While the right hotel credit card varies from person to person depending on the hotel brand they stay with the most, we compared different cards based on their features. We gave preference to hotel credit cards that offer elite perks or automatic status just for signing up, and we made sure each card’s annual fee was commensurate with the benefits offered.
Within hotel brands, we ranked the cards based on their net return, taking into account points earned, anniversary night awards and other tangible rewards relative to the annual fee.
We also expanded our search to include flexible credit cards that let you use your rewards for more than one brand. Each of the cards on our list offers a valuable rewards scheme and points that can be useful depending on the user and their travel goals.
Attributes and metrics we used to evaluate the best hotel credit cards include:
- Number of properties in a hotel brand’s portfolio
- Points earning rates
- Status granted or fast-tracked
- Annual fees
- Foreign transaction fees
- Ancillary credits usable with a respective hotel brand
- Ancillary credits to use outside a hotel
- Redemption rates for award nights
- Free night availability for holding the card
- Travel and consumer protections
- Airport lounge benefits
- Car rental status and privileges
- Value and usability of credits, status and benefits granted from the card
- Hotel discounts for holding the card
- Spending milestone rewards
- Value of a hotel’s points
Forbes Advisor re-evaluates each credit card list at least every six months to determine if any cards need to be added and/or removed. However, a list could be updated sooner if significant changes are made to included cards or if a new credit card is announced that’s likely to impact the category.
To learn more about our rating and review methodology and editorial process, check out our guide on how Forbes Advisor rates credit cards.