The best no-annual-fee hotel credit cards
Editor's Note
Quick summary
Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to pay an annual fee topping almost $800 to get the best travel credit card. If you don't travel enough to use all the benefits that come with a top-tier card — or simply don't have room in your budget to justify these fees each year — there are still plenty of no-annual-fee cards that might suit your needs.
When it comes to hotel credit cards, the good news is that a no-annual-fee card can offer you more benefits than you might expect. Some cards come with complimentary elite status, while others set up a pathway toward earning it through spending.
Depending on the product you choose, no-annual-fee cobranded hotel cards can help you earn perks specific to certain hotel chains. This is thanks, in part, to the elevated earning rates they feature when you book a stay or make an on-property purchase.
The best no-annual-fee hotel card will vary from person to person, but some of the best options currently available include the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (see rates and fees) and the Hilton Honors American Express Card (see rates and fees).
Both hotel chains offer properties all over the world, meaning you have tons of opportunities to earn and redeem points almost anywhere.
The best no-annual-fee hotel credit cards
Here are our top picks for the best no-annual-fee hotel cards.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card: Best for Marriott
- Hilton Honors American Express Card: Best for Hilton
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card (see rates and fees): Best for IHG
- Choice Privileges® Mastercard® (see rates and fees): Best for Choice Hotels
- Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card: Best for Wyndham
- Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: Best for all hotels
The information for the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Comparing the best no-annual-fee hotel credit cards
| Card | Earning rates | Welcome bonus | Bonus value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card |
| Earn 60,000 bonus points plus one free night award (valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees. | Up to $770 |
| Hilton Honors American Express Card |
| Earn 100,000 bonus points and a $100 statement credit after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. This offer ends Aug. 13. | Up to $500 (plus the $100 statement credit) |
| IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card |
| Earn 120,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $600 |
| Choice Privileges Mastercard |
| For a limited time, earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within three months of card membership. | $360 |
| Wyndham Rewards Earner Card |
| Earn 60,000 points after spending $2,000 on purchases within 90 days of account opening. Resort fees may apply and cannot be paid with points. | $660 |
| Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card |
| Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 within the first three months from account opening. | $370 |
*Bonus value is based on TPG's June 2025 valuations and not the card issuer.
The best no-annual-fee hotel credit cards
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card
Current welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points plus one free night award (valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees.
Bonus value: Up to $770.
Earning rates:
- 3 points per dollar spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- 2 points per dollar spent at grocery stores, on ride-hailing services, on select food delivery services, on select streaming services and on internet, cable and phone services
- 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Other benefits: You'll become an automatic Silver Elite member, which gets you perks such as priority late checkout and 10% bonus points on stays, as a cardholder. Therefore, you'll have the ability to earn up to 14 points per dollar spent on eligible Marriott stays (3 points per dollar with this card, 10 points per dollar for being a Marriott Bonvoy member and 1 point per dollar for having Silver Elite status).
You'll also have the opportunity to improve your elite status the more you stay with Marriott. This card comes with several travel and purchase protections, including baggage loss and delay insurance. To top it all off, there's no annual fee (and no foreign transaction fees).
Why we like it: As you build up your credit card portfolio, you'll eventually want to have a card that earns transferable points, along with an airline card and a hotel card. If Marriott is your hotel chain of choice (we don't blame you since there are more than 9,000 properties worldwide), the Bold is the perfect place to start. With a complimentary jump-start to Silver Elite status, the possibilities of reaching higher tiers of Marriott elite status are endless.
For more details, check out our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Bold card.
Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Current welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors bonus points and a $100 statement credit after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
Bonus value: Up to $500 (plus the $100 statement credit).
Earning rates:
- 7 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio
- 5 points per dollar spent at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery), U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations
- 3 points per dollar spent on other eligible purchases
Other benefits: It's not often that a no-annual-fee card provides you with as many perks as the Hilton Honors Amex does. For starters, enjoy complimentary Silver status to get 20% bonus points on stays and a fifth-night-free benefit. In addition to a lucrative rewards rate on Hilton and everyday purchases, you'll have secondary rental car coverage and no foreign transaction fees.
Why we like it: The Hilton Honors Amex proves you don't have to pay an annual fee to get top-notch perks. The card's welcome bonus offers a healthy stash of Hilton Honors points and ample ways to continue earning on your everyday spending. We recommend this card for those who enjoy staying at Hilton properties but want to keep costs as low as possible.
For more details, check out our full review of the Hilton Honors Amex.
Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Card
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
Current welcome bonus: Earn 120,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Bonus value: Up to $600.
Earning rates:
- Up to 17 points per dollar spent at IHG Hotels & Resorts (broken down as 5 points per dollar for being an IHG Traveler cardholder, up to 10 points per dollar spent on stays for being an IHG One Rewards member and up to 2 points per dollar spent on stays with Silver Elite status, a benefit of this card)
- 3 points per dollar spent on utilities, internet, cable, phone services and select streaming services, at gas stations and on restaurant purchases (including takeout and eligible delivery)
- 2 points per dollar spent on everything else
Other benefits: This hotel card comes with the unique benefit of a fourth-night-free reward, meaning you'll pay the price of three nights to stay for a total of four nights when you book with points. Plus, you'll get a 20% discount on points purchases when you pay for those points with your card.
Why we like it: By being strategic with this card, you can get a ton of value without paying an annual fee.
For more details, check out our full review of the IHG One Rewards Traveler card.
Apply here: IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
Choice Privileges Mastercard
Current welcome bonus: For a limited time, earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within three months of card membership.
Bonus value: Up to $360.
Earning rates:
- 5 points per dollar spent at eligible Choice Hotels, including Choice Privileges point purchases
- 3 points per dollar spent at gas stations, at grocery stores, at home improvement stores and on phone plan services
- 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases
Other benefits: You'll get automatic Gold status in the Choice Privileges program, which unlocks benefits such as an elite welcome gift, early check-in and late checkout. You'll also get up to $800 of cellular telephone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly bill with this card (subject to a $25 deductible), as well as World Elite Mastercard benefits.
Why we like it: Being a Choice Privileges elite member will enhance your hotel experience, and with this card, you'll be granted this status for free. While not the most lucrative no-annual-fee hotel card out there, this card offers simplicity — a reason to keep it in your wallet each year.
For more details, check out our full review of the Choice Privileges Mastercard.
Apply here: Choice Privileges Mastercard
Wyndham Rewards Earner Card
Current welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 points after spending $2,000 on purchases within 90 days of account opening. Resort fees may apply and cannot be paid with points.
Bonus value: Up to $660.
Earning rates:
- 5 points per dollar spent on hotels by Wyndham and gas
- 2 points per dollar spent on dining and at grocery stores (excluding Target® and Walmart®)
- 1 point per dollar spent on everything else
Other benefits: With this card, you'll enjoy no foreign transaction fees and complimentary Gold status, which guarantees free Wi-Fi, preferred room selection and late checkout. Additionally, you get the ability to redeem 10% fewer Wyndham Rewards points for your eligible stays. Plus, you earn 7,500 bonus points each anniversary year after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases.
Why we like it: For a card with no annual fee, those who stay at Wyndham properties regularly can get considerable value from the welcome bonus and ongoing Gold elite status.
Learn more: Wyndham Rewards Earner Card
Related: Wyndham Rewards: Guide to earning, redeeming and elite status
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Current welcome bonus: Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening.
Bonus value: $370.
Earning rates:
- 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 1.25 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases
Other benefits: While the hotel cards above can get you elite perks or other exclusive benefits, sometimes limiting yourself to one brand doesn't make sense. That's why the VentureOne is our favorite for all hotel stays, as it offers a simple earning scheme (unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar spent on all purchases), plus an even simpler way to redeem. And if you book through Capital One Travel, you'll earn 5 miles per dollar.
You can redeem your miles for any hotel (or other travel) charges on your card. If you're an advanced award traveler, you'll be happy to know that you can transfer your Capital One miles to airline and hotel partners like Air Canada Aeroplan and Singapore KrisFlyer to find even more potential value.
Why we like it: We like the flexibility that the VentureOne offers. You won't get hotel elite status with this card, but you can use this card to pay for hotels from any brand. If all you're looking for is a way to earn and redeem your travel rewards, this is a good card for you. Plus, with no foreign transaction fees, you can take the VentureOne with you anywhere.
For more details, check out our full review of the Capital One VentureOne.
Learn more: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Bottom line
Almost all of the no-annual-fee hotel cards in this guide get you automatic elite status. The best pick for you will first depend on the hotel chain you prefer, but take a deeper look at the ongoing rewards rate and any additional benefits you can get from the card (such as no foreign transaction fees or any travel and purchase protections).
And remember: Since you're not paying an annual fee on any of these cards, you won't have to worry about whether you're stretching enough value to justify the cost each year.
Related: Earn rewards on a budget with these no-annual-fee credit card strategies
For rates and fees of the Hilton Amex card, click here.