Best Hotel Credit Cards of March 2025

Standout hotel benefits: This card offers some of the most competitive returns for hotel and other common travel expenses: Earn 10X miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles per dollar spent on flights through the portal. Plus, you’ll earn 2X points on all other purchases.

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Rewards

• 5X miles on hotel and rental car bookings made through Capital One Travel
• 1.25X miles on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.

Annual fee

$0

Notable perks

You can redeem miles to book travel through Capital One Travel or to offset recent travel purchases. On top of that, you can transfer Capital One miles to several hotel programs including, Accor Live Limitless, Choice Privileges and Wyndham Rewards.

*Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details.

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Rewards

• 10X points on eligible hotels and rental cars you book through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
• 5X points on eligible travel
• 5X points on dining
• 5X points on gas purchases
• 1X points on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

None

Annual fee

$95

Notable perks

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Rewards

• 14X points on Hilton hotel rooms and at Hilton properties
• 7X points at U.S. restaurants
• 7X points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amextravel.com
• 7X points on rental cars booked directly from select rental car companies
• 3X points on all other eligible purchases

Welcome bonus

Annual fee

$550 (see rates and fees)

Notable perks

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has a lot of features that Hilton loyalists will love, including:

• A Free Night Reward each calendar year
• The ability to earn an additional Free Night Reward after making $30,000 in purchases and another after making $60,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year
• Complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status
• Up to $400 in Hilton resort credit (Up to $200 semi-annually) each year on eligible purchases at participating Hilton Resorts
• $100 property credit when you book a minimum two-night stay at participating Waldorf Astoria or Conrad locations (book online or by calling 855-292-5757 and using code ZZAAP1 when booking by phone)
• No foreign transaction fees* (see rates and fees)
• Terms apply

The Hilton Aspire card’s benefits don’t stop when you check out of your Hilton hotel. This card has purchase and travel perks that can save you money on your next trip to or from a Hilton. As a cardholder, you’re eligible for statement credits, travel perks and insurance benefits such as:

• Up to $200 in flight credit each year (Up to $50 back each quarter) on flight purchases made directly with an airline or through Amextravel.com
• Up to $199 in CLEAR^® Plus credit
• Free National Emerald Club Executive status (enrollment required)
• Cell phone protection
• Rental car loss and damage insurance
• Trip delay insurance
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Baggage insurance
• Return protection
• Extended warranty coverage
• Purchase protection
• Terms apply

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Rewards

• 12X points on eligible purchases charged on your card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio
• 6X points on dining at restaurants in the U.S.
• 6X points at U.S. gas stations
• 6X points at U.S. supermarkets
• 4X points on U.S. online retail purchases
• 3X points on all other eligible purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 4/29/2025.

Annual fee

Notable perks

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card members receive Hilton Honors Gold status with the ability to upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status after spending at least $40,000 on the card in a calendar year. It also has more incentive to spend because you’ll receive a Free Night Reward after making $15,000 in purchases with the card in a calendar year.

Other benefits include:

• Up to $200 in annual Hilton credit (up to $50 in credit each quarter) for purchases made directly with a Hilton property
• National Emerald Club Executive status (enrollment required)
• Baggage insurance*
• Rental car damage and loss coverage*
• No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
• Purchase protection*
• Extended warranty protection*
• Terms apply

* Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

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Rewards

• 12X points on eligible Hilton purchases
• 5X points on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, then 3X points thereafter.

Welcome bonus

Limited Time Offer: Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 4/29/2025.

Annual fee

Notable perks

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card grants cardholders automatic Hilton Honors™ Gold status. With Hilton Honors Gold status, you can enjoy benefits at hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio. As a Gold member, earn an 80% Bonus on all Base Points you earn on every stay. The card also provides a path to earning Hilton Honors™ Diamond status through the end of the calendar year when you spend $40,000 or more total in eligible purchases on the card in a calendar year. You can also earn up to $240 in Hilton credit each year (up to $60 back in statement credits per quarter) on eligible Hilton purchases.

This card also has many other potentially useful travel benefits such as no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees), National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status (terms apply; enrollment required), purchase protection*, extended warranty coverage*, baggage insurance* and rental car damage and loss coverage*.

*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

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Rewards

• 3X points at restaurants
• 3X points on travel
• 3X points at gas stations
• 3X points on transit
• 3X points on popular streaming services
• 3X points on phone plans
• 1X points on other purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first three months after opening the account.

Annual fee

$0

Notable perks

When you pay your monthly wireless phone bill with this card, you can qualify for cell phone insurance. The card also has no foreign transaction fees, roadside assistance and rental car collision coverage.

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Rewards

• 6X points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
• 3X points at restaurants worldwide
• 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines
• 2X points on all other eligible purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Annual fee

Notable perks

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card members can receive up to $300 in dining statement credits per calendar year (up to $25 per month). They can also take advantage of an application fee statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, as well as Priority Pass™ Select membership, which gives members access to more than 1,000 airport lounges worldwide. There are also no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees), *rental car coverage, *baggage insurance, *trip delay insurance, *trip cancellation and interruption insurance, *return protection, *purchase protection, *extended warranty protection and *cell phone protection.

Anyone who values Marriott Bonvoy elite status should seriously consider this card. In addition to automatic Marriott Platinum elite status, cardholders receive 25 elite night credits every year. You can also receive $100 in Marriott property credit at Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis properties when you book directly (two-night minimum stay). Every year when you spend at least $60,000 on your card, you’ll receive an earned choice benefit, choices include one Free Night Award (at hotels costing 85,000 points or less), five Nightly Upgrade Awards and more.

*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

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Rewards

Welcome bonus

Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

Annual fee

$95

Notable perks

Every account anniversary, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card members receive a Free Night Award valid at properties costing up to 35,000 points per night. You can top up Marriott Free Night Awards with up to 15,000 points, which can greatly expand your options. This benefit alone can easily be worth more than the annual fee if you typically pay for at least one night at a Marriott hotel per year.

Other benefits include no foreign transaction fees, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay reimbursement and purchase protection when you pay for travel and other large purchases with the card.

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Rewards

• 6X Marriott points on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
• 4X Marriott points at restaurants
• 4X Marriott points at U.S. gas stations
• 4X Marriott points on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers
• 4X Marriott points on U.S. purchases for shipping
• 2X Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card points on all other eligible purchases.

Welcome bonus

LIMITED TIME OFFER: Earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy® Points after you use your new Card to make $8,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms apply. Offer ends 03/12/2025.

Annual fee

Notable perks

The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card comes with a Free Night Award every account anniversary and this award is valid for a night that costs up to 35,000 Marriott points. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.

Marriott Bonvoy Business Card members receive Marriott Bonvoy Gold status and 15 elite night credits each year, so you’ll have a head start on earning Platinum status. This card also has no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees), *extended warranty coverage, purchase protection, baggage insurance and rental car insurance.

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Rewards

Welcome bonus

Earn up to 65,000 Bonus Points. Earn 35,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.

Annual fee

$95

Notable perks

The World of Hyatt Credit Card grants you Hyatt’s entry-level Discoverist status, which gets you an early check-in, 2 p.m. check-out, a preferred room based on availability and more. You’ll also receive five tier qualifying night credits toward the next status tier automatically each year, with the ability to earn another two elite night credits for every $5,000 you spend on the card in a calendar year.

You also receive one free night per card member year (valid at Category 1 to 4 hotels) and can earn a second free night (also valid at Category 1 to 4 hotels) after spending $15,000 on the card in a calendar year. This card also offers a range of protections, including baggage delay insurance, purchase protection, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, rental car collision coverage and lost luggage reimbursement.

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Rewards

• 4 Bonus Points per $1 on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
• 2X points per $1 spent in your top three spend categories each quarter. Eligible categories include: Dining, Shipping, Airline tickets when purchased directly with the airline, Local transit & Commuting, Social Media & Search Engine Advertising, Car Rental Agencies, Gas stations and Internet, Cable & Phone Services.
• 2X points on fitness club and gym memberships
• 1X points on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn 60,000 Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, 1 free night at any category 1-4 Hyatt hotel after spending $15,000 on purchases within the first 6 months of account opening

Annual fee

$199

Notable perks

The card has a $199 annual fee, but that’s partially offset by the up to $100 annual Hyatt Credit. Simply spend $50 or more at any Hyatt property on the card and earn $50 in statement credits, up to two times, each anniversary year. Once you’ve hit $50,000 in spending on the card in a calendar year, you’ll receive a 10% rebate on points redemptions (on up to 200,000 points per year). You can add employee cards for no additional fee and receive 15% off standard rates at participating Hyatt hotels through the Hyatt Leverage program.

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Rewards

• 10X points at IHG hotels and resorts
• 5X points on travel
• 5X points at gas stations
• 5X points at restaurants
• 3X points on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn 170,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Annual fee

$99

Notable perks

The card also comes with a handful of statement credit perks, including:

• Up to $50 in United TravelBank Cash each year ($25 deposit twice per year)
• Up to $120 every four years in application fee credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS
• Earn a $100 statement credit and 10,000 IHG points after spending $20,000 on your card in a calendar year

You’ll receive a 20% discount when you use the card to purchase IHG points. The card also offers purchase protection, trip cancellation/interruption coverage, baggage delay insurance, and lost luggage reimbursement.

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Rewards

• 5X points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year)
• 5X points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
• 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership.

Annual fee

Notable perks

The Platinum Card from American Express provides members with an opportunity to earn over $1,500 in credits every year, including:

• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• Up to $200 annual airline fee credit (enrollment required)
• Up to $300 per calendar year Equinox credit (enrollment required)
• Up to $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit (Up to $50 back semi-annually; enrollment required)
• $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Up to $240 annual digital entertainment credit (enrollment required)
• Up to $155 annual Walmart+ credit. (Plus Ups are not eligible. Subject to auto renewal. Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee)
• Up to $200 annual Uber Cash ($15 in Uber Cash per month; $20 in Uber Cash each December after adding your card to your Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Enrollment required.
• Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.

Once you’re done lining your pockets with this card’s statement credit deals, don’t forget to take advantage of the long list of luxury travel perks. These benefits include:

• Gold elite status with Hilton Honors (enrollment required)
• Gold elite status with Marriott Bonvoy (enrollment required)
• Rental car privileges with Hertz, Avis and National
• Complimentary Amex concierge service
• Airport lounge access
• No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
• Rental car insurance*
• Trip delay insurance*
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance*
• Cell phone protection*
• Return protection*
• Purchase protection*
• Extended warranty coverage*
• Terms apply.

* Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

This card also earns American Express Membership Rewards points, which can be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards and retail purchases. However, you also have the option of transferring Amex points to airline and hotel partners, including Hilton, Marriott and Choice.

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Rewards

• 10X miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel portal
• 5X miles per dollar on flights booked via the Capital One Travel portal
• 2X miles on all other eligible purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee

$395

Notable perks

With a $395 annual fee, this is one of the less expensive premium credit cards available and there are lots of benefits that make up for it, including a $300 Capital One Travel credit to use toward purchases made through Capital One Travel, airport lounge access, cell phone protection and 10,000 bonus miles on your account anniversary (worth at least $100 toward travel).

When it comes time to redeem your rewards, you can either use your miles to book new travel through Capital One Travel, offset recent travel purchases or transfer them to various travel partners, including Accor, Choice and Wyndham.

This card’s benefits can also take the edge off of travel with unlimited access to Capital One Lounges as well as the extensive network of Priority Pass and Plaza Premium airport lounges worldwide. When you pay for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application with the card, you can receive a fee credit of up to $120.

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We compared each card on a range of features, including rewards (e.g., cash back, points and miles), annual fees, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APR and balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees. We also considered additional perks (e.g., ongoing travel or merchant statement credits), cardholder protections (e.g., purchase protection, $0 liability protection and travel insurance), the application process when available (e.g., is there a credit pull or required credit score) and how easy it is to redeem points (e.g., are rewards are tied to a specific brand; if transferable, to how many/which partners, can you redeem for straight cashback). 
 
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.  

For the cards that offered a rewards program, we considered consumer spending data forecasts from location intelligence firm Esri to determine where U.S. consumers are spending the most money, like on dining and travel. We used this to help determine what bonus categories are most useful for consumers. Since the value of a point or mile varies based on what they can be redeemed for, we also considered things like transferability and the ability to redeem for cash-back. 

When choosing the best hotel credit cards, we focused on cards that offer hotel-specific benefits or provide additional return on spending for hotels and other types of lodging.