Co-branded hotel credit cards are jointly issued by credit card issuers with a hotel or hotel chain. These co-branded hotel credit cards earn extra rewards in participating hotel chains. These cards are like any other credit card and can be used for everyday spending and purchases.
Co-branded hotel credit cards offer exclusive perks and benefits. For example, bonus points for the hotel stay, room upgrades, and free nights at hotels within the respective hotel chain. These credit cards may also offer travel rewards. These may include benefits such as travel insurance, car rental discounts, and exclusive access to hotel events and promotions.
We help you to compare different hotel co-branded credit cards to choose the best one. Ultimately, choosing the one that best fits your needs and travel habits is a good way to earn rewards.
Advantages of co-branded hotel credit cards
Hotel co-branded credit cards come with lots of freebies and rewards for card members. These credit cards offer great rewards to card members. For example, these rewards include bonus points, free nights, cash back, amenities at the hotel, discounted offers at restaurants, etc.
Free Nights
Firstly, these credit cards are issued with a particular chain of hotels. Popular hotel chains include Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, Wyndham, and others. These hotel chains offer free reward nights either on the issuance of a new card or completing some milestones. These cards earn bonus points which are redeemable against free nights. These offers are not available in other such rewards credit cards.
Upgrades and special offers with hotel credit cards
Apart from free nights, hotel credit cards also offer other rewards. These may include room upgrades to better categories. Free breakfast buffets as part of the hotel packages. Discounted access to recreational facilities in properties like spas, gymnasiums, restaurants, etc.
Here is a curated list of some of the best credit cards available in the USA. These are co-issued by hotels and credit card issuers.
#1 Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card
Fees: This credit card charges a $75 annual fee.
APR: This credit card offers 0% introductory APR for 15 months on balance transfers. The transfers should be made within 45 days of account opening. After, the Introductory APR, 19.49 – 28.74% of a variable APR is applicable.
Rewards: Card members earn 45,000 bonus points (enough for up to 6 free nights), after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days
Our Rating: 4 / 5
Pros and Cons of this card: Card members earn Wyndham Platinum status with privileges. For instance, late checkouts, early check-in, and car upgrades. They can earn 6 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases made at Hotels by Wyndham and also on gas purchases. Card members earn 4 points per $1 spent on eligible dining and grocery store purchases. Finally, they earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Afterward, card members receive 7,500 bonus points on each of the anniversary years. These points can be redeemed for up to one free night at participating properties.
#2 Hotels.com Rewards Visa Credit Card
Fees: This card has $0 Annual fees and no foreign transaction fees.
APR: 19.24 – 27.24% variable APR
Rewards: Card members earn 2 rewards nights (worth $250) on spending $1,000 in the first 3 months of the new card opening.
Our Rating: 3 / 5
Pros and Cons of this card: Firstly, the rewards are in the form of stamps. Card members earn 1 stamp on spending $500. They also earn 1 stamp on booking one night on Hotels.com. They can redeem 10 stamps for a free night. Subsequently, they earn 1 night of rewards on spending $5,000 on this card. Card members can choose from 500,000 properties worldwide available on hotels.com.
Hotels.com card offers silver membership benefits at selected properties that offer free amenities. For example, free wi-fi, complimentary breakfast, and late checkouts. Finally, this card also covers trip cancellation reimbursement for a non-refundable trip
#3 Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Fees: This card has an annual fee of $650.
APR: 19.99% to 28.99% variable APR.
Rewards: Card members earn 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Points after using the new card. Card members have to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
Our Rating: 5 / 5
Pros and Cons of this card: Firstly, this Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express credit card is an expensive card with $650 annual fees. But, this card offers some of the best amenities and rewards. This is a perfect co-branded hotel card with a ton of rewards.
This card offers a complimentary Elite Platinum Marriott Bonvoy status. Next, the card members also get complimentary access to American Express Experiences. This provides card members access to exclusive events in sports, music, and theatres.
Furthermore, the members earn 6x points for all the spending in participating Marriott Bonvoy hotel. Card members also earn 3x points on restaurants and airline tickets. They earn 2x points on every other purchase using this credit card. They also receive $25 in statement credits for purchases against restaurant spending.
Card members earn 1 Free night on their card anniversary in Marriott Bonvoy properties. They also get $100 in property credit on making bookings in Marriott hotels for 2 or more nights. They can earn $100 in statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. This credit card also provides access to Priority Pass membership with access to 1200 lounges at airports worldwide.
Evidently, this card offers one of the best deals in comparison to the annual membership fees that it levies.
#4 Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Fees: This credit card charges $450 in annual fees.
APR: 19.99% to 28.99% variable APR.
Rewards: Card members also earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points. They have to spend $4,000 in purchases on this credit card within the first 3 months of the credit card membership.
Our Rating: 5 / 5
Pros and Cons of this card: Firstly, this credit card offers complimentary Diamond status in Hilton Honors membership program. Next, the card members earn one free night on the anniversary of the card. They can also earn an additional free night on spending $60,000 in a year.
Card members also get $250 in statement credits against purchases made in the Hilton Resorts and hotels. They also get $250 statement credits against incidental charges on one selected airline in a calendar year. This is a good reward to earn back any charges like excess baggage, gate charges, or others charged on this card.
Card members earn 14x points on eligible purchases in the Hilton hotels and resorts portfolio. They also earn 7x points on eligible travels booked through AmexTravel and on dining in US restaurants. For the rest of the eligible purchases, they earn 3x points.
Finally, this card also offers Priority Pass Select membership for Primary cardholders and one accompanying guest. Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card offers some of the best rewards in its category.
#5 IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card
Fees: This credit card has a $99 annual fee.
APR: 20.24 – 27.24% variable APR
Rewards: Card members earn 140,000 Bonus Points on spending $3,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.
Our Rating: 4 / 5
Pros and Cons of this card: This card elevates the current status of the cardholder to IHG Platinum Elite status. Card members earn 10x points while booking stays in IHG properties worldwide. They also earn 5x points on travel, hotels, gas stations, and restaurants. For, the rest of the purchases card members earn 3X points for every dollar spent.
Further, on redeeming 3 consecutive nights at a property the card members receive the 4th night free at the same property. They can also redeem statement credit of up to $100 spent on Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or Nexus. Card members also get $50 in United Travel cash each calendar year.
Card members also receive one anniversary night free every year. Further, there is trip cancellation insurance offered on this card.
#6 Best Western Rewards Mastercard from First National Bank of Omaha
Fees: This card charges an $89 annual fee.
APR: 20.99 – 27.99% variable APR.
Rewards: Card members can earn up to 140,000 bonus points (worth 8 free nights). They get 100,000 points on spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. They get 40,000 points on spending $5,000 in the first anniversary year.
Our Rating: 3 / 5
Pros and Cons of this card: Card members earn 20 points on spending $1 in Best Western Hotels. Though they earn 10 points as a Best Western member and 10 points on using this credit card. So, a valid membership of Best Western hotels is essential to get maximum rewards.
Card members also earn 2 points on $1 spent on other purchases. Further, they are entitled to a 10% discount from Best Western Hotels. Card members get an elevated Platinum status in the Best Western Rewards program. They also get early check-in and late check-outs.
#7 World of Hyatt
Fees: Card members get this card for a $95 annual fee.
APR: 20.24 – 27.24% variable APR.
Rewards: 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
Our Rating: 3 / 5
Pros and Cons of this card: Card members also earn 2 bonus points on every $1 spent in the first 6 months up to a total spend of $15,000. They earn 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent at Hyatt hotels. They also earn 5 Points from Hyatt per eligible $1 spent for being a World of Hyatt member.
Card members earn 2 bonus points on $1 at restaurants, fitness clubs, gym memberships, taxis, local riding, and airline tickets. They also get one free night every year on the card anniversary. Additional free night every year on spending $15,000 in a calendar year.
#8 Disney Premier Visa Card
Fees: $49 annual fee
APR: 17.74%‐26.74% variable APR
Rewards: Card members earn a $300 statement credit after they spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Our Rating: 3 / 5
Pros and Cons of this card: Card members can earn 5% in Disney Rewards Dollars on card purchases made directly at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or ESPNPlus.com. This card offers a 0% promotional APR for 6 months on select Disney vacation packages.
Card members get 2% rewards on gas stations, grocery, restaurants, and most other Disney locations. They can redeem Rewards Dollars toward Disney vacations. 10% discounts on select merchandise and at restaurants at Disneyland and Disney world resorts.
Disadvantages of hotel credit cards
Though the hotel’s co-branded credit cards have some of the best rewards available. These rewards are limited to hotel properties of these hotel chains. Usually, large hotel chains from five-star or four-star offer these credit cards. Budget, business, or boutique hotels rarely have such offerings of credit cards.
Some of the top rewards on offer with these cards, make sense for frequent travelers only. Hotel co-branded credit cards usually carry an annual fee. In conclusion, if you prefer a particular hotel chain for your travel, it makes sense to apply for a co-branded credit card offered by the hotel.