What is a hotel credit card?
A hotel credit card is a travel credit card that earns points with a hotel chain, like Hilton or Marriott. If you’re loyal to one hotel brand, a co-branded hotel credit card can reward you for remaining loyal, with perks like free night rewards, elite status, and more.
How do hotel credit cards work?
Hotel credit cards allow you to earn points and rewards, but how much you can earn depends on the hotel’s rewards policy and the type of card you carry. Every dollar you spend can earn points in your card’s hotel loyalty account. You can redeem these points toward hotel-specific perks through the hotel rewards program.
How do hotel rewards programs work?
Hotel rewards programs are a kind of loyalty program offered by a specific hotel or chain. When you earn points with your hotel credit card, you can redeem these points toward perks like room upgrades, free nights, and even credits to use toward the in-room minibar. These available perks vary based on the loyalty program you’re with.
How much are hotel points worth?
Here’s how much hotel points are estimated to be worth with some of the most popular loyalty programs:
| Rewards Program |
Estimated Point Value |
Estimated Value of 20k Points |
| Hilton Honors |
0.6 cents per point |
$120 |
| IHG One Rewards |
0.8 cents per point |
$160 |
| Marriott Bonvoy |
0.8 cents per point |
$160 |
| World of Hyatt |
2.4 cents per point |
$480 |
| Wyndham Rewards |
1.1 cent per point |
$220 |
Benefits of using a hotel card
The benefits a hotel credit card offers can vary from card to card but these are two of the best perks you may be able to get:
Free night rewards
One of the most coveted benefits of a hotel credit card is the ability to earn free nights. Often, this perk rolls around yearly, around your cardmember anniversary. Some cards even offer extra free nights as a part of a new cardholder sign-up bonus after you spend a certain amount within a set time.
Elite status
Many hotel loyalty programs offer complimentary elite status to cardholders. Being an elite member can entitle you to a variety of perks such as room upgrades, bonus rewards on your hotel bookings, complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi, earlier check-in, late check-out, and more.
How to redeem hotel rewards points for a free night
It’s usually a straightforward process to redeem hotel rewards points, and the process tends to be similar between different loyalty programs. Often, redeeming your points for hotel stays gives you the most “bang for your buck.”
Here’s an example of what the process to redeem points may look like:
- Log into your account on the hotel’s app or website
- Enter your travel details and select “reward nights,” “use points,” or something similar to see properties that will let you redeem points to book them.
- Click “select hotel” or something similar to see more information on what rooms they have available and their rates.
- Select the room you want to book and review the reservation details. If your points cover the entire stay, it should note that. If you need to pay additional to cover the rest, it should also note that.
- Book your free night!
How to maximize hotel rewards
1. Sign up for the hotel’s loyalty program
Most hotel credit cards automatically enroll you in their loyalty program, but not all. Make sure you’re signed up to earn extra points on top of what you already get from your card.
2. Book directly
Typically, you get the most rewards points from your hotel card for booking directly with the hotel chain or through your credit card issuer’s travel portal, rather than through a third-party service.
3. Make sure you can earn the sign-up bonus
These bonuses can be worth thousands of hotel points but require you to spend a certain amount in a set time. Plan accordingly when applying for a hotel credit card to ensure you can earn the bonus.
How to choose a hotel credit card
When choosing a hotel credit card, there are a few key factors you’ll want to consider:
1. Pick a hotel chain.
If you regularly stay with a particular hotel, this step may be a no-brainer. If you’re between a few, think about factors like where certain hotels are located.
2. Look at the sign-up bonus.
Many co-branded hotel credit cards offer generous sign-up bonuses to new card members who spend a certain amount in a set time frame. These bonuses can allow you to earn extra points, free night rewards, and more, depending on the card you choose.
3. Evaluate your spending habits.
Some hotel cards only offer elevated rewards earning on purchases made with their chain while others offer rewards for everyday spending, like on dining or grocery purchases. If you spend more in a certain category than another, look for a card that can reward you for those purchases.
4. Consider the benefits and rewards.
Some hotel cards offer benefits like annual free night rewards, hotel elite status, and airport lounge access. Consider the value of these benefits to you and whether you can utilize them.
5. Budget for annual fees.
Some hotel credit cards have no annual fee, while others charge hundreds of dollars. Think about your budget and whether you’ll be able to get enough value from a card to make its annual fee worth it.
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Note: All information for The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card has been collected independently by LA Times Compare. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, please visit this page.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, please visit this page.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, please visit this page.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this page.
