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Best card by category
Best credit card for hotels
Hotel stays can earn a bonus booked directly, and a different rate through the issuer's portal. Both are ranked below. Today the top-ranked card for hotels is the Chase Sapphire Reserve at 7.2% effective value, and the best with no annual fee is the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect at 4%.
Rates last reviewed between August 4, 2026 and September 29, 2026. Data published October 22, 2026.
Cards with a bonus on hotels, booked directly
| # | Card | Earns | Effective value | Annual fee | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chase Sapphire ReserveVisa | 4x points | 7.2% | $795 |
|
| 2 | American Express GreenAmex | 3x points | 5.1% | $150 |
|
| 3 | Wells Fargo Autograph JourneyVisa | 5x points | 5% | $95 |
|
| 4 | Citi Strata PremierMastercard | 3x points | 4.8% | $95 |
|
| 5 | U.S. Bank Altitude ConnectVisa | 4x points | 4% | $0 |
|
| 6 | Chase Sapphire PreferredVisa | 2x points | 3.6% | $95 |
|
| 7 | Barclays AARP Travel RewardsMastercard | 3% cash back | 3% | $0 | |
| 8 | Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by CitiVisa | 3% cash back | 3% | $0 |
|
| 9 | Comenity AAA Travel AdvantageVisa | 3% cash back | 3% | $0 | |
| 10 | Wells Fargo AutographVisa | 3x points | 3% | $0 |
|
If you book through the issuer's travel portal
| # | Card | Earns | Effective value | Annual fee | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Citi Strata EliteMastercard | 12x points | 19.2% | $595 |
|
| 2 | Citi Strata PremierMastercard | 10x points | 16% | $95 |
|
| 3 | Chase Sapphire ReserveVisa | 8x points | 14.4% | $795 |
|
| 4 | Capital One Venture XVisa | 10x miles | 12% | $395 |
|
| 5 | Chase Sapphire PreferredVisa | 5x points | 9% | $95 |
|
| 6 | American Express GoldAmex | 5x points | 8.5% | $325 |
|
| 7 | American Express PlatinumAmex | 5x points | 8.5% | $895 |
|
| 8 | Citi StrataMastercard | 5x points | 8% | $0 |
|
For comparison: the best flat-rate cards
These pay the same rate on everything, so they set the bar a bonus card has to beat.
| # | Card | Earns | Effective value | Annual fee | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coastal Community Bank Robinhood Gold CardVisa | 3% cash back | 3% | $0 |
|
| 2 | Alliant Credit Union Alliant Visa® Signature CardVisa | 2.5% cash back | 2.5% | $0 |
|
| 3 | Citi Strata EliteMastercard | 1.5x points | 2.4% | $595 |
|
| 4 | Capital One Venture RewardsVisa | 2x miles | 2.4% | $95 |
|
| 5 | Capital One Venture XVisa | 2x miles | 2.4% | $395 |
|
Effective value is the headline rate times what a point or mile is worth, before annual fees. Points and miles are valued at: Chase 1.8¢, American Express 1.7¢, Wells Fargo 1¢, Citi 1.6¢, U.S. Bank 1¢, Capital One 1.2¢. Cash back counts at face value. Personal cards only; sign-up bonuses, statement credits and other perks are not counted. Airline and hotel co-brand cards are left out: they pay their bonus only at their own brand.
What usually counts
- Hotel stays booked directly with the hotel.
- A separate rate may apply when booked through the issuer's portal (second table).
Watch out for
- Hotel-brand cards earn points in that chain's own program, which are valued lower here than flexible bank points.
- Booking through third-party sites often doesn't qualify for the hotel bonus.
Which of your cards wins?
The best card in the world is the best card you actually own. Add your cards to PointMaxxer and see which one to use for hotels, and every other purchase, in a second. Free, no sign-up, no bank login.