What are co-branded hotel credit cards in the USA?
Co-branded credit cards are issued by a financial institution such as a bank, a credit union or fintech company along with another company, organization or brand. Such cards offer specific rewards and benefits associated with the brand. Benefits include earning rewards and receiving special deals, free shipping, etc.
Cardholders make purchases and pay off those purchases in each billing cycle or over time if they carry a balance. Consumers will also be able to use co-branded credit cards wherever credit cards are accepted.
What kind of benefits are provided by co-branded hotel credit cards?
- Get your Free Night Rewards – Cardholders receive free nights at any of the participating hotels.
- Get Elite Status Benefits – You can upgrade your stay, enjoy a late checkout, and earn bonus points.
- Accelerate Points Accumulation – You can earn more points with hotel stays and some purchases inside.
- Annual Statement Credits – Cardholders can reimburse travel costs at hotels and for meals.
- Airport Lounge Access – You get the entrance into business lounges at select international airports.
- Priority Check-in and Late Checkout – These cobranded cards make your travel experiences more convenient.
- Complimentary Wi-Fi – You get free internet access during hotel stays.
- Dining and Travel Discounts – These cards allow additional savings on select restaurants and travel services.
- Travel Insurance Cover – These cards offer coverage for cancellation of trips, delayed and lost luggage.
Which banks or credit card companies provide co-branded hotel credit cards in the USA?
Chase
Chase offers a wide range of co-branded hotel credit cards among major hotel chains like Marriott and Hyatt, often manifesting in promo offers such as bonus points, free nights, and elite status perks for frequent travelers.
American Express
American Express provides credit cards along with Hilton and Marriott, through which consumers can earn really good rewards for hotel stays, travel, and dining. It also provides benefits such as room upgrades and lounge access.
Citi
Citi has partnered with Wyndham Hotels to provide a co-branded credit card that allows members to earn bonus points for hotel stays and purchases, helping them achieve elite status more quickly.
Bank of America
Bank of America specializes in travel rewards like the Premium Rewards® Credit Card, which earns points that can be exchanged for hotel stays but does not have co-brand cards with hotel chains.
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo offers co-branded cards like the Propel American Express® Card. This rewards spending for travel, including hotel bookings, but is not associated with any particular brand of hotel.
Capital One
The co-branded cards offered by Capital One, such as the Venture Rewards and Spark Miles for Business, provide points that can be accumulated for hotel bookings through their travel portal.
Top 6 Hotel Credit Cards for Free Nights & Elite Perks [2025]
| S. N. | Name of Hotel Credit Cards for Free Nights & Elite Perks | Best Known & Value for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | World of Hyatt Credit Card | Best Known For earning valuable World of Hyatt points, elite night credits, and free night awards. |
| 2. | IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card | Best Known For earning IHG One Rewards points, automatic Gold Elite status, and a free night after card renewal. |
| 3. | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Amex Card | Best Known For earning Marriott Bonvoy points, a free night award, and access to luxury perks like airport lounge access. |
| 4. | Hilton Honors Amex Surpass® Card | Best Known For earning Hilton Honors points, automatic Gold status, and free night awards. |
| 5. | Hilton Honors Aspire Card | Best Known For earning Hilton Honors points, Diamond status, and free night awards at high-end properties. |
| 6. | Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card | Best known for earning Marriott Bonvoy points, a free night every year, and automatic Silver Elite status. |
1. World of Hyatt Credit Card
The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers Free night every year and automatic elite status to its cardholders. With a $95 annual fee, you earn a free night at any Category 1–4 Hyatt hotel each year on your anniversary, plus an extra free night for spending $15,000 in a calendar year.
Hotel Rewards and Travel Perks
- Issuer – Chase
- Payment Gateway – Visa
- Credit Score – Good to Excellent
- Intro APR – N/A
- Regular APR – 19.99% – 28.49%
- Annual Fee – $95
- International Transaction Fee – No Foreign Transaction Fees
- Cash Advance Fee – Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Balance Transfer APR – 19.99% – 28.49%
- Sign-up Bonus – 30,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months.
Plus, up to 30,000 more Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months on purchases. - Best For – Frequent Travelers, Lifestyle
The World of Hyatt Credit Card, issued by Chase, is tailored for frequent Hyatt guests. It offers up to 9 points per dollar on Hyatt purchases, making it one of the best hotel rewards cards. Cardholders also earn points on dining, airfare, and gym memberships, providing excellent value for travelers.
This card has a $95 annual fee and requires good to excellent credit. It offers an automatic free night at Hyatt every anniversary and elite status benefits, including late checkout and room upgrades. The sign-up bonus includes up to 60,000 points, which can be redeemed for multiple free nights.
| Key Features | Reward Rate | Other Information |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Rewards | 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent at Hyatt hotels | 1 free night every year – after cardmember anniversary |
| Travel Perks | 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from airlines, on local transit and commuting, and on fitness club and gym memberships | 1 more free night – if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year. |
| Automatic elite status | 1 Bonus Point per $1 spent on all other purchases | Resort Fees waived on Eligible Rates & Free Night Awards |
| Covers purchase protection | – | No Foreign Transaction Fees |
| Trip cancellation and interruption insurance | – | Offer 2 additional qualifying night credits toward your next tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card |
| – | – | Offers 5 qualifying night credits toward your next tier status every year |
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- The card offers protection to eligible purchases for 120 days against damage or theft.
- You can earn up to 9X World of Hyatt points on Hyatt stays, which is over a 20 percent return.
- The Bonus Points transferred to your World of Hyatt Program account won’t expire as long as your card account is open.
Cons
- Hyatt has fewer hotels worldwide than other large hotel chains.
- The card uses a peak and off-peak award chart, so you’ll pay more points for stays during busy travel seasons.
- You might not be eligible for the welcome bonus if you’ve had a Hyatt card in the past.
Expert Advice
The World of Hyatt Credit Card is an excellent option for hotel rewards. It provides free nights, automatic elite status, and accelerated points on Hyatt stays. Additionally, the card offers bonus points for dining, travel, and gym memberships, making it perfect for frequent travelers who are looking for luxury perks.
2. IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers Free Nights & Platinum Elite Status to its cardholders. Along with that, it offers a free night stay every anniversary, automatic Platinum Elite status, and accelerated points on IHG hotel stays.
Travel Perks and Hotel Rewards
- Issuer – Chase
- Payment Gateway – MasterCard
- Credit Score – Good to Excellent
- Intro APR – N/A
- Regular APR – 21.24% to 28.24% Variable APR
- Annual Fee – $99
- International Transaction Fee – No Foreign Transaction Fees
- Cash Advance Fee – Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Balance Transfer APR – N/A
- Sign-up Bonus – 170,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
- Best For – Frequent Travelers, Lifestyle
Issued by Chase, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is perfect for frequent IHG hotel guests. It offers up to 26 points per dollar on IHG purchases, along with valuable travel perks. It also provides complimentary IHG Platinum Elite status, enhancing the travel experience with room upgrades and late checkouts.
The card has a $99 annual fee and requires good to excellent credit. It offers an annual free night certificate and a sign-up bonus of up to 140,000 points. Additional benefits include Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement and no foreign transaction fees, making it an excellent choice for travelers.
| Key Features | Reward Rate | Other Information |
|---|---|---|
| Travel rewards | Up to 26X total points at IHG Hotels and Resorts | $100 statement credit |
| Free anniversary night | 5X points on travel, dining, and at gas stations | Diamond elite status |
| Automatic Platinum Elite Status | 3X points per $1 spent on all other purchases | Early access to IHG rewards night sales |
| – | Up to $50 United® Airlines TravelBank Cash each year | Purchase protection |
| – | – | Trip cancellation and interruption insurance |
| – | – | No foreign transaction fees |
| – | – | Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Statement Credit |
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Cardholders can redeem three nights and get fourth reward night as free.
- Free night certificate each year upon account anniversary, a great benefit for regular guests.
- Offer additional perks like room upgrades and early check-in.
Cons
- Reward nights may have blackout dates or restrictions.
- Limited high-end luxury hotel redemption options.
- Limited point accumulation outside IHG stays compared to some other hotel cards.
Expert Advice
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is ideal for frequent travelers. It includes a free anniversary night and automatic Platinum Elite status with perks like late checkout and room upgrades. You can earn up to 26X points on IHG stays to maximize free nights.
3. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Amex Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Amex Card offers Complimentary Elite status + annual free night at Marriott properties to its cardholders. Its premium features cater well to loyal Marriott Bonvoy members.
Hotel rewards and Lounge access
- Issuer – American Express
- Payment Gateway – Amex
- Credit Score – Excellent
- Intro APR – N/A
- Regular APR – 19.99% – 28.99%
- Annual Fee – $650
- International Transaction Fee – No Foreign Transaction Fee
- Cash Advance Fee – 5% or $10
- Balance Transfer APR – N/A
- Sign-up Bonus – 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after $6,000 spent in 6 months
- Best For – Frequent Travelers, Marriott Loyalists
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Amex Card is a travel card issued by American Express that offers great benefits for Marriott hotel guests. It provides 6X points on Marriott hotel purchases and 3X points on dining and groceries. Its best feature is the complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status, which offers perks like room upgrades and late check-out.
The card has an annual fee of $650. It offers a unique feature of a free night award after spending $3000 annually. The credit limit varies, and a good credit score is required. There is also a referral program that rewards cardholders for referring friends and family.
| Key Features | Reward Rate | Other Information |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Rewards | 6x points on Marriott purchases | Free Night Award |
| Travel Benefits | 3x points at U.S. restaurants & flights booked directly | $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit |
| Lounge Access | 2x points on all other eligible purchases | Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck |
| Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite Status | – | Cell Phone Protection |
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Gives access to Marriott Bonvoy’s extensive global network of luxury hotels and resorts.
- Offers a pathway to exclusive hotel perks and elite status benefits.
- Provides valuable travel credits and complimentary upgrades, enhancing the luxury experience.
Cons
- Points earning potential might not be as high for non-Marriott purchases.
- Limited to Marriott properties, reducing flexibility in hotel choices.
- Elite status benefits may take time to earn and might not always meet expectations.
Expert Advice
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Amex Card is a great option for frequent travelers who seek luxury hotel experiences and elite status benefits. However, its high annual fee and limited rewards outside the Marriott network may not be ideal for every traveler.
4. Hilton Honors Amex Surpass® Card
Hilton Honors Amex Surpass® Card is an excellent choice for frequent Hilton guests, providing automatic elite status and valuable rewards on stays. However, its benefits are most effectively utilized within the Hilton network, which limits flexibility.
Hotel Rewards and Travel Benefits
- Issuer – American Express
- Payment Gateway – AMEX
- Credit Score – Good-Excellent
- Intro APR – N/A
- Regular APR – 19.99% – 28.99%
- Annual Fee – $150
- International Transaction Fee – No Foreign Transaction Fee
- Cash Advance Fee – 5% or $10
- Balance Transfer APR – N/A
- Sign-up Bonus – 130,000 Hilton Honors points after $3,000 spent in 6 months
- Best For – Travelers, Hilton Loyalists
The Hilton Honors Amex Surpass® Card is a premium travel card issued by American Express. It offers 12X points on Hilton hotel purchases and 6X points on dining and groceries. Its best feature is the complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status, which provides perks like room upgrades and free breakfast.
The card has an annual fee of $150. It offers a unique feature of a $200 Hilton credit annually. The credit limit varies, and a good credit score is required. There is also a referral program that rewards cardholders for referring friends and family.
| Key Features | Reward Rate | Other Information |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Rewards | 12x points on Hilton purchases | $200 hilton credit |
| Get complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status | 6x points at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets & gas stations | Free Night Reward |
| No Foreign Transaction Fees | 4x points on U.S. retail purchases | Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status |
| Complimentary weekend night reward each year | 3x points For Each Dollar – spent on other eligible purchases. | Hilton Honors™ Upgrade to Diamond Status |
| Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance | – | Global Assist® Hotline |
| Travel Benefits | – | Purchase Protection |
| Enjoy special ticket access and presales | – | Extended Warranty |
| An Additional Card for anyone who makes purchases for you | – | ShopRunner |
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Spend $40,000 in a calendar year and you can earn Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year.
- Cardholders get purchase protection Up to $1,000 – $50,000
- Get free 2-day shipping on eligible items at various stores with ShopRunner.
Cons
- To achieve Diamond status, you need to spend a lot of money.
- You can only earn bonus points at US retailers and restaurants.
- The card offers limited benefits outside of Hilton stays.
Expert Advice
The Hilton Honors Amex Surpass® Card is a great choice for earning free nights and mid-tier elite status quickly, but its rewards are mainly beneficial for Hilton loyalists, limiting options for other hotel stays.
5. Hilton Honors Aspire Card
Hilton Honors Aspire Card offers Diamond status, free night, premium travel perks to its cardholders. Its premium benefits come with a hefty annual fee, which may not justify the cost for occasional travelers.
Luxury Hotel Rewards
- Issuer – American Express
- Payment Gateway – AMEX
- Credit Score – Excellent
- Intro APR – N/A
- Regular APR – 19.99% – 28.99%
- Annual Fee – $550
- International Transaction Fee – No Foreign Transaction Fee
- Cash Advance Fee – 5% or $10
- Balance Transfer APR – N/A
- Sign-up Bonus – 150,000 Hilton Honors points after $6,000 spent in 6 months
- Best For – Frequent Travelers, Hilton Elite Members
The Hilton Honors Aspire Card is a luxury travel card issued by American Express. It offers 14X points on Hilton hotel purchases and 7X points on dining and groceries. Its best feature is the complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond Status, which provides top-tier perks like room upgrades and lounge access.
The card has an annual fee of $450. It offers a unique feature of a free weekend night award after spending $40,000 annually. The credit limit varies, and a good credit score is required. There is also a referral program that rewards cardholders for referring friends and family.
| Key Features | Reward Rate | Other Information |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury Hotel Rewards | 14x points on Hilton purchases | $400 Hilton Resort Credit |
| Get complimentary Hilton Honors™ Diamond status | 7x points at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets & gas stations | $200 Flight Credit |
| Premium Travel | 3x points For Each Dollar – spent on other eligible purchases | $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit |
| No Foreign Transaction Fees | 7X points on Select Travel Including flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com and car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies | Cell Phone Protection |
| An Additional Card for anyone who makes purchases for you | – | $100 Property Credit |
| Lounge Access | – | Free Night Reward |
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Cardholders get an Annual Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors in the first year of Card Membership.
- Cardholders can use card to cover the cost of CLEAR Plus Membership and get up to $199 back in statement credits per calendar year.
- Trip Delay Insurance can help reimburse certain additional expenses purchased with your same Eligible Card.
Cons
- There’s no 0% introductory annual percentage rate on purchases or balance transfers.
- To earn the card’s welcome offer, you may need to spend an average of $1,000 per month on the card
- Rewards can only be redeemed at Hilton and its partners.
Expert Advice
The Hilton Honors Aspire Card is an excellent option for frequent travelers staying at Hilton properties, providing premium perks and expedited elite status. However, its annual fee may not be worthwhile for those who travel infrequently.
6. Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card
Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card offers Automatic Silver Elite status + free night to its cardholders.However, it lacks some of the premium benefits of higher-tier Marriott cards, making it better suited for casual travelers.
Hotel Rewards and Travel benefits
- Issuer – Chase
- Payment Gateway – Visa
- Credit Score – Good-Excellent
- Intro APR – N/A
- Regular APR – 21.24%–28.24%
- Annual Fee – $95
- International Transaction Fee – No Foreign Transaction Fee
- Cash Advance Fee – 5% or $10
- Balance Transfer APR – 21.24%–28.24%
- Sign-up Bonus – 100,000 points after $3,000 spent in 3 months
- Best For – Frequent Travelers, Marriott Loyalists
The Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card is issued by Chase and is ideal for frequent travelers. Its best feature is earning 6X points at Marriott Bonvoy hotels. It benefits users with free night awards annually and elite status opportunities, making it perfect for hotel stays.
The card has a $95 annual fee. Its unique feature is a free night award each year. The credit limit varies based on creditworthiness. A good to excellent credit score (670+) is required. No referral program, but it offers travel and purchase protections.
| Key Features | Reward Rate | Other Information |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Rewards | 6X points for every $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy | Earn Unlimited Marriott Bonvoy® points and get free stays faster |
| Rewards points don’t expire as long as you make purchases on your credit card every 24 months | Earn up to 10X points from Marriott Bonvoy® for being a member | Lost Luggage Reimbursement |
| Travel Benefits | Earn up to 1X point from Marriott with Silver Elite Status. | Visa Concierge |
| Enjoy Silver Elite Status | 2X points for every $1 you spend on all other purchases | Trip Delay Reimbursement |
| Annual Free Night Award | – | – |
| No foreign transaction fees | – | – |
| Referral rewards | – | – |
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Offer Lost Luggage Reimbursement up to $3,000 per covered traveler.
- The card offer Purchase Protection eligible new purchases for 120 days
- You also get complimentary Visa Signature® Concierge Service 24*7.
Cons
- The free night certificate might not be worth it if you don’t stay at Marriott properties enough.
- The free night certificate might not be worth it if you don’t stay at Marriott properties enough.
- The annual fee might be more than the potential savings from the card’s benefits.
Expert Advice
The Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card provides excellent rewards for Marriott stays and offers a clear path to earning free nights. With a lower annual fee compared to premium cards, it is an ideal option for those looking for value without giving up elite benefits.
Comparison Table:
| Card Name | World of Hyatt Credit Card | IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Amex Card | Hilton Honors Amex Surpass® Card | Hilton Honors Aspire Card | Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Chase | Chase | American Express | American Express | American Express | Chase |
| Payment Gateway | Visa | MasterCard | Amex | Amex | Amex | Visa |
| Credit Score | Good- Excellent | Good- Excellent | Excellent | Good – Excellent | Excellent | Good – Excellent |
| Annual Fee | $95 | $99 | $650 | $150 | $550 | $95 |
| Sign-up Bonus | 30,000 Bonus Points after $3,000 spent in 3 months. | 170,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 in 3 months | 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after $6,000 spent in 6 months | 130,000 Hilton Honors points after $3,000 spent in 6 months | 150,000 Hilton Honors points after $6,000 spent in 6 months | 100,000 points after $3,000 spent in 3 months |
| Reward Rate | 4x points on Hyatt hotel, 2x points on restaurant, 1x points on all other purchases | 5X points on travel, dining, gas stations | 6x points on Marriott purchases, 3x points at U.S. restaurants & flights booked directly, 2x points on all other eligible purchase | 12x points on Hilton purchases, 4x points on U.S. retail purchases | 14x points on Hilton purchases, 7x points at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets & gas stations | Earn up to 10X points from Marriott Bonvoy® for being a member. Earn up to 1X point from Marriott with Silver Elite Status |
| Foreign Transaction Fees | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Intro APR | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Regular APR | 19.99% – 28.49% | 21.24% – 28.24% | 19.99% – 28.99% | 19.99% – 28.99% | 19.99% – 28.99% | 21.24%–28.24% |
| Best For | Frequent Travelers, Lifestyl | Frequent Travelers, Lifestyle | Frequent Travelers, Marriott Loyalist | Travelers, Hilton Loyalists | Frequent Travelers, Hilton Elite Members | Frequent Travelers, Marriott Loyalists |
| Decision Criteria | Ideal for those people who are frequent Hyatt guests | Ideal or those who frequently stay at IHG properties | Ideal for those who stay frequently at Marriott hotels and seek premium benefits | Ideal for those who frequently stay at Hilton properties | Ideal for those who seek top-tier perks and benefits at Hilton properties | Ideal for those who want solid rewards at Marriott hotels |
FAQs
Can I earn elite status with a hotel credit card?
Cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express and Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® enable you to earn elite status, which unlocks perks such as room upgrades and late checkout.
Which Amex credit cards are best for hotel booking?
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Amex Card, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Amex Card, and American Express® Gold Card are best for hotel booking.
Which hotel credit cards offer the best sign-up bonuses?
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Amex Card and the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® offer enticing sign-up bonuses that can greatly enhance your chances for free nights and rewards.
Which Chase credit cards are best for hotel booking?
Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card are best for hotel booking.
Do hotel credit cards offer travel protections?
Many hotel credit cards, like the American Express Platinum, provide travel protections such as trip cancellation insurance, baggage coverage, and emergency services access.