Best American Express Cards for Hotels in 2026
American Express cards ranked by earn rate on hotels spending.
Rankings are generated by our algorithm based on earn rates, point valuations, fees, and benefits — not paid placement. We don't accept compensation to rank cards higher. How we rank
Ranked by earn rate and redemption value, statement credits minus annual fees (weighted against a typical $30,000/year in total card spend), shopping portal bonuses when we recognize the merchant, matched benefits and promotional earn boosts. The ¢ per dollar column is the reward rate at Hotels. Order can differ from that column because ranking adds the adjustments above.
Top Pick
American Express Gold Card
American Express
5x Membership Rewards on Hotels & Lodging booked through the required portal
5x × 1.5¢/pt = 7.5¢ per dollar
- +5x on Hotels & Lodging booked through the required portal — points worth 1.5¢ each
- +Annual fee $325. Other listed credits: $120 Dining Credit (up to $10/mo); $84 Dunkin' Credit (up to $7/mo); $100 Resy Credit (up to $50/6mo). These amounts are not counted in estimated value or ranking: use, eligible purchases and any enrollment requirements have not been established.
- +Global Assist Hotline; The Hotel Collection; $120 Uber Cash (up to $10/mo) — not counted in estimated value or ranking; eligible use has not been established
AMEXCore Rate
7.5¢
per dollar on hotels
$325/yr
Runner-Up
The Platinum Card from American Express
American Express
5x Membership Rewards on Hotels & Lodging booked through the required portal
5x × 1.5¢/pt = 7.5¢ per dollar
- +5x on Hotels & Lodging booked through the required portal — points worth 1.5¢ each
- +Annual fee $895. Other listed credits: Digital Entertainment Credit (up to $300/yr); Equinox Credit (up to $300/yr); Lululemon Credit (up to $300/yr); Oura Ring Credit (up to $200/yr); Resy Restaurant Credit (up to $400/yr); Walmart+ Membership Credit (up to $155/yr). These amounts are not counted in estimated value or ranking: use, eligible purchases and any enrollment requirements have not been established.
- +$250 Airbnb Experiences Credit (up to $250/yr); Airline Fee Credit (up to $200/yr); CLEAR Plus Credit (up to $219/yr); Fine Hotels + Resorts Program Access; $600 Lodging Credit (FHR / Hotel Collection / Airbnb Luxe) (up to $600/yr); Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit (up to $120/4yr); Uber Credit (up to $200/yr); Uber One Membership Credit (up to $120/yr); Premium Global Assist Hotline; Platinum Travel Service — not counted in estimated value or ranking; eligible use has not been established
AMEXCore Rate
7.5¢
per dollar on hotels
$895/yr
Also Great
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
American Express
3x SkyMiles on Hotels & Lodging booked direct
3x × 1.0¢/pt = 3.0¢ per dollar
- +3x on Hotels & Lodging booked direct — points worth 1.0¢ each
- +Annual fee $350. Other listed credits: $120 Resy Credit (up to $10/mo). These amounts are not counted in estimated value or ranking: use, eligible purchases and any enrollment requirements have not been established.
- +Domestic Companion Certificate; First Checked Bag Free; Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit; 20% Back on Delta In-Flight Purchases (up to $20/use); Priority Boarding; $120 Rideshare Credit (up to $10/mo); $150 Delta Stays Credit (up to $150/yr); Global Assist Hotline; Complimentary Upgrade List — not counted in estimated value or ranking; eligible use has not been established
AMEXCore Rate
3.0¢
per dollar on hotels
$350/yr
Compare the Top Picks
Quick Comparison
Side-by-side view of the ranked picks.
| Card | Applicable Rate | Effective Value | Annual Fee | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Gold CardAmerican Express | 5x Membership Rewards Hotels & Lodging | 7.5¢/$ | $325 | amex |
| The Platinum Card from American ExpressAmerican Express | 5x Membership Rewards Hotels & Lodging | 7.5¢/$ | $895 | amex |
| Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardAmerican Express | 3x SkyMiles Hotels & Lodging | 3.0¢/$ | $350 | amex |
| TAP Miles&Go American Express®Cardless | 2x TAP Miles&Go Hotels & Lodging | 2.0¢/$ | $79 | amex |
| Business Green RewardsAmerican Express | 1x Membership Rewards All Other | 1.5¢/$ | $95 | amex |
| Hilton Honors American Express CardAmerican Express | 3x Hilton Honors All Other | 1.2¢/$ | $0 | amex |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express CardAmerican Express | 2x Marriott Bonvoy All Other | 1.4¢/$ | $250 | amex |
| Rakuten American Express CardFirst Electronic Bank | 1% cash back All Other | 1.0¢/$ | $0 | amex |
| USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express®USAA | 1% cash back All Other | 1.0¢/$ | $0 | amex |
| Blue Cash Everyday Card from American ExpressAmerican Express | 1% cash back All Other | 1.0¢/$ | $0 | amex |
More Options
#4TAP Miles&Go American Express®$79/yr
2.0¢/$
#5Business Green Rewards$95/yr
1.5¢/$
#6Hilton Honors American Express CardNo fee
1.2¢/$
#7Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card$250/yr
1.4¢/$
#8Rakuten American Express CardNo fee
1.0¢/$
#9USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express®No fee
1.0¢/$
#10Blue Cash Everyday Card from American ExpressNo fee
1.0¢/$
Want to customize by spend amount, programs, or fee preference?
Open in full search with filters →Guides for this category
- Card StrategyMonthly versus annual card credits: build a calendar that follows the termsMonthly, half-year, quarterly, anniversary-year, and four-year credits each reset on their own clock. Build a benefit calendar that follows the actual terms.
- Card StrategyCredit card statement credits: face value versus money you actually saveA $100 statement credit rarely saves you $100. How to measure a credit against the purchase you would have made anyway, and reconcile a year of them.
- Cash BackFlat-rate cash back versus category bonuses: a household spending comparisonA 3%/1% card beats a flat 2% card only when half your spending lands in its categories. Three households, the break-even formula, and how caps change it.
Related Categories
Best American Express Cards for Car Rentals in 2026Best American Express Cards for Dining in 2026Best American Express Cards for Drugstores in 2026Best American Express Cards for Entertainment in 2026Best American Express Cards for Flights in 2026Best American Express Cards for Gas in 2026Best American Express Cards for Groceries in 2026Best American Express Cards for Home Improvement in 2026Best American Express Cards for Online Shopping in 2026