The Best Hotel Credit Cards of 2021

If you’re loyal to Hilton properties—which includes brands like Doubletree, Embassy Suites, and Waldorf-Astoria—or find yourself staying at a Hilton hotel at least once a year, the Hilton Honors Aspire Credit Card from American Express is a tough option to beat. This card does come with a hefty $450 annual fee that isn’t waived the first year, but it is packed full of benefits that could make sense for you.

Points: The Hilton Aspire will help you rack up Hilton points that you can redeem for free stays. You’ll earn 14 Hilton points per dollar spent at Hilton hotels, and 7 Hilton points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or through American Express’ travel portal, in addition to car rentals and at U.S. restaurants. All other eligible purchases earn 3 Hilton Points per dollar spent.

Perks: First off, Hilton gives cardholders their top-tier Diamond status. Hilton Diamond status comes with quite a few perks including no resort fees on award stays (which could save $25 or more per night at Hilton Resorts), premium Wi-Fi that’s faster than the free option that everyone gets, late checkout, complimentary breakfast, Executive Lounge access at the hotel where there will often be free drinks and snacks, and complimentary room upgrades when available. Just getting free breakfast could save you $30 per person per day on a stay at a mid-level Hilton property.

In addition to Diamond status, every year you’ll get a statement credit of up to $250 when you spend $250 or more on your Hilton Aspire Card at Hilton Resorts. Every year when you renew your card, you will also be given a free weekend night award certificate, and you have the ability to earn another one if you use your card to spend $60,000 within a calendar year.

Learn more about for the Hilton Honors Aspire Card

The World of Hyatt Credit Card is a good option for Hyatt loyalists, those looking for a good once-a-year vacation card, and everything in-between. The card comes with a $95 annual fee that is not waived the first year.

Points: We’ll start off with the goods: Hyatt points are extremely valuable—much more so than other types of hotel points. This is because Hyatt’s most expensive hotels cost only 40,000 points per night while other hotel chains charge 80,000 or more points per night for their top hotels. Hyatt also offers an option where you can redeem a lower number of points and some cash that can help stretch your points even further while still offering a high-value redemption.

Hyatt hotels have relatively low hotel prices, so you should be able to rack up enough points pretty quickly and start redeeming for free nights. The Hyatt Card earns 4 Hyatt points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels and 2 Hyatt points per dollar on local transit, commuting, restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, and fitness club and gym memberships. All other purchases earn 1 Hyatt point per dollar spent.

Perks: Every year when you renew your card, you’ll automatically be given a free hotel night that is valid at low to mid-tier Hyatt properties. Keep in mind that this doesn’t include Hyatt’s best properties, so it might not be as useful if you want to splurge on your vacation. Plus you’ll get automatic Hyatt Discoverist status earning you a 10% bonus on points earned at Hyatt hotels and access to faster premium internet at no additional cost when you stay with Hyatt.

If you’re loyal to Hyatt brands, which include chains with the Hyatt name like Hyatt Regency as well as luxury brands Andaz and Miraval, you’ll be happy to know that having and spending on your Hyatt card can also help you earn status beyond the Discoverist status that comes with the card.

Every year, you will automatically be given five nights toward qualifying for a higher level of elite status with Hyatt and you can earn two additional night credits toward status for every $5,000 you spend on your card. Higher levels of elite status offer additional benefits like free breakfast, more points earning at hotels, and better room upgrades.

Learn more about the World of Hyatt Credit Card

If you stay at any Marriott hotel in any given year, there’s a good chance that you’ll find this card to be worthwhile. The Bonvoy card comes with a $450 annual fee, but for the right type of traveler, the perks can more than make up for it. See rates and fees.

Points: As far as earning points goes, you’ll get 6 Marriott points per dollar spent at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, and 3 Marriott points per dollar on flights booked directly with the airline and at U.S. restaurants. All other purchases will earn 2 Marriott points per dollar spent.

Perks: There are two main benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card that will easily help cover its annual fee. Every year, you’ll receive up to a $300 statement credit for eligible purchases at Marriott hotels, which includes the St. Regis, Ritz-Carlton, and W hotels in addition to traditional Marriott brands. Eligible purchases include food, drinks, and even the room rate itself. Basically, this $300 statement credit acts as a $300 rebate, refunding you on Marriott purchases until the $300 max is reached.

Secondly, each year on your account anniversary, you’ll also be given a free night stay certificate that is valid on rooms costing up to 50,000 points.

Last but not least, through May 12, 2021, new cardholders who spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months receive 125,000 bonus points.

Learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant

The Capital One Venture is a solid all-around travel card, and it’s particularly great if you’re not loyal to a specific hotel brand, though there is a $95 annual fee.

Points: You'll earn two miles for every dollar you spend, a rate that beats a lot of other unlimited cash-back cards, which typically offer 1.5%. This is an easy-to-use rewards card—no tracking categories or spending caps here. Redeeming points is simple, too. There are no blackout dates, and they don't expire as long as your account is open. You can even transfer them to other loyalty programs, including JetBlue.

Perks: Cardholders who spend $3,000 within the first three months receive 60,000 bonus miles. And like all points the Capital One Venture earns, these can be redeemed for more than hotel stays. Think airfare, car rentals, amusement park tickets, or—if you're not planning any trips—cash back.

The Venture Card also offers a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit of up to $100 when you charge your application fee on your card. You won't get charged foreign transaction fees if you take the card abroad, plus there's car rental insurance.

Learn more about the Capital One Venture Rewards