You know the Motel 6 chain originally got its name for charging only $6 per night, but today the one down the street from me charges over $100... it’s not just inflation, the cost of traveling and lodging truly has skyrocketed over the past couple decades. Cards with hotel rewards might not score you $6 rooms, but they can save you a tremendous amount of money nonetheless. Hotel cards fall under two main categories...- Specific Hotel Credit Card: These are cards affiliated with a certain brand of hotels. Typically (but not always) these will give you the best rewards when staying at their affiliated properties. Hotels that offer their own branded cards include Starwood, Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and Ritz-Carlton.
- General Travel Card: These are independently issued by a bank. Even though they're not co-branded with a specific hotel, many offer discounts and benefits at partner hotel chains.
If you always stay at the same hotel chain, then you will probably be better off with their co-branded card (if they have one). If you stay at different hotels or just want more flexibility, a general hotel/travel rewards card will make more sense.
The Best Hotel Rewards Credit Cards for 2012 (sponsored)
Top Choice For All Hotels: Chase Sapphire Preferred - $500.00 in free hotel/airfare
If you aren't always loyal to the same brand, then this is the best credit card for hotels. It's the only one that lets you transfer points on a 1 for 1 basis to all of the following loyalty programs: IHG Priority Club Rewards (Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Intercontinental, Staybridge Suites, etc), Hyatt Gold Passport, Ritz-Carlton Rewards, and Marriott Rewards. You can also do 1:1 transfers with some frequent flyer programs like United and British Airways.- Special signup bonus: earn 40,000 points (that's up to a $500.00 value!)
- 2x points on travel (which includes hotels) and dining. 1x on everything else.
- Transfer points to partner hotel loyalty programs -OR- use them to book air/hotel thru Chase Ultimate Rewards and get 1.25 cents value per point. (so your bonus of 40,000 points is worth $400.00 as cash back or $500.00 when used for hotel/airfare!)
- Every year you get a 7% points dividend on all the points earned during the previous 12 months.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Annual fee waived for the first year - a $95 value
Top Choice For High-End Hotels: American Express Platinum Card - 25,000 Points Promotion
If you typically stay at premium hotels and want VIP treatment when flying, then the Platinum Card is a must. Why? Because you get $450+ worth of free benefits during each stay at over 700 hotels and resorts worldwide. These perks include (1) room upgrade upon arrival, when available (2) 4:00 pm late checkout (3) daily continental breakfast for two (4) noon early check-in when available (5) additional hotel benefit, such as a dining credit.- 2x Membership Rewards points on travel booked thru AmEx, 1x on all other spending.
- Transfer your points to the following hotel loyalty programs: Best Western Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest, Priority Club Rewards, Hilton HHonors, Choice Privileges, Jumeirah. Or transfer to 15 partner airlines, usually on a 1:1 basis.
- Airport Lounge Access: Delta SkyClub, American Airlines Admirals Club, US Airways Club + Priority Pass Select Membership
- $200 in statement credits every year for airline incidental fees (checked bags, in-flight food, etc)
- $450 in free benefits during each stay at over 700 hotels and resorts
- No foreign transaction fees
Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express
When it comes to co-branded cards, it’s hard to beat what Starwood offers. Aside from offering great benefits at their properties, it is also arguably the best credit card for airline miles. Why? Because it’s the only credit card that allows you to transfer points to over thirty airline frequent flyer programs, almost always on a 1 for 1 conversion.- Among the largest hotel companies in the world. Brands include Sheraton, Westin, W Hotels, Le Meridian, and many others. In total they have over 1,000 properties in almost 100 countries.
- 2 Starpoints per dollar at their properties, 1 Starpoint everywhere else.
- Ranked as the "Best Travel Rewards Card" last year by SmarterTravel.
- $65 annual fee is waived for the first year.
- Special promo offer – earn up to 25,000 points (enough to score you 6 free nights at a category 1 or 2 hotel).
Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card
This is a new version of the Marriott card that Chase launched last year and so far, I’ve heard rave reviews from consumers. Since Marriott is the leading hotel chain with over 3,400 locations worldwide, there will be plenty of places to earn and redeem your points. It only costs 7,500 points for a free night at a category 1 hotel. If you prefer nice, mid-tier properties then this is arguably the best hotel credit card for the co-branded category.- 5x points at Marriott locations, 2x on dining, airline, and rental car purchases, 1x on everything else.
- Receive 1 free night stay upon account approval and each year upon account anniversary.
- Elite Status: Cardmembers achieve Silver elite status with 15 nights credit toward Elite status. Plus earn 1 Elite night credit for every $3,000 spent on your credit card.
- No foreign transaction fees
- $85 annual fee is waived for your first year
Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Signature Card
With more than 3,700 properties worldwide, this is another excellent choice for the co-branded category. Unlike the other hotel rewards credit cards on the list, this one has no annual fee. That means that even if you don't always stay at Hilton, it can still be a great choice for you.- No annual fee – a rare feature for a branded hotel credit card.
- 6 HHonors points per dollar at Hilton’s global portfolio of participating properties.
- 3 HHonors points per dollar at grocery stores, gas stations and drugstores.
- 2 HHonors points per dollar on everything else.
- Automatic HHonors Silver status as long as you have this card.
American Express Blue Sky
Although this is not specifically a hotel/motel credit card, it's another good choice if you want no annual fee and a rewards program that let's you spend points on hotel stays. Since it's an American Express card, you will get benefits like purchase protection, extended warranty, and the Global Assist hotline.- Points are worth 33% more – earn 1 point per dollar spent. For every 7,500 points you get $100 statement credit towards travel (that's like getting 1.33% on all your spending).
- Use points for practically any travel purchase made with the card. For example, redeem 15,000 points to pay for a $200 motel stay.
- Special discounts at travel partners thru the Blue Savings Program.
- Guaranteed room reservations at any hotel booked with the card.
- No annual fee
Discover Escape Card
Not many people know about this hidden gem, which is too bad because it’s one of the best credit cards for travel rewards. You earn 2 miles per dollar spent. Since each mile is good for $0.01 towards any travel purchase, you are essentially earning a 2% rebate on your spending. It also comes jam-packed with various travel insurance benefits.- Unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent.
- Redeem miles at a rate of 1 mile = 1 cent. Simply charge ANY travel purchase to your card and then redeem your miles for a statement credit to offset that purchase (i.e. use 12,400 miles for a $124.00 hotel stay).
- Free primary car rental insurance up to $50,000 with no deductible on eligible vehicles.
- Free travel delay insurance that gives you up to $150 per day to use towards hotel, food, etc. for eligible trip delays.
- Free lost/damaged luggage insurance up to $2,500.
- Free trip cancellation insurance up to $2,500.
- Low annual fee of only $60
The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card
With a $395 annual fee, this hotel rewards card is only for a select few… those who are Ritz-Carlton aficionados. If that describes you, then keep reading! Because this credit card will reap you some seriously lucrative benefits – not just at The Ritz-Carlton, but also for air travel.- 5x points per spent dollar at The Ritz-Carlton, 2x on airline tickets (when purchased directly with the airline), 2x at restaurants, 2x at car rental agencies, and 1x on everything else.
- Lounge Club membership provides access to hundreds of airport lounges worldwide (at 17 airports in the US).
- $100 hotel credit during each 2+ night stay to use for your choice of dining, spa, or other hotel recreational activities.
- $200 annual credit for airline incidental fees, like checked luggage and in-flight meals.
- You can upgrade to The Ritz-Carlton Club Level three times annually and take part in complimentary food and beverage presentations throughout the day.
- The J.P. Morgan Premier Concierge is available by phone 24/7.
- No foreign transaction fees
