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How To Choose The Best Hotel Credit Card Rewards Program
Updated On November 1, 2021
Editorial Note: This content is based solely on the author's opinions and is not provided, approved, endorsed or reviewed by any financial institution or partner.
When you want to know how to choose the best hotel credit card rewards program, the good news is that you have multiple options. The best hotel rewards cards can offer you hotel rewards that help you earn points and free travel at your favorite hotels.
Here’s how the best hotel rewards cards work: for every dollar you spend with a hotel rewards card, you earn rewards that you can redeem for hotel stays and other hotel rewards.
The best hotel credit card rewards program often include signup bonuses, which may offer bonus points if you spend a certain amount of money in the first few months of joining the best hotel credit card rewards program. Many of the best hotel credit cards with no annual fee can help you earn substantial hotel rewards, which can come in handy on your next vacation.
Finding The Best Hotel Credit Card
If you want to know how to choose the best hotel credit card, ask yourself how much you travel and the types of hotel rewards that you would like. Here are some considerations when deciding how to choose the best travel hotel credit card for you.
1. Determine how often you travel
A hotel rewards card is best for people who travel frequently. Therefore, the best travel credit hotel card or best hotel rewards card is optimal for people who travel often for work or vacation. When it comes to hotel rewards credit cards, determine how much you plan to travel and spend on airfare, hotels or other travel. If you travel frequently, then you will want to compare the best hotel credit card rewards program that is right for you. This way, you can save money when it comes to travel because you can use hotel rewards card instead. If you are not a frequent traveler, then you may prefer the best cash back credit cards or the best rewards credit cards.
2. Determine if pay off your credit card balance each month
The best hotel rewards cards are for people who pay off their credit balance in full each month. If you plan to have a credit card balance each month, the interest rate with even the best travel credit cards can be costly. In fact, even when you choose the best travel credit card, the interest rate can be higher than the hotel rewards. Therefore, make sure to pay off your full credit card balance each month if you plan to have the best travel hotel credit card.
3. Determine if you like hotels rewards
When looking for the best hotel credit card rewards program, you can earn free hotel rewards. The good news is that the best hotel rewards cards can be redeemed at many leading hotels. So, if you are interested in the best hotel credit cards with no annual fee or the best hotel credit cards rewards program, make sure that your hotel rewards card matches your preferences.
The Best Hotel Credit Card Rewards Program: Key Factors To Consider
When you want to know how to choose the best hotel rewards credit card, there are several factors to consider.
The best hotel rewards cards are the ones that makes most sense for your personal preferences. When you choose the best hotel credit card rewards program, here are some helpful search criteria to find the best hotel rewards cards for you:
- Points
- Sign-up bonus
- Ongoing rewards
- Other perks
- Tier levels
- Annual Fee
- Foreign transaction fee
Look for high hotel rewards and a big sign-up bonus
Many of the best hotel rewards credit cards come with high hotel rewards and a big sign-up bonus.
Most of the best hotel rewards credit cards will offer hotel rewards equal to 1% to 2% of your spending. If you choose a hotel rewards credit card with a higher annual fee, your hotel rewards program may offer even higher rewards and benefits.
The best credit cards rewards program will also offer a big sign-up bonus. Many of the best hotel rewards credit cards offer a sign-up bonus that can earn you a free airline ticket. Typically, the higher the annual fee, the higher the sign-up bonus. The best hotel rewards cards ask you to spend a certain amount – such as $2,000 or $3,000, for example – in the first few months of having your hotel rewards card. Once you meet that minimum amount of spending, you will receive your sign-up bonus, which is a great way to earn hotel rewards points or hotel rewards miles quickly.
The best hotel rewards credit cards offer great rewards and great perks
When you go to choose the best hotel rewards credit card, make sure you understand how the hotel rewards credit card earns rewards and how you can redeem rewards. Many of the best hotel rewards credit cards offer higher rewards for spending on travel and a lower rate (such as 1%) on all other types of spending.
The best hotel rewards credit cards typically offer 1% to 1.5% rewards on a hotel rewards credit card with no annual fee and offer 1.5% to 2% rewards on a hotel rewards credit with an annual fee.
You should avoid hotel rewards credit cards that only offer you less than 1 cent per airline mile or 1 cent per point when you redeem for hotel rewards.
Remember, in addition to the best hotel rewards program, you can also earn great perks through the top hotel rewards credit cards such as:
- Free checked bag
- Priority boarding
- Upgrades
- Discounts
- Rental car insurance coverage
- Lost luggage insurance
- Accident insurance
- Travel delay insurance
- Concierge services
- Emergency services
How should I use the best hotel rewards cards?
When it comes time to use the best hotel rewards cards, there are multiple ways for you to maximize your benefits:
1. Use your hotel credit card when you travel
Your travel hotel credit card will come in handy when you travel. First, with the best hotel credit card rewards programs, you can earn more hotel rewards when you travel and spend with your hotel rewards cards. Second, the best hotel rewards cards for you may also include travel benefits such as no foreign transaction fee and other benefits with hotels, for example for international travel. Third, the best hotel credit card may include free rental car insurance.
2. Travel off-peak to maximize hotel rewards
If you are thinking about the best hotel credit card, consider booking your travel during off-peak travel times. This will save you points and miles when redeeming through the best hotel credit card rewards program. The best hotel rewards credit card may also benefit you if you travel mid-week and not during holidays to ensure that the hotel rewards are available.
3. Focus on having a strong or excellent credit score to qualify for the best hotel rewards cards
The best way to be approved for the best hotel rewards cards is to have a strong credit score or excellent credit score. If you have a strong credit profile, you will maximize your chance to be approved for the best hotel rewards cards. Credit card companies prefer customers with strong credit profiles to reduce their own credit risk as the lender. Therefore, you have a better chance to be approved for hotel rewards credit cards when you have a strong credit score.
What can the best hotel rewards credit cards be redeemed for?
You can redeem the best hotel rewards credit card for many rewards and benefits. Some of these benefits include:
- Free hotel stays
- Room upgrades
- Statement credit
- Higher loyalty status
- Much more
So, choose the best hotel rewards cards that match your preferences. For example, if you like free hotel stays, you can choose the best hotel credit card rewards program at your favorite hotel brand.
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