For frequent travelers, finding the right credit card can make a huge difference in enhancing the travel experience. Whether you’re flying across the globe for business or enjoying a relaxing vacation, credit cards that offer enticing hotel loyalty programs are invaluable. These programs not only provide you with rewards and perks but also give you the opportunity to earn free nights, room upgrades, and priority services with some of the world’s best hotel chains.
In this article, we’ll explore five credit cards that stand out for offering generous hotel loyalty programs, making them perfect for those who spend a lot of time traveling.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Why It’s Great for Hotel Loyalty Programs:
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the best all-around travel credit cards available. While it doesn’t come with an exclusive hotel brand affiliation, it provides cardholders the ability to transfer points to a wide variety of hotel loyalty programs. This flexibility is a huge advantage, as it allows travelers to earn rewards that can be redeemed across various hotel chains, including:
- Hyatt (World of Hyatt program)
- Marriott Bonvoy
- IHG Rewards Club
- Ritz-Carlton Rewards
Chase Ultimate Rewards® points earned through the card can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to these hotel partners. This makes the card ideal for those who want to maximize their points, whether they prefer luxurious stays at Hyatt or more budget-friendly options with IHG.
Key Benefits:
- Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Point transfer flexibility: 1:1 transfer to hotel partners.
- Earning rate: 2x points on travel and dining, 1x on other purchases.
- Annual fee: $95
Ideal For:
Travelers who prefer flexibility with their points and want to access a range of hotel loyalty programs for free stays, upgrades, and special offers.
2. The Platinum Card® from American Express
Why It’s Great for Hotel Loyalty Programs:
The Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium credit card that provides an array of luxury benefits, especially for frequent travelers. One of the key features is access to hotel loyalty programs, particularly through its partnerships with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors.
- Marriott Bonvoy: Cardholders can earn 5x points on eligible flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com and can transfer points to Marriott Bonvoy for hotel stays.
- Hilton Honors: Earn 3x points on eligible Hilton purchases, and also enjoy elite status with Hilton Honors, including room upgrades, late checkouts, and more.
Additionally, cardholders get Gold Elite status with Hilton Honors, which offers a range of benefits such as room upgrades, early check-in, and late check-out, all of which can enhance a hotel stay.
Key Benefits:
- Sign-up bonus: 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months.
- Loyalty status: Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold status.
- Travel perks: Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program, offering benefits like daily breakfast for two, room upgrades, early check-in, and late check-out.
- Annual fee: $695
Ideal For:
Luxury travelers looking for top-tier hotel loyalty benefits, status perks, and exclusive access to elite hotel programs.
3. World of Hyatt Credit Card
Why It’s Great for Hotel Loyalty Programs:
For travelers who love Hyatt hotels, the World of Hyatt Credit Card is the best option for building up loyalty points. This card is tied directly to the World of Hyatt loyalty program, offering cardholders numerous ways to earn Hyatt points for stays at over 900 Hyatt properties around the world.
- Earn 4x points on Hyatt stays, 2x points on dining, flights, and fitness clubs, and 1x on other purchases.
- Enjoy automatic Discoverist status with Hyatt, which gives you perks like late check-out, room upgrades, and more.
- Get one free night at a Category 1–4 hotel each year after your cardmember anniversary.
This card also gives you bonus points on Hyatt stays and offers special member benefits, making it a great option for anyone who frequently stays with the Hyatt brand.
Key Benefits:
- Sign-up bonus: 60,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months.
- Annual free night: One free night at a Category 1–4 Hyatt hotel each year.
- Automatic Discoverist status: Enjoy Hyatt status perks such as room upgrades, 2 p.m. late checkout, and more.
- Annual fee: $95
Ideal For:
Hyatt enthusiasts who want to earn points and enjoy benefits like free nights and upgrades, as well as those looking for a more budget-friendly card with substantial hotel loyalty rewards.
4. Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Why It’s Great for Hotel Loyalty Programs:
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is a high-end card designed for frequent Hilton travelers. It offers incredible benefits that can make stays at Hilton hotels even more rewarding, including automatic Diamond status in the Hilton Honors program, the highest level of membership, which comes with perks like room upgrades, executive lounge access, and free breakfast.
- Earn 14x points on Hilton hotel stays, 7x on flights booked directly with airlines, and 3x on other purchases.
- Receive a $250 Hilton resort statement credit each year and an annual free weekend night reward (up to a Category 1–4 hotel) upon renewing the card.
- Enjoy $100 credit for qualifying resort charges at participating Hilton properties.
This card is an excellent choice for travelers who prefer Hilton properties and want to receive elite treatment every time they check into a hotel.
Key Benefits:
- Sign-up bonus: 150,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Automatic Diamond status: Enjoy the highest Hilton Honors status, offering perks like room upgrades and bonus points.
- Annual free night: One free weekend night at a Hilton property (Category 1–4) upon card renewal.
- Annual fee: $450
Ideal For:
Loyal Hilton guests seeking luxury benefits, upgrades, and exclusive perks at Hilton properties.
5. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
Why It’s Great for Hotel Loyalty Programs:
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card is another top choice for those who love Marriott properties. The card offers Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status automatically, providing you with perks like room upgrades, early check-in, and a 25% bonus on points earned during stays.
Marriott’s Bonvoy program encompasses a wide range of hotels, including JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton, and Westin, so you’ll have plenty of options to redeem your points for free nights.
- Earn 6x points at Marriott hotels, 3x on flights booked directly with airlines, and 2x on other purchases.
- Get one free night each year at a Marriott property worth up to 50,000 points.
- Enjoy a $300 Marriott statement credit on eligible purchases at Marriott hotels.
Key Benefits:
- Sign-up bonus: 95,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months.
- Gold Elite status: Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, unlocking room upgrades and bonus points.
- Annual free night: One free night at a Marriott hotel (up to 50,000 points).
- Annual fee: $450
Ideal For:
Frequent Marriott guests who want luxury perks like free nights, room upgrades, and a range of elite benefits.
Conclusion
For frequent travelers, choosing the right credit card that aligns with hotel loyalty programs can enhance travel experiences and maximize rewards. Whether you’re looking for flexibility with point transfers, luxury status perks, or the ability to earn free nights and room upgrades, the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, The Platinum Card® from American Express, World of Hyatt Credit Card, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card are all excellent choices.
By carefully selecting a credit card that offers a rewarding hotel loyalty program, you can make the most of your travels and enjoy luxurious stays and exceptional benefits with some of the world’s top hotel brands.
