Best Cash Back Cards for Hotels
Cash back cards ranked by effective return rate on hotels purchases.
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, after spend caps. Order can differ from that column because ranking adds the adjustments above.
Top Pick
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One
5% cash back on Hotels & Lodging booked through the required portal
- +5% cash back on Hotels & Lodging booked through the required portal. Book eligible hotels through Capital One Travel using this card; purchases outside the portal earn 1.5%.
- +$200 cash back bonus (~$200 value)
- +No annual fee
MASTERCARDCore Rate
5.0¢
per dollar on hotels
No annual fee
Welcome: $200 cash back
Runner-Up
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Chase
5% cash back on Hotels & Lodging booked through the required portal
- +5% cash back on Hotels & Lodging booked through the required portal
- +Travel and Emergency Assistance Services — not counted in estimated value or ranking; eligible use has not been established
- +$200 cash back bonus (~$200 value)
VISACore Rate
5.0¢
per dollar on hotels
No annual fee
Welcome: $200 cash back
Also Great
Citi Double Cash Card
Citi
5% cash back on Hotels & Lodging booked through the required portal
- +5% cash back on Hotels & Lodging booked through the required portal
- +$200 cash back bonus (~$200 value)
- +No annual fee
MASTERCARDCore Rate
5.0¢
per dollar on hotels
No annual fee
Welcome: $200 cash back
Compare the Top Picks
Quick Comparison
Side-by-side view of the ranked picks.
| Card | Applicable Rate | Effective Value | Annual Fee | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit CardCapital One | 5% cash back Hotels & Lodging | 5.0¢/$ | $0 | mastercard |
| Chase Freedom UnlimitedChase | 5% cash back Hotels & Lodging | 5.0¢/$ | $0 | visa |
| Citi Double Cash CardCiti | 5% cash back Hotels & Lodging | 5.0¢/$ | $0 | mastercard |
| Chase Freedom FlexChase | 5% cash back Hotels & Lodging | 5.0¢/$ | $0 | mastercard |
| SavorOne Rewards from Capital OneCapital One | 5% cash back Hotels & Lodging | 5.0¢/$ | $39 | mastercard |
| U.S. Bank Shield Visa CardU.S. Bank | 4% cash back Hotels & Lodging | 4.0¢/$ | $0 | visa |
| The AARP® Travel Rewards Mastercard®Barclays | 3% cash back Hotels & Lodging | 3.0¢/$ | $0 | mastercard |
| TD Cash Credit CardTD Bank | 3% cash back Travel | 3.0¢/$ | $0 | visa |
| U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® CardU.S. Bank | 5% cash back Travel | 3.0¢/$ | $0 | visa |
| Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit CardBank of America | 3% cash back Travel | 3.0¢/$ | $0 | visa |
More Options
#4Chase Freedom FlexNo fee
5.0¢/$
#5SavorOne Rewards from Capital One$39/yr
5.0¢/$
#6U.S. Bank Shield Visa CardNo fee
4.0¢/$
#7The AARP® Travel Rewards Mastercard®No fee
3.0¢/$
#8TD Cash Credit CardNo fee
3.0¢/$
#9U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® CardNo fee
3.0¢/$
#10Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit CardNo fee
3.0¢/$
Want to customize by spend amount, programs, or fee preference?
Open in full search with filters →Guides for this category
- 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.
- Cash BackHow to choose a cash back card from your actual spendingA 3% card can earn less than a 2% card. Compare annual cash back on your real spending, apply caps and merchant rules, then subtract fees.
- Points & MilesChase points for Hyatt versus a cash hotel rate: a worked comparisonA worked two-night comparison of Chase points transferred to Hyatt against the cash rate: the 4:3 ratio, resort fees, and the rewards a paid stay would earn.