KEY POINTS
- Several hotel cards offer a complimentary night reward annually along with immediate elite status benefits.
- Earning bonus points is simple, and you have the option to redeem them for complimentary accommodations.
- Hotels cards that come with higher annual fees might also provide benefits such as spending credits and access to airport lounges.
Opting for a high-quality hotel can elevate a pleasant vacation to an exceptional one, but it can also significantly increase the cost of travel. On average, hotels in the United States charge around $160 per night, resulting in a total of $800 for a five-night stay. Luxury hotels in popular tourist spots often charge over $500 per night.
Thankfully, there are numerous. credit cards that offer benefits and rewards for travel Connected to hotel brands. These cards have the potential to reduce your expenses during your hotel visits and enhance your overall stay. Continue reading to discover the various benefits that hotel cards can offer.
Contents
1. Complimentary evening stays
Many of the the most commonly used credit cards for hotel stays complimentary night stay given every year. entirely Every card I have come across that provides this benefit also comes with an annual fee.
However, typically the value of the free night you receive is higher than the annual fee you pay for the card. For example, if a hotel card costs $95 per year but offers a free night stay worth $250, then you are getting good value from the card.
Certain cards offer the opportunity to receive extra complimentary night awards when you reach a certain spending threshold. For instance, by spending $30,000 on your card within a year, you could qualify for an additional free night award. By combining these free night awards with the points accumulated through your card, you can enjoy significant savings on your hotel accommodations.
Being recognized as a top-tier member in the hotel brand you prefer.
By holding a hotel card, you are granted immediate elite membership in the hotel’s loyalty scheme. The level of status you receive is determined by the type of card you possess. Generally, cards with increased annual fees offer superior status levels.
Having elite status can enhance the quality of your stays and make them more gratifying. Typically, it comes with extra points for your accommodations. Additionally, in the top tiers of status, you may also receive:
- Complimentary breakfast for two guests every day
- Free upgrades, if possible
- Arrangements can be made for checking in early or checking out late, subject to availability.
3. High potential for large bonuses
Staying at a hotel will allow you to accumulate hotel points more quickly. credit card By using a hotel card, you can accumulate points for all your transactions which can later be redeemed for complimentary stays.
Every hotel card I’ve come across includes sign-up incentives, which are special rewards for new cardholders. For example, a card might provide 150,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 within the initial six months. Such sign-up bonuses can often be sufficient to pay for a couple of nights’ stay.
Moreover, numerous hotel credit cards offer extra points for specific categories of spending, like dining and flights. These cards typically provide even higher rewards when used at the affiliated hotel. When paired with elite status benefits, this can result in a significant accumulation of bonus points during your stays. For instance, by utilizing my Hilton credit card with its included Diamond status, I am able to earn an impressive 34 points per dollar spent on stays at Hilton properties.
Using credits
Several high-end hotel credit cards offer spending credits, which are typically redeemable at the hotel. However, some cards go beyond this and may provide credits for various expenses like airfare and dining.
The value of using credits can vary, depending on your ability to utilize them. If you are able to do so, they may exceed the annual fee and justify the expense of holding a high-end hotel card.
Entrance to airport waiting areas.
Having a luxury hotel card may enhance your time at the airport. Some premium hotel cards come with free access to airport lounges. You might have to sign up for the lounge program provided by the card, but once you do, you can enjoy the lounge facilities before your flight.
The annual fee of a suitable hotel card can be easily justified by the numerous advantages it offers. I have managed to save a substantial amount of money using my hotel card, even after considering the yearly cost. If you have a preference for a particular hotel brand, it is worth exploring their credit card offerings to find a suitable option.
