If you frequently travel and stay at hotels then you should consider signing up for a co-branded hotel credit card! Hotel credit cards are specialized co-branded cards that offer rewards and perks with a specific hotel brand or set brands.
Keep in mind that most co-branded card only lets you redeem the rewards you earn within the hotel chain you chose, however, consider a general travel credit card if you want flexible rewards that you can either transfer to select hotel rewards programs or use to book any hotel property.
Continue reading below to learn more about popular co-branded and general travel credit cards.
Best Hotel Credit Cards Summary
American Express® Green Card | Best overall card for travel |
The Platinum Card® From American Express | Best card for luxury hotels |
Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Best premium card for earning |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Best mid-tier card for earning |
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card | Best overall Marriott card |
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card | Best low-cost Marriott card |
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card | Best overall Hilton card |
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card | Best low-cost Hilton card |
IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card | Best overall IHG card |
Hotel Credit Card Features
As you consider the options we’ve listed, think about what benefits you’re looking for in a hotel credit card, as well as the value you may get from having added the flexibility of a general rewards program versus a hotel loyalty program.
Also checkout the following:
- Welcome bonus
- Earning potential
- Elite status perks
- Recurring benefits
- Category bonuses
- Spend bonuses
The Best Hotel Credit Cards of 2020
The American Express® Green Card is the best overall card for travel with 30k welcome bonus points – worth $600 in value – and triple points on travel worldwide. See what you can do with these points from our guide to American Express Membership Rewards®.
The Platinum Card® from American Express is the best card for luxury hotels with 60k welcome bonus points – worth $1,200 in value – and 5x points on prepaid hotel bookings via Amex Travel. You’ll also get automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold and Hilton Honors Gold status. Check out our guide to American Express Membership Rewards® to find out what else you can do with these bonus points.
![]() The Platinum Card® from American Express offers 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. You'll earn: • 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. • 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts(R) or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card(R). The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay. • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required. • With American Express Global Lounge Collection you can enjoy access to over 1,400 airport lounges globally, including The Centurion Lounge, Unlimited Delta Sky Club® Access when flying an eligible Delta flight, Escape Lounges, Lufthansa Lounges when flying Lufthansa Group, Plaza Premium, Priority Pass Select Lounges, & Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges subject to visit limitations. Lounges may have their own rules, like additional access rules and guest fees, and for Priority Pass Select, you need to enroll and there are unlimited airport lounge visits for Card Members. With Delta Sky Club Access, Card Members will receive 10 Visits to the Delta Sky Club to be used from February 1 until January 31 of the next calendar year and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access by spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on their Card in a calendar year. To find a lounge, visit the membership section in the American Express App or visit http://www.americanexpress.com/findalounge#/loungefinder. • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month. • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card. • $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues. • Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost. • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required. This card comes with a $695 annual fee.¤ (See Rates & Fees), but you cardholders can enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member and Additional Centurion Cards only. Terms Apply. Terms Apply. |
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the best premium card for earning on hotel spending with 50k welcome bonus points – worth $1,000 in value – and triple points on travel. You’ll also get $300 in travel credit every year.
![]() The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase TravelSM. You'll earn • 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. • 3x points on other travel and dining • 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel. This card does carry a $550 annual fee and there are no foreign transaction fees. However, you're able to earn a $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year & up to $120 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre?®. Member FDIC |
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best mid-tier card for earning on hotel spending with 80k welcome bonus points – worth $1,600 in value – and double points on travel.
![]() The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. You'll earn: • 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM • 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 • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027. Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase TravelSM This card carries a $95 annual fee. |
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card is the best overall card for Marriott hotels with 125k welcome bonus points – worth $1,125 in value – and 6x points on Marriott spending. You’ll also get automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold status, 15 Elite Night Credits every year, a $300 annual Marriott Bonvoy statement credit, a $100 annual Marriott Bonvoy property credit and one Free Night Award each year.
![]() The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Each Card renewal year, get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide. With this card, you'll earn: • 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. • 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. • 2X points on all other eligible purchases. • $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide. A Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member will 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. Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck. $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card. Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees. This card comes with a $650 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. (See Rates & Fees) Furthermore, enjoy unlimited airport lounge visits when you enroll in Priority Pass Select membership. Terms Apply. (See Rates & Fees) |
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card is the best low-cost card for Marriott hotels with a generous welcome bonus and high earning rate on Marriott spending. You’ll also get automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver status, 15 Elite Night Credits every year, and one Free Night Award each year.
![]() The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card offers 100,000 bonus points plus $150 Statement Credit after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. You'll earn: • Up to 17X total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy • 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining. • 2X points for every $1 spent on all other purchase • 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend. You gain an automatic Silver Elite Status each account anniversary year. Path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each account year. You'll receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year & an additional Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary. This card does carry a $95 fee; there are no foreign transaction fees. |
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is the best overall card for Hilton hotels with 150k welcome bonus points – worth $900 in value – and 14x points on Hilton spending. You’ll also get automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status and a $250 annual Hilton resort credit.
![]() The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card offers 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points when you spend $6,000 in purchases on the card within your first 6 months of card membership. Offer ends 1/8/2025. Plus, enjoy a free Weekend Night Reward within your first year and every year after renewal. You're able to earn: • 14X Hilton Bonus Points when you make eligible purchases on your Card at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton Portfolio; • 7X Bonus Points for eligible purchases: on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies & at U.S. restaurants. • 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card. This card does come with a $550 annual fee, however, you get $200 Airline Fee Credit ($50 statement credits per quarter) and $400 Hilton Resort Credit ($200 every 6 months/semi-annually). In addition, you can benefit with a complimentary Diamond status with your Hilton Honors Aspire Card. Terms Apply. |
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is the best low-cost card for Hilton hotels with 150k welcome bonus points – worth $900 in value – and 12x points on Hilton spending. You’ll also get automatic Hilton Honors Gold status.
![]() The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card offers 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass(R) Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 4/29/2025. Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card. That's up to $200 in statement credits annually. You'll earn: • Get up to $200 back each year on eligible Hilton purchases after you use your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card. • Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio. • Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations. • Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases. • Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card. Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status with your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card. Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn Hilton Honors Diamond Status through the end of the next calendar year. This card does carry a $150 annual fee & no foreign transaction fees. (See Rates & Fees) Terms Apply. |
The IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card is the best overall card for IHG hotels with 140k welcome bonus points – worth $700 in value – and 25x points on IHG spending. You’ll also get automatic IHG Platinum Elite status, one free night each card membership anniversary and your fourth reward night free.
![]() The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. You'll earn: • Up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts • 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants. • 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases This card offers several perks that you'll sure enjoy like: an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts (plus, enjoy a reward night when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG hotel stay) And as long as you're a cardmember, you'll have Platinum Elite status. You'll get Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 ($120 starting 10/1/24) every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card. There is an annual fee of $99. |
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Bottom Line
Make sure that you know the difference between co-branded and general travel rewards credit cards when looking for one that best fits your needs! Usually, co-branded credit cards offer extra benefits when used in specific hotel chains, whereas general travel rewards credit cards offer consistent rewards across all applicable hotels!
Consider applying for a co-branded credit card if you regularly frequent one hotel chain over others, or if a certain chain is significantly more popular in the areas where you travel! However if you don’t stick to a single hotel chain, consider a card that earns transferable points, like the Amex Green Card or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
For more credit cards, see our latest list of the best credit card bonuses!
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