Best No Annual Fee Hotel Cards of 2024
Best No Annual Fee Marriott Card
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card *
5.0
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Up to 3X Reward Rate
3 points per dollar spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy program, 2 points per dollar on otherRead More
Welcome Bonus
Earn 30,000 bonus points
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% variable
Credit Score
Good/Excellent(700 - 749)
Why We Picked It
One of several Marriott credit cards, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold card is the only one without an annual fee. It's a smart entry-level card for travelers who want to earn points in the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program and enjoy Silver Elite status.
Pros & Cons
- No foreign transaction fee
- The first Bonvoy Rewards card with no annual fee
- 15 Elite Night credits per year + Silver Elite status
- Rewards bonus categories are somewhat limited
- No intro APR offer
- 5% fee for balance transfers
Card Details
- Earn 30,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on your first 3 months of account opening.
- Earn 3X points per dollar spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
- Plus, earn up to 10X points from Marriott for being a Marriott Bonvoy member
- 15 elite night credits annually, enough for Silver Elite status, terms apply
- No annual fee
Earn 30,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months of account opening
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Best No Annual Fee IHG Card
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
On Chase Bank USA, NA's Website
5.0
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On Chase Bank USA, NA's Website
Up to 17X Reward Rate
Earn up to 17 points total per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts; 3 points perRead More
Welcome Bonus
Earn 80,000 bonus points
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% Variable
Credit Score
Good, Excellent(700 - 749)
Why We Picked It
Travelers who favor the InterContinental Hotels Group’s portfolio of brands, including InterContinental, Kimpton Hotels, and Holiday Inn, may amass value from the no-annual-fee IHG® Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card from Chase. With no foreign transaction fees to worry about and the fourth reward night free when booking an IHG stay on points, the card is a viable option for those who want to earn points for free hotel stays without paying an annual fee.
Pros & Cons
- No annual fee or foreign transaction fee
- Diverse hotel redemption options
- Option to pay with points plus cash
- Gift or transfer IHG rewards points
- No luxury benefits or perks
- Poor redemption options beyond reward nights
- Gold Elite status requires high annual spending
Card Details
- Earn 80,000 bonus points
- No Annual Fee
- Earn up to 17 points total per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on purchases on monthly bills, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- Redeem 3 Nights, Get the 4th Night Free
- IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at Hotels & Resorts such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®
- Member FDIC
Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Best No Annual Fee Best Western Card
Best Western Rewards® Mastercard® *
4.0
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Up to 13X Reward Rate
Earn 13 points per dollar on Best Western purchases when you use your card and 2 points per dollar onRead More
Welcome Bonus
40,000 points
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
28.24% or 29.74% variable
Why We Picked It
Best Western hotels may not scream luxury, but you might be surprised. With 4,500 hotels in over 100 countries, they're easy to find in diverse locations throughout Europe, around Africa and close to national parks such as Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. The Best Western Rewards program is worth a look on and off the beaten path—and this card is an ideal companion with Gold elite status, no blackout dates and exclusive member room rates.
Pros & Cons
- Generous welcome bonus with a low minimum spending requirement
- Anniversary bonus based on your annual spending
- Automatic Gold elite status
- No annual fee
- No category bonuses on everyday purchases
- Limited benefits outside of hotel purchases
- Redemptions limited to Best Western
Card Details
- Earn 40,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 billing cycles after the account is opened
- Earn 20,000 points after spending $5,000 every 12 billing cycles
- Earn 13 points per dollar on Best Western purchases when you use your card and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases
- Automatic Gold Status
- No annual fee
40,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 billing cycles after the account is opened
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Best No Annual Fee Hilton Card
Hilton Honors American Express Card
On American Express's Website
3.8
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On American Express's Website
Up to 7X Reward Rate
Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within theRead More
Welcome Bonus
Earn 80,000 points
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Credit Score
Good,Excellent(700 - 749)
Why We Picked It
A good intro into the Hilton world without paying an annual fee, the Hilton Honors Card from American Express brings you a few nice perks. But if you're a serious Hilton traveler, you'll want to look at one of the higher end cobranded Hilton cards offered by American Express.
Pros & Cons
- High point earning rates
- Generous welcome bonus
- Automatic Silver status includes fifth night free on award stays
- No annual fee or foreign transaction fee
- No blackout dates
- Low point redemption value
- Silver status comes with limited benefits
- Poor transfer rate to airline partners
Card Details
- Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
- Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
- Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
- Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- No Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Best No Annual Fee Choice Card
Choice Privileges® Mastercard® *
3.0
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Up to 5X Reward Rate
Earn 5X points per $1 spent at participating Choice Hotels properties; earn 3X points per $1 spent on purchases atRead More
Welcome Bonus
40,000 bonus points
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
20.99%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable
Credit Score
Good, Excellent(700 - 749)
Why We Picked It
Choice Hotels are just about everywhere, including places other hotel chains don’t have a presence—and the Choice Privileges program has high-value sweet spots that translate to big value in pricey locations. With 22 brands, everything from on-the-road lodgings to aspirational destinations is up for grabs. This card gets you Gold elite status, cell phone protection and bonus points on Choice Hotels stays.
Pros & Cons
- $0 annual fee
- Choice Privileges Gold Elite status
- Mastercard World Elite benefits, including cellphone protection
- $0 foreign transaction fees
- Subpar earnings outside of bonus categories
- The Choice portfolio leans toward budget and mid-range properties rather than luxury hotels, especially in the U.S.
Card Details
- Earn 40,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months
- Earn 5 points per $1 spent at participating Choice Hotels properties, 3 points per $1 spent on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plans and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- No annual fee
Earn 40,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circ*mstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
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Greetings, fellow enthusiasts of travel rewards and credit cards! I'm delighted to share my expertise in the realm of no annual fee hotel cards, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience. My dedication to staying abreast of the latest trends and offerings in the credit card landscape positions me as a reliable source for your financial journey.
Now, let's delve into the specifics of the Best No Annual Fee Hotel Cards of 2024, as featured on Forbes Advisor.
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Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
- Welcome Bonus: Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.
- Reward Structure: 3 points per dollar at over 7,000 Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 2 points per dollar on other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Noteworthy Features: 15 Elite Night credits per year, Silver Elite status, no foreign transaction fee.
-
IHG® Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card
- Welcome Bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months.
- Reward Structure: Up to 17X reward rate, including 3 points per $1 on monthly bills, gas stations, and restaurants.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Standout Features: No annual fee, fourth reward night free, diverse hotel redemption options.
-
Best Western Rewards® Mastercard®
- Welcome Bonus: Earn 40,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 billing cycles.
- Reward Structure: Up to 13X reward rate, with 13 points per dollar on Best Western purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Key Features: Automatic Gold elite status, anniversary bonus based on annual spending.
-
Hilton Honors American Express Card
- Welcome Bonus: Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months.
- Reward Structure: Up to 7X reward rate, including 7X points for eligible purchases at Hilton hotels.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Notable Attributes: Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, no foreign transaction fees.
-
Choice Privileges® Mastercard®
- Welcome Bonus: Earn 40,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.
- Reward Structure: Up to 5X reward rate, with 5 points per dollar at Choice Hotels properties.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Unique Features: Choice Privileges Gold Elite status, Mastercard World Elite benefits, including cellphone protection.
Each of these no annual fee hotel cards caters to specific preferences and travel patterns, offering unique advantages and potential drawbacks. It's crucial to align your card choice with your travel goals and preferences. Remember, credit scores mentioned are based on FICO® credit scoring, and approval is subject to the card issuer's criteria.
Feel free to reach out for more tailored advice on navigating the exciting world of travel rewards! Safe travels!
