Hotel Rewards and Hotel Credit Cards

Hotel Credit Cards are a wonderful option for anyone who travels frequently. These cards allow users to earn free stays at specific locations when the card is used to make everyday purchases. When the points have accumulated to a certain level, they can be cashed in for your reward.

Today, these cards have grown a great deal in popularity, leading to an increased demand. To meet this need, many major card issuers now offer some sort of hotel card.

In order to find the best hotels credit card for your needs, you should begin your search by looking at the interest rate. stay

If you regularly carry a monthly balance, you will want to find a card that offers a low interest rate, as you may end up spending a great deal more in finance charge than you will ever receive back in the form of a free

You should also compare each brand of hotels credit card to other options. Some card issuers offer extra reward points when you shop at certain locations, or when you complete a balance transfer. Cards that offer bonus points for balance transfers can really pay off if you are able to repay your entire balance before the introductory period expires.

If you are able to do so, you will pay off an old card, and gain a great start on a free night. Some cards also offer bonus points for making a purchase of a certain amount, a first purchase, or for spending a particular amount in one year. These incentives will also put you on the fast track to free stays.

Once the promotional introductory period has ended, most hotels credit card companies charge higher than normal interest rates compared to other types of cards. If you are able to pay off the card completely, you can earn great rewards and never have to worry about paying interest.

When choosing any brand of hotels credit card, you should look carefully what each issuer offers, how your points are accumulated, and how many points you actually need before you will receive your free stay. While these cards all operate in a similar manner, they all have slightly different terms, so it is important you read the fine print carefully. Once you have taken a bit of time to compare the options, you can rest assured you will have a great card that will offer wonderful benefits.

 What should you look for in a hotel rewards card?

There’s nothing like being able to add a free night on to a business trip when it meets up with a weekend. Or, how about extending your vacation to Hawaii or Europe by a few days?

If you are a frequent traveler, hotel rewards credit cards can offer the best benefits for accumulating free stays, room upgrades, and other perks that make your travel stays much more rewarding. 

All of the main hotel chains offer a rewards program linked to one of the major card issuers, therefore, choosing the one that best suits your needs really comes down to which chain you prefer and/or which hotel rewards card offers the quickest path to free stays. Most are competitive in that regard and chances are that your favorite chain will also offer a nice rewards program.

The other considerations, of course, are the credit terms. Most rewards credit cards tend to charge higher rates of interest – in the 14% to 20% range, so these aren’t cards to use if you typically carry a balance.  Additionally, most rewards cards also charge an annual fee, although currently, the Citi Hilton Honors Card does not (the others may waive the fee in the first year).  If you use your card often and are able to accumulate a significant amount of points, you should be able to offset the fee with free stays or reduced hotel rates.

How many Hotel Rewards Points Can You Earn?

The race is on by the major chains to win your business, thus you will likely find some very competitive features and benefits offered. For instance, Marriott and Starwood hotels are all offering big bonus points after a first stay, and Hilton offers 40,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first six months. 

In addition, they offer bonus points on certain properties or at certain times of the year. And, if you use your card for any other purchase, you’ll earn at least one point for every dollar spent (Hilton awards 3 points on grocery and fuel purchases and 2 points on all other purchases).

What do all of Those Hotel Rewards Points?

• The Marriott Hotel Rewards Credit Card

As a rewards cardholder with Marriott, you will automatically receive 30,000 bonus points after your first use, which is equal for up to four free nights at a Marriott hotel classified as a category 1. For every $1 you spend on purchases with your Marriott Rewards Credit Card, you can earn 1 rewards point, and the great news is that there is no limit to the amount of points you can accrue.

Depending on how often you pay for purchases with your card, you could accumulate rewards points very quickly.  You also have the ability to work your way up to Elite status, which can lead to such niceties as a room upgrade, lush bathrobes, or breakfast in bed.

• The Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express

This card received the 2011 SmarterTravel Award for “Best Travel Rewards Card”, which is no surprise considering that it comes from the American Express family of credit cards. The Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card gives you the opportunity to earn points towards such notable hotel brands as Sheraton, Westin, and W Hotels, among others.

With your first purchase you earn 10,000 points and an additional 15,000 points if you spend $5000 within the first six months of use. You can redeem your rewards points with any of the thousands of hotels and resorts around the world, or trade them in for free flights with over 350 airlines through SPG.

There is no annual fee for the first year, and no expiration of your reward points as long as you don’t let your use of the card lapse for a year.  As a bonus of using this rewards card, you get the same American Express cardholder benefits of purchase protection, extended warranty, and great customer service.

• The Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Signature Card

Consumers with excellent credit will be able to take advantage of this hotel rewards card that offers an unheard of amount of 40,000 Hilton HHonors bonus points after spending $1000 in the first four months of ownership. No annual fee and three bonus points earned for every $1 spent on everyday purchases at grocery stores, gas stations, and drugstores make the Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Signature Card an attractive option for travelers.

Not to mention that it also boasts one of the lowest APRs in the hotel rewards cards category!

If you like to travel, or just want to make your vacation dollars stretch further, there’s no better way than with a hotel rewards card.