Are hotel credit cards worth it? This is a question that many travelers ask themselves before signing up for these types of credit cards. In this article, Julian Payne will explore the 5+ reasons to get hotel credit cards and whether they are truly worth your investment.
So, if you’re curious about the perks and benefits of hotel credit cards, keep reading and discover why they might be worth it for you.
Are hotel credit cards worth it? 5+ Reasons to get hotel credit cards
Are hotel credit cards worth it?
Are hotel credit cards worth it? The answer to this question will depend on an individual’s spending habits and financial goals. However. I tend to think that hotel credit cards are worth picking up!
Hotel credit cards come with rewards that can be beneficial for frequent travelers, as they often offer perks such as bonus points, discounts, and access to exclusive deals.
These benefits may outweigh the cons of these types of credit cards, such as high annual fees or stringent loyalty requirements. It is important to do some research and compare different hotel credit card offers before making a decision.
Additionally, it is always important to make sure that one is able to pay the balance in full each month in order to avoid costly interest charges.
Are hotel credit cards worth it?
Hotel credit cards basically pay for themselves
Are hotel credit cards worth it? While airline credit cards may require loyalty to a specific airline, hotel credit cards offer unique benefits like free night certificates and elite status.
And with sub-$100 annual fee options like those below, they can be worth holding onto even if you don’t spend money on them. So if you’re a frequent traveler or simply want to enjoy luxurious hotel stays, it may be worth considering a hotel credit card:
- IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card, IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, and World of Hyatt Credit Card all offer a free night certificate on your account anniversary every year, valid at various properties.
- The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card offers a free night certificate on your account anniversary every year, valid at a property costing up to 35,000 points.
- Hotel-free night certificates are valuable even without top-tier elite status, and a single stay can easily outweigh the annual fee.
These cards often come with additional perks, such as elite status, discounts on award redemptions, and more. - For example, the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card offers IHG One Rewards Platinum status, a fourth night free on award redemptions, and up to $50 in United TravelBank credit each year.
Hotel credit cards basically pay for themselves
Do you have a consistent payment history?
Most hotel cards offer extremely valuable benefits, but it isn’t worth it if you can’t pay your balance in full each month, as interest charges and late fees will quickly offset any benefits.
Consider a travel rewards card instead, which can earn you points or miles toward free flights and hotel stays. But make sure to read the card’s terms and conditions carefully to avoid any surprise fees or limits.
Do you have a consistent payment history?
Can you offset the card’s annual fee?
Are hotel credit cards worth it? To answer that the cash value of your perks should be greater than the card’s annual fee.
Take the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, for example; it has an annual fee of $650 but offers up to $300 in statement credits for eligible restaurant purchases worldwide and a free night certificate worth up to 85,000 Bonvoy points every year.
Depending on where you use the certificate, it could be worth more than the annual fee.
However, if you can’t use the certificate when you want it or won’t spend $300 at Marriott properties every year, it may not be worth it.
There are also hotel credit cards with low or no annual fees, but keep in mind that they may not be the best choice for your spending habits.
Can you offset the card’s annual fee?
Does the card offer personalized rewards based on your spending habits?
Are hotel credit cards worth it? Yes, if you choose the right one!
Credit Card can offer significant value with its high rewards rate. These cards award bonus points for stays at participating hotels and certain spending categories like grocery stores, gas stations, and more.
However, it’s important to choose the right card that rewards your spending habits.
Take the World of Hyatt Credit Card for example: for a $95 annual fee, you can earn 1 point per dollar at grocery stores, with each point valued at about 2.8 cents.
That means $6,000 in grocery charges could get you $114 worth of Hyatt points.
Meanwhile, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers up to $360 cash back on grocery purchases annually. Choose wisely, and don’t leave money on the table!
Does the card offer personalized rewards based on your spending habits?
5+ Reasons to get hotel credit cards
Free-night certificates with hotel credit cards
- Get one free night per year with some cards.
- can be used on any day of the week
- Saves more money than annual fee costs.
Elite hotel loyalty program status with hotel credit cards
- Includes perks like bonus rewards, room upgrades, and early check-in.
- The complimentary benefit with some cards
- No need to spend thousands or book frequent stays
Rewards for free nights with hotel credit cards
- Earn points faster with sign-up bonuses and bonus points for certain categories.
- Redeem points for free nights at hotels.
- No need for a hotel card to earn points
Spending credits with luxury hotel credit cards
- Automatically pay for certain purchases up to a set amount.
- Property credits for spa and dining purchases
- Making expensive cards a better deal
No fees on international purchases with hotel credit cards.
- Considered travel cards, so no foreign transaction fees
- Saves money on purchases made outside the United States.
- It’s good to have, even if you don’t travel often.
5+ Reasons to get hotel credit cards
Will you have to pay unexpected fees when redeeming points at the resort?
Maximize your hotel rewards by choosing the right loyalty program. While Marriott may charge resort fees when using points, Hilton and Hyatt waive these fees when paying with points, saving you up to $40 a night.
However, before signing up for a hotel credit card, it’s important to ask yourself: are hotel credit cards worth it? Consider the annual fees, rewards program, and travel habits to determine if the perks outweigh the costs.
Will you have to pay unexpected fees when redeeming points at the resort?
Are hotel points more valuable to you than other types of rewards?
Financial institutions offer rewards programs that provide points for various rewards like hotel stays, flights, rental cars, gift cards, and cash. Some popular programs include:
- Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Citi ThankYou points
- American Express Membership Rewards
- Bank of America Preferred Rewards
- Wells Fargo Rewards
- Capital One miles
Flexible points currencies are useful if you don’t stay at properties affiliated with one specific hotel group. However, if you frequently stay at hotels with the same loyalty program, a hotel credit card can provide more value with added perks such as room upgrades and accelerated elite status.
Are hotel points more valuable to you than other types of rewards?
Is hotel elite status worth it?
Are hotel credit cards worth it? While some credit cards can help you earn elite status in hotel loyalty programs, it’s important to consider whether the perks actually benefit your travel habits.
For instance, if you typically take early flights, a late checkout may not be useful to you.
It’s also important to note that the most valuable perks are often reserved for higher elite status levels. Don’t be swayed by the promise of elite status; do your research to determine if the benefits are worth the cost.
Is hotel elite status all it’s cracked up to be?
FAQs: Are hotel credit cards worth it? 5+ Reasons to get hotel credit cards
Is it wise to use a credit card to pay for a hotel room?
Use a credit card instead of a debit card when checking into a hotel or resort for added safety, unless you have ample funds in your checking account.
What is the benefit of using a credit card in a hotel?
Earn rewards for hotel spending with hotel credit cards in the form of redeemable points for stays and benefits.
Is it better to use a credit card or a debit card when booking a hotel?
Book your hotel stay with a credit card for easy payment and added protection. Hotels receive cancellation security and accountability for any damage or theft.
How much credit card do you need for a hotel?
Hotels often charge a hold of $50-$200 per night on your credit card for incidentals, in addition to the room cost.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you’re wondering, “are hotel credit cards worth it?” Viluyana.com has provided insights into how hotel credit cards can be a valuable way to earn rewards, free stays, and other benefits.
With Viluyana.com‘s expert advice, you can make an informed decision and enjoy the many perks that come with hotel credit cards.
