, the list of partners is fairly short and includes no domestic airlines. There's also no credit for the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, an increasingly common benefit on cards in its price range.

You're not restricted to any particular hotel chain. Book your own travel, then pay for it with rewards. You can also transfer points to over 15 travel loyalty programs. The card offers 2 miles per $1 spent on all purchases. Redeem miles for credit against most travel expenses at 1 cent per mile. Also, get reimbursed for a Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fee every four years.

You'll get no hotel-specific perks, such as room upgrades or late checkout. So, if you’re loyal to one particular hotel company, it might be worth comparing this card with the hotel-branded card. And point values don't budge. You can't get more than 1 cent worth of value per mile.