You don’t have to fly to earn airline miles and hotel points. Signing-up for the right credit cards unlocks tremendous sign-up bonuses (up to 100,000 miles or more!) and opportunities to secure benefits like free checked baggage, hotel room upgrades and lounge access. There are hundreds of credit cards out there, but I have done a lot of the research for you — check out this list of the top travel credit cards on the market today.
This post contains affiliate links from some of my advertising partners. I may receive a small commission on purchases, at no additional cost to you. While you don’t have to use these links, I appreciate your support of my blog when you do. You can read my advertising disclosure here.
Top Hotel Rewards Credit Cards
The cost of hotel rooms is rising, and what better way to cut out that expense than with a huge supply of rewards points? The best hotel rewards credit cards below offer large sign-up bonuses, elite status (that may entitle you to lounge access, free breakfast and room upgrades), elevated points earning, travel insurance and other benefits that will help you elevate your travel experience.
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Earn 70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points + a Free Night Reward after you spend $1,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Card in the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer expires 7/19/2023. Terms apply.
No annual fee
Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status
7x points on purchases at Hilton hotels & resorts
5x points at restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations in the U.S.
3x points per dollar on all other purchases
Car rental loss & damage insurance
No foreign transaction fees
Hilton Honors Surpass® Card
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
$95 annual fee
Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status
12x points on purchases at Hilton hotels & resorts
6x points at restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations in the U.S.
3x points per dollar on all other purchases
Car rental loss & damage insurance
No foreign transaction fees
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
$450 annual fee
Complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status
Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership
14x points on purchases at Hilton hotels & resorts
7x points on flights booked directly with airlines and car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies
7x points at restaurants in the U.S.
3x points per dollar on all other purchases
Annual free night reward
$250 resort credit
$250 airline fee credit
Travel Insurance benefits
No foreign transaction fees
World of Hyatt Credit Card
Earn 30,000 bonus World of Hyatt points when you spend $3,000 within 3 months. Then get an additional 1 bonus point per dollar on your first $15,000 in spend in categories that don’t otherwise earn bonus points within 6 months.
$95 annual fee
Complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status
4x points on purchases at Hyatt hotels & resorts
2x points on flights purchased directly from the airline
2x points on local transit and commuting, including taxis, mass transit, tolls and ride-share
2x points at restaurants and gym memberships
1x points per dollar on all other purchases
Free night each year after cardmember anniversary
No foreign transaction fees
IHG Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card
Earn 120,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of card membership.
No annual fee
Complimentary IHG Rewards Silver Elite status
5x points on purchases at IHG hotels & resorts
3x points at restaurants and gas stations
3x points on utilities, cable, internet, phone, and select streaming services
2x points per dollar on all other purchases
Unlock 4th night free on rewards redemptions
No foreign transaction fees
IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
$99 annual fee
Complimentary IHG Rewards Platinum Elite status
10x points on purchases at IHG hotels & resorts
5x points on all other travel & hotel purchases
5x points at restaurants (including delivery) and gas stations
3x points per dollar on all other purchases
Unlock 4th night free on rewards redemptions
Free night each year after cardmember anniversary
$50 United® TravelBank Cash each calendar year
Up to $100 Global Entry®, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
Travel Insurance benefits
No foreign transaction fees
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card from Chase
Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after spending $1,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
No annual fee
3x points on purchases at Marriott hotels & resorts
2x points on other travel purchases
1x point per dollar on all other purchases
No foreign transaction fees
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card from Chase
Earn 3 Free Nights after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
$95 annual fee
Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status
6x points on purchases at Marriott hotels & resorts
3x points on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on gas stations, grocery stores, and dining
2x points per dollar on all other purchases
1 Free Night Award each year after card account anniversary
No foreign transaction fees
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
MOST ATTRACTIVE MARRIOTT CARD — GOLD STATUS MEMBERS RECEIVE GUARANTEED LATE CHECK-OUT OF 2PM.
Earn 85,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $4,000 in your first 3 months of card membership. Terms apply.
$250 annual fee
Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
6x points on purchases at Marriott hotels & resorts
4x points on the first $15,000 spent in combined purchases each year at restaurants and supermarkets
2x points per dollar on all other purchases
Earn 1,000 bonus points per paid Marriott stay
No foreign transaction fees
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points when you spend $5,000 in your first 3 months of card membership. Terms apply.
$650 annual fee
Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status
Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership
6x points on purchases at Marriott hotels & resorts
3x points on flights booked directly with airlines
3x points at restaurants
2x points per dollar on all other purchases
$300 dining credit ($25 per month)
1 Free Night Award each year after card account anniversary
Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fee credit
No foreign transaction fees
