Best Hotel Credit Cards with Free Nights Each Year

Various big-name hotel loyalty programs, such as Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, and Marriott Bonvoy, have co-branded credit cards that help users earn points for future stays with their everyday spending. And you don't need to stay at one of these hotels frequently to make the best hotel credit card rewards worth it.

Even if you only stay at a Hilton, Marriott, or Hyatt hotel a couple of times annually, enrolling in that program's card can prove beneficial. Particularly when you apply for hotel credit cards with free night perks! Some of the top hotel credit cards provide valuable benefits that surpass the associated fees by a significant margin.

Hotel Credit Cards with Free Hotel Nights – Fees, Perks, and Benefits

Here are the different perks available with these best hotel credit card rewards programs for free night credits.

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Designed for Hilton loyalists, this card offers a complimentary night reward upon obtaining the card and subsequently each year upon renewal. Additionally, you can earn an extra complimentary night reward after making $60,000 in card purchases within a calendar year. The annual fee for this hotel credit card is $450.

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

For devoted IHG loyalists, this card offers an annual complimentary night that can be utilized at IHG hotels. At a redemption level of 40,000 points or less. This benefit is available each year after your account anniversary. The annual fee for this hotel card is $99.

IHG One Rewards Premier Business Card

Tailored for business travelers committed to IHG, this card offers an annual complimentary night that can be used at IHG hotels with a point redemption level of 40,000 points or less. This benefit is available each year after your account anniversary, and the annual fee for this card is $99.

World of Hyatt Credit Card

For devoted Hyatt enthusiasts, this card offers a free night at a Hyatt hotel or resort following your card anniversary. Additionally, you can earn an extra complimentary night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort by spending $15,000 in a calendar year. The annual fee for this hotel credit card is $95.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

For those committed to Marriott, this card provides an annual complimentary night award following your account anniversary. This award allows for a one-night stay with a redemption value of up to 35,000 points. This card's annual fee is $95.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card

Tailored for Marriott loyalists seeking additional benefits, this card offers an annual complimentary night award that becomes available after your card renewal month. This award permits a one-night stay at a participating hotel, with a redemption value of up to 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. The annual fee is $650.

How Can You Maximise the Benefits of Your Best Hotel Credit Card Free Nights?

You have various options when it comes to using your free night award. You can employ it for a single-night stay or add it to a longer booked stay that you've already paid for with points or cash.

It is even possible to book multiple nights using free night awards, especially if you have numerous awards or are traveling with companions possessing their free night awards. In cases where you book consecutive reservations with your awards, it's advisable to inform the hotel to ensure you can remain in the same room.

While it's generally a good idea to aim for the highest category when redeeming awards and compare the certificate value to the cash rate, it's essential not to fixate on maximizing the value of a free night award to the point where it goes unused. Always remember the expiration date, as most free night awards come with one.

You usually won't be required to pay taxes when redeeming the best hotel credit card for free nights. Additionally, certain hotel chains like Hyatt and Hilton often waive resort fees for guests redeeming award nights.

How Do You Access Free Nights Using The Best Hotel Credit Card Rewards?

Every hotel card detailed above provides, as a minimum, one complimentary night each year. This benefit is generally available either when your statement closes following your account anniversary or upon payment of the annual fee. The complimentary night is typically credited to your account as an award or perk. However, in particular programs, you may receive a certificate number that you need to call to redeem.

Takeaway: The Best Hotel Credit Cards with Free Nights Each Year

Some of the best hotel credit card rewards programs grant an annual free night beginning on your first cardmember anniversary. Other hotel credit cards with free nights provide the annual perk shortly after you acquire the card.

Along with the best hotel credit-card-free nights we have detailed above, all of these options also extend elite benefits and attractive welcome bonuses to eligible new cardholders. So, incorporating one or more of these cards into your wallet today could be a valuable asset for all your upcoming journeys.