The Best Travel Credit Cards for Free Hotel Stays


Written: Vagabondist Staff| July 24, 2023

1. World of Hyatt Credit Card: Best for Hyatt loyalists

The World of Hyatt Credit Card is a top choice for new cardholders who frequent Hyatt properties. Here’s why it stands out:

  • Cardholders with Hyatt rewards cards earn 4x bonus points for every dollar spent at Hyatt hotels and resorts, making it easier to accumulate points for free stays.
  • Complimentary elite status: With this card, members automatically receive Discoverist status, which includes benefits like room upgrades, late checkout, and premium internet access.
  • Rewards cards: Upon approval and meeting spending requirements, new cardmembers can earn up to 60,000 bonus points – enough for multiple free nights at luxurious locations worldwide.

This rewards credit card offers significant value to various cardholders who frequently stay at Hyatt hotels. The ability to earn extra points on stays and ongoing rewards, and the opportunity to attain elite status provide added perks that enhance the overall travel experience. The potential for new cardholders to earn complimentary nights through sign-up bonuses makes this card particularly appealing.

2. Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Best for Hilton loyalists

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is an ideal choice for various cardholder individuals who frequent Hilton hotels. Here’s why this card stands out:

  • High Rewards Rate on Hilton Purchases: With this card, various cardholders can earn a whopping 14x points for every dollar spent at participating hotels within the Hilton portfolio. This high rewards rate significantly accelerates the accumulation of points for award stays and various cardholder bonus offers.
  • Automatic Hilton Diamond Status: Cardholders are granted automatic access to the highest tier of the hotel’s loyalty program, offering benefits like executive lounge access, room upgrades, and late checkout. This status upgrade enhances the overall travel experience and adds substantial value to each stay.
  • Annual Free Weekend Night Reward: Each year upon renewal, cardholders earn hotel rewards and receive a complimentary weekend night reward that can be used at any property within the Hilton portfolio. This benefit alone often outweighs the annual card membership fee and allows various cardholder members to indulge in luxury stays without additional costs.

These features make it evident that for various cardholder who frequently stay at Hilton hotel properties, this credit card offers unparalleled advantages in terms of earning potential and added perks.

3. Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card: Best for business travelers who are Marriott loyalists

The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card is ideal for various cardholders who frequently stay at Marriott hotels.

  • This credit card offers bonus points on business-related expenses, such as wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. purchases for shipping, advertising in select media, and gas stations.
  • Cardholders receive complimentary Silver Elite status within the Marriott Bonvoy program, which includes benefits like priority late checkout and a 10% point bonus on stays.
  • One of the standout features of this card is the annual free night award; each year after your account anniversary you’ll receive a free night certificate valid at participating hotels with a redemption level up to 35,000 points.

This credit card can be an excellent choice for businesses that require frequent travel accommodations. The combination of rewards on business expenses and the annual free night award from credit cards can significantly offset costs associated with hotel stays.

4. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Great for flexible travel rewards

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card allows cardholders to transfer points to various hotel partners, providing flexibility in redeeming rewards for free hotel stays. With a generous 2x points on travel and dining, this credit card accelerates the accumulation of reward points for various cardholders.

Moreover, the absence of foreign transaction fees makes it an ideal companion for international travelers. This feature ensures that credit card users can make purchases abroad without incurring additional charges, enhancing the overall value of the card.

For instance, when transferring Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt or Marriott Bonvoy programs, users can enjoy complimentary nights at luxury hotels around the world. This versatility enables travelers to maximize their reward potential and indulge in premium accommodations without exorbitant expenses.

The ability to earn valuable rewards through everyday spending on travel and dining further elevates its appeal as a top-tier travel credit card option. By leveraging this credit card’s benefits strategically, individuals can optimize their travel experiences while reaping substantial savings through complimentary hotel stays and free night.

5. IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card: Ideal for IHG hotel frequenters

The IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card offers a range of benefits including free night stays for those who frequently stay at IHG hotels.

  • The credit card provides the opportunity to earn a fourth reward night free on point redemptions, which can significantly enhance the value of your hotel stays. This perk is especially beneficial for individuals who plan extended trips or vacations and wish to maximize their rewards.
  • With Platinum Elite status benefits, credit cardholders gain access to exclusive privileges such as room upgrades, late check-out options, and bonus points on eligible spending. These perks can elevate the overall experience of staying at an IHG property.
  • The credit card offers a Global Entry or TSA Pre✓ fee credit, providing travelers with added convenience and savings when navigating through airport security processes. This benefit not only streamlines travel but also aligns with the needs of frequent flyers seeking efficiency during their journeys.

6. The Platinum Card from American Express: Excellent for luxury travel perks

The Platinum Card from American Express offers a range of benefits that make it an excellent choice for those seeking luxury travel perks.

  • Access to Fine Hotels & Resorts program: Cardholders gain access to the exclusive Fine Hotels & Resorts program, which provides complimentary benefits such as room upgrades, daily breakfast for two, guaranteed 4 pm late check-out, and other special amenities at over 1,000 luxurious properties worldwide.
  • Up to $200 annual hotel credit: This card provides up to $200 in statement credits annually for prepaid bookings through Amex Travel at eligible hotels. This benefit can be particularly valuable for frequent travelers who often stay in high-end hotels.
  • Priority Pass Select membership: With this membership, credit cardholders enjoy access to over 1,300 airport lounges across the globe. This is especially beneficial for individuals who frequently engage in luxury business travel and value comfortable hotel and convenient airport experiences.

In addition to these standout features, The Platinum Card also offers various other travel-related perks such as airline fee credits, Uber VIP status with free rides within the U.S., and complimentary benefits when booking with specific cruise lines through the Cruise Privileges Program.

7. Citi Premier Card: Good for earning points on everyday spending

The Citi Premier Card offers 3x points at hotels and gas stations, making it an excellent choice for frequent travelers. Cardholders earn 2x points at restaurants and supermarkets using their credit cards, providing rewards for everyday purchases.

Moreover, the absence of expiration on accumulated points is a noteworthy benefit. This feature ensures that credit cardholders do not have to rush to redeem their points before they lose their value.

This credit card’s structure aligns with the spending habits of many individuals who frequently dine out or travel by car. The additional points earned on credit cards in these categories can significantly contribute to accumulating hotel rewards bonuses over time.

For those seeking a credit card that complements their daily expenses while also offering substantial point bonuses, the Citi Premier Card stands out as an attractive option.

8. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Versatile for hotel redemptions

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the best cards for travelers seeking free hotel stays. Here’s why this card stands out:

  • Earn unlimited 2x miles on every purchase with this card: With no limit on the miles you can earn and no need to juggle bonus categories, this card simplifies the earning process.
  • Transfer miles to hotel partners: This feature provides flexibility in redemption options as cardholders can transfer their miles to a variety of hotel partners, expanding the possibilities for redeeming reward nights.
  • Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓: This perk adds value beyond travel rewards by offering a statement credit when applying for either Global Entry or TSA Pre✓.

The ability to earn unlimited 2x miles on all purchases with a credit card is especially valuable for those who want simplicity in their rewards program. The option to transfer miles directly to various hotel partners enhances the redemption level by providing more choices and potentially increasing the rewards value when booking free stays at different properties.

9. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card: Suitable for regular Marriott guests

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card offers various benefits tailored to frequent Marriott guests, making it a valuable card membership for those who enjoy staying at Marriott properties.

  • Automatic Silver Elite status: With this credit card, cardholders automatically receive Silver Elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program. This status provides perks such as priority late checkout and a 10% bonus on points earned during stays.
  • Cardholders with credit cards are eligible to receive an anniversary free night award each year after their account anniversary. This award can be redeemed at participating hotels with redemption levels up to 35,000 points per night, offering significant value that offsets the annual fee.
  • For every dollar spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, credit cardholders earn six times the points. This accelerated earning potential allows hotel members to accumulate points quickly and unlock desirable rewards like free nights or room upgrades.

In addition to these key features, the credit card also provides benefits such as no foreign transaction fees and complimentary premium in-room Wi-Fi during stays at participating hotel properties worldwide. These credit cards perks enhance the hotel travel experience for cardholders while minimizing expenses related to resort fees and international transactions.

10. Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card: Favored by frequent Hilton visitors

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card stands out as the best credit card for frequent Hilton hotel guests.

  • Earn 12x points at Hilton properties: This card offers an impressive earning rate of 12x points per dollar spent at participating Hilton hotels and resorts, making it particularly appealing for those who frequently stay at these establishments.
  • Cardholders receive complimentary Gold status in the Hilton Honors loyalty program, providing access to various perks such as room upgrades, late check-out, and bonus points on stays.
  • By reaching a specific spending threshold within the first year and upon annual renewal, credit cardholders are rewarded with a weekend night certificate that can be used at eligible hotel properties within the Hilton portfolio.

This credit card is highly recommended for individuals who frequently stay at many different hotel locations within the industry. The benefits offered by this credit card are widely acknowledged by experts in the travel rewards niche. With its valuable anniversary perks and benefits, this credit card is among the top choices for travelers seeking free hotel stays through their credit card usage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which credit card is best for earning points on everyday spending?

The Citi Premier Card is a great option for earning credit cards on your everyday spending. With bonus categories like dining, groceries, and travel, credit card cards, you can quickly rack up points to use towards free hotel stays.

What credit card is ideal for luxury travel perks?

If you’re looking for luxury travel perks, The Platinum Card from American Express is an excellent choice. From airport lounge access to elite status at hotels, this credit card offers a range of exclusive benefits for the discerning traveler.

Which credit card offers versatile options for hotel redemptions?

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card provides versatility. You can use your miles or credit cards to book stays at a wide range of hotels without being limited to specific brands or chains.

What’s the best credit card for flexible travel rewards?

For flexible travel rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card stands out. It allows you to transfer points to various airline and hotel partners or redeem them directly through Chase’s travel portal with added value.

Which credit card is favored by frequent Hilton visitors?

Frequent Hilton visitors will find the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card particularly appealing. It offers generous rewards and benefits tailored specifically towards those who frequently stay at Hilton properties.