A former boss of mine had travel down to a science. He bought the most expensive luggage and could pack a week’s worth of clothes into a single, carry-on roller. He had elite status on just about every airline and rental car company. But it was his premier status with hotels that really caught my attention.
The scenario always went something like this. We’d both check in at the same time and then head to the elevator. I’d push the button for my floor, which was usually on a lower floor. But he’d have to insert his room key to activate the button for his “executive” floor, which was almost always one of the top three floors. I still remember his sheepish grin every time this happened. I hated that grin. (John, if you’re reading this, yes, I’m talking about you.)
So today I decided to pull together a list of the top hotel rewards credit cards. The idea here is to find cards that can not only help you get free hotel stays, but also the elite status that my boss enjoyed. One of the great benefits of hotel credit cards is that they help you qualify for elite status without having to spend a gazillion nights at a hotel every year.
We’ll start with my favorite hotel card, which I’ve carried for about a year.
Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express
The Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express is my favorite card for several reasons. First, the bonus rewards for new card members are first rate. Second, rather than being stuck with one hotel, Starwood covers a number of hotels including the Westin, the Sheraton, and W. Third, and this is a big one, you can transfer your Starwood points to most airlines to purchase reward plane tickets.
Here is a summary of the card’s benefits:
- Starpoints® Bonus: 10K with your first purchase and another 15K when you spend $5k within 6 months – enough for up to 6 free nights at a Category 1 or 2 hotel
- Free nights, free flights: Redeem Starpoints with over 350 airlines through SPG Flights and more than 1,000 hotels and resorts worldwide. No blackout dates .
- 2011 SmarterTravel® Award for “Best Travel Rewards Card”
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $65
For more details or to apply online, visit the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express website.
Marriott Rewards® Credit Card
Although I’ve never carried this card, the Marriott Rewards® Credit Card has several perks. First, the card is not limited to just the Marriott. Rewards can be used at all Marriott properties, including Renaissance Hotels, Courtyard, Residence Inn, and Fairfield Inn & Suites. Second, with the card you get enough bonus points for four free nights. Finally, you immediately qualify for Silver elite status and 10 nights credit toward Elite status.
Here are the details:
- Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after your first use, redeemable for up to 4 free nights; plus receive 2 free night stay e-certificates upon account approval
- No Annual fee for your first year – that’s a $45 value*
- Earn 3 points for every $1 spent at Marriott® locations
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on other purchases
- Cardmembers achieve Silver elite status with 10 nights credit toward Elite status
- Redeem Marriott Rewards® points at Marriott properties including Renaissance Hotels, Courtyard, Residence Inn, and Fairfield Inn & Suites
For more details visit the Marriott Rewards® Credit Card website.
Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card
If you spend a lot of money on your credit card each year and love Marriott properties, it’s worth stepping up to the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card. The annual fee is a bit higher, but you get 20,000 more bonus points and earn more points based on your purchases.
Here are the details:
- Earn 50,000 Bonus Points after your first use
- Receive 1 free night stay upon account approval and each year upon account anniversary
- Earn 5 points for every $1 spent at Marriott® locations
- Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on qualifying airline, dining, and rental car purchases
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on other purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- Cardmembers achieve Silver elite status with 15 nights credit toward Elite status
- Redeem Marriott Rewards® points at Marriott properties including Renaissance Hotels, Courtyard, Residence Inn, and Fairfield Inn & Suites
For more details, visit the Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card.
Hyatt Credit Card
I have fond childhood memories of the Hyatt Regency. Growing up just outside of Columbus, Ohio, the downtown Hyatt was THE place to stay in Columbus. Our church youth group would hold an event there every year, which was the only time as a kid I ever stepped foot in a Hyatt.
If you like the hotel chain, then the Hyatt credit card is a must. At the very least you get two free Award Nights with your first purchase. And you earn Hyatt Gold Passport points with every purchase.
Here are the details:
- Begin with 2 Award Nights at Hyatt properties worldwide, after making your first purchase with the Hyatt Credit Card
- Receive 1 Anniversary Award Night each year in category 1-4 properties
- No foreign transaction fees and Smart Chip protection on international purchases
- 3 Hyatt Gold Passport points for every $1 spent with your Hyatt Card at all Hyatt properties
- 1 Hyatt Gold Passport point for every $1 spent on purchases elsewhere
- There are no limits to the points you can earn
- Award nights with no resort, Internet or redemption fees
For more details visit the Hyatt Credit Card official website.
Citi® Hilton HHonors® Visa Signature® Card
This card is ideal if you stay at Hilton hotels regularly, although its perks are not industry leading. You can earn 40,000 Hilton HHonors bonus points, but you must first spend $1,000 in purchases within the first four months. You do get HHonors Silver status just for carrying the card.
Here are the details:
- Earn 40,000 Hilton HHonors Bonus Points after spending $1,000 within 4 months of account opening*
- Earn 6 Hilton HHonors Bonus Points for each $1 spent at a participating hotel within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio*
- Earn 3 Hilton HHonors Bonus Points for each $1 spent on purchases at supermarkets, drugstores and gas stations.*
- Earn 2 Hilton HHonors Bonus Points for each $1 spent on all other purchases.*
- No Annual Fee.*
For details visit the Citi® Hilton HHonors® Visa Signature® Card website.
Disney Premier Visa® Card
In some ways I saved the best for last. Our vacation to Disney World was one of the best trips we’ve ever taken. If you love Disney, the Disney Premier Visa® Card is a great way to shave the cost off of your next vacation. You can use rewards not only at Disney resorts, but also at Disney stores. Can you get special financing even on Disney cruises.
Here are the details:
- Get a $100 statement credit after first use
- New: Earn 2% in reward dollars on card purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants and most Disney locations. Earn 1% on all your other card purchases
- Redeem toward Disney treats at home and on vacation, such as Theme Park tickets, hotel stays, DVDs, toys and more
- New: Enjoy the flexibility to redeem toward airline tickets on any airline to any destination, anytime
- Save 10% off on select merchandise purchases of $50 or more at DisneyStore.com and Disney Store locations
- Disney Theme Park Perks including a Character Meet ‘N’ Greet at our private Cardmember locations
- Save with 0% promo APR financing for 6 months anytime you use your card to book select Disney vacation packages, after that a variable 14.24%
- New: Choose from 8 Premier-only card designs
For more information visit the Disney Premier Visa® Card website.