7 Credit Cards That Can Get You Free Nights at Luxury Hotels
by Lyle Daly | Jan. 27, 2021
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Want the luxury hotel experience without the luxury price tag? These credit cards can make it happen.
If you want to turn a vacation into a trip to remember, a luxury hotel stay usually does the trick. Every detail, large and small, helps improve your travel experience. The elegant design. The beautiful views. The excellent service. And all the thoughtful amenities.
That luxury normally comes at a cost, but it doesn't need to be that way. Here are some of the travel credit cards that'll get you free nights at even the fanciest hotels.
1. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card from Chase
If you want plenty of options, the Marriott Bonvoy program is hard to top. It includes several popular luxury hotel brands, including Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott Hotels, and W Hotels.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card from Chase packs massive value for a reasonable $95 annual fee. Every year, you get a free night certificate good at any property that costs up to 35,000 points.
You'll earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months. That's enough for one or more free nights, depending on the property you choose.
2. Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Hilton has two well-known luxury brands in Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Hotels. In addition, it offers several quality premium hotel brands.
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card has a $95 annual fee and starts you off with 130,000 bonus points for spending $2,000 within three months. Even at Hilton's highest-end properties, 130,000 points will cover at least one free night.
When you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with this Hilton card in a calendar year, you also earn a free weekend night award. You can use this award at any property that offers a standard accommodation, double occupancy room.
3. The World of Hyatt Credit Card
For luxury brands, Hyatt has Park Hyatt and Grand Hyatt. Its portfolio also includes high-quality premium options.
You can use The World of Hyatt Credit Card sign-up bonus to book just about any of those brands. This card, which has a $95 annual fee, offers a bonus of up to 50,000 points for new cardholders. You get 25,000 points for spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months, plus 25,000 more for spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months.
Each year after your cardmember anniversary, you'll get a free night certificate good at any category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort. You can get another for spending $15,000 during your cardmember anniversary year.
4. IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
IHG®'s extensive collection of hotel brands includes two luxury offerings: InterContinental Hotels & Resorts and Regent Hotels & Resorts.
You can score lots of free nights at this hotel chain with the IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card. Its $89 annual fee gets you a free night every year after your account anniversary. This free night is valid at properties costing up to 40,000 points.
This card also has one of the biggest credit card sign-up bonuses. After you spend $3,000 in the first three months, you'll get 140,000 points.
5. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
Those who want the most feature-rich Marriott card (and don't mind a $450 annual fee) should opt for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card.
You'll get an annual free night award, only this award is valid at properties up to 50,000 points. That gives you more flexibility to book a room at a better Marriott hotel.
The welcome offer on this card is 75,000 points for making $3,000 of purchases within the first three months. It also has a $300 annual credit towards Marriott Bonvoy purchases, including hotel stays, which helps balance out the annual fee.
6. Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Hilton has its own top-shelf credit card option with the $450 Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
This hotel card offers an annual free weekend night at eligible properties, and you can get another for spending $60,000 with your card in a calendar year. You'll collect 150,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first three months.
There are also several spending credits you get from the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. These include a $250 annual Hilton Resort statement credit, a $250 airline fee credit, and a $100 Hilton on-property credit.
7. Citi Prestige® Card
Unlike the rest of the cards on this list, the Citi Prestige® Card isn't tied to a specific hotel. Instead, this travel card (which costs $495 per year) can get you free nights at any hotel you want.
When you book hotel stays of at least four nights through the Citi ThankYou site, the fourth night is free. This benefit is available to cardholders twice per calendar year.
The Citi Prestige® Card also offers a $250 annual credit towards travel purchases and a 50,000-point sign-up bonus for spending $4,000 within three months.
A luxury hotel stay doesn't need to strain your bank account. Any of the credit cards listed above can help you get free nights at expensive properties, and several of the cards cost less than $100 per year. That's a small price to pay for some serious hotel savings.
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About the Author
Lyle is a writer specializing in credit cards, travel rewards programs, and banking. His work has also appeared on MSN Money, USA Today, and Yahoo! Finance.
We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.
