Best Credit Cards for Hotel Points & Airline Miles

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Airline miles and hotel points can help save sooo much money on travel! Credit card points are a big part of how we were able to pay for flights on our trip to every country. The best way to start is with cards that let you earn points that you can transfer to different airlines or hotels. This gives you lots of choices and flexibility. But if you really love one airline or hotel chain, their own credit card can give you even more rewards and special treatment when you travel. So, while starting with flexible cards is smart, if you’re super loyal to one airline or hotel, their card might be the way to go for you.

Here, we’ve compiled a list of the best credit cards for hotel points and airline miles based on this strategy.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Every traveler should have a Chase Sapphire card. It includes great traveler insurance (such as rental car coverage). It also has a reasonable annual fee compared to the sign-up offer. But the best part is the ease of transfer to airline and hotel partners! Chase has excellent transfer partners, and we love using their points for our travels.

  • Annual Fee: $95
  • Sign-up Offer: Get up to $1,050 in Chase TravelSM value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.
  • Additional Point Earnings: 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries, 2x points on travel
  • Benefits Include: Great travel insurance, easily transfer points to airline and hotel loyalty programs, no foreign transaction fee

Click here to learn more about the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card.

Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

This Chase card is even better if you have a business (you DO NOT need to have a formal business entity – it can even be a small side hustle). It comes with some excellent insurance options – such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary business car rental insurance, and cellphone protection. This makes it an invaluable companion for traveler – ensuring peace of mind during unforeseen circumstances. It also has an excellent sign-up offer of Chase points, which can easily transfer to many airline and hotel partners. Plus, the $95 annual fee is still realistic for the benefits the card offers.

  • Annual Fee: $95
  • Sign-up Offer: Earn 90,000 Chase points after spending $8,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
  • Additional Point Earnings: 3x points on travel and select business categories on the first $150,000 spent
  • Benefits Include: Many travel and purchase protections such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary business car rental insurance, and cellphone protection

Click here to learn more about the Chase Ink Business Preferred® card.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

If you want airport lounge access, this is the least expensive option. Capital One also has some specific travel partners that some other cards do not.

  • Annual Fee: $395 (offset with a $300 annual travel credit when booked through Capital One Travel)
  • Sign-up Offer: Earn 75,000 Capital One miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
  • Additional Point Earnings: 10x miles on hotels & rental cars and 5x on flights booked through Capital One Travel, 2x miles on all other purchases
  • Benefits Include: Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, lounge access to Capital One, Plaza Premium, and Priority Pass lounges worldwide (learn more here)

Click here to learn more about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. 

American Express® Business Gold Card

If you want a higher points earning potential in your top spend business categories, this is the card for you. American Express also has some specific travel partners that some other cards do not.

  • Annual Fee: $375 (see rates and fees)
  • Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 American Express membership rewards points after spending $10,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
  • Additional Point Earnings: 4x points on your top 2 spending categories up to $150,000 in combined purchases, 3x points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com, then 1x points on all other purchases
  • Benefits Include: Centurion Lounge Access and a variety of annual credits (such as Walmart+, Dell, Adobe, and airline fees)

Click here to learn more about the American Express® Business Gold Card. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

CREDIT CARDS FOR SPECIFIC HOTELS AND AIRLINES

If you are loyal to a specific hotel or airline, then it does make sense to sign up for one of their co-branded credit cards. Business credit cards offer some of the best sign up offers and earnings potentials for these, and the best part is you DO NOT need to have a formal business entity to apply for them. Here are some quick links to some recommendations!

Which of the credit cards for hotel points and airline miles is best for you? Learn more here!

Those are our favorite credit cards for airline miles and hotel points, but you can learn about other travel credit cards here and click below for more of our specific recommendations!

The Daily Drop newsletter is another great resource to stay up to date on the latest credit card offers.

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included on this website.

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