Choose a hotel credit card from the chain you already stay with most, since the free nights and elite status it brings work only at that chain’s hotels. Take a no-fee card if you stay a few nights a year, and pay an annual fee only for a yearly free night, anniversary points, or status you’ll use.
The cards are grouped by chain, each group ordered from the lowest annual fee to the highest, so you can go straight to the chain you use. Elite night credits, which several of these cards add each year, count like nights stayed toward that chain’s higher status levels.
If your stays are spread across several chains, a travel rewards credit card, whose points cover almost any hotel, fits better.
Hilton
Hilton Honors American Express Card
For the occasional Hilton guest who won’t pay an annual fee. It brings Silver status but no yearly free night, and spending $20,000 on the card in a calendar year earns Gold.
- Best for: Travelers who stay at Hilton a few nights a year and don’t want to pay an annual fee
- What Sets It Apart: The only Hilton card from American Express with no annual fee; Hilton Honors Silver status included
- Cost: $0 annual fee; no foreign transaction fees; 19.74% to 28.74% variable APR
- Features: A Free Night Reward and 70,000 points for $2,000 in purchases in 6 months; 7x at Hilton; 5x at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations; 3x on other purchases; Gold status after $20,000 in a calendar year
- Pros: No annual fee; every fifth night free on standard room stays booked entirely with points; welcome Free Night Reward includes resort fees and taxes on the room
- Cons: 3x on other purchases, less than a 2% cash-back card unless each point is worth at least 0.67 cent; no yearly Free Night Reward or elite night credits; Free Night Reward booked by phone and expires in 12 months
For more information, read our full Hilton Honors American Express Card Review.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Hilton regulars get Gold status for a $150 annual fee, plus a free night once they spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year.
- Best for: Hilton guests who stay in at least three of the year’s four quarters
- What Sets It Apart: Up to $200 a year in Hilton credits, $50 per quarter, against a $150 fee; Gold status with the card
- Cost: $150 annual fee; no foreign transaction fee; 19.74% to 28.74% variable APR
- Features: 130,000 points and a Free Night Reward after $3,000 in purchases in 6 months (apply by Jan. 13, 2027); 12x when you pay Hilton directly; 6x at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations; 4x at U.S. online retailers; 3x elsewhere; Free Night Reward at $15,000 and Diamond status at $40,000 in purchases in a calendar year
- Pros: Four quarterly credits exceed the fee by $50; Gold’s daily food and beverage credit at select U.S. brands; free nights include resort fees
- Cons: Credits capped at $50 a quarter; free night takes $15,000 in spending; 3x on other purchases, less than a 2% card unless each point is worth at least 0.67 cent; no elite night credits; welcome offer may be off-limits if you have or had this card
For more information, read our full Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Review.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Frequent Hilton guests who book resorts get Diamond status, a free night every year, and up to $400 a year in credits at participating Hilton resorts, for a $550 annual fee.
- Best for: Frequent Hilton guests who will use the resort credit and spend the free night at a high-end hotel
- What Sets It Apart: Diamond status; a free night every year; up to $400 a year in Hilton resort credits
- Cost: $550 annual fee; no foreign transaction fee; 19.74% to 28.74% variable APR
- Welcome Offer: 200,000 points after $6,000 in purchases in the first six months, through January 13, 2027
- Rewards: 14 points per $1 with Hilton hotels; 7 points per $1 at U.S. restaurants and on flights and car rentals booked directly; 3 points per $1 on other purchases
- Features: Extra free nights at $30,000 and $60,000 in calendar-year spending; free nights expire a year after issue; $200 flight credit; $219 CLEAR+ credit; no night credits toward Diamond Reserve
- Pros: Diamond status with no stays required; free night covers resort fees and room taxes; 14 points per $1 at Hilton
- Cons: Resort credit excludes advance-purchase and nonrefundable rates; unused credits reset every half-year or quarter; 3 points per $1 on everyday spending
For more information, read our full Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card Review.
Marriott
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
The occasional Marriott guest pays no annual fee and gets Silver Elite status plus 5 elite night credits a year toward higher status, though no yearly free night.
- Best for: Occasional Marriott guests who want points and Silver Elite status without an annual fee
- What Sets It Apart: The only Marriott card Chase offers with no annual fee; 2X on groceries, rideshare, food delivery, streaming, and phone and internet bills
- Cost: $0 annual fee; no foreign transaction fees; 19.49% to 27.99% variable APR
- Features: 45,000 bonus points after $1,000 in purchases in 3 months; 3X at Marriott hotels; Silver Elite status; 5 elite night credits a year
- Pros: No annual fee; points worth 0.8 cents each toward airfare or Marriott stays; card use keeps points from expiring
- Cons: No yearly free night; 1X on most purchases; grocery bonus excludes warehouse clubs and discount stores
For more information, read our full Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card Review.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
For a $95 fee, Marriott guests who stay at least once a year get a free night each anniversary at a hotel costing up to 35,000 points, plus 15 elite night credits a year.
- Best for: Travelers who stay at a Marriott hotel at least once a year
- What Sets It Apart: A free night after each account anniversary at a hotel charging up to 35,000 points, which you can top up with up to 25,000 of your own points
- Cost: $95 annual fee; no foreign transaction fee; 19.49% to 27.99% variable APR
- Features: 3 free nights, each at a hotel charging up to 50,000 points after $3,000 in purchases in 3 months; 6x at Marriott hotels; 3x on the first $6,000 a year in combined grocery, gas, and dining purchases; 2x on everything else; Silver Elite status; 15 elite night credits a year
- Pros: 35,000-point anniversary night that covers the fee on any room costing more than $95 in cash; Gold status after 10 nights a year; trip delay and lost luggage coverage
- Cons: Just 2x outside the bonus categories, less than a 2% cash-back card unless each point is worth at least a cent; free night expires after 12 months; resort fees not covered on free-night stays
For more information, read our full Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card Review.
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® Credit Card
Marriott guests who want Gold Elite status get it automatically for a $250 fee, and spending $15,000 on the card in a calendar year adds a free night.
- Best for: Marriott guests who spend $15,000 or more a year, mostly on groceries and dining, and want Gold Elite status
- What Sets It Apart: Automatic Gold Elite status; 4 points per dollar at grocery stores and restaurants on up to $15,000 a year
- Cost: $250 annual fee; 19.49% to 27.99% variable interest rate; no foreign transaction fee
- Features: 85,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months; 6 points per dollar at Marriott hotels; Free Night Award up to 50,000 points after $15,000 in calendar-year spending; 15 elite night credits a year; 1,000 bonus points for each eligible paid stay
- Pros: Gold Elite perks; up to 25,000 of your points can be added to the free night; trip delay and lost luggage coverage
- Cons: Free night requires $15,000 in calendar-year spending, while the $95 Boundless gives one every year; grocery and dining bonus stops at $15,000 a year; elite night credits don’t stack with another Marriott personal card
For more information, read our full Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® Credit Card Review.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Frequent Marriott guests get Platinum Elite status, 25 elite night credits a year, and a free night each year at a hotel costing up to 85,000 points, for a $650 fee.
- Best for: Frequent Marriott guests who will use Platinum Elite perks, a monthly dining credit, and a free night at an expensive hotel
- What Sets It Apart: Platinum Elite status, a tier that otherwise takes 50 nights a year; a yearly free night at hotels costing up to 85,000 points
- Cost: $650 annual fee; no foreign transaction fee; 19.74% to 28.74% variable APR
- Features: 100,000 points after $6,000 in purchases in 6 months; 6X at Marriott Bonvoy hotels; 3X at restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines; 2X elsewhere; a $25 monthly dining credit; 25 Elite Night Credits a year; Priority Pass enrollment
- Pros: Platinum perks without 50 nights of stays; dining credit and free night can cover the fee; up to 25,000 points can be added to the free night; unlimited Priority Pass lounge visits
- Cons: No free night until after the first renewal month; dining credit capped at $25 a month; 2X on everyday purchases, less than a 2% cash back card unless each point is worth at least a cent; free night excludes resort fees
For more information, read our full Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card Review.
Hyatt
World of Hyatt® Credit Card
If Hyatt has hotels where you travel, its $95 card brings Discoverist status and a free night each anniversary at a Category 1 to 4 hotel, the cheaper half of Hyatt’s eight award categories.
- Best for: Travelers who stay at a Hyatt hotel at least one night a year
- What Sets It Apart: A free night after each card anniversary at a Category 1-4 Hyatt
- Cost: $95 annual fee; no foreign transaction fees; 19.49% to 27.99% variable APR
- Features: 4 points per $1 at Hyatt; 2 points per $1 on dining, airfare bought from airlines, local transit and commuting, and gym memberships; Discoverist status; 5 elite night credits a year plus 2 per $5,000 spent; a second free night after $15,000 spent in a calendar year
- Pros: Free night that covers the $95 fee on any room costing more than $95 in cash; resort fees waived on the free night; Discoverist status without 10 nights of stays
- Cons: More than 1,500 Hyatt properties, against 10,000-plus for Marriott; 1 point per $1 on most purchases; free nights not valid at Category 5-8 hotels
For more information, read our full World of Hyatt® Credit Card Review.
IHG
IHG One Rewards Credit Card
With no annual fee, occasional IHG guests get Silver Elite status, 5 elite night credits each year, and Gold Elite once they spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year.
- Best for: Guests who stay at IHG hotels a few nights a year and won’t pay an annual fee
- What Sets It Apart: No annual fee; every fourth night free on stays booked with points, after $5,000 in yearly purchases from 2027; points that don’t expire while you hold the card
- Cost: $0 annual fee; no foreign transaction fees; 19.49% to 27.99% variable APR
- Features: 5 points per $1 at IHG hotels; 3 per $1 at restaurants, gas stations, and grocery stores; 2 per $1 on most other purchases; automatic Silver Elite status; 5 elite night credits a year; Gold Elite and 10,000 points after $15,000 in purchases in a calendar year; trip cancellation coverage up to $5,000 per traveler
- Pros: No annual fee; 3 points per $1 on dining, gas, and groceries; points that don’t expire while you hold the card
- Cons: No anniversary free night; fourth night free takes $5,000 in purchases a year from 2027; 3 points on utilities, internet, phone, and streaming ends after 2026
For more information, read our full IHG One Rewards Credit Card Review.
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
For $150 a year, regular IHG guests get a free night each anniversary at a hotel costing up to 50,000 points, or a pricier one with points added, plus Gold Elite status.
- Best for: Travelers who stay at IHG hotels a few times a year and will use a yearly free night
- What Sets It Apart: Anniversary night at hotels costing up to 50,000 points, with your own points topping up pricier ones; fourth night free on stays booked with points; 15 elite night credits a year
- Cost: $150 annual fee; no foreign transaction fees; 19.49% to 27.99% variable APR
- Features: 10 points per $1 at IHG hotels; 5 per $1 on dining, groceries, gas, car rentals, and flights bought from the airline; 3 per $1 elsewhere; automatic Gold Elite status; $100 yearly airline credit through 2027; up to $100 a year in IHG food and drink vouchers; up to $50 a year in United TravelBank cash; Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit up to $120 every four years
- Pros: Free night that covers the $150 fee on any room costing more than $150 in cash; fourth night free on any number of stays; 5 points per $1 on dining, groceries, and gas
- Cons: Gold status lacks room upgrades and early check-in; Platinum takes $15,000 in purchases in a calendar year; food and drink vouchers expire each quarter
For more information, read our full IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card Review.
Wyndham
Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card
Gold status, free nights that take 10% fewer points, and no annual fee suit the guest who stays at a Wyndham hotel a few nights a year.
- Best for: Guests who stay at Wyndham hotels such as Days Inn and La Quinta fewer than five nights a year and won’t pay an annual fee
- What Sets It Apart: Gold status with no annual fee; 10% fewer points for free nights; 3 points per $1 on gas and EV charging
- Cost: $0 annual fee; 19.49% to 29.99% variable APR; no foreign transaction fees
- Features: Up to 75,000 bonus points (30,000 after $1,000 in purchases in 90 days, 45,000 after $500 at Hotels by Wyndham in 180 days); 5 points per $1 at Hotels by Wyndham; 3 per $1 on dining, grocery stores, gas, and EV charging; Gold status; 10% fewer points for free nights; 7,500 bonus points in a card year with $15,000 in purchases
- Pros: Gold perks like late checkout and 10% bonus points on paid stays; cardmember rate at least 4% off Wyndham’s best public rate; no annual fee
- Cons: Anniversary bonus takes $15,000 in purchases; points expire four years after they post; digital-wallet purchases may earn just 1 point per dollar; online free-night bookings need the full points price in your account
For more information, read our full Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card Review.
Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card
Guests who stay at Wyndham several nights a year get Diamond status for the first year, then Platinum, plus 15,000 bonus points a year, for a $95 annual fee.
- Best for: Drivers who pay for five or more nights a year at Wyndham hotels such as Days Inn and La Quinta
- What Sets It Apart: 15,000 bonus points each card anniversary; 15,000 more after five paid nights at Hotels by Wyndham in a calendar year; 4 points per $1 on gas
- Cost: $95 annual fee; 19.49% to 29.99% variable APR; no foreign transaction fees
- Features: Up to 100,000 bonus points (45,000 after $1,000 in purchases and the annual fee paid in 90 days, 55,000 after $500 at Hotels by Wyndham in 180 days); 6 points per $1 at Hotels by Wyndham; 4 per $1 on dining, grocery stores, and travel; Diamond status for 12 months, then Platinum; 10% fewer points on award nights; up to $50 a year in meal delivery credits
- Pros: Two yearly 15,000-point bonuses for a guest with five paid nights; Platinum perks like early check-in and late checkout; no foreign transaction fees
- Cons: No nights counted toward earning higher status; 15,000 points don’t cover 30,000- and 45,000-point hotels; points expire four years after they post; phone-wallet purchases may earn just 1 point per dollar
For more information, read our full Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card Review.
Wyndham Rewards Earner® Premier Card
Wyndham’s $395 card brings frequent guests Diamond status, 30,000 bonus points a year, and free nights that take 25% fewer points.
- Best for: Guests who book five or more Wyndham nights a year with the card and want Diamond status that lasts
- What Sets It Apart: Diamond status while the account stays open and in good standing; 30,000 bonus points each card anniversary; 30,000 more for five nights a year booked and paid with the card at Hotels by Wyndham
- Cost: $395 annual fee; 19.49% to 29.99% variable APR; no foreign transaction fees
- Features: Up to 120,000 bonus points (90,000 after $6,000 in purchases and the annual fee paid in 120 days, 30,000 after $750 at Hotels by Wyndham in 180 days); 8 points per $1 at Hotels by Wyndham; 4 per $1 on dining, grocery stores, and travel; 25% fewer points on free nights; up to $385 a year in credits for select Wyndham hotels, meal delivery, streaming, and a warehouse club membership
- Pros: Diamond status without 40 qualifying nights; 30,000 more bonus points a year than the Earner Plus for a guest who books five nights with the card; points don’t expire while the account stays open and in good standing
- Cons: $100 hotel credit limited to 5 of Wyndham’s 25 brands; meal delivery credit capped at $10 a month; nights booked through travel sites other than Wyndham’s don’t count toward the five-night bonus; phone-wallet purchases may earn just 1 point per dollar
For more information, read our full Wyndham Rewards Earner® Premier Card Review.
Choice Hotels
Choice Privileges® Mastercard®
Road-trippers who stop at Choice hotels now and then get Gold Elite status with no annual fee, plus 10 nights a year credited toward higher status.
- Best for: Road-trippers who stay at Choice Hotels brands a few nights a year
- What Sets It Apart: Automatic Gold Elite status and 10 nights a year credited toward Choice status, with no annual fee
- Cost: $0 annual fee; no foreign transaction fee; 19.99%, 24.74%, or 28.74% variable interest rate
- Features: 5 points per dollar at Choice hotels booked direct; 3 points on gas, groceries, home improvement, and phone plans; 1 point elsewhere; 60,000 bonus points after $1,000 in 3 months; cell phone protection up to $800
- Pros: No annual fee; Gold status keeps points from expiring; Platinum status five nights away
- Cons: No anniversary bonus; 1 point per dollar elsewhere; points redeem only through Choice
For more information, read our full Choice Privileges® Mastercard® Review.
Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard®
Choice guests who stay often get Platinum Elite status and 30,000 bonus points each account anniversary for a $95 annual fee.
- Best for: Guests who stay at Choice Hotels brands on regular trips and spend their points on reward nights
- What Sets It Apart: 30,000 bonus points each account anniversary and automatic Platinum Elite status, with 20 nights a year credited toward Choice status
- Cost: $95 annual fee; no foreign transaction fee; 19.74%, 25.49%, or 28.49% variable interest rate
- Features: 10 points per dollar on stays booked with Choice; 5 points on gas, groceries, home improvement, and phone plans; 1 point elsewhere; 60,000 bonus points after $3,000 in 3 months; up to $120 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every 4 years; cell phone protection up to $800
- Pros: Anniversary points worth two nights at a 15,000-point hotel; Platinum adds 25% to the points stays earn; Diamond status 15 nights away
- Cons: $95 annual fee; mobile wallet purchases may not earn bonus points; Platinum’s other perks also come with Gold
For more information, read our full Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® Review.
Best Western
Best Western Rewards® Visa Signature® Card
Drivers who stop at Best Western a few times a year get Gold Elite status with no annual fee, plus 10,000 bonus points in each card year they spend $5,000 on the card.
- Best for: Road-trippers who stay at Best Western several times a year
- What Sets It Apart: Automatic Gold Elite status; 10,000 anniversary points after $5,000 in card-year spending; no annual fee
- Cost: $0 annual fee; no foreign transaction fee; 25.99% to 29.99% APR
- Features: 4 points per $1 at Best Western hotels booked direct; 2 points per $1 on everything else; 10,000 to 40,000-point welcome bonus; cell phone protection up to $800 per claim
- Pros: No annual fee; points never expire; Gold status without five qualifying nights
- Cons: Points worth half a cent each through Pay with Points; no anniversary free night; no nights toward higher status
For more information, read our full Best Western Rewards® Visa Signature® Card Review.
Best Western Rewards® Premium Visa Signature® Card
Regular Best Western guests get Platinum Elite status and a free night award each card year for an $89 fee, with a second once they spend $10,000 on the card that year.
- Best for: Guests who stay at a Best Western at least one night a year
- What Sets It Apart: A free night award after each card anniversary and a second after $10,000 in card-year spending; automatic Platinum Elite status
- Cost: $89 annual fee; no foreign transaction fee; 25.99% to 29.99% APR
- Features: 10 points per $1 at Best Western hotels; 4 points per $1 at gas stations and grocery stores; 2 points per $1 on everything else; 20,000 to 80,000-point welcome bonus
- Pros: Award nights good at any Best Western-branded hotel in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean; anniversary night needs no spending; Platinum without seven qualifying nights
- Cons: Second free night takes $10,000 in spending; award nights expire after a year; points worth half a cent each through Pay with Points
For more information, read our full Best Western Rewards® Premium Visa Signature® Card Review.
Within each chain here, a higher annual fee brings higher status, anniversary points, a yearly free night, or a mix of them. Occasional guests need only their chain’s lowest-fee card, and paying more is worth it only if you’d use that status, spend those points, or book that free night every year.
Editorial & Advertiser Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided, commissioned, reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser. Opinions expressed here are ours alone, not those of any advertiser. The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. That compensation may influence which products we cover and where and how they appear on a page – including the order in which they appear – but it does not influence our evaluations, ratings, or opinions. We do not include every company or offer available in the marketplace.
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