Hear from our editors: Best hotel credit cards of May 2026
Updated April 30, 2026
This date may not reflect recent changes in individual terms.
Editorial Note: Intuit Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our third-party advertisers don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. Information about financial products not offered on Credit Karma is collected independently. Our content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.
Written by: Tim Devaney
Edited by: David Heiling, Editorial Lead, Auto & Insurance
The best hotel credit cards help you save money with free nights and bonus points that help to outweigh the cost of the annual fee.
Their loyalty programs could also make your stay more comfortable with complimentary room upgrades, late checkouts, lounge access, breakfast and other status benefits.
Let’s take a look at the best hotel credit cards of 2026.
- Best for rewards points: Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
- Best for no annual fee: Hilton Honors American Express Card
- Best for elite status: American Express Platinum Card®
- Best for hotel variety: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Best for free nights: World Of Hyatt Credit Card
- Best for a more comfortable stay: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- Best for road trips: Wyndham Rewards® Earner℠ Card
- Best for business trips: Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
Best for rewards points: Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Here’s why: The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card offers so many points you’ll be on your way to earning a free night in no time, which could easily offset the annual fee.
See how the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card compares to other Hilton cards.
Best for no annual fee: Hilton Honors American Express Card
Here’s why: The Hilton Honors American Express Card is a great choice for budget travelers who don’t want to pay an annual fee, but still want to earn rewards when they stay at Hilton every now and then.
Learn more in reviews of the Hilton Honors American Express Card.
Best for elite status: American Express Platinum Card®
Here’s why: The American Express Platinum Card® comes with complimentary status at both Hilton and Marriott hotels (enrollment required). Just make sure you’re using enough of the other perks and benefits to make up for the expensive annual fee.
Check out reviews of the American Express Platinum Card® for more details.
Best for hotel variety: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Here’s why: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® features an annual travel credit that’s flexible enough to be used at any hotel. Of course, it also comes with an expensive annual fee, so make sure you’ll get enough value from the other benefits and perks to make the card worth it.
Learn more from reviews of the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Best for free nights: World Of Hyatt Credit Card
Here’s why: The World Of Hyatt Credit Card gives you a free night at a mid-tier property each year after your cardmember anniversary, which should offset the relatively affordable annual fee. Plus, you could earn a second free night with additional spend.
Read reviews of the World Of Hyatt Credit Card.
Best for a more comfortable stay: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Here’s why: The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card gives the most loyal Hilton guests a way to treat themselves to a more luxurious experience. Between the free night you can redeem at luxurious hotels, travel credits and automatic Diamond status, you should have no problem offsetting the annual fee.
Read our review of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card to learn more.
Best for road trips: Wyndham Rewards® Earner℠ Card
Here’s why: If you’ve been driving all day and are looking for a place to get some rest, the Wyndham Rewards® Earner℠ Card offers a great rewards rate at a variety of budget-friendly hotels. Plus, you’ll earn the same great rate when you fill up your tank at the gas station. With no annual fee, this card could make sense on your next road trip.
See how the Wyndham Rewards® Earner℠ Card compares to other Wyndham cards.
Best for business trips: Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
Here’s why: The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card could be a great choice on your next business trip. Not only will you receive a free night award each year after your account anniversary, but you’ll also score a discount on paid stays — both of which should outweigh the annual fee.
Read reviews of the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card.
How we picked these cards
To find the best hotel credit cards, we looked at both hotel-branded credit cards and generic travel cards that feature hotel perks.
It’s important to recognize that no hotel card is best for everyone. To fit a variety of needs, we tried to provide a range of hotel cards that appeal to all sorts of travelers, from those who are on a budget to those who want a more-luxurious experience or who are traveling on business.
How to choose the best hotel credit card for you
Choosing the best hotel credit card starts with your travel habits and preferred brands. If you usually stay with the same chain — like Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt or Wyndham — a co-branded card can deliver value through bonus points, free nights and automatic elite status at that brand.
If you hop between different hotels, a general travel rewards card that offers strong earning rates on travel and flexible redemptions may be a better fit.
When considering a card, run the numbers: Estimate how much value you’d realistically get per year from perks like free nights, statement credits, late checkout and free breakfast. Then compare that total to the card’s annual fee. If the perks are worth more than the fee and you travel enough to use them, the card may be worthwhile.
FAQs about hotel credit cards
A hotel credit card is a special type of travel rewards card. The credit card issuer (like American Express, Chase or Barclays) partners with a hotel company to create what’s known as a “co-branded” credit card.
In most cases, credit card issuers don’t specify their credit score requirements. What we can tell you is that the better your credit, the more likely you are to be approved for a hotel credit card.
With some cards, when you use points to book a five-night stay with a fifth-night-free perk, you only have to spend enough points to cover the first four nights. To maximize this benefit, consider booking award stays in five-night increments so you don’t leave a free night unused.
