Best hotel credit cards of December 2023

In short, everyone. This is a great card for rewards newbies and points pros alike thanks to the excellent value you can reap from the Chase Ultimate Rewards points this card earns — whether it’s by redeeming them for travel at 1.25 cents apiece through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards portal or transferring them to the program’s airline and hotel partners, such as United and Hyatt. Its travel protections, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance and trip delay reimbursement, are also excellent reasons to use it to pay for travel.

“The Chase Sapphire Preferred has remained a top card in my wallet for years. Between the consistently strong sign-up bonus, low annual fee and continual improvements that have been made over the years, it's hard for any other mid-tier rewards card to compare.” — Madison Blancaflor, senior content operations editor

If Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of your main loyalty programs and you feel like graduating to a new level of luxury, think about the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Although its annual fee is higher, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers perks including up to $300 in annual travel statement credits, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit (worth up to $100) once every four years, and Priority Pass lounge access so your time at the airport is that much more comfortable.

Whether you stay in Marriott properties occasionally or all the time, you can get a ton of use from the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless thanks to its benefits and strong earning rates. Bonus categories include purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and up to $6,000 in combined purchases per year at gas stations, grocery stores and on dining  — meaning you can rack up points for future stays even faster.

“This card is worth keeping in my wallet every year due to the fact I can get outsize value from the free night certificate for a low $95 annual fee. Combining the 15 elite night credits I receive with this card with the ones I get by holding another Marriott business card means it is attainable for me to requalify for Platinum Elite status every year.” — Matt Moffitt, senior credit cards editor

Go all-in on Marriott Bonvoy with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, which not only gives automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status (two tiers higher than the Boundless), but also an annual free night certificate worth up to 85,000 points (or 100,000 if you top up with the extra 15,000 points that’s permitted).

The Amex Platinum is geared toward luxury travelers, but its money-saving perks go far beyond travel and include statement credits toward Equinox membership, digital entertainment, Walmart+ subscriptions and more (enrollment is required for select benefits, select benefits subject to auto-renewal).

“I put all of my flights on this card to earn 5 points per dollar spent. I make sure to take full advantage of the Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, Hulu/Disney+ and Clear credits. And, honestly, pulling a Platinum card out of your wallet to pay for something does feel pretty fancy.” — Matt Moffitt, senior credit cards editor

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has similar benefits to the Amex Platinum and earns more miles per dollar on everyday spending (i.e., non-bonus categories) with an annual fee that is much lower.

The Venture is a great mid-tier travel card for any travel credit card user's arsenal. There aren’t many travel cards with such competitive earning rates and significant welcome bonus while featuring a fair annual fee of just $95. 

“The Capital One Venture is a great card that can add value to pretty much anyone’s wallet. I use it to earn 2 miles per dollar on the purchases that fall outside of my other cards’ bonus categories. The annual fee is low, Capital One miles are easy to redeem and the card does come with a few nice perks — including TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee reimbursement.” — Madison Blancaflor, senior content operations editor

Even if you’re new to the travel credit card world, consider this card’s sister product, the very popular Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees). The card’s up to $300 annual credit for purchases made with Capital One Travel immediately covers the higher annual fee — and that’s not even considering the added perks you’ll enjoy.

If you stay with Hilton’s brands fairly frequently, but not enough to achieve Gold elite status on your own, this card is a no-brainer. What’s more, it has high everyday earning rates to help you rack up even more points even more quickly, raking in 12 points per dollar on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels; 6 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets; 4 points per dollar on U.S. online retail purchases; and 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

“This card is a keeper for me in large part because of the annual free-night-reward certificate I get after spending $15,000 in a calendar year. The elevated earning rates on everyday spending categories are also a good match for many of my purchases.” — Senitra Horbrook, credit cards editor

Want many of the same benefits (and a sizable welcome offer) without having to pay an annual fee? Consider the Hilton Honors American Express Card instead (see rates and fees). It comes with complimentary Hilton Honors Silver elite status and earns 7 points per dollar on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels; 5 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets; and 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

New travel credit card users who are looking for a solid no-annual-fee pick can find great value in the Marriott Bonvoy Bold’s earning rates and perks.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bold is a great way to enter the Bonvoy program since it has no annual fee but still features automatic status and a solid welcome offer.

If you want to earn transferable points but are looking for a card without an annual fee, consider the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees) instead. It earns a flat 1.25 miles per dollar spent on all purchases and can be transferred to any of Capital One’s 18 travel partners.

Even travelers who only stay at IHG properties a couple of times a year should get a ton of use out of this card. For one, the award night certificate can justify the annual fee. Its earning rates of up to 26 points per dollar at IHG properties (10 points from this card, 10 points from being an IHG One Rewards member and 6 points from being a Platinum Elite, a benefit from this card); 5 points per dollar on travel, gas station and restaurant purchases; and 3 points per dollar everywhere else also mean you’ll accrue points quickly for even more stays.

“Having the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card unlocks one of my favorite credit card perks: IHG's fourth-night reward. This card benefit makes every fourth night cost zero points on stays of four nights or longer when I redeem IHG points. Plus, the card gives me an anniversary night worth up to 40,000 points every year, which is worth enough alone to justify paying the annual fee.” — Katie Genter, senior writer

If you like the IHG One Rewards program but aren’t convinced you need a card with an annual fee, think about carrying the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card instead. It often posts high welcome offers and has strong earning rates of its own along with conferring Silver elite status … all for $0 per year.

Hyatt loyalists who want to up their earning potential thanks to this card’s accrual rates, which include at least 9 points per dollar on Hyatt stays (4 per dollar at participating properties, plus 5 per dollar for being a World of Hyatt member), 2 points per dollar on dining out and on airline tickets purchased directly from airlines, 2 points per dollar on gym and fitness club memberships, 2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting, and 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

“The World of Hyatt Credit Card remains an integral card for me, especially for the ability to earn up to two free night awards each year. In addition, receiving five elite night credits just for having the card each year helps set me on the path toward renewing my top-tier Globalist status.” — Senitra Horbrook, credit cards editor

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a great alternative to the World of Hyatt Credit Card since the Ultimate Rewards points it earns can be transferred to Hyatt, along with a dozen or so other airline and hotel partners, so you’re not locked into a single hotel loyalty program.

You don’t have to be a high spender to find value in this card. It’s well suited for those who travel frequently, will enjoy airport lounge access, will benefit from automatic elite status with Marriott and Hilton (enrollment required) and can maximize the card’s various statement credits. Plus, the card’s return on spending for travel purchases is very strong — as is the return in select business categories and purchases totaling more than $5,000. You’ll also enjoy a 35% points rebate on eligible flights booked with Amex Travel on up to 1 million points back per calendar year.

“I find that the annual perks and credits vastly outweigh the large annual fee. And that's even without using some of them. By using the benefits with Priority Pass and Amex lounges, the airline incidental credits, plus the statement credits for Clear, our cellphone plan and restocking my home printer with ink and paper from Dell, I get more value out of the card than it costs to keep it. Plus, it earns my favorite points — American Express Membership Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Rewards — earning 5 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked with Amex Travel.” — Ryan Smith, credit cards writer

If you have a business banking relationship with Capital One, consider the Capital One Venture X Business card. It comes with a lower annual fee and access to Priority Pass lounges and Capital One Lounges. Additionally, it earns at least 2 Capital One miles per dollar spent on all purchases.

Frequent flyers will find the Chase Sapphire Reserve to be a great addition to their wallet, thanks to its travel perks and benefits.

“The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a no-brainer for me. My top two spending categories are travel and dining, and this card lets me earn 3 points per dollar in both of these categories. Then, I can transfer these points to one of Chase’s 14 travel partners or redeem them for a generous 1.5 cents apiece through the Chase travel portal or Pay Yourself Back program. The card has a high annual fee, but I don't mind paying it thanks to perks like a $300 travel credit, Priority Pass lounge access and impressive travel protections.” — Benji Stawski, senior reporter

If you’re looking for a more luxury-focused travel card, consider The Platinum Card® from American Express instead. The Amex Platinum comes with more benefits, travel credits and lounge access — as well as a higher annual fee of $695 (see rates and fees).