Spend Categories

Hotels

You want the most value back for your credit card spends. Since not all points are of equal value, below is a quick reference on dollar value back (not just multipliers) for Hotels spends.

Details

This is a tricky category since so many cards offer high multipliers on their own brand. It's important to look at the value on the return, not just the multiplier here. That's because a 3X multiplier may be worth 6 cents on one card, while another card could have a 10X multiplier that's only worth 3 cents. The (+) versions have the best combination of signup bonus and category multiplier. The (-) versions are the inferior branded card choice or have other significant limitations.

It's worth noting, if the value is close, we do usually use the branded card (like Hilton or Marriott) as it shows more loyalty and you may end up getting an extra perk or two. Stated "status perks" that come with some cards like room upgrades and free breakfast are not dependent on use of the card however.

Only Show Cards I Own

Our Top Selections for Hotels (+)

	Multiplier	Point Value	Per $ Spent
Chase Sapphire Reserve All hotels booked anywhere, includes trip insurance.	10x	1.8¢	17.6¢
IHG Rewards Club Premier Earn 10 points on purchases directly from IHG properties and 15 for being a Platinum member.	25x	0.6¢	15.0¢
IHG Rewards Premier Business Earn 10 points on purchases directly from IHG properties and 15 for being a Platinum member.	25x	0.6¢	15.0¢
World Of Hyatt Business card Earn 4 points per $1 spent for Hyatt stays and experiences, including restaurants and spas. (Plus 5 Base Points per $1 you earn as a World of Hyatt member.)	9x	1.6¢	14.4¢
World Of Hyatt Card Earn 4 points per $1 spent for Hyatt stays and experiences, including restaurants and spas. (Plus 5 Base Points per $1 you earn as a World of Hyatt member.)	9x	1.6¢	14.4¢
Marriott Bonvoy Business Purchases made directly from Marriott. 6x on card, plus 10x for being a silver status member	15x	0.7¢	10.5¢
Wyndham Rewards Earner Biz Earn 8 points for every $1 on purchases made at Wyndham hotels, plus 20x on stays with Diamond status.	7x	1.2¢	8.4¢
Hilton Honors Surpass Amex Purchases made directly from Hilton.	12x	0.6¢	7.2¢
Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Earn 6 points for every $1 on purchases made at Wyndham hotels, plus 15x on stays with platinum status.	6x	1.2¢	7.2¢
Chase Ink Business Cash All hotels booked anywhere, includes trip insurance.	3x	1.6¢	4.8¢

Other Cards with Solid Value for Hotels (=)

	Multiplier	Point Value	Per $ Spent
Capital One Venture X Purchases through Capital One Travel using this Rewards card account.	10x	1.1¢	11.0¢
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Purchases made directly from Marriott. 6x on card, plus 10x for being a silver status member	15x	0.7¢	10.5¢
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Purchases made directly from Marriott. 6x on card, plus 10x for being a Gold status member	15x	0.7¢	10.5¢
Hilton Honors Aspire Amex Purchases made directly from Hilton.	14x	0.6¢	8.4¢
Chase Freedom Flex Quarterly category, June 30th .Hotels stays booked through Chase Travel	5x	1.6¢	8.0¢
Hilton Honors Amex Business Purchases made directly from Hilton.	12x	0.6¢	7.2¢
U.S Bank Altitude Connect Visa Prepaid hotels on Altitude Rewards Center.	5x	1.3¢	6.5¢
US Bank Altitude Reserve Prepaid hotels on Altitude Rewards Center.	5x	1.3¢	6.5¢
Wyndham Rewards Earner Earn 5 points for every $1 on purchases made at Wyndham hotels, plus 10x on stays with gold status.	5x	1.2¢	6.0¢
Citi Premier Card Purchases from hotels & travel agencies (e.g. Expedia or Orbitz)	3x	1.2¢	3.6¢
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Earn 3x miles on purchases made directly with Delta in worldwide hotels.	3x	1.2¢	3.6¢
Chase Sapphire Preferred All hotels booked anywhere, includes trip insurance.	2x	1.6¢	3.2¢
Business Advantage Travel Rewards Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases (car, hotel, airline) booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.	3x	1.0¢	3.0¢
United Explorer Card Earn 2 points per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel.	2x	1.5¢	3.0¢
United Quest Card Earn 2 points per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel.	2x	1.5¢	3.0¢
British Airways Visa Signature Purchases made directly from Hotels.	2x	1.2¢	2.4¢

Cards Offering Some Value for Hotels with Limitations (-)

	Multiplier	Point Value	Per $ Spent
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Purchases made directly from Marriott. 6x on card, plus 10x for being a Gold status member .	15x	0.7¢	10.5¢
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Purchases made directly from Marriott. 6x on card, plus 10x for being a silver status member	15x	0.7¢	10.5¢
IHG Rewards Club Traveler Earn 5 points on purchases directly from IHG properties and 10 points for being a card member.	15x	0.6¢	9.0¢
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Purchases made directly from Marriott. 3x on card, plus 10x for being a Bonvoy member	12x	0.7¢	8.4¢
American Express Platinum Business prepaid hotels on amextravel.com ONLY	5x	1.5¢	7.7¢
American Express Platinum Personal Prepaid hotels on amextravel.com ONLY	5x	1.5¢	7.7¢
Capital One Spark Miles Business Purchases through Capital One Travel using this Rewards card account	5x	1.1¢	5.5¢
Capital One Venture Reward Purchases through Capital One Travel using this Rewards card account.	5x	1.1¢	5.5¢
Hilton Honors Amex Purchases made directly from Hilton.	7x	0.6¢	4.2¢
Southwest Performance Business Earn 3 points for each $1 spent at participating Rapid Rewards hotels.	3x	1.4¢	4.2¢
Delta Skymiles Platinum Personal 3x miles on purchases made directly with Delta in worldwide hotels.	3x	1.2¢	3.6¢
Southwest Plus Earn 2 points for each $1 spent at participating Rapid Rewards hotels.	2x	1.4¢	2.8¢
Southwest Premier Earn 2 points for each $1 spent at participating Rapid Rewards hotels.	2x	1.4¢	2.8¢
Southwest Premier Business Earn 2 points for each $1 spent at participating Rapid Rewards hotels.	2x	1.4¢	2.8¢
Southwest Priority Earn 2 points for each $1 spent at participating Rapid Rewards hotels.	2x	1.4¢	2.8¢
Sonesta World Mastercard Purchases made directly from Sonesta	2x	0.7¢	1.4¢