Top Hotel Credit Cards Offering Discounts and Perks

Travelling can be costly, but the right hotel credit cards can help you save on hotel stays and enjoy extra benefits. Travel reward credit cards offer discounts, special deals, and more. 

Additionally, these cards are designed to offer more value, comfort, and convenience during travels, ensuring you get the best possible experience from every hotel you book.

In this article, we’ll discuss how these credit cards can make your trips cheaper and more enjoyable. From earning points and cash back to accessing premium services, these cards can enhance your travel experience and save you money.

Top Hotel Credit Cards Offering Discounts and Perks

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

Marriott Bonvoy boundless credit card is best for people who regularly stay at Marriott properties. It allows you to maximize your Marriott Bonvoy points and enjoy various hotel perks.

Discounts and Perks

• Earn a free award every year after your account anniversary.
• Earn up to 17 points per $1 spent at Marriot Bonvoy properties and 2 points per 1$ on all other purchases.
• The generous sign-up bonus is often worth multiple free nights.
• Automatic Silver Elite status, which includes priority late check-out and a dedicated reservations line.

Pros

• Generous free night welcome bonus.
• Robust bonus category.
• Ability to earn a free night via card spending.

Cons

• Benefits are most valuable if you frequently stay at Marriott properties.
• There is an annual fee that may not be justified if you don’t utilize the perks often.
• The card may have foreign transaction fees, making it less ideal for international travel.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is perfect for travellers who prefer Hilton hotels and want top-tier status benefits.

Discounts and Perks

• Enjoy a free weekend night reward each year.
•  Automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status, which offers complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, and executive lounge access.
• Up to $250 annual statement credit for eligible purchases at participating Hilton Resorts.
• Earn up to 14 points per $1 spent at Hilton properties.

   Pros

• Potential for more valuable Hilton perks.
• Up to $200 in annual credits.

Cons

• The card has a high annual fee, which may be a drawback for some users.
• Benefits are most valuable if you frequently stay at Hilton properties.
• Understanding and maximizing all the benefits can be complex.

World of Hyatt Credit Card

The World of Hyatt Credit Card is tailored for those who enjoy staying at Hyatt properties and want to make the most of their hotel stays with free nights and status perks.

Discounts and Perks

• Earn a free night each anniversary year and additional free night awards for meeting spending thresholds.
• Automatic Discoverist status, including perks like premium internet, late checkout, and room upgrades.
• Up to 9 points per $1 spent at Hyatt hotels and 2 points per $1 on dining, flights, and gym memberships.
• The substantial sign-up bonus is often equivalent to several free nights.

Pros

• Robust travel protections.
• Free night upon card renewal.

Cons

• Benefits are most valuable if you frequently stay at Hyatt properties.
• There is an annual fee that needs to be justified by the benefits you use.
• Points earned on non-Hyatt purchases are less competitive.

The Platinum Card from American Express

The Platinum Card from American Express is designed for luxury travellers who seek high-end hotel perks and elite travel benefits across various brands.

Discounts and Perks

•  Enjoy benefits such as room upgrades, daily breakfast for two, early check-in, late checkout, and $100 property credit at over 1,000 luxury hotels.
• Receive a $100 hotel credit for qualifying charges and room upgrades when booking two or more consecutive nights.
• Earn up to $200 in statement credits for eligible travel expenses.

Pros 

• Offer airport lounge access with a larger network than any other credit card.
• Membership reward cards are valuable due to their flexibility.

   Cons 

• The card has a high annual fee, which can be a barrier for some users.
• Fully utilizing all benefits requires careful planning.
• Not as widely accepted internationally compared to Visa and Mastercard.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is great for travellers who desire flexibility and value premium travel rewards across various hotel brands.

Discounts and Perks

• Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel immediately after earning the $300 travel credit, and on dining.
• Earn Annual Travel Credit of $300 travel credit applicable to a broad range of travel purchases, including hotel stays.
• Benefits include daily breakfast for two, room upgrades, early check-in, and late checkout at over 900 properties.
•  Complimentary airport lounge access, enhancing the overall travel experience.

Pros

• A $300 annual travel credit is incredibly flexible.
• Generous welcome bonus.
• Points transfer to valuable airline and hotel partners.

Cons

• The card has a high annual fee, which may be a drawback for some users.
• Benefits are most valuable if you travel frequently.
• Redemp Maximizing point value can be complex.

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is a must-have for fans of IHG properties, which include brands like InterContinental, Holiday Inn, and Crowne Plaza. It offers a range of benefits designed to enhance your stay.

    Discounts and Perks

• Receive a free night each year after your cardmember anniversary at eligible IHG hotels.
• Automatic Platinum Elite status offers complimentary room upgrades, extended checkout, and priority check-in.
•  Earn up to 25 points per $1 spent at IHG properties, 2 points per $1 at gas stations, and grocery stores, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
• Get the fourth night free when you redeem points for any stay of four or more nights.
• Earn up to $100 statement credit every four years as reimbursement for the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

Pros

• Generous welcome bonus not typically seen in a $0 annual fee card.
• Fourth night free on award bookings.

Cons

• Benefits are most valuable if you frequently stay at IHG properties.
• There is an annual fee to consider.
• Points can sometimes have lower redemption value compared to other hotel programs.

These credit cards provide more value, comfort, and convenience during your travels, ensuring that you get the best possible experience from every hotel you stay.

Why Use Credit Cards for Hotel Discounts and Perks

Many credit cards offer a wide range of exclusive discounts on hotel bookings. These deals are often available through partnerships between the credit card company and hotel chains, giving you lower rates than usual.

Travel rewards or cash-back credit cards can save you more on hotel stays. Some cards give cash back on travel expenses, including hotels, or offer extra points for these purchases, which you can use for future travel or other rewards.

Enhancing Your Travel with Rewards and Benefits

Points and Miles
Credit cards often let you earn hotel points and miles for every dollar spent on hotel bookings. These rewards can add up quickly and be used for free or discounted stays, flights, or other travel expenses, saving you money on future trips.

Travel Insurance
Many travel credit cards and airline loyalty programs include travel insurance, covering trip cancellations, lost luggage, and travel accidents. This protection can give you peace of mind and save you from unexpected costs.

Concierge Services
Premium credit cards often offer concierge services to help with booking accommodations, securing reservations at top hotels, and arranging special requests. This personalized service can make your travel planning easier and more enjoyable.

Maximizing Hotel Perks with Credit Cards

Some travel credit cards automatically give you elite status with hotel loyalty programs. For example, certain cards offer perks like room upgrades, early check-in, late check-out, and lounge access. To keep or improve your elite status, book stays with the hotel chain linked to your credit card. Staying more nights or earning more points can help you reach higher status levels.

Make sure to take advantage of the perks that come with your elite status, like free breakfasts and room upgrades, to get the most value. Use your credit card for travel purchases to earn points faster. Some cards offer extra points for travel and dining expenses. Charge as many travel expenses as you can to your card. Transfer points from your credit card to hotel loyalty programs for better value. Some programs let you transfer points to hotel partners, which can make your points more valuable when booking hotel stays.

Booking directly with hotels using your credit card can give you extra benefits like free upgrades, early check-in, late check-out, and special amenities that you might not get through third-party sites.  Some credit cards offer extra perks or discounts when you book directly through the hotel’s website or app. For example, the American Express Platinum Card gives up to $200 in hotel credits when booking through American Express Travel.

Booking directly often ensures you get the best rates and avoid extra fees from third-party sites. Hotels may also offer price-matching or extra discounts for direct bookings. Regularly check the benefits and updates for your credit card. Credit card companies often update their offers, which can improve your travel experience.

Always use your credit card for hotel bookings to get the perks and rewards. Take advantage of any special promotions or offers tied to your card. Keep track of your points and elite status progress through your credit card’s rewards program or hotel loyalty account. This helps you stay informed about your benefits and make smart decisions about earning and using rewards.

Tips for Choosing the Right Credit Card

If you travel a lot, find a credit card that gives good rewards for travel expenses and offers perks like free nights, upgrades, or lounge access. Think about whether you stay in luxury hotels, mid-range hotels, or vacation rentals. Pick a card that matches your travel style and the hotels you usually stay at.

Favorite Hotel Chains

Loyalty Programs
If you stick to one hotel chain, get a credit card that earns points with that chain’s loyalty program. For example, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is great for Hilton stays, and the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is good for Marriott fans.

Flexible Points
If you want more options, choose a card that lets you transfer points to different hotel loyalty programs. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® let you transfer points to various hotel partners, giving you more choices for using your rewards.:

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve explored how credit cards can significantly enhance your travel experience by offering valuable hotel discounts and perks. Credit cards provide substantial savings on hotel stays through rewards points, special promotions, and exclusive benefits like free nights and room upgrades, making them an excellent way to maximize the value of your travel expenses.

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