Are hotel credit cards useful?

Yes, hotel credit cards are useful because they can get you significant discounts on hotel stays, free nights, and perks typically reserved for members who’ve earned elite status through the hotel’s loyalty program. Hotel credit cards are most useful to frequent travelers who favor a specific hotel chain. Occasional guests may be able to take advantage of hotel card features such as generous initial bonuses, automatic elite status and no annual fee, though.

How Hotel Credit Cards are Useful

Reward points provide opportunities for significant savings on your next hotel stay.

Routinely using your hotel credit card for purchases will earn you points to redeem for free nights or room upgrades, for example.

You can save hundreds with initial bonuses and other high-end perks.

The best hotel credit cards can get you a lucrative initial bonus for spending a certain amount during the promotional period. Top-notch hotel cards also unlock a treasure-trove of VIP perks such as free Wi-Fi, complimentary breakfast, valuable statement credits, and more.

Hotel credit cards offer an array of benefits to fit nearly any budget.

High-end hotel credit cards are geared toward frequent hotel guests who are willing to pay a hefty annual fee to reap all of the card’s extravagant benefits and lucrative bonuses. That said, light travelers on a budget can go with a hotel credit card with no annual fee and still get tremendous value.

Hotel credit cards can get you quicker access to loyalty program benefits.

Guests enrolled in a hotel’s loyalty program are likely to climb the program’s status tiers faster with an affiliated hotel rewards card. Elite status upgrades can get cardholders perks such as free nights, room upgrades, late checkout, and more.

To get the most out of your hotel credit card rewards, you should redeem them often. Not only does this reduce the chance that your points will diminish in value, but it also allows you to save money on your hotel stays more often, which is the whole point of earning rewards points in the first place.

If you’re having trouble finding the right hotel credit card for your specific needs, check out our editor’s picks for the best hotel credit cards to help narrow your search.