My top 4 picks for the best cobranded hotel credit card
Editor's Note
I have eight hotel credit cards, and I believe each card provides enough perks to justify paying its annual fee for the foreseeable future.
However, readers and friends often ask me which hotel card is best. My answer typically depends on the person’s preferred hotel loyalty program, budget and travel style. After all, the best hotel credit card for me may not be the best for you.
Even so, here are my top four picks for the best hotel card.
Related: How to choose a hotel credit card
My picks for the best hotel credit card
- Winner: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- Runner-up: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
- Honorable mention: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (see rates and fees) and World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees)
Related: Hilton Amex Aspire vs. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: Battle of the top-tier hotel cards
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
The Hilton Aspire is easily the best hotel credit card in my eyes due to the sheer value it provides.
Cardmembers receive Hilton Honors Diamond status, the program's current highest status tier. While Hilton will introduce a higher Diamond Reserve status tier in 2026, Diamond status still offers valuable perks. These include space-available room upgrades, executive lounge access, and food-and-beverage benefits on most stays.
The Hilton Aspire offers 14 points per dollar spent at Hilton properties and a free night reward each year. Many hotel credit cards offer annual free night certificates; however, most programs limit these certificates to specific point ranges or categories. The Hilton free night reward is unique and extremely valuable because it can be used for a standard room award at almost any Hilton property. In recent years, I've received excellent value when using Hilton free night certificates at various Maldives resorts.
Related: How to maximize the Hilton Amex Aspire Card
The Hilton Aspire also provides many other benefits that can help justify the card’s $550 annual fee (see rates and fees), including:
- Up to $400 in Hilton resort credit (up to $200 biannually) each calendar year for eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton Resorts using your card
- Up to $200 in airline fee credit (up to $50 each quarter) each calendar year for flight purchases made directly with an airline or through AmexTravel.com
- Up to $209 in Clear Plus credit each calendar year when you pay for a Clear Plus membership using your Aspire credit card
As you can see, even the Hilton resort credit and airline fee credit can offer more value than the card's annual fee. To learn more, check out our full Hilton Aspire card review and our story on why to get the Hilton Amex Aspire card.
Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
The Marriott Brilliant is a strong contender for the best hotel credit card if you value Marriott Platinum Elite status but don't stay the number of nights typically required to earn and maintain this status. After all, cardmembers receive Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status as a card benefit and 25 elite night credits toward higher Marriott elite tiers.
Cardmembers also receive a dining credit of up to $300, providing up to $25 in statement credits per month for eligible purchases made with the Brilliant card at restaurants worldwide. Using this credit in full each month lets you recoup $300 of the card's $650 annual fee (see rates and fees).
Additionally, Marriott Brilliant cardmembers receive a free night award every year after their card renewal month, which can be used for one night at a Marriott Bonvoy hotel with a redemption level of 85,000 points or less. You can also top off the free night award with up to 15,000 points from your Marriott Bonvoy account to use it for a night with a slightly higher redemption level. Based on TPG's December 2025 valuations, 85,000 points are worth $595.
Related: 6 places to maximize an 85,000-point Marriott award night certificate
Marriott Brilliant cardmembers can also enroll in a Priority Pass Select membership. Plus, cardmembers unlock a statement credit for a Global Entry application fee (up to $120 every four years) or a TSA PreCheck application fee (up to $85 every 4 1/2 years) when paying the application fee with their Brilliant card.
To learn more, check out our full Marriott Brilliant Amex review and our story on whether the Marriott Brilliant is worth its annual fee.
Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
The IHG Premier card provides several benefits that, when combined, make it one of the best hotel credit cards for travelers who like IHG hotels and resorts.
First of all, the IHG Premier card offers cardholders an anniversary reward night with a redemption value of 40,000 points or less for one standard room night each account anniversary year. However, you can add points from your IHG One Rewards account to redeem your anniversary night at hotels above the 40,000-point redemption level.
Based on TPG’s December 2025 valuations, 40,000 IHG One Rewards points are worth $200. So, even if you use your anniversary night for a night that would otherwise cost 20,000 IHG points, you’ll effectively recoup the card’s annual fee. Regardless, it should be easy to get more value from your anniversary night.
Related: Why you should get (and keep) the IHG One Rewards Premier card
The IHG Premier also offers a valuable fourth-night-reward benefit. The perk lets cardholders pay zero points for every fourth night on reward stays of four nights or longer. Although this perk isn’t helpful if you don’t redeem IHG points for stays of four nights or longer, it provides significant value to me since I usually stay at least four nights.
Finally, the IHG Premier card grants cardholders Platinum Elite status and offers a statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus when charged to your card. You'll also get up to $50 in United TravelBank Cash each calendar year, provided you register your IHG Premier card with your MileagePlus account.
To learn more, check out our full IHG Premier review and my story on how my IHG Premier pays for itself each year.
Apply here: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
World of Hyatt Credit Card
The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers fewer value-heavy perks than the other cards in this post. However, I still include it because it can be instrumental when earning Hyatt elite status.
The card grants cardholders Hyatt Discoverist status and five qualifying night credits toward their next tier of status every year. You can also earn two additional qualifying night credits toward your next tier for every $5,000 you spend on your card.
Related: 5 reasons I love my World of Hyatt Credit Card and plan to keep it for the long term
Hyatt’s top-tier Globalist status requires 60 tier qualifying nights or 100,000 base points. So, if you want to qualify for Hyatt Globalist status on nights and have the World of Hyatt card, you could:
- Stay 55 nights
- Stay 49 nights and spend $15,000 on your card
- Stay 39 nights and spend $40,000 on your card
- Stay 19 nights and spend $90,000 on your card
- Stay zero nights and spend $140,000 on your card
If you have the World of Hyatt card and are working toward earning Globalist status, you can see where you stand near the end of each year and get the remaining nights you need through spending.
The World of Hyatt Credit Card also gives you one free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort every year after your cardmember anniversary, and an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort if you spend $15,000 during a calendar year. The free night each year can provide more than enough value to justify paying the card's $95 annual fee.
To learn more, check out our full World of Hyatt Credit Card review and our story about whether the World of Hyatt credit card is worth the annual fee.
Apply here: World of Hyatt Credit Card
Bottom line
Many hotel cobranded cards can offer tremendous value, but the four cards highlighted above are the ones I find myself recommending most frequently.
However, keep in mind that the best hotel credit card for you is personal. Consider your goals and preferences when deciding which card is best for you.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Aspire Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant, click here.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.