The Best Hotel Credit Cards of 2025
Tl;dr: the IHG Premier and Hilton Aspire lead the way, but there are a few other solid cards depending on your taste, budget, and travel habits.
A few months ago I did some math on which co-branded hotel credit cards would get the best discounts off the sticker price of a hotel room once you factored in the card’s point and status rewards. But that list didn’t address whether those cards were really worth having once you consider the fees and benefits involved. Today, we’re looking at the best hotel cards, considering the net fee, perks, discount rate, and earning power on general spending.
Let’s move on to the rankings:
#1: IHG Premier
Face fee: $99
Net fee: ≤$0 (after free night)
Discount rate: $84
Perks: Platinum status, $25 united Travel Bank cash, 4th night free on award stays
Bonus points: 5x gas, dining, travel (3x otherwise)
Why it’s #1: Also #3 on our overall list, the IHG Premier easily tops this list because its annual free night makes the card free (or better) to hold, while offering big discounts and premium perks at IHG properties, and side benefits like credits toward United flights and a Global Entry credit. Even better, this card is useful even when not booking hotels—its 5x earning rates on gas and travel are excellent, while earnings on dining and base travel are decent as well, if a bit behind the top of the market.
#2: Hilton Aspire
Face fee: $550
Net fee: ~$50 (after free night, $200 airfare credit, and $400 resort credit)
Discount rate: $78
Perks: Diamond status, free night, National car rental status, concierge service
Bonus points: 7x dining, flights, car rentals (3x base)
Why it’s #2: Although the Hilton Aspire’s upfront fee is hard to stomach, the free night can unlock a night at a property that charges over double that amount; combine that with four quarterly $50 airfare credits and $200 every six months toward resort bookings, and you can break even quickly with this card even if you’re not a big spender. In addition to offering access to otherwise-unaffordable luxury hotels, it offers a huge points return and premium perks at all Hilton hotels thanks to the top-of-the-line Diamond status it confers. And its 7x earning at US restaurants, 3x base points, and outstanding purchases and travel protections make it another card that you can justify using outside of the hotel.
#3: World of Hyatt
Face fee: $95
Net fee: ≤$0
Discount rate: $79
Perks: Discoverist status
Bonus points: 2x on air tickets, gym memberships, commuting, dining (1x base)
Why it’s #3: With a net-zero fee, big discount rate, and Discoverist status and accompanying perks, the World of Hyatt card can easily justify its place in your wallet. It falls behind the other two cards because the earning rates are lackluster outside of the Hyatt-verse (you can do better with a Bilt or Chase Sapphire card). Although you can get a second free night, you’ll have to spend $15,000 to do so.
#4: Choice Privileges Select
Face fee: $95
Net fee: ~$0
Discount rate: $77
Perks: Platinum elite status, cell phone protection
Bonus points: 5x gas, groceries, home improvement stores and phone plans (1x base)
Why it’s #4: Another no-net-fee card with decent perks and an excellent discount rate, the Choice Privileges Select falls slightly behind the competition due to a lack of premium or unique benefits and Choice’s more lackluster hotel portfolio. It is also hurt by a low base earning rate. But by offering 30k points each year instead of a single free night, it may be possible to stretch the value of this card even further (that’s nearly 4 free nights in Japan).
#5: Wyndham Earner
Face fee: $0
Net fee: $0
Discount rate: $81
Perks: Gold status, booking discount
Bonus points: 5x gas, 2x dining and grocery (1x base)
Why it’s #5: You could make an argument that I’ve underrated the Earner, which offers minor elite status (preferred room upgrades and late checkout subject to availability) and big discounts at Wyndham properties all for no annual fee. Again, I’ve docked the Earner because Wyndham’s US hotel portfolio is underwhelming, but the points are reasonably valuable and can be redeemed cleverly for vacation rentals.
#6: Marriott Brilliant
Face fee: $650
Net fee: ~$200
Discount rate: $77
Perks: Platinum status, 25 elite night credits,
Bonus points: 3x restaurants, flights (2x base)
Why it’s #6: If you’re willing to pay a premium to upgrade your Marriott stays, the Brilliant offers a nice package of benefits through Platinum status. But unlike the Hilton Aspire, there’s no path to earn back your annual fee, and the pathetic earning rates make this a sock-drawer card when it’s being used to earn the $300 in dining credits or to book a hotel. If you spend a lot of time in hotels each year, though, the Brilliant offers a head start to Titanium status (and the United Airlines Silver status that comes with it).
#7: Marriott Boundless
Face fee: $95
Net fee: ~$0
Discount rate: $83
Perks: Silver status, 15 elite night credits, 1 elite night credit for every $5k spent
Bonus points: 3x gas stations, grocery stores and dining (2x base)
Why it’s #7: Although Marriott has better properties and a much bigger footprint than Choice or Wyndham, nobody is going to be writing home about Marriott’s Silver Elite benefits. In addition to dreadful earning rates out in town, the Boundless doesn’t even offer that many bonus points at Marriott properties, resulting in a middling discount rate when booking and paying with the card. At the end of the day, though, it’s a no-net-fee card with concrete benefits at the world’s biggest hotel chain, and can be a solid contributor to many wallets.
Are other cards worth considering?
I think all the no-net-fee cards above are solid; if you stay in a hotel at least a few nights a year, you’re likely to get good value from them. The premium cards, meanwhile, might be worth it to the right person willing to pay a premium for their benefits. Other cards, though might only have value if you stay at the co-branded hotel chain often enough, like the Hilton Surpass or the Best Western Rewards Premium. And while no-fee hotel cards are free and offer small perks like low-level status, a fee-charging card will deliver more value if you’re staying relatively frequently, and the no-fee card probably isn’t worth the credit pull and wallet space if you’re not. After all, there are many ways to find hotel deals.
Conclusion
I think having one or two hotel cards in your wallet is one of the best ways to improve your travel experience. The free night can often come in handy when cash prices are high, the big points return can reduce the net cost of a room, and the premium perks can enhance your experience. The IHG Premium and Hilton Aspire stand out for their value and unique benefits, but all the cards above could be great depending on your travel habits and goals.