Here Are the Top Credit Cards for Earning Hotel Savings, According to Travel Experts

Choosing the right credit card can transform your spending into valuable travel perks. When optimizing rewards for your accommodations, consider a few key questions: Do you typically stay in hotels or prefer vacation rentals like Airbnbs? Are you loyal to a specific hotel chain, or do you switch based on pricing? Experts, including Max Do, founder of Max Miles Points, suggest abandoning brand loyalty in favor of a card that works across various hotel groups and accommodation types. “The more adaptable you are, the greater your options, and the better your chances of maximizing your miles and points,” says Max Do. He emphasizes that a broader range of hotel programs can enhance your opportunities for securing desirable travel deals. Additionally, having a versatile card can protect you from point devaluations—when the points needed for purchases rise, diminishing their worth. Do advises keeping it straightforward by selecting a card that aligns with your lifestyle, noting that simplifying your strategy makes it easier to redeem points.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

• Highly endorsed by rewards experts.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is frequently highlighted by rewards experts for its impressive earning potential. It offers 5x points on travel purchases made through the Chase Travel portal, 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases, 2x points on all other travel expenses, and 1x on everything else. With a $95 annual fee, this card is accessible to all types of travelers. Cardholders also benefit from a $50 annual travel hotel credit. When redeeming points for hotels, flights, or rental cars via Chase Travel, you receive a 25% boost in value. Plus, trip cancellation and travel insurance are complimentary with each transaction made through their platform. “For those looking to maximize hotel stays, transferring points from a flexible rewards program is a smart strategy,” says Julia Menez, founder of Geobreeze Travel. “I particularly enjoy using Chase or Bilt points for Hyatt stays.” This can be done with the BILT card or popular Chase offerings like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Chase Ink Business Preferred. Therefore, this card is a versatile option for travelers who prioritize value over brand loyalty. “If you don’t have a specific hotel chain preference, I suggest starting with a Chase Sapphire Preferred,” advises Katie Holden, founder of Katie’s Travel Tricks. “It allows you to book hotels through Chase Travel or transfer points to Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio for reservations.”

Capital One Venture X Rewards Card

• Ideal for the frequent traveler.

The premium benefits associated with this card justify its $395 annual fee. Holders of the Capital One Venture X Rewards card can earn an impressive 10x points per dollar on hotels and rental cars, 5x points on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and 2x points on all other expenditures. Points can be effortlessly transferred to over 15 travel loyalty programs.

Cardholders can enhance their hotel experience within the Premier or Lifestyle Collections by accessing a range of benefits, including experience credits, room upgrades, and more. Additionally, there's an enticing sign-up bonus: earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months, translating to around $750 in travel. Cardholders also enjoy a $300 annual credit for bookings made through Capital One Travel and receive 10,000 bonus points every year starting on their first anniversary. Menez suggests using your Capital One points at Wyndham Vacasa properties, similar to Airbnbs, which start at just 15,000 points per night. Upon departure, this card grants you unlimited complimentary access to over a thousand airport lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network, for you and two guests. Cardholders also get up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, making it an outstanding travel card overall.

The World of Hyatt

• Perfect for loyal customers.

While Hyatt may not boast as many locations as some larger chains, the benefits of the World of Hyatt Visa card are unmatched. Regulars at Hyatt will find the high point redemption values, perks, and an annual free night stay more than justify the $95 annual fee. Cardholders can earn up to 9 points per $1 spent at Hyatt, which includes 4 bonus points for purchases made at Hyatt hotels and 5 base points from being a World of Hyatt member. Additionally, they earn 2 points per dollar at restaurants, directly purchased airline tickets, local transit, and fitness memberships. Hyatt also offers a free night on your membership anniversary and complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status, making this card a fantastic way to gain status within Hyatt's network. Cardholders receive 4 tier qualifying night credits upon account opening and annually thereafter, and can earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel for spending $15,000 in a calendar year. Furthermore, cardholders earn 2 night credits towards tier status for every $5,000 spent, along with 30,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months. An additional 30,000 bonus points can be earned by accumulating 2 points per $1 on qualifying purchases within the first six months. Hyatt remains one of the few hotel programs that utilize a category system, where, for instance, a Category 1 hotel may cost 5,000 points. In contrast, many other hotel programs like Marriott and Hilton use a revenue-based system, tying the required points to the monetary cost of a night. “This system makes it challenging to maximize point value,” explains Menez. “With Hyatt, the point cost for a hotel remains consistent regardless of price surges, allowing you to extract maximum value from your points.”

American Express Gold Card

• Ideal for food enthusiasts.

With a $395 annual fee, the American Express Gold card might seem daunting, but the rewards are impressive. Cardholders earn 4x points on dining at restaurants (on the first $50,000 in purchases each year) and at U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 annually), plus enjoy a $120 dining credit.

The card offers a 60,000-point introductory bonus, providing a strong foundation for earning. Additionally, cardholders can access over 1,000 hotels globally and receive a $100 credit for charges such as food, beverages, spa services, or other hotel expenses through Amex Travel.

Although this card isn’t explicitly branded as a travel or hotel card, its capacity to maximize rewards on everyday grocery and dining purchases makes it an exceptional lifestyle card, according to Owen Beiny, founder of The Points Partner.

The takeaway? Accumulating points is one aspect, but knowing how to use them effectively is crucial. “Earning these points accounts for only 25 to 30 percent of the importance,” Beiny emphasizes. “The remaining 70 percent hinges on how you utilize those points once you have them.”

This is why it’s essential to keep an eye on offers, transfer programs, and timing, he stated. When you use your points wisely, your regular spending can essentially allow you to travel for free.