You know what’s the best part of a vacation (or a business trip, for that matter)? To chill in your hotel room while watching TV in your favorite pajamas. The place we stay at decides our mood for the rest of the trip.
A hotel credit card is that miraculous piece of plastic that can help you score free stays, late checkouts, complimentary lunches- the possibilities are endless. You can’t pick ‘em all though, after all, it is a credit card.
Read more: What’s the Best Airline Credit Card 2019?
No matter how nice a hotel is, it’s not home it’s going to feel like home when you swipe any of these five best hotel credit cards on the front desk!
The Five Best Hotel Credit Cards of 2019
1. Capital One Venture Rewards Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Card
14.74% - 24.74%
Est. APR*Good
Credit Score$0 to $95
Annual FeeNo credit card comes close to this one if we talk about earning easy points and redeeming them at our own convenience. The Capital One Venture Rewards is simply the best Hotel credit card in the business, and that’s why it takes the #1 spot.
Offering 2x miles for every dollar you spend, it is a great choice for freaky travelers and their wanderlust cravings. If you book through Hotels.com, returns go up to 10x miles per dollar (this offer is valid through January 1st, 2020). Let’s delve into the specifics:
- APR: 14.74% – 24.74% Variable
- Annual Fees: $0 through the first year, then $95
- Foreign transaction fee: $0
- Bonus Offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles on purchases worth $5,000 within the first three months
What’s Hot
- Swipe everywhere: This hotel credit card is best in the biz because it can be swiped at any hotel chain. Perks of not being chain specific, shall we say!
- Flexible Rewards Structure: Redeem any number of miles for credit, at any time you want.
- Sign-up bonus along with 10x miles per dollar every time you book through Hotels.com
…& What’s Not
- Chain Specific? Not! If you’re one of those who loves to check in a particular hotel chain, a co-branded hotel credit card might be a better option.
- Not the best in Points Transfer. You can transfer points, but you won’t get more than one cent for every mile that you transfer.
Our Review
Looking for the best hotel credit card that offers you rewards wherever you stay? Capital One Venture Rewards might do the trick for you. If you’re a fan of one specific hotel chain though, you can check out co-branded cards.
2. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
17.99% - 24.99%
Est. APR*Good
Credit Score$0 to $95
Annual FeeBelieve us when we say that this piece of plastic metal is even better than it looks. The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card comes with a truckload of rewards and the perks it offers make it hard to miss, hence the #2 spot.
This card is of great use during travels and feasts, offering two points for every dollar spent on travel and dining. A notable factor is that you get one point per dollar on anything else you swipe the card for. As for particulars, have a look:
- APR: 17.99% – 24.99% Variable
- Annual Fees: $0 through the first year, then $95
- Foreign transaction fee: $0
- Bonus Offer: Pocket 50,000 bonus points on the purchase of $4,000 in first three months
What’s Hot
- Bonus, Bonus: No matter where you swipe, you get a point per dollar (or two in case of travel & dining).
- Swipe where you what: You can swipe this card at any hotel you check into and redeem rewards without a hassle.
- It’s Cool, it’s Metal! The card is not your regular plastic, its slick and it’s metal. Feel the class in your hand!
…& What’s Not
- Chain Specific? Not (Again!) Yes, this one’s not chain-specific too, but one good thing that Chase Sapphire presents to you is points transfer. You can transfer points at 1:1 rate to co-branded cards’ loyalty programs.
Our Review
If you’re a fan of trying out new hotel chains in order to ‘taste the best’, Chase Sapphire is the best hotel credit card for you. Not only will you get points on almost everything, but you can also transfer points to a chain-specific card if you develop a distinct taste. The metallic card is worth drooling upon.
3. Starwood Preferred Guest Card
Starwood Preferred Guest Card
17.74% - 26.74%
Est. APR*Good
Credit Score$0 to $95
Annual FeeIf you’re one of those people who travel regularly and love staying at Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) and Marriott chains of hotels, the best hotel credit card has to be this one. The SPG American Express card does what it says.
The best part is that it brings a suitcase full of offers and bonuses with it. But mind it when we say that this plastic is a best hotel credit card if you are a frequent traveler. Sporting features like a free night’s stay and complimentary Wi-Fi, SPG is really efficient.
- APR: 17.74% – 26.74% Variable
- Annual Fees: $0 through the first year, then $95
- Foreign transaction fee: $0
- Bonus Offer: Bag 75,000 bonus points on the purchase of $3,000 in the first three months
What’s Hot
- Splendid Rewards Rate: 6 points per dollar at Marriott and SPG; 3 points per dollar at any US restaurant; 2 points per dollar on anything else
- Free Night-stays: You get a free night stay on account anniversary in properties that cost up to 50,000 points
- Free Wi-Fi: Yes, unlimited free Wi-Fi on up to 4 devices all over the world, courtesy of Boingo’s omnipresent Wi-Fi hotspots.
…& What’s Not
- This One’s Chain Specific: You won’t be able to make the most of SPG reward points outside Marriott’s realms. As much as 3 points per dollar sound lucrative, it could’ve been better.
- Credit Score? Oof! Boy, required credit score is high and you don’t want to wake a monster that you can’t fight.
- It’s not for you if you don’t travel frequently: The fee structure is normal, but rewards take time to add up. If you don’t travel frequently, then it’s not the best choice.
Our Review
Travelling frequently? SPG’s card might be the best hotel credit card for you. The rewards rate and free Wi-Fi hits millennials at a sweet spot. If you don’t tour often, stay away from SPG. The rewards are too good for sporadic hotel-crashers.
4. Marriott Rewards Premier Plus Card
Marriott Rewards Premier Plus Card
17.99% - 24.99%
Est. APR*Good
Credit Score$0 to $95
Annual FeeWhen it comes to best hotel chains, Marriott strikes a bell. Same goes for the best hotel credit card. The Marriott Rewards Premier card is chain specific yet can be used at multiple hotel chains. Just like the SPG, you earn a free night on your account anniversary.
The bonus offers are similar to the SPG as well! If your account is in good standing, a free night can be yours on your anniversary. Point structure is similar too. It’s just that rates are distinctive and this card has ‘Marriott’ written on it. Look in the details and compare for yourself:
- APR: 17.99% – 24.99% Variable
- Annual Fees: $0 in the first year, then $95
- Foreign transaction fee: $0
- Bonus Offer: Get 2 free nights (each valued at 35,000 points) after the purchase of $3,000 in first three months
What’s Hot
- Superb Rewards Rate: 6 points per dollar at partner Marriott and SPG hotels; 2 points per dollar on anything else
- Free Night-stays: Not one, but TWO free nights after $3,000 purchases in first three months
- Lots of Options: Now that Marriott owns Starwood, it’s nothing less than music to travelers’ ears. Earn and redeem at 2,500 hotels around the globe
…& What’s Not
- Cents on the Dollar (really) Marriott points are worth no more than one cent each. Boy, that’s low if you compare with the others.
- Flexible? Not much! Card usage is still very much restricted to Marriott front desks and Starwood receptions.
Our Review
Marriott fanatic? This is the best hotel credit card for you. The annual fee is compensated with its global coverage across the map. You can cash in the points at many places, but the usage is still restricted to Marriott and SPG. Go for it if you’re a Marriott fanboy, find a generic hotel credit card if you aren’t.
5. IHG Rewards Club Premier Card
IHG Rewards Club Premier Card
17.99% - 24.99%
Est. APR*Good
Credit Score89$
Annual FeeQuestion- How did the IHG Rewards Club Premier card secure #5 spot in the list of best hotel credit cards? Answer- The InterContinental Hotel Group is awesome in itself and this card makes your stay even better.
If you’re a fan of staying at IHG’s exclusive range of luxurious suites and hotels, this credit card is a must have. From free nights to an enticing reward structure, everything is sunshine and rainbows for IHG customers.
- APR: 17.99% – 24.99%Variable
- Annual Fees: $89
- Foreign transaction fee: $0
- Bonus Offer: Get 80,000 bonus points after the purchase of $2,000 in the first three months
What’s Hot
- Decent Rewards: 10 points per dollar on staying at IHG; 2 points per dollar on gas, groceries, and dining; 1 point per dollar on everything else
- Spend the Night for free at IHG: Once on your account anniversary, and once when you redeem points and stay for 4 nights.
- Platinum Elite Perks: Get room upgrades, free Wi-Fi, late check-in/check-out privileges and exclusive room rates
…& What’s Not
- As Good as Plastic everywhere else when it comes to rewards. The only place you can cash and redeem rewards is IHG.
- Annual Fee? Ugh! An $89 is only worth it if you stay at IHG’s places frequently.
Our Review
If you love to crash in an IHG hotel and live life King sized every now and then, IHG Rewards Premier card is worth looking into. But there are lots of better Hotel credit cards out there.
There we have it- Top Five Best Hotel credit cards that can bless your stay-cation and take it to levels beyond comfort.
There is only one boss, after all, The Guest. These Hotel credit cards will make sure that you, the guest, can earn rewards and reap what you sow in times to come.
