The 23 Best Credit Cards for Complimentary Hotel Elite Status [2024]

Updated: April 11, 2024, 12:21pm CDT

Edited by:

The 23 Best Credit Cards for Complimentary Hotel Elite Status [2024]

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The comfort and convenience of having hotel elite status is truly a pleasure when traveling.

What’s not to love about getting upgraded to a suite, enjoying complimentary Sunday brunch in the hotel restaurant, or occasionally being provided with your own personal butler?

There are also the more subtle pleasantries of a fresh fruit plate waiting for you when you arrive or being able to check out late.

Elite benefits would be expensive if you had to put a price tag on each one. The cost of a room upgrade, paying for premium Wi-Fi, or breakfast in the hotel restaurant would add up quickly.

However, if you play your cards right, you can score hotel elite status, and a large number a points thanks to the credit card welcome bonus, without staying the 50 or so nights each year it normally takes to earn it.

Here’s a collection of credit cards that come with hotel elite status or offer an alternative faster path to achieving it, rather than earning it through the normal hotel loyalty program process. But that’s not all these credit cards offer — you’re going to find some rather unique benefits that every traveler can appreciate.

The 23 Best Cards for Complimentary Hotel Elite Status — Overview

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Card	Welcome Bonus and Annual Fee	Hotel Elite Status Benefits and Earnings
The Platinum Card^® from American Express	Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 6 months. Annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)	Hilton Honors Gold Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite 5x points on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express	Earn 120,000 points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)
HILTON HONORS
Hilton Honors American Express Card	Earn 80,000 points after spending $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months. Annual fee of $0 (rates & fees)	Hilton Honors Silver; spend your way to Gold after spending $20,000 on the card in a calendar year 7x points on Hilton purchases
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card	Earn 130,000 points after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first 6 months Annual fee of $150 (rates & fees)	Hilton Honors Gold; spend your way to Diamond after spending $40,000 on the card in a calendar year 12x points at Hilton purchases
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card	Limited Time Offer: Earn 175,000 points after spending $8,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. Annual fee of $195 (rates & fees)
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card	Earn 180,000 points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months. Annual fee of $550	Hilton Honors Diamond 14x points on Hilton purchases
MARRIOTT BONVOY
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card	Earn 5 Free Nights (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $95	Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite; spend your way to Gold Elite after spending $35,000 in a calendar year Up to 17x total points on Marriott purchases
Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card	Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after spending $1,000 within the first 3 months. Annual fee of $0	Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite 3x points on Marriott purchases
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card	Earn 155,000 points after spending $5,000 within the first 6 months. Annual fee of $250 (rates & fees)	Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite 6x points on Marriott purchases
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card	Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $250	Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Up to 18.5x total points on Marriott purchases
Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card	Earn 3 Free Night Awards after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership (each valued up to 50,000 points). Annual fee of $125 (rates & fees)	Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite 6x points on Marriott purchases
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card	Earn 185,000 points after spending $6,000 within the first 6 months. Annual fee of $650 (rates & fees)	Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite 6x points on Marriott purchases
WORLD OF HYATT
The World of Hyatt Credit Card	Earn 30,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months and up to 30,000 more points by earning 2x points total on purchases that normally earn 1 bonus point, on up to $15,000 spent, in the first 6 months. Annual fee of $95	World of Hyatt Discoverist Up to 9x points on Hyatt purchases
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card	Earn 60,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months. Annual fee of $199
IHG ONE REWARDS
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card	Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Annual fee of $0	IHG One Rewards Silver Elite; spend your way to Gold Elite after spending $10,000 in a calendar year Up to 17x points on IHG purchases
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card	Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Annual fee of $99	IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status Up to 26x points on IHG purchases
IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card	Earn up to 175,000 points. Earn 140,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months and earn an additional 35,000 points after spending a total of $7,000 in the first 6 months. Annual fee of $99
WYNDHAM REWARDS
Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Card	Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days. Annual fee of $0	Wyndham Rewards Gold 3x points on Wyndham purchases
Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Plus Card	Earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days. Annual fee of $75	Wyndham Rewards Platinum 5x points on Wyndham purchases
Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Business Card	Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 90 days and earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on purchases within the first 12 months. Annual fee of $95	Wyndham Rewards Diamond 8x points on Wyndham purchases
CHOICE PRIVILEGES
Choice Privileges® Mastercard®	60,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days. Annual fee of $0	Choice Privileges Gold 5x points on Choice purchases
BEST WESTERN REWARDS
Best Western Rewards^® Mastercard^®	40,000 points when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 billing cycles after the account is opened. Annual fee of $0	Best Western Rewards Gold 13x points on Best Western purchases
Best Western Rewards^® Premium Mastercard^®	80,000 points when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 billing cycles after the account is opened. Annual fee of $89	Best Western Rewards Platinum 20x points on Best Western purchases

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome OfferEarn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,760

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros

The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit)
TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
Access to Amex International Airline Program
No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

Cons

$695 annual fee (rates and fees)
Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card^®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card^®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^®.
$200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
$300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card^®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
$189 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card^®. Learn more.
$100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 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.
Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card^®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card^®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile.
$695 annual fee.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: See Pay Over Time APR
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

It may seem unusual to receive complimentary hotel elite status from a card that is not affiliated with a hotel chain.

However, the Amex Platinum card not only provides hotel elite status with 2 major hotel chains but is also loaded with a long list of luxury travel benefits.

Amex Platinum Card’s Hotel Elite Status Benefits

The Amex Platinum card stands out as the only credit card that offers you elite status at 2 mid-level hotel brands. Just for enrolling your card via your Benefits page, you’ll receive Gold-level elite status with both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy hotel rewards programs.

The benefits of these statuses include, but are not limited to:

Hilton Honors Gold — Room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, fifth consecutive award night free, late checkout, free internet, 80% bonus points on hotel stays
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite — Room upgrades, fifth consecutive reward night free, late checkout, free internet, 25% bonus points on hotel stays, welcome amenity points

Additional Reasons To Have the Amex Platinum Card

The Amex Platinum card is a premium travel rewards credit card that includes many luxury perks and benefits. Note that some benefits require enrollment so be sure to check your American Express account to get the most out of your card.

Complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges in the American Express Global Lounge Collection
Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit
Up to $200 per year in Uber Cash; statement credit is monthly at $15 per month from January through November and $35 in December. Uber cash is good for Uber rides and Uber Eats in the U.S. Adding your card to your Uber account is required.
Up to $200 per year in airline fee credits
Up to $20 per month select entertainment and media statement credit
Up to $189 CLEAR Plus statement credit each year
5x points on flights directly purchased from airlines or with AmexTravel.com and prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
Authorized users for $195 per card receive lounge access, rental car program elite status/benefits, and hotel benefits (see rates & fees)
On-site benefits at The Hotel Collection or Fine Hotel & Resorts, such as room upgrades, breakfast for 2, late checkout, and complimentary Wi-FI, plus up to $200 statement credit per year
Up to $300 statement credit for select Equinox memberships
Car rental program status and benefits with Hertz, National, and Avis

This is just a sampling of the benefits that come with the card. Read more about the value of Amex Platinum card benefits here.

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Business Platinum card also comes with the same Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status upon enrollment. It, too, is loaded with luxury travel benefits specifically designed for the frequent business traveler.

OUR BEST OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Welcome OfferEarn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
120,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$2,640

Annual Fee

$695

APR

19.49% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 120,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Pros

5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
Up to $200 annual airline fee credit on your selected qualifying airline
Statement credits on select purchases with your card
35% airline bonus when using Pay With Points (up to 1,000,000 bonus points per calendar year)
Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)
Access to Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts program

Cons

High annual fee of $695 (rates and fees)
Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
5X Membership Rewards^® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
Unlock over $1,000 in annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases, including select purchases made with Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your Card.
$189 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR^® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Business Platinum Card^®.
The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
$695 Annual Fee.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hilton Honors Credit Cards

Receive complimentary elite status with Hilton-branded credit cards. Hilton Bali Resort. Image Credit: Hilton

All Hilton Honors credit cards issued by American Express include complimentary elite status in the Hilton Honors loyalty program, with 3 of 4 cards including a spending path to a higher status level.

Hilton Honors Elite Status Benefits

The perks of having Hilton Honors hotel elite status are many. Here’s a snapshot of what each level of Hilton Honors elite status offers:

Silver — Standard free Wi-Fi, late checkout, fifth consecutive reward night free, 20% bonus points on hotel stays, and no resort fees on award stays
Gold — All preceding benefits, plus room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and 80% bonus points on hotel stays
Diamond — All preceding benefits, plus premium free Wi-Fi, upgraded rooms (including suites), 100% bonus points on hotel stays, executive lounge access, and the ability to gift elite status

Here are the annual stay requirements in order to earn each status level:

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Elite Status Level	Annual Stay Requirements
Silver	10 nights, 4 stays, or 25,000 base points
Gold	40 nights, 20 stays, or 75,000 base points
Diamond	60 nights, 30 stays, or 120,000 base points

Hilton Honors Credit Cards and Their Elite Status Benefits

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Hilton Honors American Express Card

U.P. Rating

Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, plus great earnings at Hilton, U.S. gas stations, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. restaurants!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Hilton Honors American Express Card

Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, plus great earnings at Hilton, U.S. gas stations, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. restaurants!

Welcome OfferEarn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$400

Annual Fee

APR

20.99%-29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

You can’t beat a comfy king-sized bed and room service. For many travelers, it’s the hotel that really makes or breaks an experience. If you’re one of those people, you’ve probably stayed at a Hilton hotel.

Whether your visits are for work or pleasure, the Hilton brand has you covered with more than 6,200 locations in 100 counties and territories.

To enjoy a host of great benefits, you may want to apply for the Hilton Honors American Express Card.

Pros

7x points per $1 on Hilton stays
5x points per $1 at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations
3x points per $1 on all other purchases
Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status
No annual fee (rates & fees)
No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)

Cons

Not great for those who want multiple redemption options
Offers the least benefits of all Hilton cards

Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors™ Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
No Annual Fee.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Hilton Honors Loyalty Program

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card

U.P. Rating

An excellent high-earning Hilton credit card that comes with perks like Hilton Honors Gold status and up to $200 in Hilton credits every year.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card

An excellent high-earning Hilton credit card that comes with perks like Hilton Honors Gold status and up to $200 in Hilton credits every year.

Welcome OfferEarn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
130,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$650

Annual Fee

$150

APR

20.99%-29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

If you’re someone who loves traveling and loves staying in Hilton hotels, adding a co-branded Hilton hotel card to your wallet is almost a no-brainer. From automatic Hilton elite status to up to $200 in Hilton credits every year, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card can be a great fit for Hilton loyalists looking to up their travel game.

Pros

12x points per $1 at Hilton hotels
6x points per $1 U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. restaurants
4x points per $1 at U.S. online retail purchases
3x points per $1 on all other purchases
Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status
No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)

Cons

Annual fee of $150 (rates & fees)

Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Get up to $200 back each year on eligible Hilton purchases after you use your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card.
Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors ™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card.
Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status through the end of the next calendar year.
Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental^® Emerald Club Executive^® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club^® program is required. Terms apply.
No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
$150 annual fee.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Hilton Honors

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

U.P. Rating

Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.

All information about Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.

Welcome OfferEarn 180,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Aspire card from American Express after you use your new card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership.
180,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$900

Annual Fee

$550

APR

20.74% - 29.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Paying hundreds of dollars for an annual fee on a co-branded hotel card might seem ridiculous, but you should know that the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is much more than your run-of-the-mill hotel credit card.

The Hilton Aspire card is not only a phenomenal card for Hilton Honors loyalists, but even those who visit Hilton hotels just a few times a year can still get excellent value out of all the benefits that are packed into this card.

So let’s have a look at what makes the card so valuable to travelers.

Pros

14x points per $1 on Hilton purchases
7x points per $1 on select travel and at U.S. restaurants
3x points per $1 on all other purchases
Complimentary Hilton Diamond status
Up to $400 in annual statement credits on purchases with participating Hilton Resorts (up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually)
Up to $200 back annually on eligible flight purchases (up to $50 in statement credits each quarter)
1 Free Weekend Night Award each cardmember anniversary
$100 credit at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad properties

Cons

High annual fee of $550

Earn 180,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Aspire card from American Express after you use your new card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership. Plus, enjoy a free Weekend Night Reward within your first year and every year after renewal.
Earn 14x Hilton Honors Bonus Points when you make eligible purchases on your card at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
Earn 7x Hilton Honors Bonus Points for eligible purchases: on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies, and at U.S. restaurants.
Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your card.
Enjoy up to $400 in Hilton Resort Credits (up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually) on your card each anniversary year when you stay at participating resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
Enjoy complimentary Diamond status.
$550 annual fee.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.74% - 29.74% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

U.P. Rating

An excellent option for business owners and business travelers who stay at Hilton properties often and want perks like Hilton Honors elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

An excellent option for business owners and business travelers who stay at Hilton properties often and want perks like Hilton Honors elite status.

Welcome OfferLimited Time Offer: Earn 175,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 in purchases in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 6/5.
175,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$875

Annual Fee

$195

APR

20.99% - 29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

For frequent business travelers who regularly stay in Hilton hotels, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a great option.

Not only will the card help you earn more points on all of your Hilton stays, but you’ll also receive automatic elite status and travel protections.

Here’s a detailed look at all the benefits this card offers so that you can determine if it’s a good fit for you.

Pros

12x points per $1 on eligible Hilton purchases
Enhanced: 5x points on other purchases made for the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points thereafter.
Automatic Hilton Honors Gold status, and the ability to spend your way to Diamond status
New: Enjoy up to $240 back each year for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton.
New: Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental^® Emerald Club Executive^® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club^® program is required.
No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

Cons

$195 annual fee (rates and fees)

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 6/5.
Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible Hilton purchases.
ENHANCED: Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points thereafter.
NEW: Enjoy up to $240 back each year for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton.
Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Business Card. 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 getting you to free nights faster.
You may receive an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status if the total eligible purchases on your Card Account during a calendar year reach $40,000 or more.
NEW: Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental^® Emerald Club Executive^® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club^® program is required. Terms apply.
Terms apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.99% - 29.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Hilton Honors loyalty program

You have the option to meet spending level requirements on your card to reach an elevated level of elite status.

Here’s a summary of the elite status that comes with each card and how to reach the next level:

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Hilton Honors Credit Card	Comes With	Spend Your Way To
Hilton Honors card	Silver	Gold after spending $20,000 on the card in a calendar year
Hilton Business Amex card Hilton Surpass card	Gold	Diamond after spending $40,000 on the card in a calendar year
Hilton Aspire card	Diamond	N/A

Reasons To Select the Hilton Aspire Card

Unlike credit cards that come with only mid-tier hotel program elite status, the Hilton Aspire card is the only credit card that comes with top-tier hotel elite status. You’ll receive Hilton Honors Diamond status just for having the card.

To qualify for Diamond status you would normally need to have 30 stays, 60 nights, or earn 120,000 Hilton Honors base points in a calendar year. No need to worry about meeting those qualifications as Diamond elite status comes complimentary with the card and is valid as long as you have the card.

The Hilton Aspire card also comes with these other great benefits:

Annual free hotel night
$400 Hilton Resort statement credit
$100 property credit for a 2-night stay at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad properties
$200 airline incidental fee statement credit
14x points at Hilton properties worldwide
7x points on flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies, and at U.S. restaurants
3x points on every other purchase

Bottom Line: All Hilton Honors-branded credit cards come with elite status in the Hilton Honors program. You’ll also have the fast-path option to spend your way to higher status without staying the required number of hotel nights or stays annually.

Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards

Marriott Bonvoy-branded cards issued by Amex and Chase come with complimentary Marriott Bonvoy elite status. Four Points by Sheraton Cocoa Beach. Image Credit: Marriott

Both American Express and Chase issue Marriott Bonvoy-branded cards that come with complimentary elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy hotel loyalty program.

Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status Benefits

The Marriott Bonvoy Rewards program has several elite tiers. Here’s a general overview of what you can expect at each elite level:

Silver Elite — Special member hotel rates, free internet, dedicated phone line, 2 p.m. late checkout, and 10% bonus points on hotel stays/qualifying purchases
Gold Elite — All preceding benefits, plus room upgrades, welcome points, free premium internet, and 25% bonus points for hotel stays/qualifying purchases
Platinum Elite — All preceding benefits, plus lounge access, 4 p.m. late checkout, welcome gift choice, annual special gift choice, 50% bonus points for hotel/qualifying purchases, and room upgrades (including suites)
Titanium Elite — All preceding benefits, plus 75% bonus points for hotel/qualifying purchases
Ambassador Elite — All preceding benefits plus a dedicated concierge ambassador representative

All elite members have the ability to combine cash and points to book rooms and have access to purchase PointSavers discounted award nights.

To qualify for any elite status level with Marriott Bonvoy, you would normally need to meet the following requirements each calendar year:

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Elite Status Level	Nights Required
Silver Elite	10
Gold Elite	25
Platinum Elite	50
Titanium Elite	75
Ambassador Elite	100 +$14,000 spent with Marriott

Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards With Elite Status Benefits

Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating

A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card

A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

Welcome OfferEarn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
30,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$210

Annual Fee

APR

21.49%–28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Casual travelers who like to frequent properties that are part of the Marriott Bonvoy collection of brands may want to consider the Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card.

The Marriott Bold card rewards cardholders for Marriott stays and gives them a boost towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

Pros

Up to 14x points per $1 on Marriott purchases
2x points per $1 on travel purchases
15 Elite Night Credits each year (automatically gives you Silver Elite status)
No foreign transaction fees
No annual fee

Cons

Lower point earn rate than other Marriott Bonvoy cards
Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status is the lowest status tier

Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Pay no annual fee with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card from Chase^®!
Earn up to 14X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^® with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Card.
1X point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Your points don't expire as long as you make purchases on your card every 24 months.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.49%–28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating

Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual free night award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card

Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual free night award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.

Welcome OfferEarn 5 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card!
Earn 5 Free Night Awards

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,750

Annual Fee

$95

APR

21.49%–28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

If you’re a frequent traveler and a Marriott loyalist, there’s a lot to love about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card. The card comes packed with several great benefits like a free hotel night once a year, automatic Silver Elite status (with a fast-track to Gold Elite status), and multiple options for redeeming points.

Pros

Earn big when you use your card at thousands of participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
Earn big at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
Automatic Silver Elite Status
1 Free Night Award each cardmember anniversary (valued up to 35,000 points)
One year complimentary DoorDash DashPass subscription
No foreign transaction fees

Cons

$95 annual fee
Marriott Silver status is the lowest status tier

Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases.
Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Card.
Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite status, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
No Foreign Transaction Fees. Your points don't expire as long as you make purchases on your card every 24 months.
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.49%–28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

NEW 155K OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card

U.P. Rating

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.

Welcome OfferEarn 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
155,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,085

Annual Fee

$250

APR

20.99%-29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card, the latest mid-tier offering in the Marriott Bonvoy lineup of cards, offers cardholders automatic elite status and ways to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on each of their stays and daily purchases.

Pros

6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
4x points per $1 at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per calendar year, then 2X points)
2x points per $1 on all other purchases
Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
15 Elite Night Credits per year
1,000 bonus points per paid stay
1 Free Night Award (up to 50,000 points) when you spend $15,000 on the card in a year
No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

Cons

$250 annual fee (rates and fees)
Free Night Award certificate is not an automatic benefit

Earn 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy^® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
Earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points).
Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
Marriott Bonvoy 1K Bonus Points Per Stay: Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
With complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elites status, earn up to 2.5X points from Marriott Bonvoy^® on eligible hotel purchases with the 25% Bonus Points on stays benefit, available for Qualifying Rates.
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Free Night Award: Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® points) at a hotel participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
15 Elite Night Credits: Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card^® you can receive 15 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy^® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
Plan It^® is a payment option that lets you split up purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee. Plus, you'll still earn rewards the way you usually do.
$250 Annual Fee.
Terms apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

NEW 185K WELCOME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

U.P. Rating

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

Welcome OfferEarn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
185,000 bonus points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,295

Annual Fee

$650

APR

20.99%-29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.

So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?

Pros

6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy program
3x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines and restaurants worldwide
2x points per $1 on all other purchases
25 Elite Night Credits each year
Priority Pass Select membership upon enrollment
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit
Annual Free Night Award after card renewal
Complimentary Platinum Elite status

Cons

Steep annual fee of $650 (rates and fees)
6x points per $1 is the same earn rate offered with lower annual fee alternatives like the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card

Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
$300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card at restaurants worldwide.
With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
$100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton^® or St. Regis^® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck^® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy^® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
$650 Annual Fee.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

Here’s a look at the level of elite status that comes complimentary with each Marriott Bonvoy-branded credit card:

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Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card	Comes With	Spend Your Way To
Marriott Bold card	Silver Elite	N/A
Marriott Boundless card	Silver Elite	Gold Elite after spending $35,000 in a calendar year
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card	Gold Elite	N/A
Marriott Bonvoy Business card	Gold Elite	N/A
Marriott Bountiful card	Gold Elite	N/A
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card	Platinum Elite	N/A

Additional Reasons To Have a Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card

Marriott Bonvoy-branded cards that charge an annual fee can come with benefits like these:

Free hotel night certificate at each card anniversary renewal
Earn bonus points when staying at Marriott properties
A faster path to elite status with 15 to 25 elite qualifying night credits per year (maximum 40 Elite Night Credits)
Some cards allow you to qualify for higher elite status by meeting spending thresholds on the card
American Express or Visa Signature travel and shopping benefits

Bottom Line: Marriott Bonvoy-branded credit cards listed above each come with complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Elite status — all come with at least 15 qualifying elite night credits each year. If you have both a personal consumer Marriott Bonvoy-branded card and a business card, you can receive qualifying elite night credits on 2 total cards for up to a maximum of 40 elite night credits towards status each year.

World of Hyatt Credit Cards

Enjoy complimentary elite status with a credit card from Hyatt. Park Hyatt Saigon Park Suite. Image Credit: Hyatt

World of Hyatt Elite Status Benefits

The World of Hyatt card and World of Hyatt Business card both come with entry-level Discoverist status. Let’s review what each elite level includes:

Discoverist — Premium complimentary internet, free breakfast at participating Hyatt Place properties, resort fee waived on award nights, basic room upgrade, early 12 p.m. check-in, and 2 p.m. late checkout
Explorist — All preceding benefits, plus upgrades to the best room available (excluding suites)
Globalist — All preceding benefits, plus complimentary lounge access, upgrades to suites when available, Guest of Honor privileges to gift award nights to family and friends, 4 p.m. late checkout, and free parking at resorts when booking award nights

All elite-level members receive a dedicated reservation line, a special check-in area at the hotel, member-discounted hotel rates, and a free bottle of water each day.

Here’s what it takes to achieve World of Hyatt elite status in a calendar year for each level of the program:

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Status Tier	Qualifying Nights	Qualifying Points
Discoverist	10	25,000
Explorist	30	50,000
Globalist	60	100,000

World of Hyatt Credit Cards With Elite Status Benefits

The World of Hyatt Credit Card

U.P. Rating

The World of Hyatt card offers a fast track to Hyatt elite status, an annual free night, and up to 9x points per $1 on Hyatt stays.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card

The World of Hyatt card offers a fast track to Hyatt elite status, an annual free night, and up to 9x points per $1 on Hyatt stays.

Welcome OfferEarn 30,000 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.
Up to 60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$900

Annual Fee

$95

APR

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The World of Hyatt Credit Card makes your Hyatt stays more rewarding and helps you get coveted World of Hyatt elite status faster. This card is a must-have for any traveler who regularly stays at Hyatt hotels, or even for anyone who’s able to take advantage of the card’s annual free night certificate.

When you factor in all the benefits the World of Hyatt card offers, it’s easy to see why it is one of the best co-branded hotel credit cards on the market.

Pros

Up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays: 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent at Hyatt hotels and 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
2x points per $1 at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit, rideshares, and fitness clubs/gym memberships
1x point per $1 on all other purchases
1 Free Night Award each cardmember anniversary (Category 1 to 4)
A second Free Night Award when you spend $15,000 on the card
Hyatt Discoverist status
5 automatic elite night credits each year
2 elite night credits for every $5,000 spent on the card
DoorDash DashPass subscription
No foreign transaction fees
Purchase protection
Trip cancellation/interruption and luggage insurance

Cons

$95 annual fee

Earn 30,000 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.
Enjoy complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open.
Get 1 free night each year after your Cardmember anniversary at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort
Receive 5 tier qualifying night credits towards status after account opening, and each year after that for as long as your account is open
Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year
Earn 2 qualifying night credits towards tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card
Earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays - 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent at Hyatt hotels & 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

World of Hyatt

NEW OFFER

World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

U.P. Rating

The World of Hyatt Business card provides a solid option for business travelers that are looking to put their expenses on a small business card.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

The World of Hyatt Business card provides a solid option for business travelers that are looking to put their expenses on a small business card.

Welcome Offer60,000 Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,200

Annual Fee

$199

APR

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Hyatt loyalists who do their fair share of business travel have been clamoring for the addition of a co-branded Hyatt business credit card for quite some time — and now it’s finally here.

The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card is now available. In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about it!

Pros

9x points per $1 spent total for Hyatt stays and experiences: Earn 4x points at Hyatt hotels, participating Small Luxury Hotels of the World, participating Exhale locations, and eligible Lindblad Expeditions. Plus, 5x points spent just for being a World of Hyatt member.
2x points per $1 spent in your top three spend categories each quarter through 12/31/24, then your top two 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 per $1 spent on fitness club and gym memberships.
1x point per $1 on all other purchases
Automatic World of Hyatt Discoverist status
Gift World of Hyatt Discoverist status to up to 5 employees
Up to $100 annual Hyatt credit — broken up into 2 $50 statement credits
Access to the Hyatt Leverage program
Earn 5 Elite Night Credits for every $10,000 you spend on the card in a calendar year
10% back on redeemed points after spending $50,000 in a calendar year (with a cap of 20,000 points back per year); this rebate is only valid on stays after spending $50,000 on the card, and any stays prior to meeting that threshold will not be retroactively credited
Primary rental car insurance
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
Purchase protection and extended warranty protection

Cons

$199 annual fee
Bonus categories and benefits are very similar to the personal card

60,000 Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
9 points total per $1 spent at Hyatt - 4 Bonus Points per $1 when you use your card at Hyatt hotels & 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
2 Bonus Points per $1 spent in your top three spend categories each quarter through 12/31/24, then your top two categories each quarter.
2 Bonus Points per $1 spent on fitness club and gym memberships
1 Bonus Point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Up to $100 in Hyatt statement credits - spend $50 or more at any Hyatt property and earn $50 statement credits up to two times each anniversary year.
5 Tier-Qualifying night credits toward status and Milestone rewards for every $10,000 you spend in a calendar year.
World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open. Plus, Discoverist status to up to five employees
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

World of Hyatt

You would normally be required to stay 10 nights or earn 25,000 earned base points to earn the Discoverist elite status that comes complimentary with the World of Hyatt card and World of Hyatt Business card.

In addition, the World of Hyatt card also grants 5 qualifying night credits toward the next elite level, Explorist status, which typically requires 30 elite qualifying nights or 50,000 base points. You can also spend your way to elevated status as you receive 2 additional qualifying elite night credits for each $5,000 spent on the World of Hyatt card.

By comparison, the World of Hyatt Business card grants 5 elite qualifying night credits towards higher elite status for each $10,000 spent on the card.

Additional Reasons To Have the World of Hyatt Card

Free night certificate at card renewal anniversary
Spend your way to a higher status with 2 elite qualifying night credits for every $5,000 spent on the card
Up to 9x points at Hyatt — 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent at Hyatt hotels and 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
2x points on flights booked directly with airlines, local transit, fitness/gym memberships, and restaurants
1x point for all other purchases

Bottom Line: The World of Hyatt card and World of Hyatt Business card each come with entry-level Discoverist elite status. The World of Hyatt card also offers 5 qualifying night credits to accelerate your progress toward mid-level status. You can earn additional elite qualifying nights by spending on your World of Hyatt card at the rate of 2 elite night credits for every $5,000 spent on the card, or 5 elite night credits for every $10,000 spent on the World of Hyatt Business card.

IHG One Rewards Credit Cards

Receive elevated earnings when using your card at IHG Hotels & Resorts properties. InterContinental Hotels Pattaya Resort. Image Credit: IHG

IHG One Rewards Elite Status Benefits

Here’s a summary of what each level of IHG One Rewards elite status offers:

Silver Elite — No points expiration date, late checkout, 20% bonus point earnings
Gold Elite — Complimentary Wi-Fi, reward nights count toward elite status, and 40% bonus point earnings on qualifying hotel purchases
Platinum Elite — All preceding benefits plus 60% bonus points on hotel purchases, complimentary room upgrades, and room availability guarantee
Diamond Elite — All preceding benefits plus 100% bonus points on hotel purchases, free breakfast

SCROLL FOR MORE

Status Tier	Qualifying Nights	Qualifying Points
Silver Elite	10	0
Gold Elite	20	40,000
Platinum Elite	40	60,000
Diamond Elite	70	120,000

IHG also has an Ambassador status that can be purchased for $200 per year ($150 renewal) and includes a buy 1, get 1 reward weekend night, InterContinental benefits, and a 10% rebate on award night purchases.

For more information, refer to our guide to the IHG One Rewards loyalty program.

IHG One Rewards Credit Cards and Elite Status

IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card

U.P. Rating

Earn up to 17x when you stay at IHG hotels, 3x on monthly bills, at gas stations, and restaurants, and 2x on all other purchases.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card

Earn up to 17x when you stay at IHG hotels, 3x on monthly bills, at gas stations, and restaurants, and 2x on all other purchases.

Welcome OfferEarn 80,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
80,000 bonus points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$400

Annual Fee

APR

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

If you’re someone who is looking to enhance your IHG stays by earning more points and benefits, without paying an annual fee, then the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card might be the perfect fit for you.

In this guide, we will provide a detailed view of what the card can offer so you can decide if it makes sense to add to your wallet.

Pros

Up to 17x total points per $1 on IHG stays
3x points per $1 on monthly bills, at gas stations, and restaurants
2x point per $1 on all other purchases
Fourth night free on award stays
Complimentary IHG Silver Elite status, plus the ability to spend your way to IHG Gold Elite status
Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $10,000 on the card in a calendar year
20% discount on IHG point purchases
Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance
Purchase protection
No foreign transaction fees
$0 annual fee

Cons

Not as rewarding as the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

Earn 80,000 bonus points
No Annual Fee
Earn up to 17 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
Earn 3 points per $1 spent on purchases on monthly bills, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Redeem 3 Nights, Get the 4th Night Free
IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at Hotels & Resorts such as InterContinental^®, Crowne Plaza^®, Kimpton^®, EVEN^® Hotels, Indigo^® Hotels & Holiday Inn^®
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

IHG Rewards Loyalty Program Review

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

U.P. Rating

The perfect card for IHG fans, offering a free night every year, automatic Platinum Elite status, and your fourth night free on award stays.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

The perfect card for IHG fans, offering a free night every year, automatic Platinum Elite status, and your fourth night free on award stays.

Welcome OfferEarn 140,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
140,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$700

Annual Fee

$99

APR

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

If you regularly visit IHG hotels throughout the year, then the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is probably a perfect card to have in your wallet.

The IHG Premier card offers a great bundle of perks and benefits, including automatic Platinum elite status, an annual free night certificate, and travel protections.

Pros

Up to 26x points per $1 on IHG stays
5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants
3x points per $1 on all other purchases
Automatic Platinum Elite status, and the ability to spend your way to Diamond Elite status
Free anniversary night certificate
Fourth-night free on award stays
20% off when buying IHG Rewards points
Up to $50 in United Airlines TravelBank Cash each year
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS fee credit (up to $100 every four years)
Earn a $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on the card in a calendar year
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
Purchase protection
No foreign transaction fees

Cons

$99 annual fee
Does not earn transferable points

Earn 140,000 Bonus Points
Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Plus, enjoy a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG^® hotel stay.
Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier cardmember
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck^® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at Hotels & Resorts such as InterContinental^®, Crowne Plaza^®, Kimpton^®, EVEN^® Hotels, Indigo^® Hotels & Holiday Inn^®
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

LIMITED TIME OFFER!

IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

U.P. Rating

The IHG Premier Business card is the perfect option for business travelers who regularly stay at IHG hotels.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

The IHG Premier Business card is the perfect option for business travelers who regularly stay at IHG hotels.

Welcome OfferLimited Time Offer! Earn up to 175,000 Bonus Points. Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, earn 35,000 Bonus Points after spending a total of $7,000 in the first 6 months from account opening.
175,000 Bonus Points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$875

Annual Fee

$99

APR

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent Credit Recommended (670-850)

IHG Rewards and Chase have teamed up to offer the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Card, a compelling option for those who travel often for their business and stay at IHG hotels.

In this review, we will cover all of the benefits of the card, including earning rates, perks, fees, and more to help you determine whether the card is a good fit for your travel goals.

Pros

Up to 26x total points per $1 spent on IHG Hotels and Resorts
5x points per $1 spent on travel, at gas stations, select advertising, and restaurants
3x points per $1 spent on all other purchases
Automatic IHG Platinum Elite status, plus the ability to spend your way to Diamond Elite status
Fourth night free on award stays
Free anniversary night certificate, plus the ability to earn a second free night after spending $40,000 on the card in a calendar year
Up to $50 United Airlines TravelBank Cash each year
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS statement credit
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
Purchase protection
20% discount on IHG point purchases

Cons

$99 annual fee
Does not earn transferable rewards

Limited Time offer! Earn up to 175,000 Bonus Points. Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, earn 35,000 Bonus Points after spending a total of $7,000 in the first 6 months from account opening.
Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Plus, enjoy a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG^® hotel stay.
Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels and Resorts
Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, select advertising, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier Business cardmember
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck^® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at hotels such as InterContinental^®, Crowne Plaza^®, Kimpton^®, EVEN^® Hotels, Indigo^® Hotels & Holiday Inn^®
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

The IHG Traveler card has no annual fee and comes with Silver Elite status. Plus, you can qualify for Gold Elite status after spending $10,000 in a calendar year.

The IHG Premier card and IHG Premier Business card both come with complimentary Platinum Elite status that would normally require staying 40 nights each year or earning 60,000 qualifying points.

Additional Reasons To Have the IHG Premier Card

Up to 26x points when spending at IHG
5x points on travel, dining, and gas purchases
3x points on everything else
Free hotel night certificate at card anniversary
Fourth consecutive award night is free
Up to $100 Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck credit
Spend $20,000 each anniversary year and receive 10,000 bonus points

Bottom Line: With complimentary IHG Platinum Elite status for as long as you have the card, a low annual fee of $99, and an annual reward night certificate, the IHG Premier card offers great value.

Wyndham Rewards Credit Cards

Each of Wyndham Rewards’ credit cards comes with elite status. Dolce by Wyndham Hanoi Golden Lake. Image Credit: Wyndham

Wyndham Rewards offers 3 branded credit cards and all come with complimentary elite status in the Wyndham Rewards program.

Let’s look at how the cards compare in the status provided and earnings at Wyndham properties.

Wyndham Rewards Elite Status Benefits

Here’s what you can expect from each Wyndham Rewards elite status level:

Gold — Discounted member rates, free internet, dedicated phone line, preferred room upgrades, late checkout, and discounts on local experiences
Platinum — All preceding benefits, plus early check-in, rental car partners upgrade benefit, and bonus points for hotel stays
Diamond — All preceding benefits, plus suite upgrades, the ability to gift Gold status, and a welcome amenity

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Elite Status Level	Annual Stay Requirements
Gold	5 nights
Platinum	15 nights
Diamond	40 nights

Wyndham Rewards Credit Cards and Their Elite Status Benefits

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Wyndham Rewards Card	Annual Fee	Elite Status	Earning Power at Wyndham
Wyndham Rewards Earner card	$0	Gold	3x points
Wyndham Rewards Earner+ card	$75	Platinum	5x points
Wyndham Rewards Earner Business card	$95	Diamond	8x points

Additional Reasons To Have a Wyndham Rewards Card

Generous welcome bonuses
You’ll earn free nights quickly with 3x to 8x points at Wyndham properties
Wyndham Rewards Earner+ card and Wyndham Rewards Earner Business card offer additional bonus-earning categories
Bonus points at card renewal

Learn about all the ways you can earn lots of Wyndham Rewards and the best way to maximize redeeming those rewards in these helpful guides.

Hot Tip: Wyndham hotel properties include budget hotel chains such as Super 8 and Days Inn, but you’ll also find plenty of luxury properties. Reward nights range from 7,500 to 30,000 points per night.

Choice Privileges® Mastercard®

Enjoy a wide variety of unique properties or familiar budget accommodations with Choice Privileges. Federal Pointe Inn, Ascend Hotel Collection. Image Credit: Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels offers a simple loyalty rewards program in the Choice Privileges loyalty program that is enhanced by having a Choice Privileges-branded card.

Let’s look at what you can expect from elite status membership with Choice.

Choice Privileges Elite Status Benefits

Gold — Receive exclusive member rates, 10% bonus points, early check-in, late checkout, reserved parking, an elite customer hotline, elite welcome gift, Your Extras, and elite gift cards. Gold members may also roll over up to 9 elite qualifying nights each year to jumpstart earning elite membership the following year.
Platinum — Receive all preceding benefits plus 25% bonus points, roll over up to 19 elite qualifying nights each year, and Avis Preferred Plus membership.
Diamond — Receive all preceding benefits plus 50% bonus points and roll over up to 39 elite nights each year.

Now let’s look at what it takes to achieve elite status membership.

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Elite Status Level	Annual Stay Requirements
Gold	10 nights
Platinum	20 nights
Diamond	40 nights

Choice Privileges Card Elite Status Benefits

The Choice Privileges card comes with a generous welcome bonus worth up to several free hotel nights, complimentary Gold elite status, and the benefit of earning 5x points when using the card to pay at Choice properties. These earnings are in addition to the bonus points that are earned on your stay with Gold status.

Additional Reasons To Have a Choice Privileges Card

$0 annual fee
5x points when purchasing points or gift cards
3x points at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, and on phone plans
Cell phone protection

To learn more about how to earn Choice Rewards points and redeem Choice Privileges Rewards points for excellent value, you’ll want to access our informative articles.

Hot Tip: Choice Hotels is acquiring Radisson Hotels Americas. Watch for possible changes in loyalty programs, benefits, and perhaps credit card options.

Best Western Rewards Credit Cards

Best Western Hotel, Massena, Nice, France, Europe — Your Best Western status can get you benefits all over the world. Best Western Plus Hôtel Masséna in Nice, France. Image Credit: Edinburghcitymom via Shutterstock

While the Best Western Rewards loyalty program wouldn’t be described as the most dynamic rewards program, having a Best Western-branded card enhances elite status and makes earning rewards easier. Earning rewards at a faster rate also means you’ll earn free nights faster.

We’ll look first at the benefits of elite status, then see how a Best Western-branded card works to accelerate your earnings.

Best Western Rewards Elite Status Benefits

Gold — 10% bonus points on stays, special member rates, early check-in/late checkout, a welcome gift or choice of points, room upgrades, bottled water
Platinum — all Gold benefits, plus 15% bonus points on stays
Diamond — all Gold benefits, plus 30% bonus points on stays
Diamond Select— all Gold benefits, plus 50% bonus points on stays

You’ll need to reach 1 of the options listed in each section to earn elite status:

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Elite Status Level	Annual Stay Requirements
Gold	10 nights, 7 stays, or 10,000 points
Platinum	15 nights, 10 stays, or 15,000 points
Diamond	30 nights, 20 stays, or 30,000 points
Diamond Select	50 nights, 40 stays, or 50,000 points

Best Western Credit Cards Elite Status Benefits

With generous welcome offers worth several free hotel nights, elevated earnings at Best Western properties, and complimentary elite status, a Best Western-branded card could deliver value if you’re a Best Western loyalist.

Here’s how the 2 Best Western cards compare:

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Best Western Card	Annual Fee	Elite Status	Earnings
Best Western Rewards card	$0	Gold	13x points at Best Western (10x for when staying at Best Western, additional 3x points earned when using the card) Earn 16,000 points after your first stay (after card approval)
Best Western Rewards Premium card	$89	Platinum	20x points at Best Western (10x points per dollar when staying at Best Western, additional 10x points earned when using the card) Earn 20,000 points after spending $5,000 each 12 billing cycles

Additional Reasons To Have a Best Western Credit Card

Both cards offer a generous welcome bonus — check for the latest offer before applying
2x points on all other purchases
No foreign transaction fees
Special member rates (10% discount)

Bottom Line: Although the complimentary elite status that comes with having a Best Western-branded credit card doesn’t deliver a lot of benefits, a branded card does make earning rewards a faster process which in turn makes it easier to earn free hotel nights. For great ideas on the best Best Western Plus properties to book with your rewards, check out our recommendations.

Hotel Elite Program Status Matches and Challenges

There is another option for achieving elite status with a hotel loyalty program, and that is to leverage your current elite status to gain corresponding elite status with another program.

Hotel status matches (a literal match of your current status with another hotel loyalty program) and status challenges (involving a required number of stays) are fleeting and may only be available during a short window of time. If you want to learn more, check out our comprehensive guide on how to status match with hotel loyalty programs.

Hot Tip: Some hotel loyalty programs have been known to grant a status match, or challenge, to members who have received granted status via their hotel-branded credit card. If you have your eye on a specific elite program it doesn’t hurt to request a status match using your credit card-granted elite status.

Final Thoughts

Hotel elite status can add tremendous value during your travels. If you can secure elite status just by having the hotel-branded credit card or another travel rewards credit card, it’s a logical choice.

Hotel elite status is not the only benefit you’ll receive, no matter which card you select. Just be sure, especially if you’re paying a significant annual fee, that you’re getting benefits you can actually use and that deliver significant value. For example, if a card has a $75 annual fee but offers a free hotel night at renewal, you’ll only maximize the value if you use that hotel night or earn a sufficient amount of points to offset that expense.

All of the cards featured today have generous welcome offers that can be redeemed for several free hotel nights. You’ll need to pay close attention to the spending requirements to make sure you qualify for the bonus. Some cards require just 1 transaction to receive the bonus while others have spending requirements that need to be completed in the first 90 days after card approval.

A hotel-branded or a travel rewards credit card that offers complimentary hotel elite status is definitely worth it if you frequent the associated brand and can use the additional benefits offered by the card.

The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding The World of Hyatt Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Plus Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Business Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Choice Privileges^® Mastercard^® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees for The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® card, click here.

Featured Image Credit: Marriott

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best hotel credit card?

The best hotel credit card for you will depend on your level of spending, the brands you prefer, and whether the elite status/benefits that come with the card are valuable to you.

The best hotel card will also depend on your tolerance for paying an annual fee. While premium rewards credit cards have higher annual fees, the benefits (if you use them) can offset those fees.

Cards with lower annual fees tend to have fewer benefits.

Another factor in selecting a hotel credit card would be earnings. If you stay predominately at 1 brand, you will generally fare better with that hotel’s branded credit card.

If you stay at a variety of brands and travel frequently, a premium travel rewards credit card could be a better fit.

Is hotel elite status worth it?

If you frequently stay at a specific hotel chain, elite status can make your stay more comfortable and allow you to earn free nights faster by earning bonus points for each stay.

Even entry-level elite status can bring benefits such as late checkout, free internet access, and discounted rates.

Receiving hotel elite status just for having the hotel-branded credit card is a plus. You’ll have no requirement to stay a specific number of nights each year but will still be able to enjoy the benefits of hotel elite status.

How does the free night certificate work?

Each credit card will vary as to how you earn or redeem your free night certificate.

Most credit cards award the free night certificate after your first card anniversary renewal. Once you’ve paid your annual fee, you’ll usually receive an email informing you that your free night is available for use.

Free night certificates are generally valid for just 1 year. Some credit cards require that you actually book and stay the free night prior to expiration. Others require that you just book the free night.

Additionally, your card may come with an extra free hotel night when you book nights with points. These are usually described as “fifth consecutive award night free” or similar language.

This is a great offer because if you book 5 nights, you will only pay for 4. For example, if an award night is 25,000 points, you would pay only 100,000 points for 5 nights versus 125,000 points.

What are the best hotel rewards programs?

The best hotel rewards program for you will be the one that rewards you for your hotel purchases, aligns with your hotel brand of choice, and offers benefits you can actually use.

The great news is that joining hotel loyalty programs is free. This means that you can always join a hotel’s loyalty reward program prior to staying at that hotel brand.

Just being a member can yield benefits such as late checkout or free Wi-Fi.

Hotel rewards programs also allow you to earn points to use towards free nights, and if you stay frequently enough, you can earn elite status which offers even more benefits.

When you find a hotel reward program you like, having the hotel-branded credit card can serve to enhance that relationship with more benefits, elevated rewards earning, and even complimentary elite status.

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About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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The 23 Best Credit Cards for Complimentary Hotel Elite Status [2024]

Upgraded Points: Expertise You Can Trust

The U.P. Rating System

The 23 Best Cards for Complimentary Hotel Elite Status — Overview

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Pros

Cons

Financial Snapshot

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Amex Platinum Card’s Hotel Elite Status Benefits

Additional Reasons To Have the Amex Platinum Card

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Pros

Cons

Financial Snapshot

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Hilton Honors Credit Cards

Hilton Honors Elite Status Benefits

Hilton Honors Credit Cards and Their Elite Status Benefits

Pros

Cons

Financial Snapshot

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Pros

Cons

Financial Snapshot

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Pros

Cons

Financial Snapshot

Card Categories

Pros

Cons

Financial Snapshot

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Reasons To Select the Hilton Aspire Card

Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards

Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status Benefits

Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards With Elite Status Benefits

Pros

Cons

Financial Snapshot

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Pros

Cons

Financial Snapshot

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Pros

Cons

Financial Snapshot

Card Categories

Pros

Cons

Financial Snapshot

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Additional Reasons To Have a Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card

World of Hyatt Credit Cards

World of Hyatt Elite Status Benefits

World of Hyatt Credit Cards With Elite Status Benefits

Pros

Cons

Financial Snapshot

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Pros

Cons

Financial Snapshot

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Additional Reasons To Have the World of Hyatt Card

IHG One Rewards Credit Cards

IHG One Rewards Elite Status Benefits

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express