Best Credit Cards for Hotels
Ranked by hotel value — earn rates, free nights, elite status, and transfer partners.
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
Citi Strata Premier Card
Citi
10x ThankYou Points on Hotels & Lodging booked through the required portal
10x × 1.7¢/pt = 17.0¢ per dollar
- +10x on Hotels & Lodging booked through the required portal — points worth 1.7¢ each
- +Annual Hotel Savings Benefit (up to $100/yr) — not counted in estimated value or ranking; eligible use has not been established
- +60,000 points bonus (~$1,020 value)
MASTERCARDCore Rate
17.0¢
per dollar on hotels
$95/yr
Welcome: 60,000 points
Runner-Up
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase
8x Ultimate Rewards on Hotels & Lodging booked through the required portal
8x × 1.8¢/pt = 14.4¢ per dollar
- +8x on Hotels & Lodging booked through the required portal — points worth 1.8¢ each
- +Annual fee $795. Other listed credits: Exclusive Tables Dining Credit (up to $150/6mo); StubHub & viagogo Credit (up to $300/yr); Apple TV and Apple Music Subscriptions (up to $27/mo); DoorDash DashPass & Credits (up to $35/mo); Peloton Credits & Bonus Points (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.
- +Annual Travel Credit (up to $300/yr); The Edit by Chase Travel Hotel Credit (up to $500/yr); Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Access; Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit (up to $120/4yr); Lyft Monthly Credit (up to $10/mo); Priority Pass Select Membership; Roadside Assistance; Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club; Travel and Emergency Assistance Services; Reserve Travel Designer — not counted in estimated value or ranking; eligible use has not been established
VISACore Rate
14.4¢
per dollar on hotels
$795/yr
Welcome: 100,000 points
Also Great
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One
10x Capital One Miles on Hotels & Lodging booked through the required portal
10x × 1.3¢/pt = 13.0¢ per dollar
Up to 13.5¢/$ via British Airways Club
- +10x on Hotels & Lodging booked through the required portal — points worth 1.3¢ each
- +Lifestyle Collection; Capital One Lounge Access; Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit (up to $120/4yr); Priority Pass Lounge Access; $300 Annual Capital One Travel Credit (up to $300/yr) — not counted in estimated value or ranking; eligible use has not been established
- +75,000 miles bonus (~$975 value)
VISACore Rate
13.0¢
per dollar on hotels
$395/yr
Welcome: 75,000 miles
Compare the Top Picks
Quick Comparison
Side-by-side view of the ranked picks.
| Card | Hotels Rate | Effective Value | Annual Fee | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citi Strata Premier CardCiti | 10x ThankYou Points | 17.0¢/$ | $95 | mastercard |
| Chase Sapphire ReserveChase | 8x Ultimate Rewards | 14.4¢/$ | $795 | visa |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardCapital One | 10x Capital One Miles | 13.0¢/$ | $395 | visa |
| Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend MastercardCiti | 12x AAdvantage | 12.0¢/$ | $695 | mastercard |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred CardChase | 5x Ultimate Rewards | 9.0¢/$ | $95 | visa |
| Citi Strata Credit CardCiti | 5x ThankYou Points | 8.5¢/$ | $0 | mastercard |
| American Express Gold CardAmerican Express | 5x Membership Rewards | 7.5¢/$ | $325 | amex |
| Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa Credit CardWells Fargo | 5x Wells Fargo Rewards | 7.3¢/$ | $95 | visa |
| Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit CardCapital One | 5x Capital One Miles | 6.5¢/$ | $0 | mastercard |
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardCapital One | 5x Capital One Miles | 6.5¢/$ | $95 | mastercard |
More Options
#4Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend Mastercard$695/yr
12.0¢/$
#5Chase Sapphire Preferred Card$95/yr
9.0¢/$
#6Citi Strata Credit CardNo fee
8.5¢/$
#7American Express Gold Card$325/yr
7.5¢/$
#8Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa Credit Card$95/yr
7.3¢/$
#9Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit CardNo fee
6.5¢/$
#10Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card$95/yr
6.5¢/$
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Open in full search with filters →Guides for this category
- 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.
- Points & MilesBefore you transfer points: availability, ratios, timing, and feesTransfers are final. Seven checks before moving bank points: full availability, account eligibility, ratios and rounding, bonuses, fees, timing, and cancellation.
- 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.