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If you’ve read our list of the best hotel credit cards, then you’re fully up to speed on which cards offer the best mix of perks, status, rewards and more for the frequent hotel-hopper.
But what if you’re not too interested in which hotel cards give you 3X on gas and dining? What if you don’t plan to use a hotel rewards card card every single day and you just want to know which cards give you the most free nights, bar none?
Whether you’re looking to save money on business travel or stay at the Ritz-Carlton for free, this list is for you. Here are the best hotel cards for free nights in 2024.
To learn more about how we rate credit cards, see our credit cards methodology.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Intro bonus
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.| Annual fee | $95 |
| Regular APR | 21.49%–28.49% variable |
Rewards Rates
- 5x5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ (excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit)
- 3x3x points on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
- 2x2x points on travel purchases not booked through Chase
- 1x1x points on other purchases
- 5x5x points on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025 (that's 3x points in addition to the 2x points you already earn on travel)
Pros
- Valuable welcome bonus
- Extensive list of transfer partners
- Extra value on travel redemptions
Cons
- No premium travel perks
- Has an annual fee
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- Additional perks: $50 annual hotel credit, trip cancelation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, complimentary Doordash and Instacart+ membership along with quarterly Instacart+ credits
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- Foreign transaction fee: None
Rest easy: These 10 credit cards offer free hotel nights
IHG
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card card includes a free anniversary night worth up to 40,000 points, a redeem-three-get-one bonus on award nights, up to 26X total on IHG purchases and a generous welcome bonus. This card pumps out free nights like T Swift pumps out chart-topping hits, and if you’re even considering staying in an IHG property this year it’s well worth the $99 annual fee.
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
Intro bonus
Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening| Annual fee | $99 |
| Regular APR | 21.49%–28.49% variable |
at Cardratings.com
Rewards Rates
- 10x10X on IHG purchases
- 5xEarn 5X points on travel, gas stations, and restaurants
- 3xEarn 3X points on all other purchases
at Cardratings.com
Why we like this card: If we’re talking about cards that award free nights every account anniversary–and plenty in between–the IHG One Rewards Premier is the card to beat. For starters, it offers 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Considering that a King Bed at the Hotel Indigo Nashville starts at just 42,500 nights, a full 60k can take you to some high-class places within the IHG portfolio.
The card also offers a redeem-three-get-one award night bonus, meaning if you book three separate three-night stays with your welcome bonus, each of those can get a complimentary fourth night attached to the end of it, stretching your points even further.
Finally, you’ll get the aforementioned free night on your account anniversary, worth up to 40,000 points (~$280) in value, which easily covers your $99 annual fee. Toss in up to 26X on IHG purchases and instant Platinum Elite status (which entitled you to complimentary upgrades) and you have an absolute powerhouse of a hotel rewards card.
Check out our full IHG Premier Card review.
Learn more: IHG Rewards: What you need to know
IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
With a 140,000-point welcome bonus (good for six-ish nights at a Holiday Inn Express), up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels and Resorts, 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, select advertising, and restaurants, automatic Platinum Elite and a free anniversary night, the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card is a superb hotel rewards card that can serious cash back into your business travel budget.
IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
Intro bonus
Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.| Annual fee | $99 |
| Regular APR | 21.49%–28.49% variable |
at Cardratings.com
Rewards Rates
- 26x26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels and Resorts
- 5x5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, select advertising, and restaurants
- 3x3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Additional perks: $50 annual United credit, Global Entry, TSA PreCheck(R) or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 ($120 starting 10/1/24) every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card, trip cancelation/interruption insurance, ability to spend to Diamond status
- Foreign transaction fee: None
at Cardratings.com
Why we like this card: As the name implies, the IHG One Rewards Premier Business card is essentially just the regular IHG One Rewards Premier card with a tie on. Most of its features are a direct carry-over from the non-business card, including automatic Platinum Elite status, an anniversary free night, 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, select advertising, and restaurants, a redeem-three-get-one bonus and up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels and Resorts.
The key difference is that you’ll now get 5X on “select business purchases” including social media/SEO advertising and office supply stores. Plus, the welcome bonus will cover up to four free nights at an upscale IHG property or up to six at a more basic Holiday Inn Express.
Plus, if you book two separate three-night stays with your welcome bonus, your redeem-three-get-one bonus kicks in twice, giving you a total of eight free nights. Combine that with the elevated perks of Platinum Elite status, and the IHG One Rewards Premier Business card is a super free-night machine for the small business traveler.
If you’re wondering how hard it is to qualify for a business rewards card, rest assured, it’s easier than you think.
Marriott
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the IHG One Rewards Premier card, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is still a solid choice for Marriott fans since it grants a free night stay in a hotel up to 35,000 points (every year after account anniversary), 3 free nights (valued up to 150,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from account opening (certain hotels have resort fees), 15 Elite Night credits and up to 6X points per dollar at Marriott Bonvoy hotels for a modest $95 annual fee.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Intro bonus
Earn 3 free nights (valued up to 150,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from account opening (certain hotels have resort fees).| Annual fee | $95 |
| Regular APR | 21.49%–28.49% variable |
Rewards Rates
- 6x6X points per dollar at Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- 3x3X points per dollar on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
- 2x2X points per dollar on other purchases
- All information about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card has been collected independently by Fortune Recommends™.
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- Additional perks: Trip cancelation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, purchase protection, ability to spend to higher status
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- Foreign transaction fee: None
Why we like this card: Like its rival the IHG One Rewards Premier, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless offers an free night stay in a hotel up to 35,000 points (every year after account anniversary) (worth up to 35,000 points or ~$315 in value) to help justify its $95 annual fee. You’ll also get 3 free nights (valued up to 150,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from account opening (certain hotels have resort fees), with each night worth up to 50,000 points (~$450).
That said, since the Boundless card prefers to award nights instead of points, there’s a loss of flexibility there that makes it less ideal if you like to maximize free nights at budget properties. Thankfully, you can still rack up points pretty quickly since the card adds 6X to the 11X you’ll get for being a Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite member, which is automatic with the card.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card helps to justify its $650 annual fee with a 185,000-point welcome bonus (good for two nights at a Ritz-Carlton or up to six at a Marriott), an up to $25 monthly dining credit, automatic Platinum Elite status and 1 free night award every year after your card renewal month (award can be used for one night redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®), which is enough to pop back into the Ritz or St. Regis.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Intro Bonus
Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of card membership.| Annual fee | $650 |
| Regular APR | 20.99%–29.99% variable |
at Bankrate
Reward Rates
- 6xEarn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
- 3xEarn 3X Marriott Bonvoy® points at restaurants worldwide
- 2x Earn 2X Marriott Bonvoy® points on all other eligible purchases
- $300 dining statement credit (up to $25 per month)
- $100 property credit for a minimum two-night stay at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis
- 1 free night every account anniversary
- 1 earned choice award after spending $60,000 in a calendar year
- $100 Global Entry/TSA Precheck application fee credit
- Complimentary Priority Pass Select to 1,200+ airport lounges for you and up to two guests
- Secondary car rental loss and damage Insurance, trip delay/cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage insurance
- Foreign transaction fee: None
at Bankrate
Why we like this card: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card is how Marriott “rewards” its most loyal patrons. Sure, a $650 annual fee is a test of fealty all by itself, but in return you get an up to $300 dining statement credit, decent rewards (up to 21X on Marriott purchases, 3X Marriott Bonvoy® points at restaurants worldwide, 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines and 2X Marriott Bonvoy® points on all other eligible purchases), a 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of card membership, an 1 free night award every year after your card renewal month (award can be used for one night redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®).
To some, the card’s hallmark feature will actually be its complimentary Platinum Elite status. Marriott fans will know that Platinum Elite is as rewarding as it is unreachable, offering Lounge Access, Enhanced Room Upgrades, 4PM checkout and more but requiring you to stay 50 full nights per year to unlock. And since Marriott doesn’t count points towards status, only nights, that presents a bit of a problem for patrons of $500/night properties.
So if you’d rather not spend 50 * $500 = $25,000 unlocking Platinum Elite the old fashioned way, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant gives you an “affordable” alternative that also grants a few high-value free nights to boot.
To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, see this page.
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card card offers a welcome bonus of 5 Free Night Awards after you use your new card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership. Each Free Night Award has a redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points, for a total potential value of up to 300,000 points, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees. (Terms apply). Plus earn a net 18.5X on Marriott stays, instant Gold Elite status, 1 Free night award every year after your card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional free night award after you spend $60K in purchases on your card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® (certain hotels have resort fees) and a 7% discount on eligible bookings as a benefit of being both a Marriott Bonvoy® member & a Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card Member when you book directly with Marriott through an eligible channel for a participating property under the Amex Business Card Rate. For value and free-night potential, it’s a compelling runner up to the IHG One Rewards Premier Business card.
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
Intro Bonus
Earn 5 Free Night Awards after you use your new card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership. Each Free Night Award has a redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points, for a total potential value of up to 300,000 points, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees. (Terms apply).| Annual fee | $125 |
| Regular APR | 20.99%–29.99% variable |
at Bankrate
Reward Rates
- 6xEarn 6X points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 4xEarn 4X points on restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless phone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping purchases
- 2x Earn 2X Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card points on all other eligible purchases
- Additional benefits include Extended warranty and purchase protection
- Foreign transaction fee: None
at Bankrate
Why we like this card: The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex offers a “lite” version of the hardcore Brilliant card. Instead of Platinum Elite you get Gold Elite (which still includes Enhanced Room Upgrades), your 21X on Marriott gets dialed back to 18.5X and instead of a 185,000-point welcome bonus you get three free nights worth up to 50,000 points each (for a point of reference, the Renaissance Nashville Hotel hovers around 40k for a King Bed).
That’s not bad for a card that charges a $125 annual fee compared to the Brilliant’s $650. You even get to keep your free anniversary night, although the redemption value is capped at 35,000 points (basically, a night at a Westin or Sheraton).
So for business travelers seeking a card that offers free nights, free upgrades and 2pm Late Checkout for a reasonable annual fee, the Bonvoy Business Amex is an excellent choice.
Hyatt
World of Hyatt Credit Card
The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers annual free night at category 1-4 hotel (worth up to 15,000 points) (examples of Category 4 properties generally include Hyatt Regency and Hyatt Place). You’ll also get a 30,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months good for at least $450 in Hyatt redemption value, 2X on all purchases for the first six months on up to $15,000 in spending and instant Discoverist status. In total, a worthy $95-per-year investment for fans of Hyatt.
World of Hyatt Credit Card
Intro bonus
30,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your 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 from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 bonus point, on up to $15,000 spent.| Annual fee | $95 |
| Regular APR | 21.49%–28.49% variable |
Rewards Rates
- 4x4X on Hyatt brand and FIND Experiences purchases
- 2x2X points on airlines, commuting and transit, gym memberships, and restaurants
- 1x1x points on all other purchases
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- Additional perks: Trip cancelation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, purchase protection, ability to spend to higher status
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- Foreign transaction fee: None
Why we like this card: Hyatt fans don’t have a lot of options when it comes to credit cards. There’s the World of Hyatt Card and the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, so the choice is pretty much made for you if you don’t travel for work.
Thankfully, your singular choice is pretty solid–the World of Hyatt Card comes with a welcome bonus worth $450+ (earned after spending $3,000 within three months), a handy 2X bonus on all purchases made within the first six months (on up to $15,000 worth of spending, or 30,000 points) and of course, a free night on your account anniversary good towards any Category 4 property or lower. You’ll also score additional free night at category 1-4 hotel each year you spend $15,000.
The World of Hyatt Card also offers instant Discoverist status (Hyatt’s equivalent to “Silver”) and a nice array of ways to accelerate your path to Explorist, where you’ll unlock free upgrades. You’ll receive five qualifying night credits automatically each year plus two more for each $5,000 you spend with the card.
So while its initial welcome bonus falls a little short of its competitors, the World of Hyatt Card compensates with big awards for big spenders.
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card
Compared to its non-business stablemate, the World of Hyatt Business card has a higher annual fee ($199 vs. $95) but elevated perks and double the welcome bonus to justify it. You’ll now get complimentary Discoverist status for you and up to five employees, two $50 credits instead of a free anniversary night and membership in Hyatt Leverage for up to 15% off bookings.
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card
Intro bonus
60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. 15,000 more bonus points after you spend $12,000 in the first 6 months.| Annual fee | $199 |
| Regular APR | 21.49%–28.49% variable |
Rewards Rates
- 9x9x points per $1 spent at Hyatt - 4 Bonus Points per $1 on qualifying purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
- 2x2 bonus points per $1 spent in your top three spend categories each quarter
- 1x1 Bonus Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
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- Additional perks: Trip cancelation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, purchase protection, ability to spend to higher status
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- Foreign transaction fee: N/A
Why we like this card: Beyond the name, the World of Hyatt card and the World of Hyatt Business card share little in common.
To start, the latter card scraps the whole “30,000 plus 2X” welcome bonus and simply gives you 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. 15,000 more bonus points after you spend $12,000 in the first 6 months. You’ll get the same net 9x points per $1 spent at Hyatt - 4 Bonus Points per $1 on qualifying purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member, but instead of earning 2X on a fixed set of categories, you’ll earn 2 bonus points per $1 spent in your top three spend categories each quarter (e.g. dining, airfare, gas etc.).
The card also bestows you and up to five employees with Discoverist status, and instead of earning a free anniversary night, you’ll be gifted a pair of $50 statement credits after spending $50 or more on Hyatt. But perhaps the most underrated perk is membership to Hyatt Leverage, which empowers business travelers to save up to 15% off standard rates worldwide.
While the $199 annual fee is somewhat hard to stomach, the World of Hyatt Business card gives you plenty of ways to rack up high-value Hyatt points and score free nights in the process—especially if you dish out some employee cards and earn 9X on everyone’s stay.
Hilton
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card card from Amex offers one free night reward, a $100 luxury on-property credit (good during a minimum two-night stay), a pair of $200 Hilton Resort credits and automatic Diamond status. All that combined with 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the card within your first 6 months of card membership should make the Aspire card’s $550 annual fee easy to shrug off for Hilton diehards.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Intro Bonus
Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the card within your first 6 months of card membership.| Annual fee | $550 |
| Regular APR | 20.99%–29.99% variable |
Reward Rates
- 14xEarn 14X points per dollar on Hilton stays
- 7xEarn 7X points per dollar on airfare, car rentals and restaurants
- 3xEarn 3X points per dollar on other purchases
- All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Fortune Recommends™.
- Travel perks including CLEAR membership, accident insurance, rental car coverage, trip cancellation and delay insurance
- Consumer protections including cell phone insurance, extended warranty, purchase and return protection
Why we like this card: The Hilton Honors Aspire card very much feels like a Hilton-themed Amex Platinum. Sure, with an annual fee of $550 it officially costs more a night at the Waldorf Astoria, but it easily includes enough perks, benefits and statement credits to compensate.
For starters, you’ll get a 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the card within your first 6 months of card membership–roughly $875 in value towards Hilton purchases. Next, you’ll have two semi-annual $200 Hilton Resort credits to spend, a $100 Hilton on-property credit, $200 flight credit, $199 CLEAR Plus credit and will earn up to 14X points per dollar on Hilton stays. Oh, and don’t bother upgrading your stay during checkout, since you’ll have complimentary Diamond status which entitles you to space-available upgrades, lounge access, elite gifts and more.
Perhaps best of all, your free anniversary night covers virtually any Hilton property that isn’t a Club, Vacation Club or Grand Vacation Club. So as long as you hold onto the Aspire card, you’ll have an annual overnight at the Waldorf to look forward to.
Check out our full Hilton Aspire review.
Learn more: Hilton Honors: What you need to know
All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Fortune Recommends™.
General purpose hotel free nights
The Platinum Card® from American Express
If you’re not brand-loyal, a travel credit card like the The Platinum Card® from American Express may be a better choice. It includes up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay at over 2,200 properties. You’ll also get complimentary benefits (e.g. room upgrades) with these bookings and a $100 onsite experience credit good towards dining/spa/etc. All of that luxury and convenience–combined with the “Plat’s” comically long list of benefits–makes it a logical choice for this list.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Intro bonus
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of card membership| Annual Fee | $695 |
| Purchase APR | See Pay Over Time APR |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None |
at Bankrate
Reward Rates
- 5XEarn 5x Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year)
- 5XEarn 5x Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
- 1XEarn 1x points on other eligible purchases
Other benefits
- Travel benefits including hotel and car rental chain statuses, car rental insurance, trip cancellation/interruption and travel delay protection
- Consumer protections including extended warranty and return protection
at Bankrate
Why we like this card: With a list of benefits longer than a CVS receipt, it’s no surprise that the legendary Amex Platinum includes several perks for hotel hoppers. For starters, you’ll get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay. Not only that, you’ll get complimentary benefits (such as room upgrades) with your booking and a $100 experience credit good towards dining, spa treatments and more.
Your Platinum Card pampers you on the way to and from the hotel, too; you’ll get the widest airport lounge access in the business, an up to $200 airline fee credit, up to $200 Uber Cash, up to $199 back per year on a CLEAR® Plus membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card® and elevated status with Hertz, Avis and National. Even after you’ve spent your $200 hotel credit, you’ll still get special treatment at Hilton and Marriott properties thanks to automatic Gold-equivalent status with each.
Needless to say these benefits don’t come cheap–the annual fee for the Platinum is $695–but considering how you can recoup roughly half of that during your first high-end hotel stay, it could be worth the investment.
See our Amex Platinum review for more info.
Learn more: Is the Amex Platinum worth it?
To view rates and fees of the The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Though it commands a lofty $395 annual fee, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is surprisingly more about value than luxury. You’ll get a 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening (worth $750 towards hotel stays), a $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel, a 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary and 10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. As a net result, the Venture X excels at both covering hotel stays and rapidly funding the next one.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Intro bonus
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening| Annual Fee | $395 |
| Purchase APR | 19.99%–29.99% variable |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None |
at Cardratings.com
Rewards Rates
- 10X 10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 5X 5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- 2X 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
Other benefits
- Travel protections including car rental insurance, trip cancellation/interruption and travel delay protection
- Consumer protections including extended warranty and return protection
at Cardratings.com
Why we like this card: Don’t let the term “Miles” mislead you–Capital One’s travel points are redeemable for any travel purchase made with your Venture X card within 90 days of purchase–including hotels. That means the card’s 75,000-mile welcome bonus plus $300 annual travel credit are good for $1,050 worth of hotel stays, and you’ll get 10X for booking hotels through Capital One Travel to boot.
But the Venture X’s most alluring perk may actually be its airport lounge access–you and two guests will gain unlimited entry to over 1,300 lounges across the Capital One Lounge, Priority Pass and Plaza Premium Group networks. So as you’re checking out of the Ritz, you can look forward to free Wi-Fi and Biscoff cookies until boarding.
All things considered, the Capital One Venture X is a compelling travel companion that quickly pays for itself with generous annual credits.
For more info, check out our Capital One Venture X review.
Learn more: Is the Venture X worth it?
The takeaway
You don’t have to earn a ton of points to get free hotel nights from a credit card. The cards above can catapult you to a complimentary stay without extra spending so you can channel your earnings into the card that will give you the best bang for your buck.
Frequently asked questions
Which card is best for free hotel nights?
The IHG One Rewards Premier card is the best overall card for earning free nights in 2024. It comes with a bananas welcome bonus good for over a week at a Holiday Inn Express (or five-ish at a fancier property), a free anniversary night, a redeem-three-get-one night bonus and up to 26X on IHG stays.
Which Hilton card gives you a free night?
The Hilton Honors Aspire card offers a free award night after each account anniversary.
How many points do you need for a free hotel stay?
The points required for a free hotel stay can vary by brand, property, timing, date and other factors. But very broadly speaking, an off-peak night at a budget property can start around 7,500 to 10,000 points, while a night at the Ritz or other ultra high-end property can hover between 50,000 and 100,000+.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Fortune Recommends™ has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
About the contributors
Chris Butsch is an expert on the subjects of credit cards and mortgages. Chris is a two-time author who has made it his mission to help people build better lives through financial literacy and positive psychology. His writing has been featured in Forbes Advisor, HuffPost, ConsumerAffairs, Money Under 30, and Investor Junkie.
Dia Adams is the senior editor leading the credit cards team at Fortune Recommends. Previously, Dia was a managing editor on the credit cards and travel rewards team at Forbes Advisor. She has been featured on national television, radio, print, and online media as an expert in the realms of credit cards, points and miles, Disney and family travel.
EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE: The advice, opinions, or rankings contained in this article are solely those of the Fortune Recommends™ editorial team. This content has not been reviewed or endorsed by any of our affiliate partners or other third parties.
