Cards from Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and the rest. The best ones include an annual free night that covers the annual fee on its own. Hotel points devalue often, so the free-night perk is usually the real reason to hold these.
The strongest hotel card in the market for anyone who actually stays at Hilton resorts. The free night plus credits exceed the $550 fee with ordinary use.
The best points-per-dollar hotel card because Hyatt points are worth roughly double the other chains. The anniversary night routinely covers the fee.
Huge welcome bonuses and the fourth-night-free perk make this the volume play among hotel cards. IHG points run cheap, so earn lots and burn them on multi-night stays.
Automatic Platinum Elite is the headline. The 85,000-point night and dining credit cover the $650 fee if you stay at Marriott even a few times a year.
Worth holding for the anniversary night alone if you stay at Marriott once a year. Everyday earning is weak because Bonvoy points run cheap.
Big numbers, cheap points. 7x on Hilton stays is an effective 2.5% back, fine for a no-fee card but a step behind the Surpass for anyone spending $15 a night more.
A six-figure welcome bonus on a no-fee card. The fourth-night-free benefit alone makes it worth keeping in the drawer for IHG award bookings.
A no-fee way into Bonvoy with surprisingly decent trip protections. No free night certificate means the Boundless is worth the $95 for anyone who stays at Marriott yearly.
