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Points Frog guide

The best credit cards for hotels

The best credit card for hotels as of October 18, 2026 is the Chase Sapphire Reserve: 4x Ultimate Rewards points on hotels booked directly (8¢ back per dollar at 2¢ a point), with a $795 annual fee. Citi Strata Premier (5.25¢) and Wells Fargo Autograph (4.8¢) follow, in cents back per dollar.

Card terms checked

  1. 1

    Chase Sapphire Reserve

    4x Ultimate Rewards points · $795 annual fee · points at 2¢ · issuer terms checked

    8¢ per $1

  2. 2

    Citi Strata Premier

    3x ThankYou points · $95 annual fee · points at 1.75¢ · issuer terms checked

    5.25¢ per $1

  3. 3

    Wells Fargo Autograph

    3x Wells Fargo Rewards points · No annual fee · points at 1.6¢ · issuer terms checked

    4.8¢ per $1

  4. 4

    Chase Sapphire Preferred

    2x Ultimate Rewards points · $95 annual fee · points at 2¢ · issuer terms checked

    4¢ per $1

  5. 5

    Capital One Venture

    2x Capital One miles · $95 annual fee · points at 1.8¢ · issuer terms checked

    3.6¢ per $1

  6. 6

    Capital One Venture X

    2x Capital One miles · $395 annual fee · points at 1.8¢ · issuer terms checked

    3.6¢ per $1

  7. 7

    Citi Strata Elite

    1.5x ThankYou points · $595 annual fee · points at 1.75¢ · issuer terms checked

    2.63¢ per $1

  8. 8

    Citi Double Cash

    2x ThankYou points · No annual fee · points at 1.22¢ · issuer terms checked

    2.45¢ per $1

  9. 9

    Amex Gold Card

    1x Membership Rewards points · $325 annual fee · points at 2.1¢ · issuer terms checked

    2.1¢ per $1

  10. 10

    Amex Platinum Card

    1x Membership Rewards points · $895 annual fee · points at 2.1¢ · issuer terms checked

    2.1¢ per $1

  11. 11

    Wells Fargo Active Cash

    2% cash back · No annual fee · issuer terms checked

    2¢ per $1

  12. 12

    Chase Freedom Unlimited

    1.5% cash back · No annual fee · issuer terms checked

    1.5¢ per $1

  13. 13

    Amex Blue Cash Everyday

    1% cash back · No annual fee · issuer terms checked

    1¢ per $1

  14. 14

    Capital One Savor

    1% cash back · No annual fee · issuer terms checked

    1¢ per $1

  15. 15

    Amex Blue Cash Preferred

    1% cash back · $95 annual fee · issuer terms checked

    1¢ per $1

Cents back per dollar is the card's earning rate times what Points Frog values its points at; cash back counts at 1 cent. Welcome bonuses, credits and travel-portal rates are left out. To weigh fees, caps and every category on your own spending, use the best credit card calculator or the annual fee calculator.

Quick answers

What is the best credit card for hotels?

The best credit card for hotels as of October 18, 2026 is the Chase Sapphire Reserve: 4x Ultimate Rewards points on hotels booked directly (8¢ back per dollar at 2¢ a point), with a $795 annual fee.

What is the best no annual fee card for hotels?

The Wells Fargo Autograph: 3x Wells Fargo Rewards points on hotels booked directly, worth 4.8¢ per dollar, with no annual fee.

Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve's annual fee worth it for hotels alone?

Only above about $24,844 a year of hotel spending, counting this category alone: that is where its 8¢ per dollar, against 4.8¢ on the best no-fee card, covers the $795 fee. Credits and other categories can change the answer; the best card calculator weighs all of them on your own spending.

How does Points Frog rank credit cards?

By cents back per dollar on hotels booked directly: the card's earning rate times what Points Frog values its points at, with cash back at 1 cent. Rates come from each issuer's card page and are dated. Welcome bonuses, statement credits and portal-only rates are left out, and so is the annual fee, which each card lists beside its rate.

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