Travel credit cards can unlock thousands of dollars in free flights, hotel stays, and exclusive perks, but only if you choose the right one. With so many options and rewards available, it can be difficult to choose the best option for your travel habits. It depends on how often you travel, which types of rewards you value most, and whether you prefer flexibility or loyalty to a specific brand.
In this guide:
Hotel vs. Travel Credit Cards
Hotel Credit Cards
Hotel vs. Travel Credit Cards
A hotel credit card is a rewards card connected to a specific hotel chain, such as Marriott, Hilton, or Hyatt. Cardholders earn points mainly for hotel stays and related purchases, like dining or spa services at that brand’s properties. Points can be redeemed for free nights, room upgrades and other perks within the same hotel group.
A travel credit card is a more flexible reward scheme that earns points or miles for a wider range of travel-related spending, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and sometimes even dining. The rewards can be redeemed for travel purchases, transferred to airline or hotel partners, or used as statement credits.
Hotel Credit Cards
What to Look for in a Good Hotel Credit Card
A hotel credit card is most worthwhile when it has strong rewards on stays, such as bonus points or free nights, and perks that make a genuine difference to each visit. Benefits like free night certificates, elite status upgrades, late checkout, and complimentary breakfast can add practical value.
Many cards include travel or hotel credits that help offset the annual fee. The best ones make it easy to redeem points with few blackout dates and deliver consistent, good value per point.
5 Top-Rated Hotel Cards
| Card Name | Annual Fee | Welcome Bonus | Minimum Spend |
| Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card | $95 | 125,000 Bonus Points | $3,000 in 3 months |
| Hilton Honors American Express Card | $0 | 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points | $2,000 in 6 months |
| World of Hyatt Credit Card | $95 | Up to 60,000 Bonus Points | $3,000 in 3 months |
| IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card | $99 | 140,000 Bonus Points + Free Night Certificate | $3,000 in 3 months |
| Hilton Honors American Express Business Card | $195 | 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points | $8,000 in 6 months |
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $95
- Welcome Bonus: 125,000 Bonus Points
- Minimum Spend: $3,000 in 3 months
- Key Benefits: Earn up to 17X points at Marriott hotels, automatic Silver Elite Status, 15 Elite Night Credits annually, and a Free Night Award each year.
Hilton Honors American Express Card
- Annual Fee: $0
- Welcome Bonus: 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points
- Minimum Spend: $2,000 in 6 months
- Key Benefits: Earn 7X points at Hilton hotels, complimentary Hilton Honors Silver Status, and no annual fee.
World of Hyatt Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $95
- Welcome Bonus: Up to 60,000 Bonus Points
- Minimum Spend: $3,000 in 3 months
- Key Benefits: Earn up to 9X points at Hyatt hotels, one free night every year, and automatic Discoverist status.
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $99
- Welcome Bonus: 140,000 Bonus Points + Free Night Certificate
- Minimum Spend: $3,000 in 3 months
- Key Benefits: Up to 26X points at IHG hotels, free night certificate each year, Platinum Elite status, and up to $50 in United TravelBank Cash annually.
Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
- Annual Fee: $195
- Welcome Bonus: 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points
- Minimum Spend: $8,000 in 6 months
- Key Benefits: Earn 12X points on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels, complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status, up to $240 in annual Hilton credits, and no foreign transaction fees.
Hotel Cards: Trade-Offs & Things to Check
When considering a hotel rewards card, think about whether the chain has properties where you actually travel. Points aren’t very useful if there are no convenient locations. Consider also whether you’ll be able to use the elite status benefits. If you rarely stay with the brand, perks like free breakfast or room upgrades may go to waste.
Compare the value of credits, free nights, and other perks to the annual fee to make sure you’re getting more out of the card than you’re paying. Keep in mind the redemption value of points. Some chains frequently devalue points or make it hard to book their best rooms using rewards.
Travel Cards
What to Look for in a Great Travel Card
The best travel credit cards balance strong rewards and practical perks. They’ll offer high earning rates on travel spending, with bonus points or miles for categories like dining and airfare. Flexibility is key, with points that can be transferred to airline or hotel partners or redeemed through travel portals.
Top cards also include extra travel benefits such as airport lounge access, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credits, travel insurance, and free checked bags. The annual fee should ultimately be offset by credits or rewards.
5 Top-Rated Travel Cards
| Card Name | Annual Fee | Welcome Bonus | Minimum Spend |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | $95 | 75,000 points | $5,000 in 3 months |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | $395 | 75,000 miles | $4,000 in 3 months |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | $795 | 125,000 points | $6,000 in 3 months |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | $895 | Up to 175,000 points (varies by applicant) | $8,000 in 6 months |
| Citi Strata Premier® Card | $95 | 60,000 points | $4,000 in 3 months |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Annual Fee: $95
- Welcome Bonus: 75,000 points.
- Minimum Spend: $5,000 in 3 months.
- Benefits: 2X points on travel and dining, 25% more value when redeeming points through Chase Ultimate Rewards, trip cancellation insurance, and no foreign transaction fees.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $395
- Welcome Bonus: 75,000 miles.
- Minimum Spend: $4,000 in 3 months.
- Key Benefits: 10X miles on hotels and rental cars when booked through Capital One Travel. $300 annual travel credit. 2X miles on all other purchases. Priority Pass + Capital One lounge access included.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Annual Fee: $795
- Welcome Bonus: 125,000 points.
- Minimum Spend: $6,000 in 3 months.
- Key Benefits: 3X points on travel and dining, 50% more value when redeeming through Chase Ultimate Rewards, airport lounge access, travel insurance, and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Annual Fee: $895
- Welcome Bonus: Up to 175,000 points (varies by applicant).
- Minimum Spend: $8,000 in 6 months.
- Key Benefits: 5X points on flights booked directly, 5X points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com, access to Centurion and Priority Pass lounges, travel insurance, and $200 airline fee credit.
Citi Strata Premier® Card
- Annual Fee: $95.
- Welcome Bonus: 60,000 points.
- Minimum Spend: $4,000 in 3 months.
- Key Benefits: 10X on hotels, cars, attractions via Citi Travel, and 3X on air travel, dining, supermarkets, gas/EV charging.
Travel Cards: Trade-Offs & Things to Check
Premium credit cards often come with high annual fees, so it’s important to make sure you’ll actually use the perks enough to justify the cost. The value of these perks (airport lounge access, hotel status, statement credits) depends on how much you take advantage of them.
Rewards points or miles are only worthwhile if you can redeem them effectively, and cards with flexible transfer partners usually offer the most options. If you travel internationally, consider whether the card charges foreign transaction fees, since cards without them are far more convenient.
Hotel and Travel Card FAQs
What’s the main difference between a hotel credit card and a travel credit card?
A hotel credit card is tied to a specific hotel brand and rewards you for stays and purchases within that chain. A travel credit card earns flexible points or miles that can be redeemed across multiple travel types, including flights, hotels, and car rentals.
Can I use hotel credit card points for flights or other travel?
Usually, no. Hotel points are best redeemed for free nights or upgrades within that hotel chain. Some programs allow point transfers to airlines, but the exchange rate is typically poor.
Are travel credit card points more flexible than hotel points?
Yes. Travel cards let you transfer points to multiple airline or hotel partners or redeem them directly for travel purchases.
Is it worth having both a hotel and a travel credit card?
Sometimes. Many travelers pair a flexible travel card (for flights, dining, and general travel) with a hotel card for stays.
Which travel credit card gives the best overall value?
The best travel credit cards with moderate annual fees often balance rewards, versatility and perks, while premium cards offer stronger travel benefits for frequent travelers who can use credits and lounge access.
Which hotel credit card offers the best benefits?
Cards that provide elite status, annual free nights, and travel credits tend to offer the most value. Mid-tier cards can still provide strong redemption rates and useful perks.
Are high-annual-fee travel cards worth it?
They can be, if you travel enough to use the credits, lounge access and insurance benefits. For frequent travelers, these perks should outweigh the cost of the fee.
How do I choose between a travel and a hotel credit card?
If you’re loyal to one hotel chain and value status, upgrades, and free nights, choose a hotel card. If you prefer flexibility with airlines and hotels, go with a general travel card.
