Best Hotel Credit Cards of 2026
Frequent hotel guest? These cards earn you free nights, automatic elite status upgrades, and bonus points on hotel stays and travel purchases.
How We Rank
Cards are scored using category-specific metrics - not just the generic reward rate. Each card earns points for relevant category rewards, perks, signup bonuses, fees, and benefits that matter most for this use case. Cards from any issuer or category can qualify if they score well.
American Express Gold Card
by American ExpressAmerican Express Gold Card is a dining card from American Express with a $325 annual fee, up to 100,000 membership rewards points after $8,000 in 6 months, and good to excellent credit.
Why it's #1
- 5.0% back on hotels
- 2.0% on travel
- No foreign transaction fee
- $1250 signup bonus*
Citi Strata Premier Card
by CitiCiti Strata Premier Card is a travel card from Citi with a $95 annual fee, 60,000 thankyou points after $4,000 in 3 months, and good to excellent credit.
Why it's #2
- 3.0% back on hotels
- No foreign transaction fee
- $750 signup bonus*
Chase Sapphire Preferred
by ChaseChase Sapphire Preferred is a travel card from Chase with a $95 annual fee, 100,000 bonus points after $5,000 in 3 months, and good to excellent credit.
Why it's #3
- 5.0% on travel
- No foreign transaction fee
- $1250 signup bonus*
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
by Wells FargoWells Fargo Active Cash Card is a cashback card from Wells Fargo with no annual fee, earn a $200 cash rewards bonus when you spend $500 in purchases in the first 3 months, and fair to good credit.
Why it's #4
- Automatic elite status
- $200 signup bonus*
Chase Freedom Unlimited
by ChaseChase Freedom Unlimited is a cashback card from Chase with no annual fee, $200 bonus after $500 in 3 months, and fair to good credit.
Why it's #5
- 5.0% on travel
- $200 signup bonus*
Chase Freedom Flex
by ChaseChase Freedom Flex is a cashback card from Chase with no annual fee, $200 bonus after $500 in 3 months, and fair to good credit.
Why it's #6
- 5.0% on travel
- $200 signup bonus*
Chase Ink Business Preferred
by ChaseChase Ink Business Preferred is a business card from Chase with a $95 annual fee, 100,000 bonus points after $15,000 in 3 months, and good to excellent credit.
Why it's #7
- 3.0% on travel
- No foreign transaction fee
- $1250 signup bonus*
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards
by Capital OneCapital One SavorOne Cash Rewards is a dining card from Capital One with no annual fee, earn a one-time $250 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening, and fair to good credit.
Why it's #8
- No foreign transaction fee
- $250 signup bonus*
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards
by Capital OneCapital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards is a cashback card from Capital One with no annual fee, earn a $200 cash bonus, and fair to good credit.
Why it's #9
- No foreign transaction fee
- $200 signup bonus*
Capital One Venture Rewards
by Capital OneCapital One Venture Rewards is a travel card from Capital One with a $95 annual fee, 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening, and good to excellent credit.
Why it's #10
- No foreign transaction fee
- $750 signup bonus*