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Holding a hotel rewards card is a cost-effective way to score free stays and elite status benefits at major hotel chains. If you strategize correctly, holding the right card can do more than save you money on stays. Your card can also offer perks and benefits typically reserved for brand loyalists who stay dozens of nights per year with one brand.
The best co-brand hotel cards provide a high-value welcome offer as well as ways to earn plenty of points via bonus spending categories. Many also offer free night certificates on your account anniversary or when you hit a spending threshold. In addition, they typically offer elite status benefits such as room upgrades and free meals.
Let's take an in-depth look at some of the best co-brand hotel cards from a variety of loyalty programs and card issuers.
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The Best Co-Brand Credit Card for Each Hotel Loyalty Program
If you only stay with one or two hotel chains, then brand loyalty will be the key factor in your rewards card choice. However, if you are a free agent, card benefits and earning potential may substantially impact the brands you choose. In addition, the cards you choose can dictate the number of points you receive and how you are treated during your stay.
Here are the cards that made our list:
- Best card for Choice: Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard®(Rates & Fees)
- Best card for Hilton: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- Best card for Hyatt: The World of Hyatt Credit Card (Rates & Fees)
- Best card for IHG: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (Rates & Fees)
- Best card for Marriott: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
- Best card for Wyndham:Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card
- Up to 9X points total per $1 spent at Hyatt - 4X points per $1 when you use your card at Hyatt hotels & 5X points per $1 you can earn as a World of Hyatt member
- 2X points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airlines tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships
- 1X point per $1 everywhere else
- Earn up to 26 points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
- 5X points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, gas stations, and restaurants
- 3X points per $1 spent on all other purchases
The earning for spending at IHG hotels breaks down as follows:
- Earn 10X points for being a IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card member
- Earn up to 6X points from IHG® with Platinum Elite Status, a benefit of having this card
- Earn up to 10X points from IHG® for being an IHG® One Rewards member (Being a cardholder is not required to earn this bonus for participating in the IHG® loyalty program)
(Terms Apply)
- 6X points on purchases at Marriott Properties
- 3X points at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery
- 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines
- 2X points on all other eligible purchases
We're ranking each card according to both the perks they provide and their points-earning potential. Here are the ranking criteria we’ve used to determine each card’s value, including the weight given to each item:
- Anniversary free night certificate: 20%
- Elite status: 20%
- Earning potential: 15%
- Travel, airline, or hotel credits: 15%
- Annual fee: 15%
- Welcome offer: 10%
- Ancillary and insurance benefits: 5%
Now, here's how each one stacks up.
Hotel Rewards Card Details and Benefits
As we already mentioned, the best hotel card for you will depend on your preferred hotel chain. Even if a card is heavy on the benefits, if you prefer staying elsewhere, it won't do you much good. However, many of these cards provide value even to infrequent travelers, so they are worth considering.
Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard®
- 10x points on stays at participating Choice Hotels® properties plus on Choice Privileges point purchases
- 5x points on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, and on phone plan services
- 1x points on other purchases
Here's how the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard scored:
- Anniversary free night certificate (20%): 3 stars
- Elite status (20%): 4 stars
- Earning potential (15%): 3 stars
- Travel, airline, or hotel credits (15%): 1 star
- Annual fee (15%): 4 stars
- Welcome offer (10%): 3 stars
- Ancillary and insurance benefits (5%): 1 star
Total weighted average: 2.95 stars
Annual fee: $95
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - enough to redeem for up to 7 reward nights at select Choice Hotels® properties. Additional fees may apply.
Bonus categories: Earn 10x on stays at participating Choice Hotels® properties and Choice Privileges point purchases, 5x on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, and phone plan services, plus 1x on other purchases.
Elite status benefits: Complimentary Platinum Elite status.
Additional benefits: Earn 30,000 bonus points every account anniversary.
Our take: We’re going out on a limb here and assuming the majority of U.S.-based points and miles fans don’t have this card foremost in their minds. But if you crunch the numbers, however, this card stacks up pretty well. You'll enjoy complimentary Platinum Elite status and a solid earning rate on Choice Hotels spending. Additionally, you'll earn 30,000 bonus points every account anniversary — easily justifying the annual fee.
Plus, Choice Privileges points are more valuable than you'd think. On average, AwardWallet users redeem them for 1.26¢ apiece. And Choice Privileges hotels are plentiful in some regions with limited options from the big hotel brands. For example, in New Zealand, Choice is prevalent, but Hilton and Marriott only have a few properties.
Related: Choice Privileges Select Mastercard Card Full Review
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Enhance your hotel stay with complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond Status and enjoy a world of hotel privileges and benefits. Get exclusive perks at any of Hilton's 25 hotel brands, like a 100% Bonus on Base Points earned on every stay, Premium Wi-Fi and space-available room upgrades at select properties, and more.
- Enjoy an Annual Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors in your first year of Card Membership and every year upon Card renewal.
- Card Members can earn 14X Points on purchases made directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
- Card Members can earn 7X Points on purchases of Flights booked directly with airlines or flights booked through American Express Travel, Car rentals purchased directly from select car rental companies, and purchases at U.S. Restaurants.
- Card Members can earn 3X Points on all other eligible purchases.
- $400 Hilton Resort Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually for eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton Resorts on your Hilton Honors Aspire Card. That's up to $400 back annually.
- $200 Flight Credit: Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter, for a total of up to $200 back each year, on flight purchases made directly with airlines or via AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App using your Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
- $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit: You can receive up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you sign up and pay for a CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your eligible Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
- Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you can earn an additional Free Night Reward from Hilton after you spend an additional $30,000 (for a total of $60,000) in purchases on your Card in the same calendar year.
- $100 Property Credit: Receive up to a $100 credit for qualifying charges at Waldorf Astoria® Hotels & Resorts and Conrad® Hotels & Resorts properties when you book a 2 night minimum stay with your Card at HiltonHonorsAspireCard.com and select the Aspire Card Benefit rate option on the booking page, or call Hilton Honors at 855-292-5757 with the proper booking reference.
- Hilton Honors Aspire Card Members can enjoy complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status, including perks like Executive Area Access (for full-size reservations and above) in the USA and Canada. Card Members must enroll in the National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status through their American Express online account using their Card. Terms apply.
- Pay It Plan It®: Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You'll know upfront exactly how much you'll pay.
- Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, Global Assist® Hotline§ is available for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services, including medical and legal referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage assistance. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Other terms and conditions apply.
- Points don't expire while your Hilton Honors American Express Card is active and in good standing.
- $550 annual fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- 14X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Portfolio
- 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, car rentals booked directly through select rental companies, and at U.S. restaurants
- 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card
Here's how the Hilton Aspire scored:
- Anniversary free night certificate (20%): 5 stars
- Elite status (20%): 4 stars
- Earning potential (15%): 5 stars
- Travel, airline, or hotel credits (15%): 5 stars
- Annual fee (15%): 2 stars
- Welcome offer (10%): 5 stars
- Ancillary and insurance benefits (5%): 3 stars
Total weighted average: 4.25 stars
Annual fee: $550(Rates & Fees)
Welcome offer: Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Bonus categories: Card Members can earn 14X Points on purchases made directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. Card Members can earn 7X Points on purchases of Flights booked directly with airlines or flights booked through American Express Travel, Car rentals purchased directly from select car rental companies, and purchases at U.S. Restaurants. Card Members can earn 3X Points on all other eligible purchases.
Elite status benefits: Complimentary Hilton Honors™ Diamond status. You'll also earn National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive Status. Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
Additional benefits: A free night certificate from Hilton Honors following each account anniversary. Earn another after you spend $30,000 on your card in a calendar year, and another after you spend $60,000 on your card. You can also enjoy up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually on eligible purchases made with Hilton Resorts, a $50 quarterly flight credit, and a $209 CLEAR Plus credit.
Our take: The Hilton Aspire features a stellar welcome offer. It also offers fantastic bonus categories for a co-branded card and an elite status level that will earn you free breakfast and potential room upgrades.
The main caveat is that you need to extract enough value from the Hilton Aspire perks to justify its annual fee. Cardholders receive complimentary Diamond Elite status and Hilton fee and flight credits, enough to offset the $550 annual fee(Rates & Fees), but these perks require effort to maximize.
Keep in mind that Amex Membership Rewards transfer to Hilton Honors 1:2. Under the right circumstances, transferring highly valuable Amex Rewards to Hilton may be a good use of your points, but that's not true every day.
Related: Hilton Aspire Card Full Review
The World of Hyatt Credit Card
- Earn up to 5 free nights. Earn 3 free nights after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, 2 free nights after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 6 months. Free nights can be redeemed at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort worldwide.
- Enjoy complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open.
- Get 1 free night each year after your Cardmember anniversary at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort
- Receive 5 tier qualifying night credits towards status after account opening, and each year after that for as long as your account is open
- Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year
- Earn 2 qualifying night credits towards tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card
- Earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays - 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
- Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships
- Member FDIC
- Up to 9X points total per $1 spent at Hyatt - 4X points per $1 when you use your card at Hyatt hotels & 5X points per $1 you can earn as a World of Hyatt member
- 2X points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airlines tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships
- 1X point per $1 everywhere else
Here's how the World of Hyatt Card scored:
- Anniversary free night certificate (20%): 5 stars
- Elite status (20%): 2 stars
- Earning potential (15%): 3 stars
- Travel, airline, or hotel credits (15%): 0 star
- Annual fee (15%): 4 stars
- Welcome offer (10%): 3 stars
- Ancillary and insurance benefits (5%): 3 stars
Total weighted average: 2.9 stars
Annual fee: $95
Welcome offer: Earn up to 5 free nights. Earn 3 free nights after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, 2 free nights after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 6 months. Free nights can be redeemed at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort worldwide.
Bonus categories: Cardmembers earn 4x points at Hyatt properties and 2x points at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting, and on fitness club and gym memberships.
Elite status benefits: Receive Discoverist status and five elite night credits towards the next elite tier each year you hold the card. Additionally, get two additional elite night credits for every $5,000 spent on the card annually.
Additional benefits: One free night at any Category 1–4 Hyatt property on account anniversary each year. Earn an extra free night when you spend $15,000 in a calendar year.
Our take: There's no question that the World of Hyatt Card is a valuable card to have in your wallet. However, it's hard to compete with ultra-premium cards from other hotel brands that offer higher tiers of status, a suite of statement credits, and more valuable free night awards.
That said, the ability to earn elite night credits via spending that can take you all the way to Globalist status is a fantastic benefit, but it does require high spending. Most cardholders will have no problem recouping the $95 annual fee via the free night certificate, and an additional free night after $15K of spending is an added bonus.
World of Hyatt points are even more valuable for folks who hold Ultimate Rewards-earning cards. If you need additional Hyatt points for a redemption, you can transfer from Chase, and the points will post to your Hyatt account instantly. As with all Chase cards, the World of Hyatt Card is subject to Chase’s 5/24 policy, which you need to factor into your application strategy.
Chase and Hyatt will be expanding their partnership throughout 2026, which might mean a more premium Hyatt card is on the horizon.
Related: World of Hyatt Card Full Review
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- Limited Time Offer! Earn 175,000 Bonus Points
- Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG® Hotels & Resorts. Plus, enjoy a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG hotel stay.
- Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
- Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier cardmember
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $120 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
- IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at Hotels & Resorts such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Hotel Indigo® & Holiday Inn®
- Member FDIC
- Earn up to 26 points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
- 5X points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, gas stations, and restaurants
- 3X points per $1 spent on all other purchases
The earning for spending at IHG hotels breaks down as follows:
- Earn 10X points for being a IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card member
- Earn up to 6X points from IHG® with Platinum Elite Status, a benefit of having this card
- Earn up to 10X points from IHG® for being an IHG® One Rewards member (Being a cardholder is not required to earn this bonus for participating in the IHG® loyalty program)
Here's how the IHG One Rewards Premier Card scored:
- Anniversary free night certificate (20%): 5 stars
- Elite status (20%): 4 stars
- Earning potential (15%): 5 stars
- Travel, airline, or hotel credits (15%): 2 stars
- Annual fee (15%): 4 stars
- Welcome offer (10%): 4 stars
- Ancillary and insurance benefits (5%): 3 stars
Total weighted average: 4 stars
Annual fee: $99
Welcome offer: Earn 175,000 Bonus Points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Bonus categories: Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Elite status benefits: Receive IHG Rewards Platinum Elite status (or Diamond Elite once you spend $40,000 each calendar year).
Additional benefits: Anniversary free night certificate valid at IHG properties costing up to 40,000 points per night. Cardholders may top off the certs with points from their account balance to redeem at properties worth more than 40,000 points. Get a fourth night free when you redeem points for four or more consecutive nights. Receive a $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points each calendar year you spend at least $20,000 on purchases. Receive a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit every four years, worth up to $120. Save 20% on points purchases, and receive $50 of United TravelBank credit annually ($25 bi-annually).
Our take: We rank this card's free night certificate as one of the best available, due to many factors. IHG boasts a massive global footprint, an abundance of mid-tier hotels, and you can extend an anniversary free night award's value by topping it up with points. The card provides a balanced array of perks for the $99 annual fee.
The biggest drawback is that IHG's Platinum Elite status doesn’t quite measure up to mid-tier status with other hotel brands. Still, late checkout, 60% more points on paid stays, and occasional room upgrades are certainly better than nothing. The IHG One Rewards Premier Card is subject to Chase’s 5/24 policy, plus your application won't be approved if you currently hold an IHG card or you've received a bonus on one in the last 24 months.
Related: IHG One Rewards Premier Card Full Review
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
- Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
- Earn 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines.
- Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
- Earn up to 21X Marriott Bonvoy® points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Earn 6X points with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Earn up to 10X points from Marriott Bonvoy for being a Marriott Bonvoy member. Earn up to 5X points from Marriott Bonvoy with the 50% Bonus Points on Stays, a benefit available with your complimentary Platinum Elite status.
- $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
- A Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite member will earn 50% more points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy for each U.S. dollar or the currency equivalent that is incurred and paid for by the member.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®, such as Le Metropolitan, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Paris. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Brilliant Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
- $100 Marriott Bonvoy® Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.
- With your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you can enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, with an unlimited number of visits to over 1,200 airport lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
- Trip Cancelled or Interrupted? If you purchase a round-trip entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason cancels or interrupts your trip, we may be able to help. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- 6X points on purchases at Marriott Properties
- 3X points at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery
- 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines
- 2X points on all other eligible purchases
Here's how the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card scored:
- Anniversary free night certificate (20%): 5 stars
- Elite status (20%): 3 stars
- Earning potential (15%): 4 stars
- Travel, airline, or hotel credits (15%): 4 stars
- Annual fee (15%): 1 stars
- Welcome offer (10%): 4 stars
- Ancillary and insurance benefits (5%): 4 stars
Total weighted average: 3.55 stars
Annual fee: $650 (Rates & Fees)
Welcome offer: Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Bonus categories: Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®, 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines, and 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
Elite status benefits: You'll get ongoing Platinum Elite status each year. You also receive 25 elite night credits towards the next elite status tier each year. If you also hold the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, the 25 elite night credits from this card stack with the 15 earned on that card for 40 Marriott Elite Nights Credits each year.
Additional benefits: Anniversary free-night award valid at any Marriott Bonvoy property up to the value of 85,000 points, plus the ability to add up to 15,000 points to your free night. You can also get up to $25 back in statement credits each month at restaurants worldwide. If you spend $60,000 in a calendar year, you'll be able to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit.
Our take: There's no doubt that the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card comes absolutely packed with benefits. However, the $650 annual fee is a tough pill to swallow, especially compared to other cards on this list that boast solid benefits at a much lower price point. However, if you're strategic, it's easy to recoup this annual fee between the up to $300 in annual dining credits and the anniversary free night award.
It's safe to say that Marriott Gold elite status, which is given as a benefit on several credit cards, is not very lucrative. Although you can't get top-tier Ambassador status or upper tier Titatnium status, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card gives Platinum elite status. This is when you'll receive perks like a 4 p.m. late checkout, an enhanced room upgrade (including suites), dedicated support, guaranteed lounge access, and more. If you frequently stay at Marriott properties, these perks become very meaningful.
Related: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card Full Review
Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card
- 6X points on Hotels by Wyndham and gas purchases
- 4X points on eligible dining and grocery purchases (excluding Target® and Walmart®)
- 1 point per dollar on all other purchases (excluding Wyndham timeshare down payments)
Here's how the Wyndham Earner Plus Card scored:
- Anniversary free night certificate (20%): 2 stars
- Elite status (20%): 4 stars
- Earning potential (15%): 3 stars
- Travel, airline, or hotel credits (15%): 0 stars
- Annual fee (15%): 5 stars
- Welcome offer (10%): 1 stars
- Ancillary and insurance benefits (5%): 2 stars
Total weighted average: 2.6 stars
Annual fee: $75
Welcome offer: Earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.
Bonus categories: Earn 6X on Hotels by Wyndham and gas purchases, 4X on dining and grocery purchases (excluding Target and Walmart).
Elite status benefits: Complimentary Platinum status.
Additional benefits: Receive 7,500 bonus points every account anniversary. Get a 10% discount on award nights and savings on standard rates at participating Hotels by Wyndham.
Our take: While Wyndham Rewards isn't the most famous hotel loyalty program, its footprint is huge. The Wyndham Earner Plus Card has the lowest annual fee of any card on this list, coming in at just $75. However, this is reflected in the cards benefits.
Apart from 7,500 bonus points each year and a 10% discount on award nights, you won't receive any notable benefits. Although free night redemptions can vary based on locations, you can score a free night for as low as 7,500 points. In other words, the bonus point benefit could be considered a free night award.
Wyndham Platinum status isn't extremely valuable, but comes with perks like early check-in and Avis and Budget car rental upgrades. If you want things like suite upgrades or a welcome amenity at check-in, you'll need Diamond elite status, which is a complimentary benefit of the Wyndham Rewards® Earner℠ Business Card.
Related: Wyndham Earner Plus Card Full Review
Alternatives to Hotel Co-Brand Rewards Cards
While points and miles fans can extract a ton of value from co-brand hotel cards, they are not the only way to get free nights in hotels.
- Fixed-value rewards: Fixed-value points are a great way of wiping out the cost of accommodation. This includes both hotels that don’t participate in major loyalty programs and vacation rentals like Airbnb. You can earn fixed-value points with cards like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card.
- Flexible rewards: A handful of flexible rewards programs offer high-value transfers to hotel loyalty programs. For instance, Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to Hyatt, Marriott, and IHG while Amex Membership Rewards points transfer to Choice, Hilton, and Marriott. This makes cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees) and American Express Platinum Card® incredibly valuable. Plus, both cards grant automatic elite status with select hotel chains.
- 5X miles per dollar on purchases through Capital One Entertainment
- 5X miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 2X miles per dollar on all other purchases
- 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
- 3x points on dining worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
(Terms apply)
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- Earn 5X points on Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings.
Related: How to Get Hotel Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)
Final Thoughts
Hotel rewards cards can be a key part of your points and miles strategy. In most cases, free-night certificates, annual-points bonuses, and elite status easily cover the annual fees. Perks like these making many hotel cards easy to keep for the long term.
Determining which hotel cards provide the most value can be tricky. We recommend working backward from your travel goals. Let the destination dictate the hotel chains available to you before you decide on an application strategy. And don’t overlook the benefits of utilizing online travel agencies such as Hotels.com. Tools like it can potentially provide better returns than traditional hotel loyalty programs when you swipe the right credit card at checkout.
Got a favorite hotel card we didn't cover? We would love to hear from you in the comments.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: The World of Hyatt Credit Card (Rates & Fees), IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (Rates & Fees), Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (Rates & Fees), Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (Rates & Fees), Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees), and American Express Platinum Card® (Rates & Fees)
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
