When it comes to booking your next vacation, using a cobranded hotel credit card can provide you with a range of benefits and rewards. These credit cards are specifically designed for hotel stays and offer bonus points, automatic elite status, a generous welcome bonus, and even a free award night each year. In this article, we will explore some of the best hotel credit cards with annual fees under $100.
There are several banks that issue these hotel credit cards, each offering benefits in their respective loyalty programs. Some of the popular hotel credit cards include Hilton Honors, IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, World of Hyatt, and Wyndham Rewards.
Let’s compare the best hotel credit cards with annual fees of $100 or less:
1. Choice Privileges® Mastercard®
– Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months.
– Annual fee: $0
– Earning structure: 5 points per dollar on stays at participating Choice Hotels properties, 3 points per dollar on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, and phone plan services, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
2. Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard®
– Welcome bonus: Earn 90,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months.
– Annual fee: $0 for the first year, then $95.
– Earning structure: 10 points per dollar on stays at participating Choice Hotels properties, 5 points per dollar on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, and phone plan services, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
3. Hilton Honors American Express Card
– Welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card within your first six months of card membership. Offer ends Jan. 17.
– Annual fee: $0 (see rates and fees).
– Earning structure: 7 points per dollar at hotels and resorts participating in Hilton Honors, 5 points per dollar on dining at U.S. restaurants and on eligible takeout and delivery orders, 5 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations, and 3 points per dollar on other purchases.
4. IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
– Welcome bonus: Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
– Annual fee: $99.
– Earning structure: Up to 26 total combined points per dollar at IHG Hotels and Resorts, 10 points per dollar with this card, up to 10 points per dollar for being an IHG One Rewards member, and up to 6 points per dollar with Platinum Elite status, a benefit of this card. Additionally, 5 points per dollar on travel, gas stations, and restaurants, and 3 points per dollar on other purchases.
5. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
– Welcome bonus: Earn three free night awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first three months of card membership.
– Annual fee: $95.
– Earning structure: Up to 17 total combined points per dollar spent at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 6 points per dollar with this card, up to 10 points per dollar from Marriott Bonvoy for being a loyalty member, and up to 1 point per dollar from Marriott Bonvoy with Silver Elite status. Additionally, 3 points per dollar on the first $6,000 of combined spending each year at gas stations, grocery stores, and dining, and 2 points per dollar on other purchases.
6. World of Hyatt Credit Card
– Welcome bonus: Earn up to 60,000 bonus points. Receive 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first three months from account opening and receive up to 30,000 more bonus points by earning 2 points per dollar on purchases that normally earn 1 point per dollar — on up to $15,000 of these purchases.
– Annual fee: $95.
– Earning structure: 9 points per dollar at World of Hyatt hotels, 4 points per dollar at Hyatt hotels plus 5 points from Hyatt per eligible $1 spent for being a World of Hyatt member. Additionally, 2 bonus points per dollar on travel, at restaurants, airfare purchased directly from the airlines, transit, and fitness club and gym memberships, and 1 bonus point per dollar on all other purchases.
7. Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card
– Welcome bonus: Earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days from account opening.
– Annual fee: $75.
– Earning structure: 6 points per dollar at Wyndham Rewards hotels and gas, 4 points per dollar on dining and grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart), and 1 point per dollar on other purchases (excluding Wyndham Timeshare resort down payments).
The value of the points earned at hotels in each respective program varies. For example, points earned with the Choice Privileges® Mastercard® are valued at 3 cents per dollar at Choice hotels, while points earned with the World of Hyatt Credit Card are valued at 6.8 cents per dollar at Hyatt and SLH properties.
In addition to the earning structure and welcome bonuses, these hotel credit cards offer various elite status benefits, such as automatic Gold, Platinum, or Diamond status, which provide additional perks like bonus points, room upgrades, and late check-out. Some cards also offer annual free night benefits, allowing you to redeem a free night at select properties each year.
Overall, these hotel credit cards with annual fees under $100 offer great value and benefits, making them a worthwhile investment for frequent travelers. Whether you prefer Hilton, IHG, Marriott, Hyatt, or Wyndham hotels, there is a cobranded credit card that can enhance your hotel experience and provide you with exclusive rewards and perks.