.jpg)
.jpg)
Hotel cards have always been slightly overlooked in the world of miles, and while it’s true you typically won’t be able to fly in first class using your hotel card points, they do provide incredible value for those looking to save on accommodation.
Hotel card bonuses come in two forms: points or nights.
Whether you value points or nights more depends specifically on your travel preferences. If you’re aiming for high end hotels such as the Park Hyatt Tokyo, you’ll want to gravitate on cards awarding free nights, while on the flip side for the more budget conscious traveler, point sign up bonuses can represent great value.
The following are currently my top five hotel credit cards with a slight caveat: since this site is geared towards extravagant award redemptions, my advice does tilt a bit slightly in favor of hotels that award free nights rather than points.
Chase IHG Card
While the card’s 60,000 sign up bonus is nothing to scoff at, the real value lies in its annual free night certificate which can be used at any IHG property. These include the high end Intercontinental hotels, which can typically go for over $500 a night!
60,000 IHG points typically are good enough for 1-2 IHG hotels, although every 3 months IHG releases a PointsBreak promotion where a select list of hotels cost only 5000 IHG points per night.
I stayed at the Intercontinental Phnom Penh for 5000 points last October
The 10% award redemption rebate and complimentary Platinum status both add real value and help makes this card a no brainer.
Free night at the Intercontinental Amstel ($500+ a night)
Chase Hyatt Visa Card
Although card benefits have been slightly devalued, the sign up bonus of two free nights at any Hyatt worldwide still has significant value. Each year you’ll also receive a “free” night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel, which can typically cost upwards of $300 a night.
Hyatt on the Bund, a category 4 hotel
Additional benefits include Hyatt Discoverist status, which does provide a 2 PM check out time, but otherwise is quite insignificant.
I used my free Chase nights at the Park Hyatt Maldives ($1000+ a night)
Hilton Honors Surpass Card from American Express
Until May 31, cardholders receive 100,000 Honors points after completing minimum spend and receive an additional free weekend night valid at any Hilton worldwide (with a few select exceptions) after your first account anniversary.
Although Hilton has devalued its program, there are still some great mileage redemptions to be had, especially for lower tiered Hilton category hotels.
Category 1 hotels cost only 5000 points a night, while Category 2 hotels will set you back 10,000 points a night.
Stay 20 nights at the Hilton Alexandria Corniche in Egypt with your sign up bonus
The card also does come with Hilton Gold status, which provides conditional lounge access and complimentary breakfast.
You could combine your free nights from the Citi Hilton Honors card and potentially end up with at least four free nights at any Hilton property worldwide.
Citi Hilton Honors Reserve Card
The Citi Honors Reserve Card offers two free weekend nights at any Hilton property worldwide (with a few select exceptions). In addition you’ll receive an annual free weekend night after spending $10,000 each year, making this card a must have for big spenders. The card also provides Hilton Gold status, which provides conditional lounge access and complimentary breakfast.
Stay at the Conrad Bora Bora using your two free weekend night ($800+ a night)
Chase Marriott Card
You’ll earn a sign up bonus of 80,000 points along with an additional 7,500 points for adding an additional user. The card offers Marriott Silver status, which is not very valuable by itself but does qualify for a late check out.
The best uses of the Marriott points are for flights & night vacation package, which do require applying for a couple additional cards.
Marriott Sukhumvit Soi 57, a Category 5 Marriott Property
Similar to the IHG card, the Chase Marriott Card gives cardholders a free annual night certificate, valid for any category 1-5 Marriott property.
Honorable Mention:
American Express Starwood Personal & Business Card
The Starwood Preferred Guest Card from American Express earns valuable Starpoints, which is considered among most mileage enthusiasts as the most valuable award currency. The card does not offer any status, although the Starwood cards do have a few tangible soft benefits.
However, the current sign up bonus is currently not at an all-time high, so I’d suggest holding off from applying unless you have an urgent need for Starpoints.
Fly Lufthansa First Class for only 40,000 Starpoints
Do note that Starpoints convert to Marriott points at a ratio of 3:1, so if you need a couple extra Marriott points for a flights & nights package, this could be a good card to apply for.
