Best Travel Credit Cards for Earning Hotel Points in 2025
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Travelers are increasingly using credit cards to earn free hotel stays, upgrades, and elite travel perks through smart spending. Whether you’re loyal to a specific hotel brand or want flexibility, the right travel card can turn everyday purchases into valuable rewards. This guide highlights the best credit cards in 2025 for earning hotel points, helping you get the most value out of your travel budget.
Hotel-Branded vs. Flexible Points Travel Cards
Hotel-branded credit cards earn points within one loyalty program (such as Marriott Bonvoy®, Hilton Honors®, or World of Hyatt®), often with elite status and free night rewards.
Flexible points cards earn rewards that can be transferred to multiple hotel programs, giving you more choices when booking across different brands.
Many travelers use both card types to combine specific loyalty benefits with broad earning potential.
Top Hotel-Branded Travel Credit Cards
| Card | Annual Fee | Welcome Offer | Hotel Status | Key Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Visa | $95 | 5 Free Nights (up to 50,000 points each) after spending $5,000 in 3 months | Silver Elite | Earn up to 17X total points on Marriott stays (with status), annual free night (35k points), and 15 elite night credits to boost status. |
| Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® | $150 | 130,000 Points after spending $3,000 in 6 months | Gold | High earn rate (12X on Hilton stays), free night after $15k spend, $200 in Hilton resort credits, and Gold status with free breakfast and upgrades. |
| Hilton Honors American Express Aspire® | $550 | 150,000 Points after spending $6,000 in 6 months | Diamond | Premium perks: Diamond status, $250 Hilton resort credit, $200 airline credit, annual free night, and Priority Pass access—ideal for frequent Hilton guests. |
| World of Hyatt® Visa | $95 | Up to 60,000 Points – 30,000 after spending $3,000 in 3 months, and 30,000 more by spending $15,000 in 6 months | Discoverist | 4X on Hyatt stays, 2X on travel and dining, annual free night (Cat 1–4), and elite night credits to help reach Globalist status faster. |
| IHG One Rewards Premier | $99 | 5 Free Nights (up to 60,000 points each) after spending $5,000 in 3 months | Platinum Elite | 10X at IHG hotels, 4th night free on award stays, anniversary night (40k points), TravelBank credit, and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit. |
Best Flexible Travel Cards for Hotel Points
| Card | Annual Fee | Welcome Bonus | Transfer Partners | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® | $95 | 60,000 Points after spending $5,000 in 3 months | Hyatt, Marriott, IHG | Great for beginners; 25% bonus on redemptions through Chase Travel; excellent pairing with Freedom cards to supercharge points earnings. |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | $550 | 60,000 Points after spending $5,000 in 3 months | Hyatt, Marriott, IHG | Premium features like Priority Pass lounge access, $300 annual travel credit, and 1.5¢/point value in Chase Travel Portal. |
| American Express® Gold | $325 | 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 in 6 months | Hilton, Marriott, Choice | Top-tier earner on dining and groceries with 4X points; 3X on travel adds flexibility; monthly dining and Uber credits help offset the fee. |
| American Express® Platinum | $695 | 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 in 6 months | Hilton, Marriott, Choice | Best for luxury travelers; comes with elite status, Centurion Lounge access, $200 hotel credit, and $200 airline fee credit. |
| Capital One Venture X® | $395 | 75,000 Miles after spending $4,000 in 3 months | Wyndham, Choice, Accor | Excellent value for the fee; 10X on hotels via Capital One Travel, Priority Pass and Capital One lounges, $300 travel credit, and 10k anniversary miles. |
| Capital One Venture® | $95 | 75,000 Miles after spending $4,000 in 3 months | Wyndham, Choice, Accor | Simple 2X earning structure; 5X on hotels in portal; good low-fee card with full transfer access to hotel partners. |
| Citi Strata Premier℠ | $95 | 60,000 Points after spending $4,000 in 3 months | Wyndham, Choice, Accor | Strong for everyday spending with 3X on travel, gas, dining, groceries; includes $100 annual hotel credit on bookings of $500+. |
| Bilt Mastercard® | $0 | No large bonus currently | Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG | Unique for earning points on rent payments with no fees; 1:1 transfers to all major hotel programs; strong for renters wanting to build travel rewards. |
Tips to Maximize Hotel Rewards
1. Use Sign-Up Bonuses Wisely
Welcome offers like 60k to 150k points can cover multiple free nights. Apply when you have big upcoming expenses to meet minimum spend requirements.
2. Match Cards to Categories
Use the Amex Gold for dining, Sapphire Preferred for travel, or Citi Premier for gas and groceries. Earn more by aligning spend with bonus categories.
3. Transfer Points When Booking
Transfer points only when you’re ready to redeem. Watch for transfer bonuses (e.g., 30% to Hilton or 2:1 to Choice) to stretch your rewards further.
4. Redeem for High-Value Stays
Use points at luxury hotels or during peak travel dates for maximum value. Avoid using points for cheap cash-equivalent stays.
5. Use Annual Free Nights and Travel Credits
Cards like the Hyatt Visa or IHG Premier give valuable free night certificates. Don’t forget to use Chase’s $50 hotel credit, Amex Platinum’s $200 hotel rebate, or Venture X’s $300 travel credit each year.
6. Take Advantage of Complimentary Elite Status
Enjoy room upgrades, late checkouts, and bonus points with the status provided by cards such as Hilton Aspire (Diamond) or Amex Platinum (Gold).
7. Combine Cards for Full Coverage
Pair a hotel card with a flexible points card. For example:
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® + Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Hilton Aspire® + Amex Platinum
World of Hyatt® + Bilt Mastercard®
Final Thoughts
By choosing the right mix of hotel-branded and flexible points cards, and using each one strategically, you can maximize your rewards and enjoy a more rewarding travel experience.
